All posts by: Saralyn Chesnut

Snow blowers 101: How to tell which type suits your driveway

Home & Garden
By Saralyn Chesnut on January 12, 2012 in

Snow Blower

If you're in the market for a new snow blower, you're in luck. According to ConsumerReports.org, the latest models are "bigger, better, and friendlier" than ever, and competition among big-box retailers has driven prices down.  Depending on your needs, you can expect to spend anywhere from about $100 to over $1,500.

How much you'll need to spend depends primarily on how much snow you get and how large an area you need to clear. For a small area like a patio or deck covered with an inch or so of snow, an electric snow shovel may be enough, and you can buy a good one for $100 or less. However, for heavier jobs, your choices include an electric or gas single-stage snow blower, or a gas-fueled two-stage model. Read more

Better battery-powered leaf blowing?

Home & Garden
By Saralyn Chesnut on September 17, 2011 in

Leaves

Over the past year or so two major manufacturers of outdoor power tools, Black & Decker and Stihl, have introduced new lines of cordless tools powered by lithium ion batteries. In the case of Black & Decker, the new tools compete (for now) with an existing line of cordless tools powered by nickel-cadmium (NiCd) batteries. The new LSW120 lithium cordless leaf blower, for example, has about the same amount of blowing "oomph" as the well reviewed NS118 cordless blower, which uses a NiCd battery. ToolSnob.com describes the LSW120 cordless blower as "fantastic." (For more information about the LSW120, visit our comprehensive report on leaf blowers.) Read more

Choose the right BBQ smoker for your tastes

Home & Garden
By Saralyn Chesnut on September 2, 2011 in

Barbecue

Before buying a dedicated BBQ smoker, you'll need to decide whether to go with a charcoal, electric, or propane-fueled model.  Each type has pros and cons, and in the end what's best for you depends on whether you care most about cost, convenience, or taste. Read more

Find the right dorm room fridge

Kitchen & Food
By Saralyn Chesnut on August 30, 2011 in

Roomies checking out there mini fridge

If you or you child has just moved into a college dormitory, or are getting ready to, chances are you've thought about getting a mini fridge to keep snacks and drinks handy. First, check your school's housing policy to make sure you're allowed to keep a mini fridge in your room, and if so, whether the school imposes any restrictions on what kind or size you can have.

Got the all clear? Don't hit the store without a little background information--not all mini fridges are the same and some aren't meant for food at all. Here are some questions to ask yourself to help narrow down your choices. Once you've zoned in on what type of mini fridge you're looking for, read our report for the best models.

Read more

How green is your home insulation?

Home & Garden
By Saralyn Chesnut on June 23, 2011 in

Is your home insulation green?

Trying to decide what type of home insulation to use? Your primary goal should be to reduce the amount of energy it takes to heat and cool your home. But did you ever stop to think about the amount of energy that goes into producing insulation itself?

Green-building experts use the term "embodied energy" to describe the energy used to make any product, bring it to market and (eventually) dispose of it. To evaluate how green an insulation material is in terms of energy usage, you must weigh its embodied energy against the energy it saves when it's insulating a home. Using materials that save considerable amounts of a home's operating energy, even if the material's embodied energy is a bit higher, is a good direction," say the editors at GreenHomeGuide.com. "Using materials that save operating energy but have a low embodied energy is even better." Read more

Greener grilling with charcoal?

Home & Garden
By Saralyn Chesnut on June 14, 2011 in

Charcoal grilling

Some grilling aficionados won't be satisfied with a gas grill; to them, only a charcoal grill can provide the smoky taste you grill food for in the first place.  Few would argue, however, that burning charcoal improves air quality. If this is a concern for you, your taste buds and your conscience may be pulling you in different directions. You'll be glad to know, then, that it is possible to minimize the impact on the environment when you fire up the grill, and some of the ways to do that will also save you money. Read more

If it ain't broke...fix it anyway? Weber overhauls Genesis gas grill line

Home & Garden
By Saralyn Chesnut on June 7, 2011 in

2011 Weber Genesis gas grill

Weber's Genesis line of gas grills gets great reviews from owners and experts. The Genesis E-320, in particular, is often cited as the best grill you can buy for the price; in fact, we name it the best grill overall in our latest report on gas grills.  Now, after years of success with the line, Weber has redesigned its Genesis gas grills for 2011, and there's also a new model -- the Genesis 330.

A company redesigning a grill may not seem like such a big deal, but Weber's dramatic changes for 2011 have generated a lot of online chatter. Advocates of the proven old design say it worked so well that it's a shame to change it at all. On the other side of the argument, some users are already applauding the changes made for 2011. Read more

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