Summer Giveaway: Win a Dimplex PowerChef Electric Grill
That's right, we're already doing another giveaway! This one is only for our Facebook fans though, so if you haven't already "liked" the Living Direct fan page make sure you do so now.
For this giveaway, we have teamed up with Dimplex to give away a Dimplex PowerChef convertible electric grill with stainless accents (pictured above) - a $499 value! What makes this grill unique is the fact that it runs on electricity instead of with charcoal and fire or on propane gas. That means there is no messy clean up or worrying about running out of gas whenever you want to cook outside. Electric grills are also better for the environment since they produce significantly less carbon emissions than a typical gas grill and do not create excess waste like ash and charcoal.
This specific Dimplex electric grill features an electronic display that allows you to program cook times and functions for your favorite meals. Simply program the type of food and desired results, and the grill takes care of the rest, automatically setting the cooking time and temperature. If you prefer a more hands on approach, there is also a manual function.
The entire grill top and lid are heated evenly, so there aren't any cold spots like on grills that use a flame. Also, its compact size means that it can be easily transported from one place to another, so you can use it in your backyard, at a friend's house or even on a boat. All you need is a standard 120-volt power outlet to plug the grill into and you're ready to cook!
So head on over to our Facebook page now and upload a picture of your old grill to be entered to win this brand new Dimplex PowerChef! The winner will be chosen at 12 pm CST on August 2, so you have plenty of time to enter.
Finding the Best Mini Fridge for Your Dorm
If you're starting college in the fall, or know someone who is, then you're probably excited about, and slightly dreading, moving into a dorm. Soon you'll be receiving your roommate assignment and your room number, and the next thing you have to think about is what each person is going to bring.
My freshman year roommate and I tried to split this down the middle based on what we already had and what needed to be purchased. I brought the TV and DVD player, she brought a stereo. Luckily for us though, a mini fridge and microwave were already provided by the dormitory. If I could have brought my own mini fridge I would have though.The compact refrigerator they supplied wasn't bad, it kept our food cold, but it wasn't right for what I wanted.
Which is why I have put together this guide to finding the perfect mini fridge for you. Below are examples of the most common mini fridges on the market and their pros and cons.
The Cube Mini Fridge
A cube mini fridge is the smallest unit you can buy; they are usually no bigger than 2.7 cubit feet. Most cube mini fridges have a full-range thermometer which means they can be used as a refrigerator or as a freezer. This is good if you plan on using it for only one or the other.
Another great feature of many cube fridges is that they come with a lock and key. If you don't plan on sharing your drinks and snacks or fridge space with your roommate, then you might want to keep your small fridge locked so they can't steal anything while you're not in the room.
There are also cube mini fridges that come in a variety of colors and models that have a dry erase board door so you can write notes on it.
Compact All Refrigerators
This might be the most common midsize fridge available. It is called an all refrigerator, because the entire unit is a fridge, unlike regular-sized kitchen fridges which feature a refrigerator and a freezer. Some of the compact all refrigerator units do have a small freezer box inside the refrigerator, but they are usually too small to hold more than a couple of frozen dinners. The freezer box is also not very reliable since it is inside a refrigerator.
There are some compact all fridge models that come with a lock and key, like the cube mini fridge, so you can keep others out of your food and drinks. Many of these units also have extra storage space in the door for soda cans and condiments. Compact all refrigerators have about twice the space of cube fridges and are great for those who only want to store drinks and refrigerated snacks, like yogurt, vegetables or sandwich fixings.
Midsize Refrigerators
This is the mini fridge I would have wanted in college. It's around the same size as a compact all refrigerator, but it features a separate freezer. You won't always want to eat the "food" being served in the cafeteria, and as a college student your budget can be tight at times, which is why frozen meals will be your friend. You can store plenty of drinks and snacks in the refrigerator portion and the freezer will hold frozen meals and ice cream.
Unfortunately, midsize refrigerators do not have a lock on them to keep other people out, but there's enough room to share the storage space with your roommate. They also have a vegetable crisper and additional storage space in the door for holding soda cans, 2 liter bottles, milk and/or orange juice. The amount of refrigerator space might be slightly less than that of an all refrigerator, but midsize fridges still have 2 shelves in addition to the crisper and door storage space.
Combination Microwave Refrigerators
These refrigerators are exactly like the midsize or all refrigerators, depending on which you choose, but they come with a mounting rack and microwave. If your dorm room doesn't come with a mini fridge, then it probably doesn't have a microwave either. Microwaves are the quintessential dorm room cooking appliances. Many dormitories won't allow toasters or toaster ovens or even small grills, so if you want hot food, you need a microwave. By mounting the microwave to the top of the mini fridge, you are able to save precious counter space. It is also required in many dorms that if a microwave is on top of a compact refrigerator that it be mounted for safety.
A combination microwave mini fridge is the perfect duo for those that will find themselves wanting study snacks or avoiding the cafeteria.
6 Unique Ways to Use a Dehumidifier
Yes, I know it's still winter, but it's been raining A LOT here in Austin the past couple of days and the cedar count is high. So while most people associate a humidifier with winter (and they should!), I've been thinking about dehumidifiers. I am not suggesting you put a dehumidifier in your bedroom in the winter since it will dry out your skin and could even give you a bloody nose, but other rooms might benefit from having one.
Generally, most people use a home dehumidifier for when they have bad allergies or find mold in their house, but here are other ways a dehumidifier can be helpful:
1. Protect Stored Bedding
A mini dehumidifier can keep stored sheets and clothes from smelling musty and make sure cloth-eating insects stay away. Another important reason you should consider keeping a dehumidifier in a storage closet is that it will prevent microscopic mildew from growing on sheets. The mildew isn't visible to the naked eye, but it can still cause harm. Mildew can easily be transferred from the bedding to the inside of your mattress, in which case, the mattress is ruined and must be thrown out.
2. Keep Electronics from Malfunctioning
This one shouldn't be a large concern in the winter, but for those who live in high humidity areas it isn't uncommon for moisture to form inside electronics, such as computers. Everyone knows that water and computers don't mix. Moisture can lead to corrosion and fry your hard drive, which would mean the loss of all the photos and important documents you have saved.
3. Safeguard Automobiles, Machinery and Tools During Storage
Most people wouldn't think a car needs a dehumidifier, but it's not for the inside of the car. Show cars or cars that are collected are usually kept in storage most of the year, and have the potential to rust if kept in high humidity. The same idea goes for other machinery and tools. Moisture causes metal to rust and corrode, but a dehumidifier can protect these items and save you a lot of money from having to replace them. If you do want a dehumidifier for the inside of your car though, a dessicant dehumidifier doesn't require any power and should do the job.
4. Stop Woods from Warping and Cracking
Too much or too little moisture is not a good thing for wood. Door frames can be warped by excessive humidity, which causes annoying squeaking or sticking. If you have wood floors, wooden furniture or even instruments, a dehumidifier will keep them from absorbing too much moisture and being damaged.
5. Preserve Family Treasures and Heirlooms
Many people keep a dehumidifier in their basement or a crawl space to keep mold from growing and destroying their home. The basement dehumidifier is also protecting their photo albums, records and other important possessions. Since these rooms are especially prone to dampness, it isn't the best environment for storing valuables, but it is the most convenient, which is why it should be the first place you consider placing a dehumidifier in your home.
6. Help Foods Stay Fresh Longer
This is probably a use you never thought of for a dehumidifier, but makes perfect sense when you consider it for a minute. Moisture causes food to decay faster than any other factor and creates an attractive environment for weevils, fruit flies and other pests that just love to live in dark pantries and cupboards. A mini dehumidifier will not only keep away the bugs, but the food will stay fresh for longer periods of time.
Our site, SimplyDehumidifiers.com, offers home dehumidifiers, basement dehumidifiers and even large commercial dehumidifiers for water extraction from flooding. There are also buyer's guides, comparisons and reviews to help make the buying process easier or just for educating yourself more about the benefits of owning a dehumidifier.
A dehumidifier is a very small investment when compared to the damage that might be caused by high humidity in your home.
Behind the Scenes: Videoshoot
We have an exciting new feature coming to our sites in the coming weeks: Videos!
On Friday, a small group ventured to the video production studio of Invodo with about 30 products. They had one day to get through as many of the products as possible, and they did a pretty good job. Behind the Our two product experts were Peter Keller, the Director of Product Development, and Brian Ford, Director of Customer Relations. No one knows more about our products than these two guys and it was apparent when watching them breeze through the videos.
Check out the "Behind the Scenes" photos from the videoshoot and keep checking back for the new informational videos.
The #1 Portable Dishwasher
The EdgeStar DWP45ES was recently rated the "Best Portable Countertop Dishwasher" by BestCovery.com! We do our best to offer great quality in every one of our products, so we are very excited to see an EdgeStar appliance receive outside recognition.
In addition to the "Best" honor, this EdgeStar dishwasher has also been rated as one of the most Energy Efficient compact models on the market because of its ability to conserve water.
Here is what BestCovery.com had to say about the EdgeStar portable dishwasher:
"Why it's best:
With digital controls, a stainless interior and a heated saniwash setting, the EdgeStar offers state of the art features and excellent price value for a countertop model. Consumers like the look and design of this unit as much as performance and features. As for capacity, it can handle a standard place setting for four and has a cutlery basket."
Click here for more information on the EdgeStar DWP45ES.
Living Direct Goes Hollywood: Employee Video Contest Results
Last month our CEO, Rick Lundbom, organized an employee video contest at Living Direct. His objective was to get us thinking about the products we sell in creative ways.
The way the contest worked was everyone was divided into random teams of 3-4 persons, then each team selected a product to feature in a short video. Rick announced that the videos would premiere at the quarterly meeting in October and provided handheld video cameras to each team.
Teams had until October 30th to complete their video entries and post to YouTube.com. Cash prizes were offered for the following achievements:
- $1500 to the team video with the most YouTube hits
- $1000 to the team video voted the funniest
To add even more excitement to the event, the quarterly meeting was held at the nearby Alamo Drafthouse movie theater. It was an absolute blast watching these "films" on the big screen. And based on the amount of laughter, applause & camaraderie I witnessed, I would say the entire company enjoyed it. Kudos to our video winners, "The Unfaithful Kegerator" (funniest) and "Cruzin Cooler Joust" (most YouTube views).
Leave a comment with your favorite.
1.) Moron eats habaneros for stupid bet.
2.) Cruzin' Cooler Joust vs. Daft Punk - Aerodynamic
3.) The Most Coolest Man in the World
Review of the Avanti IHP1501 Induction Hotplate with Skillet
This review was written by Kathy, one of our Online Merchandising Analysts, after testing out the IHP1501 Avanti Induction Hotplate with Skillet during a recent Product Demo Friday at Living Direct.
IHP1501 Avanti Induction Hotplate with Skillet
Pros:
- Heats up fast. After putting some vegetable oil in the pan, I saw bubbles within seconds. The meat browned quickly.
- Cooks evenly. Meat also browned evenly and was ready to be flipped at the same time.
- Uses less energy. I wasn’t able to prove this during product testing, but if it is true, I’m for it. The amount of time it took to cook meat and boil water proved induction to be more efficient than a regular electric stove.
- Cooktop stays cool to the touch. Frederique was able to remove surface stickers while the unit was on. This will be good for cleaning up inevitable spills and boil-overs.
- Timer function. When I get to the point of knowing exactly how long it takes to cook certain food, a timer can be programmed to turn off the cooktop. Less chance of burning and liquid evaporation when steaming veggies.
- Almost no assembly. The cooktop was ready to use out of the box. The only assembly required attaching the handle to the skillet.
Cons:
- Only compatible with iron or steel cookware. I would have preferred a medium sized saucepan rather than a skillet to be included. A saucepan would have been more versatile, and easier to cook soups and other products with liquid. The included skillet seemed to be cheap quality. Buying new iron or steel cookware to use with the induction cooker is going to expensive. A magnet has to be able to stick to the bottom for the cookware to be usable on the induction heating element.
- Controls are confusing. There’s a button for mode 1 and another for mode 2. You have to consult the owner’s manual to find out what 1 and 2 are. FYI 2 is for frying and 1 is for everything else. Why didn’t they just call mode 1 cook mode and 2 frying mode?
- Contrary to rumors, it takes more than 3 minutes to boil water actually takes 6.5 minutes for water to boil. That’s still pretty fast.
Visit CompactAppliance.com for more information or to purchase the IPH1501 Avanti Induction Hotplate with Skillet.
About CompactAppliance.com
CompactAppliance.com is a division of Living Direct, Inc., a family owned and operated business established 1999 in Austin, Texas. Compact Appliance was created to provide solutions for people in search of space-saving appliances and specialty home goods. Over the past 10 years, the company has grown to become one of the top 500 internet retailers in the U.S. by providing superior customer service, quality products and a simple shopping experience.
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Compact Appliance on Twitter
- Happy Labor Day Weekend! Save an extra $10 off any Full-Size Kegerator on Kegerator.com with coupon code 10KEGSEP! http://bit.ly/95U7cV
- Do you have a blog where you write reviews? We're looking for people to review kegerators, ice makers & wine coolers! DM for more details.
- EdgeStar 5 Liter Mini Keg Beer Dispenser | Gear Patrol http://bit.ly/c6cO2Y
- Gear up for Football Season: Kegerators, college-logo beer coolers, even a grill shaped like a football & more! http://j.mp/ftbllssn
- I'd say so! @angieahrens Does filling a keg for our #kegerator, purchased from you count? :) @OfficialCA Got any big plans for the weekend?
Living Direct on Twitter
- Mmm. We have birthday cookies in the office today from @tiffstreats. The smell is making it hard to eat just one! ^CW
- Football season is finally starting! Who did you cheer for last night? We were conflicted here as Cowboys & Longhorns fans.
- Lucky Customer Wins Backyard Makeover from Internet Retailer, LivingDirect.com http://shar.es/0nN0I
- Our Pres/COO, Jason Roussos, will be speaking on a panel at eTail East on assessing keys to growth. Don't miss it! http://bit.ly/9NHWoc
- New Blog Post: The WINNER of our 2010 Outdoor Entertaining Giveaway is... http://bit.ly/dpsCct ^CW