RSSAuthor Archive for BJones

Some Car Seats are Less Intimidating to Use than Others

By Valerie Baldowski There are oodles of car seats on the market but not all of them are user-friendly. Some are pretty expensive, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re easy to install quickly when you’re in a hurry to travel with your baby or toddler. We’ve talked about the lightest, but what most parents want […]

Best Wireless Headphones

Top 10 Rated Wireless Headphones By Brian Jones The word “wireless” has been sneaking its way into just about every electronic device we can think of. It started with cell phones, moved to the internet in our homes and we can even charge some of our devices wirelessly. A really great wireless innovation is headphones. […]

Best Earbuds

Top 10 Rated Earbuds By Brian Jones We are constantly on the go in the world of today. It could be on the way to school, work, or some exotic location on the other side of the planet. No matter what the situation, we are going to have our music. Earbuds are a great way […]

Energy Star will Become Stricter with its Dishwasher Efficiency Standards in January 2012

By Brittany Rowland According to a Consumer Reports article, starting January 20, 2012, Energy Star is changing its requirements. In order for dishwashers to qualify for the Energy Star rating, they’ll have to be 9 percent more energy efficient and use 27 percent less water than the current standards. In the meantime, appliance retailers will […]

Bagged vs. Bagless Vacuum Cleaners: The Pros and Cons

By Brittany Rowland As you search for the perfect vacuum cleaner, you should know that whether it has a bag or a dust canister has little effect on its suction performance. The choice just depends on your personal preference. There are advantages and disadvantages to both style vacuum cleaners. Bagged vacuum cleaners Pros: Contains dirt […]

Best Noise Canceling Headphones

Top 10 Rated Noise Canceling Headphones By Brian Jones Listening to music on the go is becoming increasingly popular due to the flooding of smartphones that are capable of storing our entire music libraries. Since we are out and about while we are catching some tunes, there is bound to be some distracting environmental noise […]

Be Your Own Barista: Effectively Using a Pump-driven Espresso Machine

By Brittany Rowland For the highest-quality espresso coffee, you’ll most likely want to invest in a pump-driven espresso machine. The taste is noticeably superior to the coffee made by steam machines, with a richer, frothier, less bitter quality. Pump-driven espresso machines can require more practice to master, and they’re bigger, messier, and more expensive. However, […]

CARB Compliant Leaf Blowers

By Brittany Rowland As you browse the selection of gas leaf blowers, you’ll find some listed as CARB compliant and others as non-CARB compliant. CARB stands for California Air Resource Board, an organization that maintains strict air-quality regulations for engines. Other states besides California have adopted these guidelines to ensure that motors release minimal gas […]

Tips for Cleaning a Grill

By Brittany Rowland After cooking out and enjoying crispy steaks, burgers, or kebabs, usually the last thing you feel like doing is cleaning the grill. However, to continue getting the best tasting food and most efficient grilling, it’s critical to maintain your grill on a regular basis. Neglecting the task just makes it more difficult […]

Best Golf Bags

Top 10 Rated Golf Bags By S. Dee Davis Following are our top 10 Golf Bag choices based on the following criteria: 1. Durability 2. Price 3. Stability of Stand 4. Access and Organization 5. Extra Pockets for Accessories 6. Comfort of Harness strap Ogio Golf Stand Bag  9/10 10 inch, 6-way top $189 Four […]

8 Space Heater Safety Tips

By Brian Jones We’ve all heard the horror stories and the warnings about house fires when space heaters are mentioned. So why do so many people still rely on them for warmth in the winter months? Let’s face it, a space heater is simply one of the best ways to keep us warm and comfortable. […]

Best Space Heater

Top 10 Rated Space Heaters By Brian Jones As temperatures drop we are in constant search of ways to keep ourselves warm. Central heating is a great option, but it can be expensive and in some cases inefficient. Bundling up is always a way to go, but not particularly when we are seeking comfort in […]

Starting a Gas-Powered Leaf Blower

By Brittany Rowland Gas blowers generally break down into two-cycle and four-cycle engines. The two-cycle variety require a special mixture of gas and oil to properly start the engine. The general rule is that for every gallon of gas you add 2 ½ ounces of oil. Adding too much oil to the mixture can cause […]

Washing Machines; The New Designer Appliance? How important is Appearance?

By Brittany Rowland   With so many new high-tech washer models, as sleek and stylish in appearance as they are functional, gone are the days of stowing them away in far-off rooms. Move over, plain industrial white washers, and make room for stainless steel, granite, and a myriad of bright colors. More frequently, families are […]

6 Steps for Making the Best Espresso

By Brittany Rowland Whether you buy a top-of-the-line espresso machine or a budget model, there are steps you can take to ensure that you get the highest-quality espressos. It takes practice and know-how to make fine coffee, and as you discover the best practices you’ll recognize it for the art form that it is. Here […]

Different Types of Ice Cubes Made By Ice Makers

By Brittany Rowland Ice is ice, you might be thinking. What does it matter what shape or color it’s in? You’d be surprised to know that many food industry establishments, businesses, and private homes consider the shape and clarity of the ice they want when purchasing an ice maker. It’s not simply about aesthetics; it […]