Red-Hot Appliances

With its 250-watt motor, this powerful little mixer is up to almost any beating or mixing job. Its attractive retro styling also makes this one appliance that you won’t hide in the cupboard. It features a 6-speed control for mixing versatility, and includes a “Burst of Power” function that provides extra power at a touch of a button. The most unique feature of this mixer, however, is the vertical stand that it sits in. You can easily store the chrome beaters, the cord wrap, and the mixer itself, yet it doesn’t look out of place on the kitchen counter. Available on Amazon.com and at Wal-Mart for around $30. Whip up delightful treats in no time – your sweet tooth will thank you!

With this beauty, cupid hit a bulls eye…. style and performance in one gorgeous package. Oster’s 2-speed toggle switch Beehive Blender boasts 500 watts of power and an all-metal drive system for power and extra durability. You can switch between continuous smooth blending or the pulse option for precisely chopped food. The stainless steel ice-crushing blade and the 5-cup scratch resistant glass jar are dishwasher safe, perfect for instant smoothie creations. This model, 4126, is available at Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, Best Buy, Fred Meyer, Oster.com, and Amazon.com.

Save money by staying in on Valentine’s Day… prepare your honey a home-cooked dinner for two with your Crock-Pot slow cooker! One of Crock-Pot’s most popular models, this slow cooker can hold enough to feed 4-5 people and is perfect for all your favorite recipes. There are three heat settings, including a convenient keep-warm setting, which is great for when you’re entertaining. With a see-through glass lid, it’s easy to check on the food you’re cooking. The stoneware is removable, making serving simple and cleanup a cinch; it’s also microwave and dishwasher safe. This model retails for $24.99 at Target and Amazon.com. Check out www.Crock-Pot.com for more information, recipes, and tips on getting the most out of your Crock-Pot!

This coffeemaker doesn’t just look nice in your kitchen, it has some really great features as well. It’s programmable, with a Delay Brew feature that allows you to set your coffeemaker up to 24 hours in advance. The built-in Water Filtration system removes 97% of chlorine for better-tasting coffee. The Brew Strength Selector lets you choose the right strength for your taste. The Pause n’ Serve feature lets you pour a cup while the coffee maker is still brewing. There are even more features that I haven’t mentioned, but I think the one I’d appreciate the most is the Fresh Brew Timer, which lets you know just how long the coffee has been sitting there. There’s nothing worse than starting out the day with bad coffee! This particular model, the FTX49, retails for around $50, and can be found at Target and Amazon.com.

I realize this isn’t a kitchen appliance, but it’s a useful household gadget nonetheless. I’ve had a Roomba robotic floorvac since my first daughter was born, and LOVE it. I’ve had to replace the battery once in the past 4 years, but other than that it’s still going strong. There’s nothing better than setting up the Roomba, going to play outside with the girls for a bit, and coming back in to a perfectly-vacuumed playroom. I don’t have this exact model, mine’s a drab grey and white… but it is from the same series. The Roomba is so easy to use and adjusts automatically from wood, tile, linoleum and low-to-medium pile carpet. It can detect extra-dirty areas and increases intensity of cleaning in that area. My favorite aspect is that because of it’s compact nature, the Roomba has the ability to clean where you, and most upright vacuums, can’t – under beds, couches, and other furniture. It has a little spinning sidebrush that removes dirt and debris from the base of walls, from corners, around table legs, and other hard-to-reach places. You can find the red model for $149 on Amazon.com, with free shipping to boot! I think this is a bargain for the time and energy that it saves you!