In our lab, we wire the surface of each gas grill with heat-resistant thermocouples and do four temperature tests. We also assess how evenly each model heats. That’s an important attribute when grilling for a crowd. Everything, no matter where you throw it on the grates, should finish at the same time. “A grill also…
Stackable washers and dryers are versatile; they can be stacked vertically or used side by side, unlike machines that can’t be stacked. Some sets can fit into small spaces without sacrificing capacity, but if your space is very small, you may want to consider a stackable compact pair. Here are some more things to think…
The school bus is in many ways ideal for V2G. “There’s no uncertainty in terms of the use of the bus,” says Patricia Hidalgo-Gonzalez, director of the Renewable Energy and Advanced Mathematics Lab at UC San Diego, who studies the grid but wasn’t involved in the project. “Having that clarity on what the transportation needs…
If you’ve always wanted to try bike commuting but are worried you’ll get tired or just don’t want to be sweaty at work, an electric bicycle can give you that last little push—metaphorically and literally. Also, they’re really fun. I’ve never met anyone who has tried an electric bicycle and not wanted one; in the…
The resulting cheese is a high-volume, low-calorie food that’s also high in protein. A half-cup serving of full-fat (called 4% milk fat) plain cottage cheese has about 116 calories, 14 grams of protein, and 3 grams of saturated fat. Flavored cottage cheese can contain added sugars and is higher in calories than plain varieties. Check…
The biggest selling point to an automatic litter box is its ability to separate clumps and therefore contain odors until you’re ready to empty it. All of the ones I tried did this remarkably well, so much so that when you open the waste drawer, you are hit with a wall of intense stench. Neakasa…
When you’re shopping for ground beef, you’ll see packages labeled with the ratio of lean to fat in the meat—80/20 or 90/10, for instance. Typically, ground beef with 80 percent lean and 20 percent fat makes the juiciest burgers; a four-ounce patty has 306 calories and 8 grams of saturated fat. Using 90 percent lean/10…
Having curly hair is a challenge. I used to let it air dry, but I couldn’t stand sitting with wet hair all day and ending up with frizzy curls. I needed to find the best hair dryer for my unmanageable locks. Even if you don’t use it every day, it’s good to have one on…
“It really was an ‘in case of emergency, break glass’ thing,” Brookman says, relishing the lack of features. It didn’t present nearly as many distractions as a phone. Many experts today applaud such efforts to delay that first smartphone purchase. Brooke Shannon, founder of the non-profit advocacy group Wait Until 8th, advises parents to hold…
Smoke, from wood chips or chunks, is used by skilled grillers to impart even more flavor. “I tell beginners to think of smoke as a seasoning or dry rub,” Lilly says. “You want it to lend flavor but not to overwhelm what you’re cooking.” Package instructions often call for soaking the wood chips or chunks…