A microwave oven works by generating “radio waves” to heat food. Unlike a conventional oven that must be preheated, a microwave does’nt waste any energy heating the air inside the oven. The result is – shorter cooking times making it very energy efficient – up to 50% less cooking time on roasts when using a combination microwave oven.

But if like me the extent of your microwave cooking is limited to one or two number keys and the START button – now might be a good time to check out the latest technology – perfect for busy people who are time poor but love to cook!

If you only ever use your microwave for reheating or defrosting, you’ll not need lots of fancy features! If, on the other hand, you enjoy experimenting with new products and want to prepare complete meals, then look for the latest innovations with variable features that will cook your meals quickly. If children are going to use the microwave, ease of use and safety features like a child lock are important.

Wattage

A higher wattage will cook your food faster. Microwaves have power ranging between 600 to 1200 watts. Most recipes usually specify power of about 800 watts. Some models do have shortcuts like “medium” or “medium high” for easy of use.

Size

Capacities do vary from about 17L to 25L – 20L is a really good family size and will have a larger turntable to fit a large plate. A microwave with a flatbed has no conventional turntable – you’ll have more interior space so you can cook more than one dish at a time. A quick rub of a cloth and easy to clean!

Features

Microwaves with sensor or inverter technology work on detecting the amount of moisture and weight in food and will automatically select the correct temperature and time to cook it for you. The big advantage is that food is cooked more evenly, it improves in texture and retains all its natural flavours so you use less salt. If you like to cook different meats, fish, meat, or chicken a microwave with pre-programmed controls is so easy to use - with one touch – you simply put in the food, tell the appliance what you are cooking and press START. It eliminates the “guess work” out of cooking making sure food does not dry out or overcook – tastes perfect!

Programmable cooking gives you the option to adjust the power levels and timing. You will just have to get friendly with the user manual to explore all the menu options and some pretty appetizing recipe tips to tempt you!

As foods do not brown or form a crust a combination oven an integrated grill is perfect for browning and crisping dishes. It allows you to combine hot air cooking – keeping your food moist on the inside but really crispy on the outside. With healthy eating high on everyone’s agenda these days look at a model with a steam option – no need to use cooking fat or oil – sealing in all the vitamins and your meals will not only taste good but will be good for your health.

No matter which microwave you buy, do try and use it as much as you can. Cooking is incredibly fast compared to a conventional oven - saving you time, money and energy – more time to enjoy your culinary creations!

Today’s kettles host a range of clever and intuitive features designed to look good but are also energy efficient.  Eco kettles will not only save you money but also offer features that make it easier to boil the exact amount of water you need.  Most kettles come with an automatic shut off if you tend to leave the kettle boiling and wander off.

Do think of our few simple steps and turn your ordinary kettle into an energy saving kettle saving you money, time and electricity.

Only boil what you need

This might be an obvious one but only fill the kettle with the amount of water you need.  If your kettle does not have a gauge, use a mug to measure if you are only having a cup or two. This will save you boiling more water than you need and save you money, water and energy.

Make the cuppa

Try not to leave the room directly after putting the kettle on. You’ll get distracted, forget about it and you’ll only have to reboil it.

Save the extra hot water 

If you are someone who uses a lot of boiling water in a day, try boiling a set amount and keep the water in a thermos flask for the rest of the day. You will be able to have as many cups of tea or coffee as you like for the cost of only boiling your kettle once – cutting down on your energy costs.

 A little care keeps the bad luck away

Water tastes so much better when the limescale is filtered out so best  not to leave water standing in your kettle.  To tackle the limescale, put some white vinegar and leave to soak in your kettle overnight.  Don’t forget to rinse out well afterwards. Your cuppa will always taste better and it will extend the life of your kettle.

When buying a kettle – do recycle your old one

Buy a small kettle if you only boil a cup or two.  Choose a kettle with a concealed element, it is easier to clean and boils much quicker.

Like most home products, kettles have come down in price but try and  buy the one that suits your budget and your needs.  Regardless of which ever electric kettle you choose, a little common sense can make your water boiling as efficient as it can be and do wonders for the environment.

It's hard to believe that there's only 8 days to go until the old analogue TV signal is switched off forever! That means it's the end of the road for the old Aertel, but don't worry the aertel service will be revamped and given a new fresh look with faster load times.  Queue the nostalgia... The Journal have lovely blog post on 9 things we'll miss about the old-school Aertel. Go n-éirí an bóthar leat Aertel

We've everything you need for the switchover see www.did.ie/saorview

Vacuum cleaners come in all shapes and sizes and is one of the most used appliances in the household. Typically, if you make the right decision and match the vacuum cleaner to your needs, there is no reason why you should not get 10 years or more out of your vacuum cleaner, of course, that is with the right care!

Size of the house! One of the first things to do is make sure that the vacuum cleaner capacity and radius of the cable matches the size of the house it is being used in. There is nothing more annoying than having to keep changing plugs as you move from room to room. Believe it or not, the length of the cord can range from 4m up to 12m!

Another really important consideration is if you have animals in the house? If so, look out for one of the “cat’s n dog’s” or “animal” vacuum cleaners that are designed for this purpose. So what is so special about them? Well, if you take the Miele brand of “Cat n’dog”, this model was one of the first to address the area of pets in the home. As the leader in this category, their vacuum comes with an active Air Clean-Filter that has a carbon coal coating to remove any scent from the air and is especially suited for households with pets. It also includes a “Turbo” head that is independently powered by air and ideal for the gentle but thorough cleaning of threads, fluff and hair from carpets. This is a must for those that have pets and allow them into the house!!

Like those that may have pets in the house and would be interested in the Active Air filter that Miele provide in their cat n dog vacuum, it is also something that is very prevalent where members of families have allergies or asthma. Ireland has the Fourth highest prevalence of asthma in the world

• 7.1% of 18+ population have asthma
• 18.9% of 13 – 15 year olds have asthma
• 38.5% of 13 – 15 year olds reported wheezing
• More than 1 person a week dies from asthma
• 29% of asthma patients miss school or work

A lot of vacuum cleaners now come with a level of filtration that is driven by the HEPA filter. HEPA stands for “High Efficiency Particulate Air". Basically HEPA is a type of filter that can trap a large amount of very small particles that other vacuum cleaners would simply recirculate back into the air of your home.

Hard Floors in the house is another consideration for many. Many basic and entry level vacuum cleaners come with a standard head that can be adjusted between “hard” floors and carpets. However, if your “hard” floor is not just tiling and you have spent good money on wooden floors, it is important that you ensure your new vacuum comes with a separate hard wood head or that you can purchase one separately as an accessory. A good hard floor head means that there will be no metal contact with the floor, hence ensuring no accidental scratches on your beautiful new wooden floor.

So, what are the next steps once you have ticked the boxes above? Well, at this stage, there are still a few little things that might make a big difference. For example, make sure to check and see if the vacuum cleaner comes with metal tubes or plastic ones. You cannot beat metal tubes, the last so much longer and while the plastic ones reduce the cost in the short term, ones they crack under a bit of “pressure vacuuming” to loosen up that one piece of dirt that just won’t lift, you are into spending more money to replace them than you would have at the start by spending that little bit more. Also, cord rewind is a nice little feature to have, so ask the question. It helps with storage and prevents the lead getting damaged.

One feature that is also sometimes overlooked is the variable suction. While not always used, it is something that can be advantageous to people that like to clean down curtains, throws and couches!

For those that like to take the vacuum cleaner out when the family have all gone to bed and don’t want to create a stir, there is a variance on the noise levels of the various units available, so if this is important, don’t be afraid to ask how silent a unit is and get a demonstration against other ones on display!
Over the last few years, there has been an emergence of Bagless Vacuum cleaners into the market that have proved extremely popular and the most famous of these being the Dyson brand. In most cases, this comes down to being a question of choice. Some people love the fact that they can see the levels of dirt coming up from the floor area they are cleaning, others hate the dust that is created when emptying the unit!
At the end of the day, the most important thing is that you review your needs and ensure that you have something that is going to serve your purpose and last you for at least 10 years! Maintenance is important so here are some tips for when you have made your decision!

BAGS – First thing to check if your vacuum bag is full. Only use the genuine bags, they are designed for your unit.If you are using bagless, make sure it does not need to be emptied.
Filters – Pre Motor and post motor filters. Keep and eye on these and make sure they are not dirty soaked in dust. Filters can be washable or just need to be replaced. Clean or new filters make a huge difference to a vacuum cleaner.
Blockages – If the bag is clear and the filters are clear, switch off the vacuum filter and check the plastic hosing as it is so easy for things to get stuck, this can be done by simply squeezing it all the way through. The metal tubes can be checked using a metal hanger.
Hoses – Sometimes from a lot of use, hoses can become frayed or may have a tear in them. The best way to ensure no loss of suction is to get a replacement.

View full range of Vacuum Cleaners

When you cut through the hype and the wannabe techies, each technology has different benefits and costs. So to help you figure out which TV is right for your house, let's take a look at each one.

Light output (brightness)
Winner: LED TVs
Loser: Plasma TVs
Runner-Up: LCD TVs

Without question, LED TVs are the brightest panels you can buy. Some models are capable of well over 100 footlamberts. To put that in perspective, in a movie theater you're lucky if you get 5. LCD TVs are a close second.
Black Level
Winner: Plasma TVs
Loser: LCD TVs
Runner-Up: LED TVs

This is getting a lot closer, but plasmas still offer the best black levels. Yes, LED TVs can sometimes have an absolute black (by turning off their LEDs), but when you're watching a movie, plasmas are going to seem darker. This relates to contrast ratio.

Contrast Ratio
Winner: Plasma TVs
Loser: LCD TVs
Runner-up: LED TVs

Contrast ratio, or the ratio between the darkest part of the image and the brightest, is one of the most important factors in overall picture quality. A display with a high contrast ratio is going to seem more realistic, and have more virtual "depth".

Viewing Angle
Winner: Plasma TVs
Losers: LCD and LED TVs
Runners-up: LCD

How big is your room? Do you or loved ones sit off to the side, viewing the TV at an angle? If so, it's important to note that LCDs of both flavors lose picture quality when viewed "off axis", as in not directly in front of the screen.

Energy Consumption
Winner: LED TVs
Loser: Plasma TVs
Runner-up: LCD TVs

No question, LED TVs have the lowest energy consumption, especially when you turn down the backlight. Toyota Prius drivers, this is the TV for you. LCD TVs are a close second, with the same addendum. Plasmas, especially when you turn up the contrast control (which you need to for them to look their best), just aren't as energy efficient. They are, however, far better than they were a few years ago.

Price
Winner: LCD TVs
Loser: LED TVs
Runner-up: Plasma TVs

Because they tend to be at the lower-end of a company's TV offerings, LCD TVs are the cheapest panels you can buy. As mentioned earlier, LED TVs are the technology behind many company`s high-end offerings. The cheapest TVs will almost always be LCDs. Plasmas tend to have the best size/price ratio.
Lifespan
Tie

Multiple studies by a variety of sources have found flat-panel TVs to be extremely reliable. Internet forums are always populated by the angry, so invariably you're going to read more "well mine broke!" posts than "I've had mine for 5 years and it's great".

Burn-in
Tie

All TVs can burn in. It's unlikely you'll abuse them enough for this to happen (think airport arrival/departure displays). Plasmas can have image persistence, which has the outward appearance of burn-in, but isn't permanent. You're going to notice image persistence long before it will become a problem.
And the winner is...
If you want to count wins and losses from the list above, go ahead. The thing is, these items don't have equal weight. That's the point. For one person, absolute light output is absolute, for another, black level is above all else. These two performance aspects are, for now mutually exclusive.

So don't listen to those who say, "well, its brightest, it's best" or "LCD's black level is terrible, so they blow". Reading through this list I'm positive you mentally weighted certain factors above others, even if you didn't notice it at first. Go with your gut. If you watch a lot of TV during the day, or have a room with lots of windows, an LED TV is probably best. If you watch at night, and want the TV to disappear into the background, plasma is probably best.

Want to know the best part, and the dirty little secret of the TV world? If you're buying a name-brand TV, its picture quality is going to be really, really good. Compared with flat-panel TVs from just a few years ago, new HDTVs are thinner, brighter, better-performing, and cheaper than ever before. So go for it. Your new TV is going to be awesome for years to come.

Related Resources

Video guide to choosing a TV
Get Ready for Saorview

If you see this message on your screen or a little bug in the bottom right hand corner of your screen, don't ignore it. You must take action.

We've put together everything you need to know about Saorview here or call us on 01-6250250 and we'll take care of you every step of the way. Get Ready Now

A caked up element in a dishwasher, washing machine or washer dryer causes all sorts of problems. The machine will need to use more detergent and more energy to do the job effectively which means it will cost you more to run.  Not to mention the worst case scenario where the element needs to be replaced entirely. Here are some anti-limescale treatment options for you to consider.

Anti Limescale Tablets or Powder:
The first thing that comes to mind is “washing machines live longer with Calgon!” These tablets are recommended at one tablet per wash for hard water areas for best results. However, such treatment can get expensive when over the course of the year. If you’re using both your washer and dishwasher once a day you’ll spend over €100 per year on anti-limescale tablets.

Wpro Anti-limescale Bolt:
Wpro Anti Limescale Bolt is a powerful magnet that splits the limescale at the point where the water enters the machine. The magnetic force deter the limescale molecules getting together to deposit on the heating elements. In this way it preserves the life of appliances keeping the elements clean and free from limescale. You fit it to the inlet pipe of the machine so its ideal to do at the time of installation of an appliance but with a bit of faff can be retrofitted. Its a once off purchase of €29.99 from DID Electrical in Airside Branch Swords. According to the blurb on the packet the product is 100% safe for environment and health, as it does not contain any chemicals, additives or harmful substances. It does not affect the biological structure of water either.

As always please refer to your appliance manual for detailed instructions on how to best care for your appliance. Until next time. Happy washing !

However, we think there's still something special about printing your favourite photos and creating a family photo album to be cherished for years to come. There's nothing better than stumbling across an old photo album or calendar to find a pic of your Uncle John with that ridiculous hair do!

So have a look through your best shots and give them a new lease of life. We've made it even easier for you to start a project today with our photo service available at Rathmines and Blanchardstown stores. You can even place your orders online to pick up instore!

Get Started Here

Best of luck!

Do you scrub them with an old toothbrush, or do you rely on your washing machine to keep your favourite trainers looking good?

Scrubbing them with a toothbrush may get some of the dirt away but it won’t remove any of the nasty odours that are very much associated with runners! When washing your runners in a washing machine, consider putting them in with a towel wash or inside an old pillow case. Make sure you remove the laces and don’t put any trainers that have air cushioning into the washer.

Having said all that, it’s important that you check the shoe manufacturers care instructions to avoid damaging your runners.

If you decide that the washing machine route is for you, check out our huge range of washing machines. We stock the latest machines with the latest technologies, some of which feature a dedicated cycle programme tailored specifically for washing sports runners.

The big advantage is that during the wash cycle the runners stay close to the side of the drum so they do not tend to fall over each other protecting your washing machine and your runners. This dedicated programme also reduces the noise level, so it your machine no longer sounds like you have stuffed the family dog in for a quick spin! It will certainly keep your runners looking like new whilst saving you time and the effort needed to wash them by hand.

So which washing machine do we recommend for washing sports shoes? The large 9kg PWE91272W from Indesit includes Sports Intensive, Sport Light and Sports Shoe programmes designed to protect your trainers and make sure you get the best results every time.

Remember to check the manufacturers manual and wash instructions before the wash.

Happy Running!