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Home Appliances
Home appliances make life easier, but what's really going on inside them? HowStuffWorks Home Appliances articles take a look inside common household appliances.
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Getting to the Bottom of the Bidet
The bathroom appliance that Europeans embrace and Americans pooh-pooh could be beneficial to our health and to the health of the planet.
What's the Difference Between Toilet Paper and Tissue?
You should never, ever flush tissues. What else?
What's the Difference Between a Pressure Cooker and an Instant Pot?
The pressure cooker has been around for years, but its pride of place in the kitchen is being usurped by the new kid in town, the Instant Pot. So, what is the difference?
Time to Vent: Why You Need to Turn on the Kitchen Exhaust Fan
One study showed gas stoves had pollutant levels exceeding limits for outdoor pollution, so don't save the kitchen fan only for when you've let the bacon burn.
What's the Point of the Bathroom Exhaust Fan?
It's not just loud and annoying — a fan is necessary to help stop mold and mildew in the bathroom. But you have to use it correctly.
How to Organize Your Refrigerator Shelf by Shelf
Sure you can shove your food on any shelf in the fridge it will fit on. But stacking it the right way will help the food last longer.
How Often Should You Clean Your Humidifier?
Winter time often means hauling out the humidifier to improve air quality. But ignoring the cleaning instructions could add to your health problems.
Dishwashers Need Cleaning Too!
It may seem like this appliance gets a bath every time it's used but that doesn't mean it wouldn't benefit from some extra TLC.
5 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Stopped Working
There's nothing worse than having your AC go on the fritz in the middle of summer. And one of the biggest reasons for air conditioning failure can be easily prevented.
What Gets Your Dishes Cleaner: You or Your Dishwasher?
Why use a dishwasher if you have to "clean" your dishes first?
5 Reasons People Still Refuse to Own a Microwave Oven
The microwave oven is a ubiquitous appliance in kitchens today, but don't we all have that one holdout friend who still refuses to own one?
What’s the Best Way to Load a Dishwasher?
Good news: You don't have waste time pre-rinsing before you stack your dishes.
How Pop-Up Turkey Timers Work
Lots of turkeys sold in the United States come with a cool little piece of technology — the pop-up timer. But how do they know when the turkey is done?
Is America Finally Ready for the Bidet?
Sales of bidets are up in the U.S. Could they finally make a splash in a country that's mostly resisted them?
How Toilet Paper Works
It's an absorbing topic: Where did toilet paper come from, how is it made and why did it take so long for people to start using it?
Why Is There a Gap at the Front of Public Toilet Seats?
Open-front public toilet seats are U-shaped, while those in private residences are O-shaped. What gives?
Powering Bathroom Lights With Your Urine
A new generation of portable bathrooms could transform human waste into a sought-after resource— and light the way for safer, more sanitary facilities.
Is the Smart Kitchen Finally Smart?
Ever wish your fridge could give you suggestions on what to eat when you're indecisive or add a soundtrack to your breakfast? HowStuffWorks saw that and more at CES 2016.
Gas vs. Electric Stoves: Which is really more efficient?
When you're whipping up your famous paella, the thought of saving money and energy probably isn't at the front of your mind. Yet you could be saving money every single time you cook --if you have an energy-efficient stove.
Magnetic Air Conditioners: A High Tech Way Of Keeping Cool
Traditional air conditioners are huge consumers of energy. Could magnetic air conditioners keep our homes cooler inside without making temperatures hotter outside?
What natural gas home appliances are available?
Electricity may seem like the cheap, green way to go, but natural gas is also a popular choice for energizing many common indoor and outdoor appliances. This fossil fuel is efficient, reliable, economical and environmentally friendly.
Should all of my appliances come from the same manufacturer?
You want your new kitchen to look nice, but you also want it to do everything you need a kitchen to do quickly and easily. Would getting all of your appliances from the same manufacturer solve both problems?
Is stainless steel on its way out?
Long a staple of any modern kitchen, stainless steel has been cast off as old news by a vocal band of outliers. Is the ubiquitous appliance material a thing of the past?
How Self-cleaning Ovens Work
Getting your oven dirty is easy. Getting it clean again is another matter entirely. Self-cleaning ovens sound good, but do they really work as well as their makers promise?
Are retro kitchens making a comeback?
Despite the conveniences of modern kitchen appliances, some homeowners are opting for a more minimalist, retro style. Is mid-century back in fashion?
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