Home Appliances

The toilet. The john. The loo. The commode. The porcelain throne. No matter what you call it, there's no doubt it's a true technological marvel. Look beyond the commonplace bowl and see what a sophisticated water-handling system your toilet is.

By Marshall Brain

You probably don't give your water heater much thought until your shower goes cold but it's an important appliance in your home. If your water heater's temperature is off, you'll want to learn how it works, including how to turn up your hot water heater.

By Sara Elliott & Talon Homer

Want to know what happens to your clothes after you give them to the dry cleaner? Do they actually stay dry? Take a behind-the-scenes look at the dry-cleaning process.

By Debra Luhring, Nate Marks & Patrick J. Kiger

A fascinating look inside an electric razor!

By Marshall Brain

For many people, their bathroom scale is an indispensable part of watching their weight and keeping healthy. Learn how your weight - no matter how much or how little - is evenly distributed to provide an accurate measure of your weight.

By Marshall Brain

Microwave ovens are popular because they cook food in an amazingly short amount of time. They are also extremely efficient in their use of electricity because a microwave oven heats only the food -- and nothing else.

By Marshall Brain

A washing machine is actually an amazing device once you get inside. Learn about the agitator, the pumps, the controller and much more!

By Karim Nice

Thermometers are used in everything from medicine to cooking. Find out how thermometers gauge temperature and learn how to make your own!

By Marshall Brain

How can the same device keep hot things hot and cold things cold? Find out what goes on inside a Thermos!

By Marshall Brain

You probably have at least one light that is controlled by two separate switches -- either switch can turn it on or off. Find out how the light knows what to do with two sources of input.

By Marshall Brain

Ever wonder how a toaster knows when something is done? Does it pop it up regardless? Does it really care if you pick "Light" or "Medium" or "Dark"?

By Marshall Brain

The garbage disposal is often overlooked until it breaks down or starts to smell. Find out how to clean, fix and buy a garbage disposal with the help of this article.

What do chefs, bartenders and geneticists have in common? They all use blenders. A blender is an appliance you can't live without if you want to turn solid ingredients into liquid deliciousness.

By Emilie Sennebogen

Ribs, chicken and lots of barbecue sauce. Steaks, burgers, hot dogs and assorted veggies. Summer is prime grilling season. Ever wonder how these treats get so tasty?

By Jeff Tyson

You see fluorescent lighting all over the place -- in offices, homes, stores, dressing rooms. But there's a certain mystery to it. Find out what's going on inside these glowing tubes!

By Tom Harris

The light bulb hasn't changed a whole lot in its 120 years -- the original design was just that good. Apparently, you can throw together a filament, a glass mount, an inert gas and a bit of electricity and change the world. Learn what happens when yo

By Tom Harris

A regular light switch takes care of off and on. A dimmer switch handles off, on and everything in between. Find out what this clever switch does with electrical current.

By Tom Harris

Many new freezers have features to prevent frost and digitally monitor temperatures, but the technology has been evolving for years. How do freezers keep your food from spoiling?

By Brian Boone

If you're a foodie, or if you're just looking for a way to modernize your kitchen, you may be considering an induction cooktop. But how do these cooktops work, and are they worth the expense?

By Nicholas Gerbis

Appliances are built to perform. They work hard, usually without too many problems. When an appliance breaks down, you may be completely at a loss. Learn how to repair major household appliances.

By Fix-It Club

Gas and electric ovens operate fairly simply, and they're usually easy to repair, mainly because the components are designed for quick disassembly. Learn how to service and repair gas and electric ovens.

By Fix-It Club

Central air and window conditioners require routine maintenance to keep them operating at peak efficiency. It's important to know how a system's main parts function. Learn to troubleshoot a central air and room conditioner system.

By Fix-It Club

Before you toss out that malfunctioning hair dryer, toaster, or other small appliance, make sure the problem isn't an easy one to fix. Learn troubleshooting tips for all types of small appliances.

By Fix-It Club

Steam is a powerful cleaning agent. It sterilizes without detergent and can effectively detach dried-on muck from plates and cups. But do steam dishwashers live up to their hype?

By Jane McGrath

Burned chunks or gooey paste can be the disappointing result of rice gone wrong, but a rice cooker can even the odds for even the klutziest cooks in the kitchen.

By Jessika Toothman