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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How Espresso Machines Work

Espresso, cappuccino, latte, double latte, double mocha latte... Espresso drinks have become coffee-shop staples all over the world. Watch us take apart an espresso machine!

By Karim Nice Appliances / Kitchen Appliances

You may not have given it much thought, but your hair dryer is specially designed to prevent bad things from happening to you and your head. Why is it that your hair dryer doesn't get too hot to hold? And how does it avoid burning your scalp?

By Jessika Toothman & Ann Meeker-O'Connell Appliances / Household Appliances

How Home Dry Cleaning Works

Is your wardrobe filled with fabrics like rayon, silk, and wool blends? Tired of those escalating professional dry cleaning bills? The answer may be as close as your clothes dryer. See how home dry cleaning works.

By Ann Meeker-O'Connell Appliances / Bath and Laundry

How Clothes Dryers Work

A dryer is actually a very simple device. In this article we'll take apart a clothes dryer and explore how each system works. We'll start by following the air through the machine, then see how the tumbler and fan turn, and finally look at the controls.

By Karim Nice Appliances / Bath and Laundry

How Washing Machines Work

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 Appliances / Bath and Laundry

How Liquid Motion Lamps Work

With bright colors and mesmerizing displays, lava lamps have become a popular icon of pop culture. Watch a quick video and read the article to learn more about the history and science behind these groovy liquid motion lamps.

By Tom Harris Appliances / Household Appliances

How does the lighter in a BBQ grill work?

A BBQ lighter uses something called piezoelectricity to generate a nice spark that lights the grill. Learn more about how this lighter works to grill up your favorite foods.

Appliances / Kitchen Appliances

How Toasters Work

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 Appliances / Kitchen Appliances

How Does a GFCI Outlet Work?

In my bathroom there is a plug that has a "Test" and a "Reset" button. When I push the "Test" button, it cuts off the current to the outlet. What is this? How is it different from the fuse in the fuse box?

By Nathan Chandler Appliances / Household Appliances

What is the ideal temperature for a refrigerator?

You know that the purpose of a refrigerator is to slow down the growth of bacteria, but what temperature should you set your refrigerator to so that it slows bacteria, but doesn't hurt food that doesn't freeze well? Find out in this article.

Appliances / Kitchen Appliances

How can I tell if the light in my refrigerator goes off or not when I close the door?

This will sound like a joke, but it's not: How can I tell for sure if the light in my refrigerator goes off or not when I close the door?

Appliances / Kitchen Appliances

How does a frost-free refrigerator work?

If you have an old refrigerator or one of the small dorm refrigerators, you know all about the frost that forms around the coils that cool the freezer. Learn how newer refrigerators keep this frost from forming.

Appliances / Kitchen Appliances

How does a halogen light bulb work?

How do halogen lights work? How are they different from normal light bulbs? Why are they sometimes called "quartz halogen"?

Appliances / Household Appliances

When buying gas appliances, why do you always have to specify whether you are using LPG or natural gas?

Gas appliances are used in homes and business for purposes ranging from bathing to grilling food. But did you know that not all gas appliances use the same kind of gas? Find out the difference between LPG and natural gas appliances in this article.

Appliances / Household Appliances

What is the crystalline substance found in disposable diapers?

When we change our baby's diaper, he often has what we politely refer to as "crystal butt." There are little clear crystals on his bottom. It seems like they come from his diaper. Do you know what these crystals are?

Appliances / Household Appliances

Are fluorescent bulbs really more efficient than normal light bulbs?

You might have heard that fluorescent bulbs are supposed to be more efficient than normal light bulbs, but is this really the case?

Appliances / Household Appliances

How does a candle work?

How do candles work? What keeps the wick burning, seemingly forever, when the same twine would completely burn up in a matter of minutes if it weren't engulfed in wax? Why won't the wax burn without a wick?

Appliances / Household Appliances

Why are my power bills so high? Which appliances use the most power?

Just reading a power bill is a tricky way to determine what appliances are using the most power. Learn what appliances are sucking your pockets dry.

Appliances / Household Appliances

How do sodium-acetate heat pads work?

Heating pads are made of a plastic pouch and a clear liquid. Inside the pouch is a metal disk that when clicked crystallizes the liquid causing it to heat up. Find out how heat pads work.

Appliances / Household Appliances

How can an electric toothbrush recharge its batteries when there are no metal contacts between the toothbrush and the base?

I have an electric toothbrush. Somehow, placing the plastic-handled brushing unit into a plastic holder/recharger will recharge the toothbrush unit. If no metal electrical contact is made, how can this recharge the toothbrush?

Appliances / Bath and Laundry