Best Mowers Cheap

We recently tested the TurboChef Speedcook Oven. This 30-inch double wall oven, ,895, provides state-of-the-art technology but some of its results weren’t masterpieces. Read more about this TurboChef oven—described by the manufacturer as a "high performance gourmet oven designed specifically for today’s home chef"—in this First Look on ConsumerReports.org.

The Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense label appeared on a number of bathroom faucets on display at last month’s Kitchen/Bath Industry Show in Chicago. (Many other WaterSense-labeled products were at the show, including the Caroma Sydney Smart 305 toilet.) Dozens of lower-flow bathroom faucets are now being marketed by companies like Delta, Gerber, Moen, and Price Pfister (whose Ashfield faucet is shown), and they have a maximum flow rate that’s about 30 percent lower than standard models. Interestingly, as part of the WaterSense program, an independent laboratory assesses compliance with existing faucet-construction and -performance standards as well as the additional WaterSense requirements.

WaterSense-qualified faucets provide a maximum flow rate of 1.5 gallons per minute at 60 pounds per square inch. To keep manufacturers from introducing trickling faucets that could conceivably satisfy the WaterSense criteria but not consumers—echoes of the first generation of low-flow toilets—the EPA also mandated a minimum flow of 0.8 gpm at 20 psi.

Even if you’re not in the market for a new bathroom faucet, you can still save water by replacing the current aerators on your faucets with new ones ( and up) that limit water flow. If you’ve already installed WaterSense faucets, keep them flowing smoothly by clearing or replacing their aerators when they clogs.

The EPA is planning to add showerheads to the list of WaterSense products. I wonder how the agency expects to lower water consumption in showers at a time when multihead, multimedia-equipped spa-style showers seem omnipresent at the trade shows I attend. Think about it: If someone’s in a shower fitted with eight 2-gpm showerheads and a music player or TV, aren’t they likely to spend more time with the water running?—Ed Perratore

Essential information: Visit our Bed & Bath page for more details, including ideas for bathroom makeovers, reviews of toilets, and buying advice for countertops.

We’re considering using cocoa mulch around our entire property but read online that this stuff could toxic to our dog. Any truth to those stories?

The concern over dogs being poisoned by cocoa mulch dates back a few years. Unlike all those urban myths on the Web, there’s some truth to the warnings about this mulch, also called cocoa-shell mulch (shown). For more information, read "Cocoa Mulch Is Toxic to Dogs."

Essential information: Visit our lawn and yard guide for more expert advice for your yard and garden.

Consumer Reports is currently testing tankless water heaters for a report in our October 2008 issue, and we’d like to hear about consumers’ experiences with tankless water heaters. If you have installed a tankless water heater at your home, please take our survey.

Thanks in advance, and look for our report in the October issue. Please note that we value your privacy and will keep all of your information confidential. (Read our privacy policy here.)

If you own a deck, the arrival of summer means your deck will start seeing a lot more traffic and activity, especially since 2008 appears to be the year of the staycation. A few simple moves will protect your deck from the crush of footfalls and prevent any deck-related accidents from dampening the festivities. (The North American Deck and Railing Association has designated May as Deck Safety Month.)

Check the Structure
Look for water stains inside your home where the deck ties to the house. Ongoing water leakage can lead to wood decay, weakening the deck structure and the house. For decks that are supported by the home’s structure on one side, be sure that the ledger board is properly attached with bolts (not nails) sufficient to support the load.

If you have any doubt about the structural integrity of the deck, especially if it’s a second-story or higher structure, call in a pro to investigate. The NADRA Web site includes a national directory of certified deck builders. Better yet, most municipalities have stepped up their enforcement of proper deck-construction techniques, so check with your local building department. As my colleague, Ed Perratore, reminds in this recent post, it’s important to clean debris from under the deck as well.

Clean the Surface
Rid your deck of moss and mold. If it’s a light build-up, a hose, a stiff-bristled brush, and a household cleaner and/or mild bleach solution may do the trick. But pressure washers are more effective against heavy gunk, provided you use them safely. If you see wood damage, like raised fibers, increase the distance between the spray nozzle and the decking.

If you’re in the market for a new pressure washer and have easy access to electricity near your intended uses, get an electric model instead of a gas-fueled one. Electric models are quieter and easier to transport and store than a gas-powered model (Ratings of pressure washers are available to subscribers.)

Treat the Decking
Check the decking for popped nails and cracked or checked wood. You can bang nails back in but you’ll need to replace boards that are badly splintered or severely rotted. If the finish is worn away or peeling, these are two good signs that the surface is ready for a new protective topcoat. We test opaque, semitransparent, and clear deck treatments. Opaque treatments hold up the longest but the paintlike film of this finish can crack and peel making refinishing more of a chore. This film also hides the natural wood grain. Clear treatments reveal the grain but typically need to be reapplied annually. Semitransparent treatments are a middle-of-the-road solution. For more information on deck treatments, visit our Decks & Deck Stains page.

Secure the Railings
Start by giving banisters a good strong bump to make sure they’re securely fastened to the structure. Then check that all the dimensions are up to code. Railings must be 36 inches high and rails must be no more than 4 inches apart to keep small children and pets from slipping through.

Photo courtesy of the North American Deck and Railing Association

Inspect the Furnishings
Test all outdoor furniture
for stability, ensuring that no parts have come loose. Avoid placing
seats near the edge of a deck, even if the surface is just a few feet
off the ground. If you have swings or hammocks, make sure that their
chains are securely fastened to a structural member of the house.

Review Cooking Equipment
You’re probably going to fire up
the grill many times over the coming months. Make sure your outdoor
cooker is positioned a safe distance from the house or any flammable
surfaces. If the deck is made of wood, the grill should be on a
nonflammable pad.

If you’re shopping for a new grill, make sure the unit you choose meets all safety regulations. In our June 2008 report on gas grills, we discovered a model whose firebox melted under high heat, and we judged it Not Acceptable.—Daniel DiClerico

Essential information: Refer to our Outdoor-Living Guide, which is filled with products and tips to help you get the most out of your deck. And try our easy-to-make grilling recipes.

Are buying clubs like DirectBuy a good deal? Our new video (right) details the experiences one of our reporters had at sales presentations for the nationwide buying club.

Although some readers commenting on our earlier story on DirectBuy have noted that the club’s prices are competitive, the video includes an interview with one DirectBuy member who found consistently lower prices elsewhere.

If you’d like to share your own experiences at buying clubs with other readers or discuss the pros and cons of these clubs, visit our forum for home shopping.—Gian Trotta

Essential Information: You can save money on cabinets, appliances, and other big-ticket items without committing to a buying club. And, remember, another way to save on appliances is to take advantage of the rebates and tax credits and tax holidays from local utilities and state governments.

A string trimmer picks up where your lawn riding mower or tractor can’t reach, providing the finishing touches as it eliminates grass and weeds around trees and flower beds, along your driveway, and other areas of your property.

If parts of your yard are starting to look a little woolly, it could be time for you to buy a string trimmer. The long Memorial Day weekend means you might find some deals in stores (string trimmers cost about for entry-level electric models and up to 0 for commercial-grade gasoline units), plus you should have a few extra hours to make your outdoor areas look their best.

Keep these points in mind when you’re shopping for a new model, and see our string trimmer product page for more information, including our latest test information and Ratings (available to subscribers).

Consider your landscape. Straight-shaft trimmers can reach beneath shrubs more easily than curved-shaft models. They’re also easier to handle for taller users and are less likely to spatter you with clippings. Curved-shaft trimmers trade a straight shaft’s longer reach for easier maneuvering and, often, less weight.

Check the specs. Most gas-powered trimmers run on 87-octane regular, though some brands recommend 89-octane fuel for models with higher engine compression.

Most manufacturers also tell you which size replacement line fits your trimmer. Using other than the specified size can result in poor line feeding from the line spool at the cutting head. Line that’s too thin can compromise cutting performance in heavier grass and weeds, while line that’s too thick can be too aggressive resulting in an uneven and ragged cut.

Mind the gap. Tall grass and weeds can slow or stall a trimmer by wrapping around the top of its cutting head, especially if there’s a gap between it and the mounting for the grass-debris guard. Models with a small gap or a protective sleeve around the shaft avoided that problem and did well in tall grass.

Give it the once-over. Check the balance of the trimmer by adjusting the front handle for a comfortable reach and holding the trimmer in the cutting position with both hands. Its weight should feel evenly distributed from top to bottom or slightly heavier at the top. Also be sure the controls work smoothly and are easy to reach. If you’re left-handed, see that any gas trimmer you’re considering has a deflector to aim hot exhaust gases rearward; most have it.

Essential information: Read about how Consumer Reports tests string trimmers.

Filed under: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Fantastic Freebies

Every day, WalletPop will be bringing you information about a fantastic freebie. Like what you see? Check back tomorrow for more!

Here’s one that will make the green-lovers feel all warm and fuzzy: Planting America will mail you the seeds to plant your very own tree. They currently have Colorado Blue Spruce, Englemann Spruce, River Birch, Paper Birch, and Red Spruce. They have all the information you need to figure out which tree will work in your climate. From the site:

Why do we give away free seeds? In an effort to plant as many trees in as many places around the country as possible, we are offering a variety of free tree seeds. Look at the list below and find a tree that suits your area and your needs. Please refer to the sowing instructions we have supplied for the best chances of success. Fill out our order form and you will receive a minimum of 250 seeds in a few days for free!* If you do not plan to plant your seeds immediately upon arrival, please refrigerate them, but they do not have an immense shelf-life and would most likely survive if planted in the spring. Thanks for helping out the Planting America cause and making your community a bit greener. We ship our seeds on Fridays.

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Filed under: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Do you still subscribe to your local newspaper? If you do, you likely have a stack of papers somewhere in the house or garage waiting to be recycled. Apartment Therapy has come up with 20 ways to recycle or reuse newspaper around your house. It turns out leftover newsprint is suited for a myriad of uses but it is especially useful for soaking up odors in many places.

If you have a smelly container, fridge or shoe stuffing some newspaper in it is likely to pull the odor and moisture out. This method of odor fighting is no doubt much cheaper than air sprays and baking soda. Other uses include keeping weeds out of your garden and as an additive to your compost pile. The uses for newspaper around your house or community abound. You can even use the newspaper to prevent icing on your car windows during the winter.

We don’t get the paper at home anymore, since the idea of on time delivery eluded the local delivery boy. At work we get 3-4 papers daily which get recycled by an employee but I don’t think any of the papers enjoy any of the varied recycling activities mentioned by Apartment Therapy. I enjoy using newspaper and Windex to clean my car windows as it does a great job of preventing streaking, but that is my extent of paper reuse.

Do you still get a hard copy paper? If so, what do you re-use your newspaper for?

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Filed under: College, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Do you have an eco-conscience high school grad walking to pomp and circumstance this spring? Maybe a patchouli and Birkenstock loving college grad ready to wrestle corporate America for our nations future? What better way to show them your support and give them a graduation gift they will remember, than erasing the carbon footprint they have left over their short life. Worldchanging.com in coordination with TerraPass, a carbon offsetting company, have teamed up to offer a clean slate gift program in which a donor can buy the carbon offsets to essentially displace the carbon footprint for graduates from high school through working adults.

The program is not cheap, but if you want to make a difference going green this way is likely to make a bigger difference than a pack of CFL light bulbs for the graduates first apartment. To offset the carbon footprint of a high school graduate, ,000 in offsets would need to be purchased. For a college graduate the cost would be ,500 and for a working adult the price jumps up to ,000! The prices are high but even if you can’t afford to offset your favorite grad’s carbon footprint for life you can purchase offsets in smaller amounts by donating to Terrapass in honor of the graduate.I don’t see anyone in my family opting for this as a graduation present. Never mind how eco-conscience anyone in my extended family is; if one of my relatives dropped ,500 on offsetting my carbon footprint rather than my student loan debt I would question their financial aptitude. In either case, high school or college, unless the student had a full ride or had parents who paid for the full 4 years of college I fail to see how this would be the best use of money. Call me an environment hater if you want but giving the gift of green towards a college or trade education is a better use of money in my opinion. If you still want to make an impression, have the graduate promise to make donations to an organization like Terrapass upon graduation or make taking public transit for college and the first few years of graduation a requirement of the gift!

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