hhgregg FINE LINES | hhgregg fine lines

associate .
Thursday, December 9, 2010
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Your Greenville Camera Store Is Hhgregg

So you're in Greenville camera shopping? Go to your nearest hhgregg electronics store today to find a huge inventory of digital cameras and camcorders, accessories and more!

How about the Canon EOS 15.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm IS Lens. Canon's new EOS 50D Camera bridges the gap between the novice and the seasoned pro with a perfect combination of high-speed and quality. It features an APS-C sized 15.1-megapixel CMOS sensor for tremendous images, new DIGIC 4 Image Processor for fine detail and superior color reproduction, and improved ISO capabilities up to 12800 for uncompromised shooting even in the dimmest situations. The newly-designed 15.1-megapixel APS-C sized CMOS sensor is capable of recording up to 4752 x 3168 pixels with full 14-bit A/D conversion for extremely fine tonal gradation. Wow, talk about great quality for not much cost!

So head to your nearest hhgregg electronics store today for all of your Greenville camera shopping at discount electronic prices! And if it's moving pictures you want, you'll find a top of the line harddrive camcorder too!

hhgregg
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
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Everything* $99 and Up Is On Sale!

Leslie Meredith
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
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Banana Splits Two Ways

Electrolux stand alone refrigerators and freezers

Kelly Ripa for Electrolux has the perfect recipe for summer fun: Make your own banana split for a cause. In celebration of the new stand-alone refrigerators and freezers from Electrolux—that's right, the familiar fridge/freezer duo has “split” up!— Kelly's building banana “splits” for a cause.

Visit Kelly Confidential. Each day you build your ultimate virtual split, Electrolux will donate $1 to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, and you'll be entered for a chance to win the daily prize — $50 towards sweet summer treats — and the grand prize — the new refrigerator and freezer.

In the meantime, you might enjoy this sophisticated version of a banana split. Leave the rainbow sprinkles, cherries and marshmallow sauce to the kids, and try this grown up version of the classic ice cream shop offering.

Caramelized Banana Splits with Hot Chocolate Sauce
Serves 4

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 firm-ripe bananas, sliced diagonally 1/2 inch thick
1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup heavy cream
4 ounces fine-quality bittersweet chocolate (no more than 60% cacao if marked), finely chopped
1 pint cinnamon or vanilla ice cream
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted and cooled

Preparation

Melt butter in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, then add bananas in 1 layer and sprinkle with brown sugar. Increase heat to medium-high and cook bananas, gently turning once and shaking skillet occasionally, until sugar is caramelized, 3 to 4 minutes. Divide bananas among 4 bowls, leaving any remaining caramel in skillet.

Add cream to skillet and boil over medium heat, stirring, until caramel is dissolved. Add chocolate with a pinch of salt and whisk until melted.

Top bananas with scoops of ice cream, then drizzle with some of chocolate sauce and sprinkle with nuts. There will be extra sauce. Refrigerate.

Visit a Fine Lines location to see Electrolux and other great brands like Thermador, Wolf and Sub-Zero.

Leslie Meredith
Monday, June 28, 2010
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International Kitchen Trends Include Hidden Appliances, Colored Glass and Valuable Woods

Eurocucina, part of the Milan Furniture Fair, Europe’s largest kitchen and furniture show, is over for the year. With thousands of kitchen designers, architects and manufacturers from around the world, Thomas Johansson, Design Director within Electrolux, has assembled the most striking kitchen trends from the fair.

The overarching trend in kitchen design continues to be making the kitchen a seamless part of the living space. With rich materials and design features to hide appliances and other utilitarian giveaways, the transition between living and eating becomes unnoticeable, adding an even greater degree of entertaining flexibility than in years past.

And here's a piece of news that will be reassuring to many homeowners. Johansson noted a shift from a completely minimalistic design to softer aesthetics.

Reveal and conceal

A number of kitchens were based on revealing and concealing elements within a space with generous worktops alongside spacious tall units with fronts that slide open to reveal kitchen appliances, shelving and efficient, well-planned internal accessories.

These kitchens had a sleek and subtle design allowing homeowners to reduce – or even eliminate – hanging wall units and handles, transforming the kitchen into a refined extension of the living room.

Real wood
The revival of authentic wood is still evident, and is cleverly combined with stainless steel, glass quartz, marble, Corian and laminate. The wood used is either dark or very light, veined, and valuable. There were also a lot of rough structured surfaces with authentic beauty.

Through the looking glass

Glass was also widely used on countertops, door fronts, drawers and shelves with etched, satin and silver mirror finishes and colored tints.

New accent colors

When it comes to color there was an abundance of whites, off-whites, brown/grays and dark brown tones. But there were also some vivid primary colors like the continued use of red and emerging mid-tones like turquoise, dark acid yellow, fuchsia and violet.

Colored light

White and colored LED lighting was present everywhere, semi-visible on tabletops, under shelves or hidden inside door fronts and drawers.

Eco-sense

Sustainability and green issues were a hot topic with a number of manufacturers taking a greener approach by addressing issues like sustainable materials, energy saving, carbon footprint and practices.

Electrolux is one of the exceptional brands available at Fine Lines.

Leslie Meredith
Thursday, June 24, 2010
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New Dishwashers Made for Professional Pots and Pans

Electrolux RealLife dishwasher for big loads, oversized items

What goes into a dishwasher has significantly changed over the past 30 years, but dishwashers have been slow to adapt. In response to consumer reports, Electrolux launched a new line of dishwashers called RealLife that may look the same on the outside, but are drastically different on the inside.

Family gathering and entertaining have moved from the TV room to the kitchen. Meals may take place around the clock to fit with each individual's schedule. Entertaining has become far more casual including countertop buffets and make-your-own pizzas, bruschetta and salads. More dishes in more sizes that can sit for quite awhile before getting washed.

Even with all these changes, appliance manufacturers continue to make dishwashers for the standard loads that were defined in the 1970s. Electrolux conducted thousands of consumer interviews and found people today use unusually shaped dishes, glasses of different heights, professional pots and pans and oversized items, all kinds of kitchenware that are difficult to fit into a conventional dishwasher.

The Electrolux study also revealed consumers expect their dishwashers to clean everything, whatever they load, however they load. According to my mother-in-law, "If it doesn't go in the dishwasher, it doesn't get used."

Thanks to today's dishwasher specialized cycles, almost anything can be loaded, often without rinsing.

Electrolux RealLife dishwashers feature a four-centimeter higher XXL tub―the biggest loadable space, while keeping the same external dimensions. The dishwashers have a redesigned hydraulic system and new double rotation Flexi-Spray and technology, which guarantee perfect spray coverage and outstanding washing results even in the most crowded and dirty loads.

RealLife dishwashers are also environmentally friendly. For instance, these "green" dishwashers use less than 2 gallons of water in the auto program. Another green technology is the Auto-Off function, which turns the machine off at the end of the cycle so no standby energy is consumed.

Electrolux is one of the exceptional brands featured at Fine Lines stores.

Leslie Meredith
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
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Electrolux Kitchens in 14 Shanghai World Expo Exhibits

Swedish pavilion at 2010 Shanghai World Expo

Electrolux is playing a major role in the Expo 2010 Shanghai World Expo with kitchens in 14 pavilions including Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the U.S.

The Shanghai World Expo will run from May 1 to October 31, 2010. Its theme is “Better City-Better Life” and is designed to further establish the city of Shanghai as a major economic and cultural center with a focus on more sustainable ways of green living.

More than 190 countries and over 50 international organizations will be participating in the Expo. World leaders and millions of visitors are expected to attend. Average daily attendance is estimated at over 400,000.

Electrolux will have the largest presence in the 3,000 square meter Swedish pavilion, fitting for the Swedish-based company. The "Sweden – Spirit of Innovation" pavilion showcases innovative and sustainable products from companies with a Swedish origin. Electrolux has equipped the household kitchen at the center of the public exhibition with Bright range products and Electrolux vacuum cleaners.

The U.S. offers a virtual tour of its pavilion at the Shanghai Expo featuring a glimpse of NBA champion Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, video statements from Hilary Clinton and President Obama who says, "We are bound by our common humanity and our shared curiosity. This includes the hopes we share with the people of China and the people around the world to work together to realize a healthy, sustainable and prosperous future."

In related news, Electrolux recently opened a flagship store in Beijing. Electrolux is one of the internationally acclaimed brands of appliances featured at all Fine Lines stores.

associate .
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
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LG Offers a Top Rated Microwave

We’re proud to offer you the top rated LG 1.6 cu. ft. 1,000 watt over-the-range microwave. It’s going to be your faithful companion in speedy cooking situations. It has dual distribution technology, a removable turntable, and these other features that will make your life easier from now on:

• 1.6 cu. ft. 1,000-watt over-the-range microwave oven: Dish it out. This 1.6 cubic foot over-the-range microwave can take it.

• Exhaust system: The 300 CFM (Cubic Foot Per Minute) venting system makes cooking cuts down on smoke and odors.

• Melt/Soften: You’ll never have to endure another batch of scorched butter again. This microwave has a melt/soften setting that is going to make your butter perfect every time.

• LED display: A beautiful LED display leads the way through all of your cooking options.

• 10 power levels: Experience the diversity of 10 big power levels that give you the range you need to cook everything perfectly.

• Auto and Rapid defrost: You get a speedy defrost automatically.

• Hold warm: Get everything done at once with the warming option.

• Kitchen timer and clock: Your kitchen will turn out everything on time and in the perfect shape.

Head straight to your nearest hhgregg appliances store to find out more about this oven and our other cooking appliances. We have built-in electric ranges, countertop microwaves, and gas ranges. If you need storage space, we also carry a fine line of the best upright freezers available in any appliance store today.

Leslie Meredith
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
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Electrolux "Crowns" Appliances to Commemorate Royal Wedding

Not since Lady Diana's wedding has a royal event captured the imaginations of so many around the world. To commemorate the wedding between the Swedish Crown Princess Victoria and Mr. Daniel Westling on June 19, Electrolux has developed the new Swedish Crowns design concept.

Some of Electrolux best and most popular products have been covered with the blue and yellow Kronor (crowns) pattern, an iconic Swedish retro design.

Ergorapido and UltraOne vacuum cleaners, the Real Life dishwasher and the Source & Glacier fridge/freezer will all receive the royal design. One blue and yellow UltraOne vacuum cleaner will be auctioned to the highest bidder on eBay auction site. The money will go to Kronprinsessan Victorias Fond, a charity initiated by the Crown Princess to support chronically ill and disabled youth in Sweden.

The blue and yellow Kronor pattern was originally designed for the Swedish participants’ uniforms at the Summer Olympics in Munich in 1972, which was also the occasion when the Crown Princess’ parents first met. Blue and yellow have been used as Swedish colors at least since king Magnus Birgersson's royal coat of arms of 1275.

The original design was created in 1972 by Wanja Djanaieff for the Swedish team for the Olympic Games in Munich .

Crown Princess Victoria engaged to Mr. Daniel Westling

The Crown Princess became engaged to Mr. Daniel Westling on February 24, 2009. The wedding will take place in Storkyrkan (The Great Church) in Stockholm on Saturday June 19, 2010. The celebrations are expected to be followed by millions of TV viewers all around the world, as well as by hundreds of thousands watching the procession from the church through central Stockholm.

Visit a Fine Lines store to learn more about Electrolux appliances.

Leslie Meredith
Monday, June 7, 2010
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Survey Says Appliances are Better than Sliced Bread

A new survey by Tesco Mobile reveals the top 100 greatest inventions of all time according to 4,000 randomly selected adults between the ages of 18 and 65 in the UK. Beating out "sliced bread" were 20th century inventions like the mobile phone and the microwave.

Shoppers may be pleased to know that at least 14 of the Top 100 could be purchased at hhgregg and its sister store Fine Lines. Three of the top 20 were appliances with the washing machine in 12th place, the refrigerator in 14th and the freezer in 17th.

Hi-tech made its first appearance at fourth position with the Internet, followed by PCs in fifth place. Google (25) beat out email (27), while Facebook with its half a billion members came in a distant 82nd.

Here's the complete list of 100 Greatest Inventions:

1. Wheel
2. Airplane
3. Light bulb
4. Internet
5. PCs
6. Telephone
7. Penicillin
8. iPhone
9. Flushing toilet
10. Combustion engine
11. Contraceptive pill
12. Washing machine
13. Central heating
14. Fridge
15. Pain killers
16. Steam engine
17. Freezer
18. Camera
19. Cars
20. Spectacles
21. Mobile phones
22. Toilet paper
23. Vacuum Cleaner
24. Trains
25. Google
26. Microwave
27. Email
28. The pen
29. Hot water
30. Shoe
31. Compass
32. Ibuprofen
33. Toothbrush
34. Hair straighteners
35. Laptops
36. Knife and fork
37. Scissors
38. Paper
39. Space travel
40. Kettle
41. Calculator
42. Bed
43. Remote control
44. Roof
45. Air conditioning
46. SAT NAV
47. Wi-Fi
48. Cats-eyes
49. Matches
50. Power steering
51. Tumble dryer
52. Bicycle
53. Sky+
54. Tea bags
55. Umbrella
56. iPod
57. Faucets
58. Crash helmet
59. Wristwatch
60. eBay
61. DVD player
62. Diapers
63. Ladder
64. Suntan lotion
65. Lawnmower
66. Make-up
67. Chairs
68. Sunglasses
69. The game of football
70. Sliced bread
71. Sofa
72. Razor blades
73. Screwdriver
74. Motorways
75. Head/ear phones
76. Towels
77. Push-up bra
78. Binoculars
79. WD40
80. Mascara
81. Hair dryer
82. Facebook
83. Escalator
84. Hair dye
85. Wellington boots
86. Spell check
87. Calendars
88. Cheese grater
89. Buses
90. Post-it notes
91. Gloves
92. Satellite dish
93. Pedestrian crossing
94. Baby’s dummy
95. Curtains
96. Bottle opener
97. Food blender
98. Dustpan and brush
99. Desks
100. Clothes pins

Leslie Meredith
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
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Organic Patio Garden

A few well tended pots on a sunny patio can provide a family with salad greens, a surprising range of vegetables and fresh herbs throughout the sumemr, and for some who live in a mild climate, all year round.

Find a spot that gets six to eight hours of sun daily that is within sight of the kitchen or other room with outdoor access. If you can see your plants, you are less likely to forget to water them. This will also make watering easier if you don't have a hose nearby. And frankly, it's easier to fill a pitcher with water than wrestle with a hose.

Choose healthy plants at a local garden center, or better yet, visit a farmers market to find heirloom plants. Shallow-rooted plants like lettuce, radishes and most herbs, need only six to eight inches of soil to do well. In contrast, tomatoes and squash with their deeper root system, need at least 12 inches of soil.

Certainly you can use terra cotta or other ceramic pots, but an unused galvanized bucket or brightly painted pail can make eye catching containers as well. Be sure to drill holes in the bottom of the container if it doesn't have drainage holes. I like to put a couple of inches of gravel in the bottom to add drainage as well. Root rot is a risk in containers that don't drain well. Fill pots to about two inches from the top with potting soil and mix in some organic fertilizer.

Select vegetables that are known to do well in containers. Try Window Box Roma tomato for containers and Tumbler tomato for hanging baskets. Sunburst yellow scalloped squash and Spacemiser zucchini are more compact than their rambling cousins.

Vining plants require support, so make sure your pot can handle the load once the plant starts bearing fruit. Tomato cages are cheap and widely available, but not a particularly attractive patio accent. Try fashioning a teepee out of bamboo plant stakes and tie at the top with twine for natural and affordable support.

The following recipe from Sub-Zero and Wolf is enough for a summer dinner party serving 8. Be sure to make the basil oil ahead of time and consider making extra for hostess gifts.

Heirloom Tomato Salad With Basil Oil and Romano Cheese

2 quarts water

½ cup kosher salt

½ pound fresh basil leaves, stems removed and washed

1½ cups extra virgin olive oil

3 pounds ripe heirloom tomatoes, washed, cored

4 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese, rind removed

1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar

Kosher or sea salt

Freshly ground black pepper

12 fresh basil leaves

To make basil oil: In 4-quart saucepan on Wolf cooktop over high heat, bring water to a boil. Stir in salt. Carefully add basil leaves to boiling water and blanch for 30 seconds. Using slotted spoon, remove from water and plunge in ice water to stop cooking. Drain and squeeze out as much water as possible from blanched basil leaves. Place in blender or food processor with olive oil and puree for 1 minute on high. Leave oil mixture in bowl for 1 hour to allow the oil to extract as much of the basil flavor as possible. Pour puree mixture in a wire strainer lined with 2 paper coffee filters. Allow to drip for 30 minutes. Very gently wring out basil oil, being careful not to break paper filter. Place oil in small airtight container. Refrigerate until use.

To assemble salad: Slice tomatoes about ¼” thick. Arrange over a large platter. With a vegetable peeler, shave cheese into thin strips over tomatoes. Drizzle with vinegar. Season with salt and pepper. Stack basil leaves one on top of another and roll into a small rolled bundle, starting with the long end. Slice bundle into thin strips. Sprinkle basil over tomatoes and drizzle 1/8 to ¼ cup basil oil over all. Serve immediately.

Note: Basil oil may be kept in an airtight container in Sub-Zero refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. The oil would also make a welcome gift.

Sub-Zero refrigerators and Wolf outdoor grills are available at Fine Lines. hhgregg offers a selection of gas grills starting at under $100.

Leslie Meredith
Monday, May 31, 2010
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Jenn-Air Featured in House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year

House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year 2009

If your summer travel plans include a trip to New York, consider a visit to House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year event. Fine Lines brand Jenn-Air is the exclusive provider of appliances for the event.

Open to the public, this year's event will be held in Rockefeller Center, NY on July 19. New Yorkers and visitors can also participate in a tasting from some of the City's best restaurants. Jeff Lewis from Bravo's Flipping Out designed the 2010 kitchen.

In addition to scheduled tours, the event will include cooking demonstrations by noted chefs. Last year, The Barefoot Contessa, Ina Garten, hosted the event. Demos included Bobbie Lloyd of Magnolia Bakery, Edwin Bellanco of Morrell's Wine Bar and Café, and Silvestre Mora from AJ Maxwell's Steakhouse. House Beautiful editors are expected to reveal this year's celebrity chefs in addition to Jeff Lewis in the coming weeks.

A must-see for both home cooking enthusiasts and kitchen design industry members. In the meantime, visit Fine Lines for to see a full range of high end appliances from Jenn-Air, Sub-Zero, Wolf and Thermador.

associate .
Saturday, May 29, 2010
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Sharp 40" AQUOS 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV

The Energy Star qualified Sharp 40" AQUOS 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV not only saves you energy and money on your energy bill, it also gives you the following line-up of features that will bless you for years to come:

Full Flat design-look: This exquisite design features full edge to edge glass on your front panel and will be the talk of the room when visitors first see it.
Quad Pixel Technology: Thereís another color in town: Yellow. For the first time, this four color filter gives you yellow. There are never too many colors.
Full HD 1080p X-Gen LCD Panel: Light leakage is minimized. The result: The highest contrast level in the industry. Light made all the difference.
120Hz Fine Motion Enhanced: Everything that moves quickly is going to be in top quality focus. Your games and fast actions scenes will look stunning.
AQUOS Net: Netflix is just one example of the entertainment you can expect.
Wide viewing angles (176 degrees horizontal x 176 degrees vertical): Wide viewing angles mean that you can move around the room and still see the picture on your screen perfectly. Watch a show from anywhere. This television can take it.
USB Photo Viewer with Music Player: Watch high-resolution digital JPEG images.

This is only one of the many hhgregg televisions weíre proud to offer you. Visit us soon to view a full selection of our new flat panel TVs or audio systems for your home. We have plenty to offer people that love top quality technology.

Leslie Meredith
Friday, May 28, 2010
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Thermador to Launch New Steam and Convection Oven August 1

The new Thermador Steam and Convection Oven is the industry’s first steam oven to combine three distinct cooking solutions – Steam, True Convection and Combination (Steam and Convection) – with 40 automatic food programs, nine advanced cooking modes and a series of advanced features that Thermador research shows culinary enthusiasts crave.

"For the first time, Thermador brings all the advantages of steam cooking, previously available only at gourmet restaurants, to the home cook," said Zach Elkin, director of the Luxury Division of BSH Home Appliance Corp. "The ultimate culinary tool, the Thermador Steam and Convection Oven elevates steam, convection and combination cooking to a whole new level thanks to an industry-leading number of automatic food programs and cooking modes."

The oven is sized to fit a 30-inch Thermador or any other brand microwave cutout, giving home cooks the chance for immediate steam cooking results.

The Thermador Steam and Convection Oven will be available August 1, 2010 for an MSRP ranging from $3,299 to $3,499.

To see the Thermador lineup of appliances and other exceptional brands, visit Fine Lines.

Leslie Meredith
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
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Memorial Day "Double Duty" Grilling

Memorial Day weekend for beach and barbecue

Memorial Day weekend is nearly here and for some parts of hhgregg country, this may be the first big grilling weekend. Chicken is always a favorite, but why not let it do double duty this weekend?

Sub-Zero and Wolf offer a recipe for grilled chicken salad. Try it as the "leftover" dish to simple grilled chicken the night before. Simply grill enough chicken breasts to serve dinner guests one night and make the chicken salad for a great lunch the following day.

And here's the secret to moist chicken breasts: about an hour before turning on the grill, immerse the chicken breasts in a solution of 1 cup salt, 1 cup sugar and a 2 quarts of water. The process is known as brining and will improve the texture and flavor of the chicken. After soaking, rinse and pat dry.

When I tried this last weekend, the kids noticed the difference. Brining is definitely on the grill schedule for this weekend. Enjoy!

Grilled Chicken Salad
Serves 6

Ingredients

2 ½ pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
¼ cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
½ tablespoon kosher salt
1 ½ cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 red peppers, finely diced
2 stalks celery, finely diced
½ pound thick-sliced bacon, chopped, cooked and drained
1 bunch scallions, thinly sliced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation

Toss together chicken, oil, pepper and salt. Preheat Wolf Range Charbroiler on HIGH at least 10 minutes. Grill chicken until thoroughly cooked. Cool chicken completely. (Chicken can be placed in Sub-Zero freezer until completely cooled.) Meanwhile, combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl. Coarsely chop cooled chicken meat and add to bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Leslie's note: Chicken salad can be served on a roll or in a leaf of butter lettuce.

Sub-Zero and Wolf appliances are available at Fine Lines.

Leslie Meredith
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
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Appliances of the Future Shown Off at London Live Event

Electrolux presented four new 'appliances of the future,' at the Grand Designs Live Event in London earlier this month. The home design and technology show has been running for over 100 years and regularly attracts over 250,000 visitors every year.

The appliances were winners in Electrolux’s Design Lab competition 2009, giving the student inventors an opportunity to share their innovative designs with London crowds.

The concept products may seem farfetched, but a Panorama Kitchen representative on the show floor said, "These new appliance ideas that believe it or not may well be common in the house of the future."

From a waterless laundry machine to a sustainable meat and fish generator, these appliances could dramatically change the way we use our kitchens.

Electrolux Naturewash is a waterless washing machine that uses negative ions to clean fabric. The user would lie or sit on Naturewash to clean or refresh the clothes they were wearing. Not quite clean enough for you? Clothes can also be laid flat in the machine.
Alternately, the Electrolux Renew steams clothes clean by using an infrared scanner and radio frequency to read "smart" tags on clothing and clean accordingly. Renew would be about a quarter of the size of a regular washing machine and would be made of recycled aluminum and glass.

Electrolux Water Catcher is a flying appliance that catches and purifies rain water by releasing small flying balls in the air to catch raindrops. When the raindrops are collected, the water catcher purifies the water for drinking and can add supplements tailored to an individual’s health requirements.

Finally, the Electrolux Cocoon tackles the problem of how to provide meat and fish in a sustainable way to a growing world population. The Cocoon is designed to prepare genetically engineered and pre-packaged meat and fish dishes, and thereby reduce the demand farming and fishing.

Electrolux appliances are available here in the U.S. at Fine Lines.

Leslie Meredith
Monday, May 24, 2010
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New Electrolux Appliances Reduce Noise Pollution in the Kitchen

Beeping microwaves, rumbling dishwashers and even the hum of refrigerators can add up to disturbing noise levels in the average kitchen. Swedish-based appliance manufacturer Electrolux this year introduced a range of quiet appliances in an effort to reduce kitchen noise emission.

The World Health Organization found noise to be not just a nuisance, but a health hazard. In its report on community noise, the WHO said noise can disturb sleep, cause cardiovascular and psycho-physiological effects, reduce performance, and provoke annoyance responses. Some of that noise may be coming from your own kitchen.

In 2007, an Electrolux report into noise in the home found that around a third of customers wished they had taken noise emissions into account when purchasing their kitchen appliances. Specifically, 29 percent of those buying washing machines, 28 percent of those buying dishwashers, 33 percent of those buying range hoods, 27 percent of those buying clothes dryers and 18 percent of those buying refrigerators wished they had taken noise in to account to a greater degree when they bought each item.

Anna Cox, marketing manager at Electrolux, said of the study: "In some cases, consumers were so unhappy with the noise their new appliance made, they eventually threw it out – or never actually used it."

Results from the Electrolux Noise Report also revealed consumers would pay more for quieter appliances, and resulted in a new line of "quiet" appliances that reduce kitchen noise emissions. In response to the findings, Electrolux introduced the world's quietest dishwasher and vacuum cleaner last month along with reduced-noise washing machines and dryers, which are green in terms of both energy efficiency and noise pollution reduction.

Electrolux attributes the reduced noise levels to aerodynamic design, efficient seals, soft motor mountings and the use of advanced sound absorption materials.

To quantify the noise associated with common household appliances, Electrolux compiled a chart comparing everyday sounds with its new appliances to help consumers get a sense of the difference a quieter appliance could make in their homes.

The problem with noise is that it is subjective – one person’s harmonious melody is another person’s nightmare. This makes it impossible to measure noise, only sound can be measured. Sound is measured in decibels.

What appears to be a small change in decibels can mean a big difference in sound levels. For instance, a change of three decibels halves or doubles sound levels. This means that a power drill emits more than 8 times as much noise as a food processor and more than 64 times as much noise as the average vacuum cleaner.

While there is no appliance quiet enough to meet the decibel level recommendation by the World Health Organization for a peaceful night's sleep, a food processor is the only kitchen appliance on the list loud enough to cause hearing loss.

The chart below gives a guide to the sound levels of some common noises:

0 dB Human hearing threshold
20dB Human whisper
30dB World Health Organization's recommendation for undisturbed sleep
37dB Electrolux "quiet" dishwasher
40dB Library
49dB Electrolux "quiet" washing machine
50dB Average dishwasher
68dB Electrolux "quiet" clothes dryer
68dB Electrolux "quiet" vacuum cleaner
70dB Average washer and dryer
78dB Average vacuum cleaner
85dB Prolonged exposure above this level can cause damage to hearing
90dB Food processor
100dB Electric drill
120dB Thunder
130dB Threshold of pain
140dB Plane taking off
150dB Gunshot

Electrolux appliances are available at Fine Lines.

associate .
Sunday, May 23, 2010
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Head to Your hhgregg Appliance Store Raleigh

The Electrolux 27.8 cu. ft. stainless steel side-by-side refrigerator is a luxury model refrigerator that can be found in many top-of-the-line side by side refrigerator reviews. Its stylish modern design and over-the-top features can be seen up close at any of our appliance stores in Raleigh. Here is a preview of what you can expect to see from this exciting refrigerator model.

First things first: This fridge produces restaurant quality ice at such a high rate that you’ll have 9 pounds of ice in only 24 hours. That’s twice the amount of ice produced by regular refrigerator models with a quality you’ll find only in fine dining establishments.

The ability to organize is limited only by how much time you have on your hands. This refrigerator comes with every possible shelf and divider available for creating an organized, easy-to-navigate home for your food. It uses a tri-level freezer organization system that is led off by 3 luxury-glide baskets with dividers and 2 removable baskets.
Important items will be available first; other items of varying priority will come next.

A short list of other unique features includes 2 gallon clear door bins, PureAdvantage Filtration system, and humidity controlled crispers. You’ll wake up every day to the freshest, best-tasting food available in the world today.

Please visit our hhgregg Raleigh appliance store to view this and other great appliances. We have many washer/dryer combos, convection cooktops, and glass chest freezers that are high quality and available to take home with you whenever you’re ready.

Leslie Meredith
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
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Celebrate National Devil's Food Cake Day

Today is National Devil's Food Cake Day. While I have never needed a reason to indulge in a piece of Devil's Food cake, today's designation may provide the inspiration to bake this American treat in your Fine Lines kitchen.

No one is certain how this cake got its name, but according to the Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink: "Devil's food. A cake, muffin, or cookie made with dark chocolate, so called because it is supposedly so rich and delicious that it must be somewhat sinful, although the association is clearly made with humor. Its dark color contrasted with the snowy white of angel-food cake, an earlier confection. The first devil's food recipe appeared in 1900, after which recipes and references became frequent in cookbooks."

Caroline King, a popular food writer in the 1920's, may have been the first to publish a recipe for Devil's Food cake in her memoirs.

Original Devil's Food Cake circa 1880's

1/2 cup butter

2 cups sugar

5 eggs

1 cup sour cream

2 1/2 cups flour

1 scant teaspoon soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

3 squares unsweetened chocolate

1 teaspoon vanilla.

Anna melted the chocolate over hot water while Maude creamed the butter and added the sugar gradually; then she whipped in the slightly beaten yolks of the eggs and the melted chocolate and vanilla. I was permitted to sift and measure the flour and then sift it again with the baking powder and soda. When this was done, Maude alternately added the flour mixture and the sour cream to the egg-sugar-butter-chocolate combination. Last of all, she folded in the stiffly beaten whites of the eggs and turned the delicious-smelling brown batter into three layer-cake pans which Anna had buttered and floured. The baking, in a very moderate oven, was carefully watched. According to a time-honored custom in our family, the cakes were tested with a clean broomstraw and when finished were turned, beautifully brown and entrancingly fragrant, from the pans onto a clean towel.

A beautiful and time-consuming cake to prepare.

Alternately, try this one: Black Bottom Cupcakes, a "bring the treats" family standby. It's Devil's Food in cupcake form and uses a cake mix in place of the scratch method. The treats can be made as standard cupcakes, but I prefer using mini muffin tins. Enjoy!

Black Bottom Cupcakes

Makes 12 to 15 standard cupcakes or 3 to 4 dozen mini cupcakes.

Prepare Devil's Food cake mix according to the package directions. Fill cupcake tins or muffin cups about 2/3 full with batter. Set aside. If using cupcake tins, use paper liners; if using mini muffin tins, just spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Prepare the filling:

8 ounces room temp cream cheese

1/3 cup sugar

1 large egg

1 pinch salt

1 small bag chocolate chips

Beat the cream cheese with the sugar. Beat in the egg and salt. Once fluffy, stir in a bag of miniature chocolate chips. You may use the regular size if you prefer. Drop one teaspoonful of cream cheese filling onto the top of each cup of batter. Bake at 350° F for about 20 minutes. Cupcakes are done when the top springs back. The filling will sink into the cupcake, so it's a surprise when bitten.

Leslie Meredith
Monday, May 17, 2010
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Electrolux Crowns First American Mom Idol

Electrolux today crowned Kim Nelson, a mom of four from Arvada, CO, as the first-ever "Mom Idol". Nelson's story, submitted by her friend, Meredith Eddins, inspired America to vote for her over four other remarkable finalists, selected from nearly 50,000 nominations received over the past month. The winner was determined by popular vote.

"Kim Nelson has been my 'Mom Idol' since the moment we met eight years ago," wrote Eddins in her nomination essay. "I was pregnant with triplets, sitting at the doctor's office, when Kim strolled in with her newborn triplet sons. She was so cute, very put together, and most importantly, she was wearing a belt. She actually had a waistline. Kim gave me hope! We've been friends ever since."

In addition to serving as a leader of STORM, a support group for triplet families, Nelson steered her four children through the loss of her husband, John, is active in her church, the kids' school and in their extra-curricular activities.

Nelson will receive a trip for two to the American Idol finale in Hollywood; a $5,000 donation to the charity of her choice; a VIP makeover; and a suite of Electrolux premium appliances.

Electrolux also recognizes the four other amazing finalists, including Ellen Covella of Santa Rosa Valley, CA, Becky Ketarkus of Fitchburg, WI, Gail LeNoble of Miami, FL and Leia Villaret of Ft. Worth, Texas.

"Electrolux set out on a mission to find a Mom who's in tune with what counts – her family, her passions, her community," saidMary Kay Kopf, CMO, Electrolux Major Appliances, North America. "And we found some truly incredible Moms. American Idol is an iconic show and seemed the perfect fit in launching this campaign. The Electrolux brand is all about helping Moms be even more amazing; now it's time to celebrate Mom for all the amazing things she does."

Electrolux is one of the "amazing" brands available through Fine Lines.

Leslie Meredith
Friday, May 14, 2010
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Thermador Featured on Ellen, Slotted for Future Show

Popular daytime talk show host Ellen Degeneres must love Thermador Kitchens. Last week Ellen featured another episode of her new game show "Know or Go"―think carnival dunking booth meets Price Is Right―where three contestants are asked a series of questions on a raised platform. If they answer the question correctly, they stay; if not, they are dropped through a trap door.

Know or Go kicked off with the category Games People Play. Ellen asked the first contestant, "Do not pass Go, do not collect $200 is from what popular board game?" Followed by, "How many players in solitary?" And the first round ended with Ellen asking the third contestant if they were playing TicTacToe and Ellen was "O", what would she be? An easy first round for all three. But round two resulted in one player falling through the trap door almost before she finished her sentence. And the third contestant dropped just as quickly. But winner Yvette got the drop as well with an extra question. "Just to play fair," said Ellen.

All three women appeared on stage unscathed. Yvette received a Thermador kitchen valued at over $25,000. The appliance package included a 48-inch Professional Harmony range, a 30-inch professional double wall oven, a 36-inch Freedom refrigerator, and a new Sapphire dishwasher.

The same suite of appliances will be used in an upcoming cooking segment with celebrity chefs.

Thermador is one of the exceptional brands available through Fine Lines.