Homemakers Benefit From High Tech

January 1, 1986|By Connie Lauerman, Chicago Tribune

Alas, a robot that cleans, cooks and irons shirts has yet to be invented.

But the computer revolution and other electronic technology have spawned a refrigerator that checks its own vital functions; a ``programmable`` microwave oven that commits cooking plans to memory; an iron that ``communicates`` with blinking lights and a warning beep, and a sensor-equipped dryer that shuts off when the clothes are dry.

``The greatest impact of computerized technology and scientific advances that have filtered down to homemakers is in the kitchen and laundry room,`` said Ruth Katz, a New York-based consumer consultant touring the country for Liquid Bold 3 detergent. ``Each appliance has undergone a change, whether being programmable or self-diagnostic or being a two-in-one product.

``In the kitchen we`re seeing it with microwaves and other kinds of cooking apparatus geared toward people who are busy and active. I think manufacturers are listening to consumers and giving us what we want, even if it`s something as simple as a toaster with cool exterior sides. It makes you wonder: Why didn`t we have this before?

``It took scientific research to produce that, and now there`s a new toaster with adjustable sensors that allow for the thickness of your bread. It used to be that if the bread were really thick and closer to the heat (element) it would get burned sooner. Not anymore.``

Other prime examples, according to Katz:

A computerized microwave oven (Amana) that works this way: ``You put the cooking vessel on the shelf and the oven weighs it. Then you take it off, add, say, potatoes and put it back on the shelf. It calculates the difference and you press a button.

``It then will do all the calculations and tell you how long to cook it. You also can program it before you leave home and your cooking will be done by the time you return. You cannot, however, put in meat and vegetables, too. It doesn`t have separate chambers, but I think that would be the next advance.``

The Ultra Chef (Farberware), an `80s high-tech version of the familiar slow cookers, resembles a skinny rocket poised for takeoff. The key is a very sensitive ``thermoster rod`` able to deliver heat to the areas that need it most. Katz said the appliance easily can turn frozen meat, fresh potatoes and a combination of fresh and frozen vegetables into a stew. ``It`s very expensive but for someone who doesn`t cook, it could be the answer for dinner,`` she said.

A state-of-the-art, energy-efficient refrigerator (General Electric) with a diagnostic panel that will signal first with a blinking light and then with a loud beep-beep if the door has been left ajar.

It also will signal if the power supply has been cut off, if the temperature is rising or falling in either the freezer or refrigerator portions of the unit or if the icemaker is jammed and internal damage is imminent. ``It doesn`t waste energy telling you the time of day or the date, things you don`t need,`` said Katz. ``Still, it`s a large unit and a little more expensive than standard refrigerators.``

A programmable washer (Maytag, Whirlpool) that determines the length of the washing cycle and water temperature according to type of fabric and weight of the load.

A clothes dryer (Maytag, Whirlpool) with electric sensors that ``feel`` exactly when the load is dry and shuts off, saving energy and helping to prevent wrinkling of polyesters and blends.

A new generation of irons with ``thermosters`` that signal with a blinking light or loud beep if the iron has been left in its heel rest for 10 minutes or so (exact time will vary, depending on brand). If you don`t come back in 30 seconds to move it, it shuts off.

``It was designed for all those times people have left the iron plugged in and gone to work and forgotten about it,`` Katz said. ``And if the irons are in any other position besides upright, most of them go into a turn-off mode automatically in 30 seconds. So you could actually have an emergency with your baby and leave the iron on a silk blouse without burning it.``

A programmable sewing machine (Simac, Schildkraut) that takes the guesswork out of home sewing. Sleek as an Italian sportscar, the Viking Husqvama 990 includes a set of cassettes. ``With a touch of a button you can do what took your grandmother hours to do,`` Katz said.

``You insert the cassette for joining (making a straight seam), you tell it you`re using medium-weight cotton, then it lights up along its back panels, indicating the type of needle, the particular stitch length and the type of presser foot you need. It does everything but cook dinner.``

As with most state-of-the-art electronic products, these appliances tend to cost more than their simpler counterparts. But Katz believes that, as has been the case with video cassette recorders, price breaks will occur as the appliances move into their third and fourth generations.

If the product will save you time or you don`t mind paying for convenience, she noted, it may be a good buy for you.

Gimmicks, however, should be avoided.

``A lot depends on what your needs are,`` Katz said. ``For example, a can opener that includes a radio, to me, is a waste of money. But the can opener with a pencil sharpener included would meet my needs. If you don`t already have a radio in the kitchen, you may say that a can opener-radio combination would be very functional.

``But if you decide such a product is functional for you, don`t settle for high performance in one featured area and mediocre performance in the other. Better you should have two separate, good products.``

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