Posts in Home Appliances

Brother USB sewing machines

Juniper Foo | Oct 26, 2005

We don't mean it in a derogatory way when we say here's Brother with its Mickey Mouse USB sewing machine. This gizmo actually bundles 78 Disney prints in its internal memory. Other than the strange addition here, the other oddity is the fact that this sewing machine can be fully operated from a PC via USB, complete with touch-screen LCD panel. Because it's all done through the computer, new designs can be downloaded from the company's Web site which aims to update its offerings regularly with fresh designs. However, since Home Economics is a distant memory for most of us, this pricey USB accessory is likely to remain a good-to-know rather than a good-to-get.

Click to see M200 | N150

Price: M200: 262,500 yen (US$2,276), N150: 210,000 yen (US$1,821)
Availability: November 1, 2005, more info here
Device: USB accessory
Basic specs: 436 x 204 x 292mm, 11.7kg for Innovis M200, 10kg for Innovis N150

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Wine aging machine

Juniper Foo | Oct 20, 2005

So much for the saying that all good things come to those who wait. In the spirit of innovation, bioengineer Hiroshi Tanaka spent--get this--15 years to uncork the secrets of aging and prove that he could have his cake and eat it. Or, in this case, his sake and drink it. Tucked away in his rural Shizuoka lab is a gizmo that's said to age wine to a "drink now" stage by softening and adding complexity to young and even cheap spirits. At its heart lies an electrolyser which can convert about 4 liters of wine per minute. The device can be installed in wineries, while a small-scale version is being developed for restaurants and home cellars. Before you think this bizarre and far-fetched, wineries in California, South America and other parts of the world are taking a close interest in Tanaka's time machine. And after all that, the Japanese admitted he doesn't fancy the stuff.

(Unfortunately, no image was available at press time.)

Price: N.A.
Availability: Innovative Design and Technology
Device: Wine aging device
Basic specs: N.A.

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Soy sauce dish with wasabi grater

Juniper Foo | Oct 13, 2005

The Nanny's Fran Drescher may have cleared her sinus when she unwittingly swallowed the nostril-searing green condiment in the 1990s sitcom. But barring the head-clearing potency of this pungent horseradish, sushi gourmets will swear by the real deal. Which is fresh grated wasabi vs the imitation tubed paste. So yay to this two-in-one dish with raised grater which not only allows you to grate the root, it also serves to separate your garnish from the sauce as per sushi etiquette. Of course, being Singaporean, we make no apologies for liking our wasabi and soy sauce stirred into a gooey glob.

See closeup | grating it

See also Katsutare Zara Soy Sauce Plate and Desktop Sushi Robot

Price: 1,050 yen (US$9.20) for set of four
Availability: osamanoidea.com
Device: Condiment dish
Basic specs: Made of earthenware, 10.2 × 10.2cm, 140g

Filed under: Home Appliances
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