Cool Kitchen Appliances You Never Knew About from Around the World

A dishwasher the size of a microwave oven? An entire kitchen in a box? Fun and funky appliances from around the world.

January 17, 2005 -- Everyone gets their clothes dirty, and everyone needs to get them clean. This is as true in Taiwan as it is in Toledo. But what one culture finds to be an answer may not fit the needs of another.

Consider that apartments in urban Asia tend to be small very small. For example, the Ginza East Apartments in Tokyo offer a 215 square foot Studio 2 efficiency apartment for $477 a week.

So here you are, a busy working stiff in Tokyo and no time (or space) to do dishes. Enter the countertop dishwasher. Make no mistake, these are real washing machines with pumps, thermostats, and heaters, but they are only the size of a microwave oven. They do what they do well, and dishes come out too hot to touch. See http://www.countertopdishwasher.com.

A Kitchen in a Box:
It is a combination refrigerator, sink, and stove that comes preassembled right out of the box. They come with either gas or electric ranges. See http://www.compact-kitchens.com.

Micro-laundries:
Just like downsized dishwashers, there are downsized clothes washers too. They will wash between two and 12 pounds of clothing depending upon model, and some cost under $100. See http://www.miniwasher.com

Portable Air Conditioners:
Presently commonly used in computer rooms, these units provide spot cooling exactly where needed and can be easily rolled from room to room.

This is an idea that will surely catch on in the USA mainstream. PACs cool, dehumidify, and filter inside air (hot exhaust is sent to the outdoors via a flexible dryer-type duct). Some portable air conditioners also work in reverse as efficient space heaters in cold weather. See http://www.portableairconditioners.us.

Touch-to-open Safes:
A safe the size a breadbox that opens with fingerprint recognition technology, which like most technology based items has seen a tremendous price drop. Used originally for handgun safety, these are finding new uses as prescription storage and control, and truck/rv safe boxes (they bolt down). Originally in the thousands, they are now available for around $350. See http://www.fingerprint-safes.com.

And one you wish you had when you were a kid
Finally! Its the automatic dish dryer! It is little more than a cover and a low-wattage hot air source, but it gets the job done quickly and efficiently. Dishes go straight to the cabinets in no time! See http://www.dishdryer.geniusgoods.com.

# # #