When appliances go wrong

May 22nd, 2012

“She can’t stand her toaster,” says Annabel about her Mum. “It only ever toasts one side of the bread. I can’t understand why she doesn’t just go out and get another one.”

Appliances are designed to lighten our loads, yet they often make us tear our hair out in despair. Complicated to read manuals, dodgy switches, shrieking kettles…

“Oh, and then there’s the pot handles that fall off or are all wiggly.” A screwdriver to tighten the screws does the trick, Annabel recommends.

What else is maddening about appliances?

“Not being able to set the time on the oven. I can’t even do it and I’m usually really good at sorting out that stuff. It’s just too complicated and things like resetting the clock after a power cut can drive us crazy.

“Vacuum cleaner bags: we always get the wrong ones. Why can’t there be just one generic bag?” For that matter, why aren’t there universal ink cartridges for printers, batteries for mobiles?

Then there are the things that one imposes upon oneself.

“It drives me crazy just to see her reach her arm around uncomfortably to place and remove plates from the microwave that’s been positioned on the wrong side of the bench with the door opening towards her. Wouldn’t it be easier to move the microwave around to the other side?

“And as for me, the washing machines that get unbalanced and stop mid cycle. You’re away all day and expect it to be done upon your return and nope, not happening. Soggy, unwashed clothes.”

**What is it about appliances that do your head in?**

Keri Algar

Having once had to sit on the washing machine to stop it from bouncing into oblivion, Keri is today delighted with the new (smoother running) technologies that make housework easier every day. A self-confessed lazy-bones, Keri seeks out quirky inventions that ease the human workload, such as the robotic vacuum cleaner (wow). And as soon as someone figures out a Jetsons-like self-cleaning house, she will happily lay her pen to rest and retire from appliance journalism. Until then, her pick is a fridge that will tell her smartphone when it's time to pick up more beer on the way home. Magic.