In 1932, Sydney residents and good friends Bill O’Brien and Harry Norville decided to go into business together, naming their new company with a combination of their surnames. In its early days, Breville produced radios and machines used to detect landmines to support the military’s efforts in World War II. Once the fighting ended, Norville and O’Brien knew they needed to shift the focus of their company to a new line of business. By 1956, the company had found its niche in producing small kitchen appliances. Since then, Breville has grown to become one of the most widely recognized brand names in Australia and has enjoyed similar success around the world, following its launch in the USA and Canada in 2002. Breville products are sold in more than 30 nations around the globe. Although the company has changed ownership since, the O’Brien family led the corporation for three generations, continuing the work of Bill. One of the most well known ranges of Breville products is its juicer line. The company’s innovative research and development team created many landmark designs that are now widely imitated by other brands, including the active arm citrus press mechanism. Breville was also was the creator of the first juicer capable of juicing whole fruits rather than just fruit slices or sections. The Breville Juice Fountain is one of the best-selling juicer collections in the world and accounts for 20 percent of the sales of all juicers worldwide. One of the most popular models in the range is the Breville BJE200 Juice Fountain, proudly stocked at Bing Lee, which features a 75-millimeter tube that can accommodate whole fruits and vegetables. Ultra powerful, the model includes an Italian micromesh filter basket and is easy to clean because it is dishwasher safe. Another line of hugely popular Breville products that we carry at Bing Lee is its sandwich maker range. In 1974, the company introduced the very first sandwich toaster and has continued to be on the cutting edge of design, adding new features to make Breville sandwich makers more and more useful. The sandwich toaster collection has evolved to include many specialty products, including panini presses and handy devices like the Breville BPZ500PE Pete Evans Pizza Maker, a new take on the sandwich maker design that makes it easy to quickly create perfect pizza at home. The Breville iKon panini press is extremely well known worldwide and was even featured as one of “Oprah’s Favorite Things” on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Breville’s achievements in design aren’t just limited to juicers and sandwich makers. The brand is also responsible for creating the first food processor ever made in Australia, which it released in 1977. Breville also introduced one of the first variable speed automatic tea kettles, and its line of glass and stainless steel tea makers remains prominent today. The company is known for its electric woks and created the very first high wall heating wok style. Additional products offered by Breville include blenders, bread makers, coffee grinders and makers, standing mixers, toaster ovens, slow cookers and more. Browse the full range of Breville appliances in our online store today!
Buyer’s Guide to Modern Ovens
Roasting, grilling, baking and heating: since the dawn of time, ovens have enabled humankind to enjoy the spoils of these convenient and delicious cooking methods. Even in the twenty-first century, the oven undoubtedly remains the cornerstone of every home kitchen. Fortunately, between then and now we’ve upgraded from earth and stone ovens to models that are a bit more sophisticated. Buying a new oven is something most of us will only do a few times over the course of our lives. Because it is such a rare event, deciding which oven to get for your home can be challenging. Then there is the abundance of choices on offer – none of which are the same as the last time you got an oven because technology evolves so fast. Never fear! We’ve put together some handy hints to help you along in your oven-buying journey. Read on to learn about the different types of ovens, common oven sizes, and some interesting modern features to look out for.
The Basics: Types of Ovens
• Freestanding or upright ovens consist of hotplates on top and an oven underneath. Installation is simple as the oven does not require mounting in a cupboard or wall space. • Built-in ovens are mounted into a wall, on a bench or integrated into the kitchen cupboard. This saves space and can also keep the unit safely out of children’s reach. • Electric or conventional ovens have a thermostat that controls the heat of the oven by measuring the temperature in the middle of the internal cavity, making it hotter at the top and cooler at the bottom. • Fan ovens are versions of conventional ovens that include a fan to create an even temperature throughout the unit, saving energy and reducing cooking time. • Gas ovens use an electric spark to light a flame at the base of the unit. As the air heats, it circulates and rises. As gas emits moisture when cooking, these types of ovens are particularly good for baking cakes. • Multifunction ovens are capable of using different combinations of heating elements to cook the food inside them, offering you greater flexibility and control. Settings can include conventional, fan, grill, bottom heat only, and defrost settings. • Double ovens have different areas capable of operating on different settings simultaneously.
The Logistics: Sizing Options
A range of oven capacities exist to suit your cooking needs and available kitchen space. Ovens are measured according to their size on the outside. Smaller kitchens better suit compact models such as a 45cm ovens, or combination units that serve as both an oven and microwave. Standard kitchens are often matched with a single 60cm oven unit. These units generally have a 56 litre capacity, however larger capacities are now on offer for the 60cm unit size. For even more room, take a look at the many spacious models ranging up to 90cm in size. If you are still unsure, take along your favourite baking tray or dish as a guide while you try a few ovens on for size.
The Extras: Modern Features
• Oven doors – The more layers of glass an oven door has, the cooler it will be to touch, which is an important safety consideration if your appliance will be in reach of children. Also check to see if the oven door hinges at the side or bottom, and is lockable. • Controls and settings – Look for functions including pre-programmed cooking options, preheat, grill, bake and defrost. As most ovens are fan-forced, check to see if the appliance also offers cooking options that are fan-free if you are after more variety. • Self-cleaning – Ovens with a self cleaning feature are usually more expensive than conventional models, but can save you some elbow grease. If this feature is beyond your budget, look for a unit that is easy to clean.
Bosch: Inventing Innovation and Convenience
Bosch has a rich history that began in 1886 in Stuttgart, Germany. It was there that Robert Bosch started his business, which was then called the Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering. The early inventions that emerged from Bosch’s shop were mainly related to automotive technology, such as spark plugs and ignition units. In 1907, the auto parts produced in Bosch’s factory debuted in Australia. With just one importer, Bosch products were available only in Sydney and Melbourne. In 1922, Bosch automotive products began to be widely sold in Australia by the company Pyrox, which operated a location in Sydney. In 1930, Bosch permitted Pyrox to start manufacturing products under the company’s brand name, launching a rich heritage of manufacturing in Australia that continues to this day. By 2002, Bosch products made in Australia made more than $531 million in sales worldwide. The company employs 1,800 people throughout Australia and New Zealand, producing automotive parts, consumer goods and industrial equipment. The headquarters for the Australasian region is based in Clayton, Victoria. Household appliances were first produced under the Bosch brand name more than 75 years ago, and since then, the brand has made many achievements in its range of consumer goods. Here at Bing Lee, one of the most popular lines available from Bosch is its ActiveWater Plus Dishwasher collection. Designed for maximum water efficiency, this range is the only complete collection of dishwashers available in Australia that has a 5.5 WELS water rating! The dishwashers in the collection use as little as 10.3 Liters of water and can still hold up to 14 place settings, while using five times less water than washing the same amount of dishes by hand. The lineup of Bosch products available at Bing Lee includes many other kitchen appliances. For cooking, the brand manufactures traditional and microwave ovens, warming drawers, cooktops and ranges and was one of the first to introduce automatic roasting and baking modes in their products. Bosch also makes a line of refrigerators, including top mount, side-by-side, bottom mount and French door styles. To round out its kitchen appliance range, Bosch offers coffee makers, food processors, hand blenders and multi-purpose kitchen machines. Bosch is the number one selling brand of washing machines and dryers in Europe. Here in Australia, many of their models are on the cutting edge of technology. An example is the Logixx 8 Vario Perfect Washer, which has a 5.0 WELS water rating and a unique drum system known as the VarioSoft. This system gets clothes cleaner than a traditional washer drum, but is still gentle enough for delicate fabrics, despite its increased power. Each year, Bosch includes new features in its household appliances range that are intended to help protect the environment. The brand calls this its Green Technology Initiative, and it centers on creating products that require less electricity and water to operate. In addition, the Bosch factories located in Australia are constantly improving their recycling efforts. In 2008, Bosch received the prestigious German Sustainability Award for the strides the company has made in protecting the planet.
Which Heater Type is the Most Energy Efficient?
Amidst a growing culture of environmental consciousness and rising power costs, energy efficiency is now just as important as price to anyone looking at purchasing new household appliances. This is especially true for those thinking about buying a new heater. So which type of heater is the cheapest to run and most energy efficient? If you want to know how much power and appliance uses, all you have to do is look at the product’s compliance plate. Every electrical appliance sold in Australia has one. It is a metallic sticker or plate attached to the body of the appliance that details information about the item, including how much power it uses. The compliance plate will state the number of watts 
or amps (A) the appliance uses. The higher the power rating number, the more power the heater will use regardless of whether it is a convection, column or radiator heater. Just as important as the running cost of a heater is how energy efficient it is. Many people confuse these issues as being one in the same when they are in fact two separate (albeit interrelated) matters. Energy efficiency refers to how the output of an appliance relates to the energy it consumes to achieve the task. Energy efficient products are those that use less energy to do the same or better job than a comparable product. When it comes to heaters, gas heaters are far more energy efficient and cheaper to run than their electric counterparts. The running cost of gas heaters is lower because gas is cheaper than electricity. Gas heaters are more energy efficient because they provide high heat output in relation to the energy used to generate that heat. Gas heaters can quickly, effectively and efficiently heat large and open-plan areas. In contrast, electrical heaters are only really effective at warming small to medium enclosed spaces. However, not every home has a gas connection so using an electric heater is the only option for many people. Even though electrical heaters are not as energy efficient as gas models, they can be used efficiently to make the most of the heat they provide and minimise running costs. You can do this by choosing the heater best suited to how and where you will be using it. • Radiant heaters contain glowing elements and reflectors that radiate heat to quickly heat objects immediately in front of them. However since they don’t warm the air, they are more effective at helping you warm up than heating entire rooms. • Convection heaters contain an element that warms and circulates air to heat a room. Since they take some time to heat a room, they are most effective when run over long periods within a contained area. • Oil-filled column heaters take time and energy to warm up, but once heated they will maintain their warmth for quite a while. This type of heater poses a low fire risk, making them ideal for operating in enclosed areas, unattended over long periods, such as in a bedroom overnight.
Logitech Makes Personal Computing Better
Founded in 1981 in Switzerland, Logitech has grown to become one of the leading producers of personal peripherals in the world. Through the years the company has reinvented the computer mouse countless times, and has managed to create a personal computing solution for virtually every situation. Its broad array of interface devices includes headphones, wireless keyboards, computer speakers and stereo headsets, as well as universal remotes.
Customer-Focused Design
Logitech products are all made with one goal in mind: to offer you a more intuitive personal computing experience. This single-minded focus on the customer is probably the largest reason why Logitech products are sold in nearly every country throughout the world. Logitech researchers go out and study consumers to gain a greater understanding of how the products will be used, how existing products fail to provide a comfortable experience, and how to integrate cutting edge technologies into previous designs.
Ergonomic Solutions
Since Logitech researchers study the habits of consumers to help design more intuitive, functional products, ergonomic personal computing solutions were a fairly early development. Working with older style computer mice and keyboards had a tendency to produce a number of repetitive injuries. To solve that problem, Logitech released a complete line of inertial computer mice, wireless keyboards, and other revolutionary solutions.
Quality and Affordability – the Logitech Promise
There’s an unspoken promise when you buy a Logitech product. Because this brand has established itself as a top producer of innovative technologies, most consumers have come to understand that buying Logitech means buying a fully functional, top quality, and affordable product. More than that, buying a Logitech has become a tradition among those looking for a comfortable, seamless computer experience. At Bing Lee, we offer a similar promise. When you shop with us, you’ll never walk away without a smile on your face. We stock only the finest products and offer them at only the most competitive prices. We’ll handle your order with the utmost attention to detail and ship everything to you in a timely manner. Our goal is to make your life just a little better after you leave than it was before you placed the order. We do this by offering you the best selection of Logitech and other best brand products on the Internet, and providing you with the very best customer service possible. Chat with us today to find out more about how Logitech can improve your personal computing experience.
Top Features of Modern Dishwashers
Cleaning dishes was a chore that had to be repeated several times a day for most people. When the dishwasher came along, households across the world were able to save hours every week and still enjoy sparkling clean dishes. With today’s technology, modern dishwashers come packed with a range of helpful features to get the job done right. Sensor Automation This eliminates the disappointment of opening up your dishwasher to find your dishes not exactly clean in certain places. Needing only one button for all types of loads, sensors inside the dishwasher detect how much food residue is left on your dishes and automatically adjust how long and intense the wash cycle should be. As an added bonus, getting the wash cycle right every time means you save on your water and power bills. Noise Reduction If you lived in a household with the early generations of dishwashers, you’ll remember that when they’re running, it’s almost as if they want everybody to know about it. Thankfully, modern dishwashers have reduced the level of operating noise significantly. These innovations include quiet motors and stainless steel interiors for insulation. Some models may even come with a delayed start option, letting you get the dishes done when you’re out of the house. Rinse Aid Dispenser A great addition for leaving your dishes with the perfect finish, rinse aid dispensers ensure that food and residue removed during the wash doesn’t end up back on your dishes during the rinse cycle. While some washing detergents and tablets claim they include a rinse aid, separately adding your own ensures the best results. Full Range of Cycles Far from the standard handful of cycles, dishwashers now come equipped with a cycle fit for all kinds of loads and some are even ideal for washing more than just dishes and cutlery. From hardier cycles to get the toughest cheeses and greases off your plate, to crystal and china cycles requiring more finesse, nowadays it seems that if it can be washed, it can be washed in a dishwasher. Also a great addition is the hygienic sanitising cycle to guarantee that dishes don’t just look clean – they actually are clean.
Westinghouse Offers Green Appliances, Top Performance
Founded in 1886, the Westinghouse Electric Company constructed the first AC electricity generation plant in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Fast forward 100 years and Westinghouse continues to be a leader in cutting edge consumer electronic technologies. You might have already experienced the incredible quality and reliability of Westinghouse appliances through the company’s other brands, which include Electrolux, Simpson, Chef, and Dishlex. At Bing Lee, Westinghouse appliances are some of our most affordable options, making them a great choice for anyone on a budget. This brand prides itself in offering green appliances that deliver top quality performance.
Changing With The Times
Though Westinghouse has been serving Australian families for years, it has made a real effort to change with the times. Since George Westinghouse started his first company over 100 years ago, Westinghouse products have been improving with each passing year. That’s why Westinghouse has become synonymous with innovation and inspired designs. Every Westinghouse product is designed to make your life just a little simpler, to help you meet the demands of today’s busy lifestyle. All Westinghouse appliances are sleek, attractive, and incredibly functional. This company has won design award after design award, proving time and again that a simple, modern appearance will never go out of style.
Environmentally Friendly, Energy Efficient Design
As a member of the Electrolux family, Westinghouse is Australasia’s leading household appliances company. Every product is made with consumers in mind, putting special emphasis on environmentally friendly and energy efficient design. These products are actually designed to save you money every time you use them!
Great Deals Every Day
Here at Bing Lee, we’re all about improving the lives of Australian consumers by offering the best products at the most competitive prices. We treat every sale as if it were our largest, with the very best customer service and the fastest shipping possible. That’s why our complete line of Westinghouse appliances includes everything you need to live a more comfortable lifestyle. Speak with one of our friendly product specialists today to enjoy the very best, most energy-efficient Westinghouse appliances – at a price you can afford!
Choosing Your Heater: Oil, Electric or Gas?
It’s a good idea to start thinking about how you will heat the inside of your home before the winter chill sets in outside. There is a fantastic selection of heaters now available, each with their own benefits. Electric Heaters Electric heaters work by converting electrical energy into heat and are best suited to heating small to medium sized enclosed areas. The are several different types of electric heaters: • Radiant heaters consist of glowing elements and reflectors that radiate heat, providing quick heat to the nearby area. Unfortunately they are not very energy efficient and can ignite nearby objects. • Convection heaters warm a room by circulating air that has been heated by an element within the heater. They are safe to run, posing a low risk of causing a fire or contact burns. • Fan heaters are fan-forced convection heaters. They are great for quickly heating small areas but tend to be noisy and use a lot of power to run. • Column heaters – see section on oil heaters below. Oil Heaters Oil heaters are a type of electric heater. They are comprised of oil-filled steel columns with an electric heating element at the base that heats the oil. The heat transfers through the metal, circulating through the surrounding air. The oil takes a fair amount of time and energy to heat, but once heated it will stay warm for some time. Although unable to provide the amount of spatial heating a gas heater is capable of, oil heaters are a popular choice for bedrooms and smaller enclosed spaces. This is because they are safe to leave unattended and ideal for heating areas long periods, such as a bedroom overnight. Oil heaters are considered to be safer than electric fan heaters because they tend to have lower surface temperatures, reducing the risk of scalding. Most oil heaters also have a sensor that will cut power to the unit in the event it is knocked over or placed on an uneven surface. Gas Heaters Gas heaters are the most energy efficient type of space heater and are capable of quickly and effectively heating large areas. Portable, ducted and wall-mounted gas heaters are available. Although these types of heaters are ideally run from mains gas supply, those without a connection can still operate a unit using a gas cylinder. Anyone considering this option should ensure they have the correct fittings to connect their appliance to the cylinder. You will probably need to pay more for a gas heater than an electric one but it is cheaper to operate which will help you to save on energy costs in the long run. As with all appliances, when you are shopping for a gas heater, ensure you check the energy efficiency star ratings.
How to Go Wireless at Home
It’s the way of the future that we’ve seen in countless sci-fi movies: being able to access whatever we need from anywhere in the house – without wires being the proverbial ball-and-chain holding us back. However, when you can’t even see which wires go where, it’s completely understandable that many people find setting up their wireless networks a confusing task. So how can we make sure our walls and floors are uncluttered by a jungle of cords and wires? First, you’ll need to make sure the devices you want to use are able to pick up a wireless signal. Most recent computers, game consoles and smartphones can do this easily. Though, if you have devices that don’t, you may still be able to connect them to your network via wireless adapters that plug into USB or HDMI ports. Next, you’ll need the most basic component in any wireless network: a wireless router. This is the nerve centre of your new wireless network. Every model is different so when shopping around for one, make sure you ask for one with comprehensive installation instructions and browser-based consoles to make the whole process as easy as possible. After you’ve connected your router, the next step is to configure it. While you should have the instructions on hand, keep in mind that an important part of this step is encrypting your wireless signal to protect your network from unwanted connections. Microsoft recommends Wireless Protected Access (WPA or WPA2) wherever possible. While Wireless Encryption (WEP) may suffice, it is generally not as secure. If you have a large house or are experiencing poor signal quality for any number of reasons, it may be worthwhile to invest in a wireless bridge or repeater. While there are some differences between the two, they both receive a signal from your router and repeat it over its own area, broadening the signal area. Remember to buy models with a maximum speed which matches that of your network or you may miss out on the full potential of your connection. For best results, remember to place your router in a high position and away from large objects or walls as it’s easier to send a signal downwards with as much space as possible.
Top Mother’s Day Gift Gadgets
Mother’s Day is a time to show your mother just how much you love her. What could say “thanks for everything, Mum!” better than a brand new gadget that makes life easier and brings a smile of true appreciation to her face? Not quite sure what to get? We have assembled a list of some of the most popular Mother’s Day gift gadgets to help you with your choice!
• Clock Radio for iPod
Available from under $30, one of these little gadgets will fit into any budget. They can charge and powers all iPod devices and feature a top quality AM/FM radios with a built-in Wake Up function. Your mum can throw out her old alarm clock and wake up in digital style!
• Juice Maker
A juice maker or juice fountain lets you promote a healthy lifestyle while showing your mother that you care. With this thoughtful gift, she’ll be able to turn all her favourite fruits and vegetables into a luscious juice and start every morning with a delicious hit of vitamins, minerals and fibre.
• Canal Earphones
Gift the gift of music this Mother’s Day. With a pair of high-quality canal earphones, your mum can enjoy crisp clear sound to enjoy all her favourite songs on demand. From only $39, canal earphones deliver excellent quality and value.
• Espresso Machine
Is your mother a lover of good coffee? Then a home espresso maker will be sure to make you a gourmet hero. Treat your mum to the perfect morning brew, day after day. We know how tough it can be to choose the perfect gift for Mother’s Day. That’s why at Bing Lee, we’ve made it easy to find ideas based on relationship, interests, and budget.
See the “Gift Ideas” Tab for more great gift ideas for Mum, Dad, Teen, Someone Special, Him, or Her. Order now and get delivery in time for Sunday. Happy Mother’s Day from everyone at Bing Lee!
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