Editing Small appliance

{{Short description|Portable or semi-portable machine in use to accomplish household task}}
{{Globalize|article|USA|date=March 2011}}
{{broader|Home appliance}}
[[Image:Small appliance.jpg|thumb|Small appliances in a kitchen: a food processor, a waffle iron, a coffee maker, and an electric kettle]]
[[File:Toaster Filaments.JPG|thumb|Glowing [[Heating element|filaments]] of a modern 2-slice [[toaster]]]]

A '''small domestic appliance''', also known as a '''small electric appliance''' or '''minor appliance''' or simply a '''small appliance''', '''small domestic''' or  '''small electric''',<ref>[http://www.biglots.com/c/electronics-office/small-electrics/_/N-3326474532 Small Electrics | Big Lots]</ref> is a portable or semi-portable machine, generally used on [[Table (furniture)|table]]-tops, [[Countertop|counter-tops]] or other platforms, to accomplish a [[household]] task. Examples include [[microwave oven]]s, [[kettle]]s, [[toaster]]s, [[humidifier]]s, [[food processor]]s and [[coffeemaker]]s. They contrast with [[major appliance]]s (known as "white goods" in the UK), such as the [[refrigerator]]s and [[washing machine]]s, which cannot be easily moved and are generally placed on the floor.  Small appliances also contrast with [[consumer electronics]] (British "brown goods") which are for leisure and [[entertainment]] rather than purely practical tasks.<ref name="Baumann1995">{{cite book|last=Baumann|first=Ted|title=An industrial strategy for the household electrical durables industry|year=1995|publisher=UCT Press|isbn=9780799215786|page=vi}}</ref>

==Uses==
Some small appliances perform the same or similar function as their larger counterparts. For example, a [[toaster oven]] is a small appliance that performs a similar function as an [[oven]]. Small appliances often have a home version and a commercial version, for example [[waffle iron]]s, [[food processor]]s, and [[blender]]s are small [[Home appliance|household appliance]]s. A food processor will perform the tasks of chopper, slicer, mixer as well as juicer. Instead of buying multiple small appliances, you can buy a single food processor. The commercial, or industrial, version is designed to be used nearly continuously in a restaurant or other similar setting. Commercial appliances are typically connected to a more powerful electrical outlet, are larger and stronger, have more user-serviceable parts, and cost significantly more. These commercial versions are capable of performing heavy tasks in one go.

==Types and examples==
[[Image:ElectricBlender.jpg|thumb|160px|An electric [[blender]]]]

Small appliances include those used for :
* [[Beverage]]-making, such as [[electric kettle]]s, [[coffeemaker]]s or [[iced tea]]-makers
* [[Cleaning]], such as [[vacuum cleaner]]
* [[Cooking]], such as on a [[hot plate]] or with a [[microwave oven]]
* [[Lighting]], using [[light fixture]]s
* [[Thermal comfort]], such as an [[Electric heating|electric heater]] or [[Fan (machine)|fan]]
Many small appliances perform a combination of the above processes such as mixing, heating by a [[bread machine]]

==Prices==
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Small appliances can be very inexpensive, such as an electric [[can opener]], [[kettle|hot pot]], [[toaster]], or coffee maker which may cost only a few U.S. dollars, or very expensive, such as an elaborate [[Espresso machine|espresso maker]], which may cost several thousand U.S. dollars. Most homes in [[developed economies]] contain several cheaper [[home appliance]]s, with perhaps a few more expensive appliances, such as a high-end microwave oven or [[Mixer (cooking)|mixer]]. A small appliances like chopper, [[juicer]], grinder and mixer may cost you few dollars. Instead of buying separate units the [[food processor]] will be less expensive. Sometime these kind of smart appliances saves money as well as the space.

==Powering==
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Many small appliances are powered by [[electricity]]. The appliance may use a permanently attached cord that is plugged into a [[wall outlet]] or a detachable cord. The appliance may have a cord storage feature. A few hand-held appliances use [[Battery (electricity)|batteries]], which may be disposable or rechargeable. Some appliances consist of an [[electrical motor]] upon which is mounted various attachments so as to constitute several individual appliances, such as a blender, a food processor, or a [[juicer]]. Many [[stand mixer]]s, while functioning primarily as a mixer, have attachments that can perform additional functions.

A few [[gasoline]] and [[Propane|gas]]-powered appliances exist for use in situations where electricity is not expected to be available, but these are typically larger and not as portable as most small appliances. Items that perform the same function as small appliances but are hand-powered are generally referred to as [[tools]] or [[gadgets]], for example a [[Mixer (cooking)#History|hand cranked egg beater]], a [[grater]], a [[mandoline]], or a hand-powered [[meat grinder]].

==Safety==
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Small appliances which are defective or improperly used or maintained may cause [[house fires]] and other property damage, or may harbor [[bacteria]] if not properly [[Cleanliness|cleaned]]. It is important that users read the instructions carefully and that appliances that use a [[Ground (electricity)|grounded]] cord be attached to a grounded [[Electrical outlet|outlet]]. Because of the risk of fire, some appliances have a short detachable cord that is connected to the appliance [[magnetically]]. If the appliance is moved further than the cord length from the wall, the cord will detach from the appliance.

==Designations and regulations==
{{Expand section|date=November 2015}}
Designations and regulations of "small appliances" vary by country and are not simply determined by physical sizes. For instance, United States [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|Environmental Protection Agency]] regulations mandate that small appliances must meet two standards:<ref>{{cite web|last1=Paluca|first1=Kleia|title=Understanding Small Appliance Standards and Regulations|url=http://applianceauthority.org/general/understanding-small-appliance-standards-and-regulations/|publisher=Appliance Authority|access-date=16 November 2015|archive-date=17 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033547/http://applianceauthority.org/general/understanding-small-appliance-standards-and-regulations/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://suadieuhoa.edu.vn/|title=Trung Tâm Sửa Điều Hòa Uy Tín Tại Nhà Hà Nội Giá Tốt Nhất 2022|website=Trung Tâm Sửa Điều Hòa Uy Tín Tại Nhà Hà Nội Giá Tốt Nhất 2022}}</ref>
* Completely manufactured, charged, and sealed in a factory
* Contains five pounds or less of refrigerant

The designations and regulations of "small appliances" are very important in order to assure the safety of the public. Here are some rules and regulations for small appliances:<ref>{{Cite web|title=Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR)|url=https://www.ecfr.gov/|access-date=2021-02-07|website=Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR)|language=en}}</ref>
* Altering the design of certified recovered small appliances in a way that would affect the equipment's ability to meet the certification standards is strictly prohibited
* The equipment must meet the minimum requirements for certification

==See also==
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* [[Appliance (disambiguation)]]
* [[Domestic technology]]
* [[List of cooking appliances]]
* [[List of home appliances]]
* [[Standby power]]
* [[Yellow goods (retail classification)]]
{{div col end}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Electronic systems}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Home appliances| ]]