Craftsman & Kenmore invited us to check out some of their new gear for home, shop, lawn, garden, and garage. Up-armored is the theme—from design to details.
Let me first say that I love this part of my job. That Craftsman Kenmore would think to invite me to their event and give me a peek is awesome. And that I can share what I saw with you, that’s even better.
And they know I’m merciless. While they’ve asked me to write a blog, they didn’t pay me to like anything they showed me. And they know that no amount of money would make me say something is good when it isn’t.
When it comes to recommending things for you guys to check out for your home, you trust us (I hope) and we take that seriously.
So, I’m happy to say Craftsman Kenmore delivered some really cool items. Surprisingly cool, actually—from microwaves that look Mars-ready to vacuums and an up-armored zero turn mower. If you’re looking to upfit the kitchen, replace your lousy vacuum, or dive into winter with a rip-roaring garden tractor, then here’s some cool things to consider.
Kenmore Pro Microwave. The Diamondback textures on the wall surface of the Kenmore Pro Over Range Microwave both looks awesome and, they say, evens out microwave energy so the oven cooks food more evenly. Yup, like it. What I also really like is the built-in 400 CFM ventilation in the unit. Most microwave oven fans are loud and anemic. This’ll pull in some smoke from your cast iron skillet. And look good doing it. Oo-rah!
Kenmore Elite 700 Series Gas Grill. This is what other grills want to be when they grow up. I saw this Craftsman Kenmore innovation at last year’s Craftsman MAKEcation and I’m still aching to whip up some of my famous MeatFest 6400 grill-ectibles on it. <<< Cirlce R on the grill-ectibles action buddy! One of my absolutely most mouth-watering favorites on this unit is the lighting: With LED and halogen lighting you can see your temperature settings and cast a cool glow on your party after dark.
V-Twin Garden Tractor. One thing I learned at the Craftsman Kenmore event was that there is a difference between a ‘riding mower’ and a ‘garden tractor’. Despite the calm, flowery lilt of ‘garden tractor,’ this one brings the umph. It’s got a bigger engine, tougher suspension, bumper, and bigger tires. It’s the one you want to upfit with a plow or snow thrower. And the one I want to work through winter around here. It has the towing capacity and the mass to handle heavier loads. And it still mows grass, sucks up leaves, and does the boys-of-summer stuff.
Side note: Craftsman’s Pro Series ZTR (zero-turn mowers) look uber. Like uber uber. One of the main differences between a pro-grade unit and an HO (homeowner) unit is the deck. Stamped steel for the HO. Armor plate for the pro. (OK, maybe not armor plate, but this one is tough). I love it. Eight MPH mowing speed and a Kohler 7000 series engine, this bad boy all dressed in black means business.
There was more there too. I loved the new bag-less vacuums. If there’s something that I hate doing, it’s vacuuming my house. Just ask Theresa. So tools that help take the blah-out of that process are tools I respond to and the Kenmore units they showed us looked dialed in and ready for work.
If you need to know more, head over to Craftsman and Kenmore. Tell them we sent you. We also say thank you. We mean that one. Please let us know what you think.
