Here's another great tip from BobVila.com. Microwave ovens are one of those household technologies most of us use a lot but don t really understand: Is nuked food good for you and is exposure to microwaves bad for you? While they are a form of electromagnetic radiation, microwaves are only slightly more powerful than the waves used to transmit radio and TV signals, and they re not nearly as powerful as x-rays or even the ultraviolet rays of the sun. The Food and Drug Administration monitors microwave ovens and limits microwave emissions to much lower levels than those known to harm people, measured just outside the oven. Only 20 inches away, emissions are one one-hundredth that amount, so to avoid even low levels of exposure, just step away. The FDA requires two independent interlock systems and a monitoring system to stop the production of microwaves the moment the latch is released or the door is opened, so they can t actually sneak out. Clean your oven often, especially around the seals. If the door, hinges or latch have been damaged or if it s been dropped or damaged by a fire, it s time for a new oven. While the microwaves from your oven can t burn you, you can still burn yourself by heating food too long or using metal or other containers that aren t recommended in your manual. Microwaves cook your food not from the inside out, as the mythology goes, but by vibrating water molecules from the outside in. Because you re only heating the food, not the space around it, and for less time, microwaving your food can actually save energy and retain more nutrients than conventional cooking. Find out more at BobVila.com: The ultimate home improvement web site! BobVila.com 2008

Lenora Campos from Toto, USA, is with Bob for the installation of the Nexus two-piece, porcelain toilet. The design is inspired by nature, with distinct lines that hide the plumbing and suggest a rock outcropping. All Toto toilets are 1.6-gallon flush models. They flush effectively the first time because a special G-Max flush system is designed to clear waste completely through the bowl and the fully-glazed trap way. This Washlet 6300 has a wash feature and a dryer to completely eliminate the need for toilet paper. A remote control system enables homeowners to set the water, seat, and dryer temperatures and to automatically clean the wand. The system also has an energy-saving mode that powers down during periods of infrequent use. These washlets sell well throughout the world, including Japan where washlet sales outpace those of microwave ovens.

Bob tours the restoration on the governor's mansion in VA and visits the "first kitchen" where Todd Graves with GE appliances shows Bob the Halogen oven.

The kitchen is set for company, but the counters are clean and uncluttered. Appliances in white complement the adjacent living space in this open-plan apartment. The Whirlpool double-door refridgerator in white, with lots of storage and features, blends with the oven and cooktop, also from Whirlpool, and the Energy Star dishwasher with high-end features like wine-glass racks and special wash cycles. Bob challenged the crew to outfit the kitchen completely by shopping online from Sears.com. Juicers, pots, pans, blender, combination microwave-convection oven, coffee grinder and brewer, were all selected, delivered, and tucked away in this getaway kitchen designed for easy entertaining.

Bob Ryley does some work on the mahogany deck and kitchen appliances, lighting and cabinets are examined.

The first Elmwood project in Providence, RI. Kitchen and bathroom needs a full remodel. Bob tours the house and discusses the new proposed kitchen layout. The homeowners want more storage space, better cooking appliances and to convert an existing bathroom into more dining room space. The flooring will also need work as it is a combination of several different styles and materials.

House four of the Elmwood project. Kitchen and bath remodel at the home of Mark and Christina Macheska. An overview of the problems and solutions, demolition and installation of reclaimed pine floors.

House four of the Elmwood project. Bob tours the finished kitchen, bath remodel project.

Bob visits the Willamette Industries glue laminated facilities in Eugene, Oregon, for a tour with General Sales Manager Steve Killgore to learn first-hand how glulams are manufactured.

Matt Lihou from DCS / Fisher & Paykel explains the features of the Dynamic Cooking Systems ovens and cooktop. Lihou starts with the warming drawer underneath that doubles as a fruit and meat preserver. The traditional oven above is extremely deep and features heavy-duty racks in addition to an infrared broiling system for quick searing to retain meat juices. Above the traditional oven is a convection and microwave combination for cooking and crisiping in one. The island cooktop arrives on site with five gas burners for chef-quality cooking in a residential kitchen. The stainless-steel cooktop features a dual-flow system with two flame rings for precision cooking whether for high-temperature searing or low-heat sauces and melting. The highest heat is delivered through the center burner, while the outer burners feature low simmer capability. These cooktops are priced to fit a gourmet budget at around $3,800, which is below the cost of commercial gas cooktops for residential use.