What's new in Consumer Reports: Home content from the June 2010 issue

The June 2010 issue of Consumer Reports is out, and among the highlights for the home, we found that performance is up and prices are down among grills, blenders, and exterior paints and stains. You'll also find a review of a claimed germ-fighting vacuum, tips on maintaining your air conditioner(s), an update on thirsty shower towers, and reliability information for dishwashers.

Gas grills that sizzle: Our review of gas grills includes nine standouts, ranging from the Brinkmann 810-8410S, $200, to the top-rated Weber Genesis E320, $700. Infrared is especially hot; our top-scoring small portable grill and a standout $450 grill, both made by Char-Broil, use this technology. Learn which extras are worth paying for and how to make grills work better as smokers, rotisseries, and ovens. (The video above will help you avoid a slew of common grilling mistakes).

Blenders that beat the competition: In our report on blenders, the model we judged best at making icy drinks cost a cool $450, but we found four other good summer performers starting at one third that price. For grating and pureeing but lesser-quality icy drinks, consider a $40 Oster or a $130 West Bend model that also doubles as a juicer.

Exterior paints and stains that last: For our report on exterior finishes, California Paints has displaced a Behr brand from the top spot among exterior paints. And while a Behr product is still tops among stains, a semitransparent stain from Sikkens is also proving impressive in our tests.

Air-conditioning maintenance tips that work: Here's some basic advice to keep your window and central-air-conditioning systems running at peak efficiency. If you need to replace your air conditioner, watch our video on properly sizing a unit or system. Ratings of window air conditioners, test results on portable air conditioners and split-ductless systems, and reliability information for central air conditioners are available to subscribers.

A vacuum that fights germs?: We tested the Germ Guardian 2-in-1 GGU300 bagless vacuum, $220, which the manufacturer claims uses nanotechnology in its dirt cup to fight germs. We didn't test the effectiveness of the germ-fighting technology, but this vacuum did only fair at cleaning carpeting, though it did excel on bare floors.

Simple moves that prevent hazards: These low-cost tips, including painting the top edges of stairs a contrasting color, will help you avoid spills, falls, and slips.

Updates for dishwashers and shower towers: Fisher & Paykel is no longer at the bottom of our reliability rankings for dishwashers. And Hudson Reed, which makes shower towers, might receive a $1.9 million fine for missing federal water-conservation standards.