Our goal is a simple one: help you choose the right product without wading through marketing. Here is exactly how we research, score and maintain every recommendation, and where the limits of our process are.
What we do, and what we do not
Our recommendations are research-based comparisons. For each guide we study manufacturer specifications and documentation, current retailer listings, and a broad sample of verified owner reviews across multiple retailers. We do not claim to physically test every product in a lab. Where a recommendation is based on research rather than hands-on use, we say so plainly on the page. We never invent test results, measurements, quotes or owner feedback.
How we score
Every product in a comparison is judged against the same weighted criteria, so scores mean the same thing from one guide to the next:
- Owner satisfaction (25%) — patterns across a large sample of verified owner reviews, good and bad.
- Capacity and usable space (20%) — real usable capacity, not just the headline number.
- Cleaning and maintenance (15%) — dishwasher-safe parts, coatings and how easy it is to live with.
- Features (15%) — the controls, presets and design details that genuinely affect daily use.
- Reliability and safety history (15%) — durability patterns and any recall or safety notices on record.
- Value (10%) — what you get for the money relative to alternatives.
Recall and availability checks
Before we recommend a product we confirm it is currently sold, note its exact model number where possible, and check it against the manufacturer's recall page and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) database. We record the date each recommendation was last checked, and we do not knowingly recommend a recalled or discontinued model without saying so.
Keeping guides current
Product lines change quickly. We revisit our commercial guides periodically to replace discontinued picks, refresh specifications and re-check recall status. Each guide shows when it was published and when it was last checked.
How we make money
Some links on our site are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. This never changes which products we recommend or how we score them. Our rankings are based on the criteria above, not on commissions.
Tell us when we are wrong
If a specification is out of date or a product has changed, we want to fix it. See our corrections policy or use the contact page.