4 TOP CASH-BACK CREDIT CARDS | fyiiws« Heart Surgery Safety Guide BEST AND WORST SUNSCREENS Consumer Reports ex for Gas Ways to Pay Less «In-Car Gear You' "ii Love « Healthy Snacks to Go « Pack Like a Pro .. . & More EXCLUSIVE RATINGS OF THE MOST VACATION-WORTHY SUVs, TRUCKS & CARSOTA eee TESTING IS AT THE HEART OF CONSUMER REPORTS You Test™ is your chance to get involved. Test your knowledge, tell us your experiences with the products and services you already own, and give our experts real-world insights that help us research and test. Check out You Test™ at cr.org/youtest CRConsumerReportsTable of Contents DEPARTMENTS & COLUMNS 8 What We're ‘Testing in Our Lab: Campinggeneratos, drills, security cameras, and more. RATINGS. 10 Ask Our Experts Is fruitjulcehealthier than soda, how tofixa warm fridge an the truth about used rental cars 11 CRInsights How to hear your TV beter, keeping ticks at hay.and who's tops in appliance stores, RATINGS PRODUCT UPDATES 17 How to Play It Cool Beat the heat and lower tlic ills with our recommended air conditioners. RATINGS ~& 22 Grow Your Grill Skillst Everything you need to keep summer sizzling, rom the top sllsto charcoal and accessories. RATINGS, We ore he wor Irae product testing xganzaton prodets ondvrscas We pay for FEATURES 42 Shop Smarter for Sunscreen Confused by choices and claims? We put lotions, sprays, sticks, and lip balms to the test, and arm you with burn-prevention tips RATINGS cover story 28 Road Trip! We anoint 50 most “road-trip-worthy" SUVs, trucks, and cars for summer journeys. Plus, the best credit cards and smart strategies for packing, snacking, and safety. RATINGS 50 Heart Surgery Safety Guide When you need heart surgery, knowledge is key to getting the best care. Our guide will help you navigate the tough questions and learn what to guard against and pick a hospital witha proven record of succes RATINGS 58 What Memories Are Made Of Don't lose beloved family videos and photos to old technology. Learn how to preserve-and enjoy-them. eccept paid advertising We ‘To seno auerrER ro THe KorToR don occpttee eet sonpiertom Cota cRova/atertondtor Glow our nome or conten tobe Goto cheat Selingit@croconsumer og re 800-333-0663, ‘sed For amy promational purposes. Wie tous ot Consumer Report 101 Trumon Ave, Yorors NY 12709 4 From the President: ‘On the Road Agal Foran adventureto ‘remember, plan your next vacation or road tip using CRS advice on best vehicle choices, driver safety, and more. 5 Building a Better World, Together Maintaining fue! ‘economy standards, simplifying nutrition labels, and repealing the pink tax: 6 Your Feedback Readers’ comments about 16 Recalls 66 Index 67 Selling it Goofs and gates, ROAD REPORT 62 Road Test Honda Clarity and the diesel Chevrolet Equinox, plus two low-cost ears: the Hyundai Accent and Kia Rio. RATINGS. Goto CR orgimagecne Seepope 5 for more deta RatInes Oserl Score are bared cron 3From the President On the Road Again FEW MEMORIES ARE as vivid for me asthe road trips my family took ‘each summer when I was ‘akid. My brothers and would pile into our old blue station wagon, roll down the windows, and clown around as wemade our way down the Garden State Parkway tothe Jersey Shore. Ofcourse, the road: trip experience was alot © different in those days; ‘we sill hve my dad's old ‘8mm home movies to prove it! There was no alr ‘conditioning to keep us cool and no sunroof to lec in a view of the sky, and many of the car safety features that protect our families today were nowhere to be found back then. Anyone who has been on road trip knows that a few small decisions-from choosing a high ‘quality sunscreen to getting directions you can trust-can make all the difference between an adventure to remember and a long haul that’s best forgotten. This month, we're helping you get both the big and small things right, from packing ‘the healthiest snacks and best firstaid kits to ‘getting the most out of your gas tank, your smartphone, and your eredit eards wille you're ‘on the road. Our packing tips and pretrip car ‘checkup will steer you clear of bumps along the way, and our latest expert recommendations on ‘eat for poolside, trailside, and everywhere in >etween will help ensure that your next voyage is memorable-for all the right reasons. Mat Tethacl Marta L. Tellado, resident and CEO Follow me on Twitter @MUTellads 4 crore Consumer Reports’ Secor View Peet Ban & Seay Leora Weer Mea Peat Cit Cota Ofear vent Beans "ies Ear Ken Dile ere Er Rr van Mee Deign Der Nathew Lenning Creatine Orel ron oun Kin Masccate Design Decor ish onope: At Opraton Shes bet ‘et Deaton Tay Morton Fender, Pen Moles is at, cael ta, Tracy or ‘rector, Contr Development le Deree Deputy Deco Cone Dela isopne pari Sino bacon Proce esting hr comely Decor Cone imgact & Coparas Oreos Set Special Projets ilo es, Assocote Bet Content Deeopment eS cos cronies Paik oben Cone Ld Jer lon, Cote Lest "Edt test Buy, tr Ter le, ideas ses. art, onan Link, ‘elon, see Fv Mike Monet ang ‘Gisope aan, len Ito te Ctr Fisker Jo, mer Wie ner ster Deecor> Proc Tot Nari ee, Produ esting he Bec, Steve" obet Rie, Testing Lea atmo Genes a ia Ante oc, ‘yan stows ie Qin, an, td Fe, “ae senshi Se ard Sul uric Wyn ‘Ely A. 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Ofer Pu Vee Present ‘user fening€Ight is ev rsck: Ve Present Baas Saegy Pomnng is Pur: Vie Prete Aoeaey ei “ie Paden Ct Merting et it sie: Vee rsa, Development ‘Sr Tl View Pei Cnet Fin Otee EaBuilding a Better World, Together > Join with us to make « sofer, fairer, healthier marketplace Preserving Fuel-Economy Standards war's AT STAKE ‘The fuel economy of cars ‘and trucks has improved ‘dramatically ever the past ‘decade-the impact of which is economie as well as ‘environmental, Better mileage means the average new-car buyer now saves hundreds of dollars a year in gas money. ‘This developments the direct result of stronger fueleconomy standards, ‘established in 2010 and 2012 ‘with the goal of encouraging automakers to offera variety ‘of vehicles with improved ‘mileage, including pickups, SUYs, and crossovers. Asa result, more consumers can find vehicles that both fit their needs and save money on sas. A recent CR study showed ‘that, when fully phased in, the standards will save drivers $3,200 per car and $4,800 per truck over the life ofa vehicle. But automakers have been pressuring regulators to put ‘this trend in reverse-and now they've succeeded. The Environmental Protection ‘Agency (EPA) and National Highway Trafic Safety ‘Administration (NHTSA) have announced plans to rollback the standards. HOW CR KAS YOUR BACK. CR was one of several groups ‘working with government and Industry to shape the current standards. We believe they deliver consumer benefits, and ‘we're calling on policymakers tomaintain them, According toa nationally representative survey conducted by GR in 2017, most Americans agree: 87 percent say automakers should keep {improving fuel economy, and 73 percent say government should set higher standards. And this support was strong, ‘across the political spectrum. WHAT YOU CAN DO Sign our petition urging regulators to maintain strong standards through 2025. You'll find itat CRorg/epa0718. Tackling the Pink Tax WHAT'S A STAKE You may not have heard oft. But Ifyou'rea woman, you've almost certainly been affected by it ‘The so-called pink taxis nickname for a phenomenon ‘whereby women are charged ‘more than men fr virtually Identical products and services, from razors and soaps to dry cleaning and haircuts. In many cases, the only difference between the “male” and “female” versions is colo. ‘Skeptical? A 2015 report by the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs compared almost 800 products across five industries: kids’ toys, kids clothing, adult clothing, personal care products, and home healthcare products for seniors. Ikfound that goods aimed at females cost more than similar items aimed at males 42 percent ofthe ime, and that women pay anaverage of percent more than men forthe same thing, ‘With personal care products suchas shampoo, the price sap was 1 percent. The tax can really add up: A1994 study by the state of California estimated that the pink tax on services suchas haircuts runsa woman an average of $1,350. year, ‘or about $2,280 in 2018 dollars, HOW CR HAS YOUR BACK CR has been highlighting this problem for years and strongly supports the recently reintroduced Pink Tax Repeal Act. Championed by Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calit, the law ‘would let the Federal Trade Commission enforce violations and enable state attorneys feneral to sue on behalf of overcharged consumers. WHAT YOU CAN 00 Ifyou think this unfair practice ‘of gender-based pricing should end, go to congress.gov t0 contact your congressional representatives and urge them to support the Pink Tax Repeal Act. And when you're in the store, consider buying a “male” “option that costs less. Making Sense of Food Labels war's ar STAKE ‘To make informed choices about the food we eat, we need. labels tobe simple, consistent, and accurate Unfortunately, that’s often not the case. Today's food labels are frequently confusing, and sometimes misleading. ‘Commonly used terms, such as “healthy” and “natural, for example, have no one official definition. And even the Integrity of organic products which have strict standards, under threat: The Department ‘of Agriculture recently declared carrageenan, a seaweed derived thickening agent, tobe an ceptable ingredient in foods marketed as "organic”-despite the National Organic Standards Board's 2016 vote to ban it HOW CR HAS YOUR BACK ‘We have endorsed the Food Labeling Modernization Act, which would createa simple and standardized way for companies to put nutrition information on the front of packaged foods. This system would use intuitive symbols, such asstars or trafic lights, to highlight the overall health value of foods. Te bill ‘would aso crack down on ‘misleading marketing terms. ‘We're also calling on the USDA toheed the recommendations of experts who carefully deter ‘mine which ingredients should be permitted in organic food. WHAT YOU CAN BO Contact your lawmakers at ‘congress.gov and ask them tosupport the Food Labeling Modernization Act. And take action to protect ‘organic food standards at R.org/protectorganic. cron 5Your Feedback > Readers’ comments about our content We received a torrent of responses to our May 2018 article, “How to Pay Less for Your Meds,” about the rising cost of prescriptions and how to lower drug costs. To share your story or opinion go to CR.org/medsO718. YOUR ARTICLE cRITICIZED doctors for not talking enough about the cost of prescriptions ‘with their patients. We cannot possibly know what a drug will cost witha patient's insurance until they reach the pharmacy. Let me offera solution: Ask the pharmacist for the cost ofthe prescription before itis filled. itis too expensive, call the prescribing doctors office and ‘explain that. Sometimes there isa cheaper alternative. ~Joseph Mulcahy, M.D. FACS, Anacortes, WA {AS AN ENDOCRINOLOGIST, I Ihave seen the toll unaffordable medication costs have taken B | Sieve to shore your WRITE | comments for publication, on individuals with chronic diseases. One option, which my patients have found extremely helpful, isthe use of online pharmacies in Canada, There are several online Canadian pharmacies all of which hhonor prescriptions from licensed U.S. physicians, typically t 40 percent or less of the US. cost. Alfred. Padilla, M.D. North Castle, NY EDITOR'S NOTE Consumers Union, the advocacy division of Consumer Reports, believes that Americans should be able tosafly purchase medication “approved by the Food and Drug ‘Administration from other ‘countries, including Canada, Currently, however, there is ‘no FDA oversight of drugs sold ‘abroad, and many foreign online pharmacies sell counterjei ‘or poorly made medications that could be ineffective or ‘even dangerous. That's why CR supports the Affordable and Safe Prescription Drug importation ‘Act, introduced inthe House ‘and Senate last year would fallow Americans to safely and legally order many prescription ‘medications from Canada, You ‘an contact your lawmakers to voice your support of the bil, 1 WAS SURPRISED that no ‘mention was made of direct to-consumer TV advertising by pharmaceutical companies asa major reason for high ‘drug prices in this country. Considering how frequently these ads appear, the expense {othe drugmakers must be enormous and obviously passed om to the consumer, who places subtle pressure onthe physician to prescribe the most expensive newer drugs. Costs would be lower ifthe media were out of the Joop and the physician were the one initiating the use of the appropriate (often much, cheaper) drug, based on his or her knowledge and training. Chris Balkany, M.D, St Cloud, Mt 1 wisit You" MENTIONED the billions that could be saved if the drugmakers were to stop spending on television and print advertising. Few Americans realize that the US. isthe only industrialized nation other than New Zealand that permits directo-consumer promotion of prescription drugs. urge CU to back a federal ban on prescription drug advertising to consumers. James Russo, Durham, NC EDITOR'S NOTE Directo: consumer advertising has been shown to drive up health costs, especially when equally effective ‘and lowercost treatments are ‘available. Consumers Union has long supported efforts to reform pharmaceutical advertising >My HUSBAND AND 1 each have Medicare Part D preseription coverage plans. Asking a healthcare provider fora less expensive medication has helped us save money on two ‘occasions. More important, this strategy not only makes providers and patients partners fn their healtheare but also makes them partners in the effort to control the spiraling cost of Rx meds. Virginia Boller, Chicago ‘YOUR ARTICLE on drug costs neglected to mention one important money-saving practice: The Medicare Part D plan should be reanalyzed each year during the October to December enrollment period tomake sure you're getting the best coverage atthe best cost One's drug use may change, or plan that covers given drug fone year may drop ithe next, resulting in substantial cost ly ~Ariene Fell, Dix His, NY ANOTHER USEFUL IDEA to save ‘money on medication isto 6 crorecheck with the manufacturer to seeifit has a copay assistance rogram. Iwas quoted a $300 ‘copay that was reduced t0 $15 after | joined the program. Ricardo Vla-Roger, Squirrel Hi, PA EDITOR'S NOTE Manufacturer copay assistance coupons ‘can save consumers money Dut usually exclude people on programs such as Medicaid ‘and Medicare. SOMETIMES A HIGH-DEDUCTIBLE planisactually a good solution. The Affordable Care ‘Act requires certain generic preventive medications tobe provided free of charge. When my husband and T decided to switch toa high-deductible plan, the inclusion of certain generic drugs was a nice incentive. We receive three preventive maintenance drugs tno charge. Erin Jones, Hudson Oaks, TX eprron’s nove High deductible health plans (D4) have relatively low premiums and can indeed bea good option, especially for those who take advantage of ree preventive coverage and dont use aloof ‘medical services, Unfortunately, foragrowing numberof people {an HDHP isthe only choice heir employer offers the ony plan they can afford. theyre unable topaythe deductible, which can rumino thousands of dollars, they may forgo needed ‘medical care. (CR'S COMPREHENSIVE ARTICLE ‘on the cost of medications isexcellent but didn't acknowledge the elephants in the room: Firs, the primary responsibility of ‘drug companies isto reward shareholders with higher ‘earnings. Profits do not reduce the cost of medications. Drugs that are costly inthis country ‘are considerably cheaper almost everywhere else in the world. Second, Congress passed legislation that prohibits Medicare and other Your article ‘AHidden Hazard in Your Home’ raises the awareness of a preventable tragedy. Woh Jo, vie org agencies (with the exception of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense) from negotiating lower drug prices ‘with drug companies. This ensures that drug prices will remain high. Finally, the pharmaceutical industry an army of lobbyists ‘action committees (PACS), so-called continuing education Junkets, and other means, Vireually ensuring thatthe problem of high drug prices isnot going to be resolved through congressional legislation anytime soon. Itis unconscionable that citizens of one of the richest countries in the world are suffering or dying because they cannot afford the costs of healthcare or vital medications. David Karp, Cloverdate, CA EDITOR'S NOTE Weagreethat the high cost of healthcare and medications must be addressed. Asonestep tohelp lower drug prices forall Americans, CU ‘advocates are supporting state ‘and federal legislation that ‘would prohibit drug companies from price gouging; stop pharmacy benefit managers (PBs from overcharging ‘consumers at the pharmacy (elawbacks": and end so- called gag clauses, contractual provisions by PBMs that prohibit ‘pharmacists from offering lower prices than your {insurance company, Furniture Dangers YOUR ARTICLE “A Hidden Hazard in Your Home” raises the awareness ofa preventable tragedy. As some parents commented in the story, they hhad no idea that one could or should anchor furniture. thas not been anormal expectation, that furniture could tip over. Inorder for our society to secure furniture to the wall, itfirst has tobe made aware of, the need to do that “Wah Jo, viacRorg DRESSER DRAWERS have been problem since the first dressers were built. In Napa, Which isin earthquake country, all wall items get fastened to the walls-not only dressers but also curio cabinets and china cabinets. (Our dresser fell on the foot of our bed in an earthquake. (No ‘one was injured) Children and adults have to be informed of the need to attach furniture securely to the wall “Patricia Woody, Napa, CA Gas Grills That Last READ “Gas Grills to Get Fired Up About” and need to say that areal problem isrusted-out gall parts. My CR top-rated stainless grill’s steel dip pan rusted out in two years and is now dripping hot, flammable sgrease on my propane tank, Tines, and deck. Is this dangerous? And how come your new sturdiness criteria didn't address that? “John Mazur, Brookfield, CT DrTOR'S NOTE Rusting can eas much ofa problem with 4gasgrills as flexing and bending (ofthe metal frame; our new sturdiness testis designed toassess the latter but not the former. Ys, hot grease spilling onto the propane line ‘and tank can pose asafety risk. Buya replacement pan directly from the manufacturer or disposable aluminum drip pans rom your local hardware store or ‘home conte. Also keep your gril covered whenever it'snotinuse to reduce the likelihood of rust. Planet-Friendly Coffee IN YOUR “Ask Our Experts” response on recyclable K-Cups for Keurig coffee makers, you missed two brands already offering easly recycled cups. Fulton Street has cupsin No. 6 plastie with a special tab that lets you remove the lidand coffee filter in one motion. San Francisco Bay Gourmet Coffee offers plant-based pods that are fully compostable in industrial and commercial faclities. ‘Joan Gundersen, Oakmont, PA 11 WAS SURPRISED that you didn't mention Senseo coffee pods, which are 100 percent compostable, My Senseo is ‘well over 20 years old and still brews a delicious cup of coffee! =leffSchafran, West Wardsboro, VT F) Besnvcrnanarepors fBeonvsomnch © Aeonsumersports © Geonsimereports WD aconsumerreports (@Somosc P Keenaamareports ony a ‘consumer-reports cron 7What We're Testing in Our Labs ... In our 63 labs, we continually review and rate products. Here, timely picks for this month, Smartphones we reste 64 models Top Marks & Terie Comera Long Battery Life 28 hours) Great Deal ‘warest Fon: A phone's Semnung Goexy $+ Howe’ Mate 0 Pro Sony Xperia Perfornance Cling toting. ond web sauo 5730 $300 browsing performance; battery lif; camera image ‘ond video quality; and more, ieoreeees o oO @ comets ovenatt ovenatt ovenatt Range: 54-81 Sra See ees! Wireless Security Cameras we resteD: 4 models Best of the Bunch Speedy Notifications Nice Price, but Indoors Only WE TESTFoR: Video quality, Nest Cam NCTIOZES Netgear Avo Pro D-Link DCS-2630L including image clarity and $200 ‘yM54130-100NAS. $160 contrast in varied lighting: $250 ‘ease of setup; how quickly “ notifications arrive after motion occurs; and more, peat @ @ @ paseo 12 ovenatt covenaut covenaut Range: 59-84 Ses S2st! eis! ‘VIDEO DOORBELLS ARE security cameras that are built into a doorbell. The Ring Pro gets a 68, our highest resting score. Buti ‘you want to also monitor other areas inside or outside your home, ‘30 with wireless security cameras. In both cases, these cameras send alerts and videos or images to your smartphone when they detect motion. The trade-off is that you might risk a bit of privacy ‘Some companies have deployed these with weak security that can be circumvented,” says Justin Brookman, director of privacy and technology policy for Consumers Union, the advocacy division of ‘Consumer Reports. “Don't use default credentials. Make sure you set up your own unique username and robust password.” Ask Our Experts How should I choose between a wireless security camera and a video doorbell?Smart Locks wwe testeD:7 models Excellent Smart Features werestFor: How wel ‘August Smart Lock withstands impoct, AUG-HK* Dial It Up Keep your home cool and save money with a top-performing thermostat. © | + | Honeywet Prestige HO YTHN922IR = s20| @ e ° Lax Tx96007S isd so) O ° 2 | wiser EER56100 a= 20 0 ° 4 | Honeywell RTH75000 [fo _] | © ° 5 | Honeywell Touchsereen RTH8S0OD fone a0 | O o © | Honeywell RTH63500 [es _| ae) ° 7 | Lennox ComfortSense 7000 Series ad $230 ° ° 8 | Emerson Blue Easy Reader 1F9SEZ-0671 om $90 o 8 © | tnsteon 244TH om sso | O ° {0.| ICM Controls SimpleComfort PRO SC5813 c= $85 o o ay pas i fos e ; Plaid fla yi Hu a|i ea | S| se ee SMART THERMOSTATS © | | net ecrng Thermo — 20/0 8 010 © | 2 | Nex Tremont — s0/0 @ @ O © > | schneider Ecce Wiser 0BLKUS os 3/0 @ 0 © ©: | Honeywetie TS RCHTBCIOWE cs] s10/@ © 0 O 5) | estes Smart wer om 20/0 0 0 0 6. | ezobee eb sTaes om 20/0 © © O 7 | Emerson Sensi UPSCOW 0/0 0 0 0 | Honeywell ric RCHBSIOWFSO03 = 10/0 © 0 0 » | tue Geo-w-oos 10/0 0 0 0 Conier COR 71026670 E—] 20/@ @ © O | cobs Lite €6-saTeaLo1 om sn|0 0 610 2 | Honeywell ATH5S80WF om 0/@ 0 © O 3 | Venstar Colo‘Touch T7900 o 30/0 0 8 O Are Energy Eversese om 20/0 © 0 0 wow we esr The Mena ond home ond aney modes For control vie contol and mor, WiFestup sore svlats how Tomperctuteseing schedules, ‘ke secupaney fering. ope ean tataceremine tte 20 crore @0000|9o °Ratings > The Big Chill For details on picking precisely the right size window air conditioner, see What Size Air Conditioner Oo You Need? on page 18. Price Sees Features z g \WINDOW AIR CONDITIONERS 5000 TO 6500 BTU/HR. (COOLS 109-300 50. FT) |: | ceamosiw 7s el 10/0 0 0 6 © 2 | Amana AMaPosIBW sl 30/0 0 0 6 | 2 | serwa-sozas cs] 20/8 © 06 | 4 | kenmore 7050 wm|/@ © 0 @ | § | rida rreosaast = 20/0 6 0 6 © | « | Ge AEWosLX IWoImore) s10/@ © 0 6 7 | Frigidaire FFRAOSTIRI 30/6 0 0 6 | Friedrich Chill CPOSGIO 320/60 © 0 @ 9 | Toshiba RAC-WKOSIICRU (Home Depot! ETN 10/60 6 0 6 10 | Feledch cPosci0n fermen] sn|@ © © 0 11 | Maer HWROSxCR ic s0/O 0 0 6 WINDOW alR CONDITIONERS 7000 TO 8 $00 BTU/HR, (COOLS 260-400 SO. FT) | + | Fieaich kun sooentoo: Cam | w/o 00 8 ©) 2 | Ge AHSOALX (Lowe's) 20/6 0 0 6 @| 2 | ce accoaix 3n|@ © 0 6 © | + | Kenmore Elite 77087 30/0 0 0 6 | = | Kenmore 77080 20/@ 0 0 6 ©) « | Ge AEWwosLx 1Wolmore) a 20/8 0 0 6 | > | bonby ocososeuwos (coro) 2/0 0006 | Frigidaire Gallery FGRCOBAASI 30/0 0 0 6 9 | Whirlpoot WHAWOSIEW 20/6 0 0 6 Frigidaire FFREDS3351 = | © 0 0 WINDOW AlR CONDITIONERS 9800 TO 12500 BTU/HR. (COOLS 350-650 $0. FT) @| 1 |tstwocee tam | 30/6 010 6 | 2 | serwavemsi Ls eel 35/6 0 0 O ©) 2 | Frigidaire Gallery FaRCT24T1 4] +0 /@ 0 0 6 ©) + | HoierHwerexcr = 30/8 © 0 O 5. | Kenmore 7720 sn|0 0 016 nse ofuse Week) eee las ne eee we 2 oma oie 46 107 . 2° @ 12 a2 5G es 122 eee 2 at elefeieie eee na eee eee 8 ee eis ma ele lela ns eccecseoeeo eosooceoees o|- © es aaa Ole ce cain O|- - einin Ole + + ww us O|- + -iwn ow we rts Afterinstoing the Un ina double-hung win inoue lap, we erank up th haat 9 90 YC to coal the room by 10°F [the bor unite doin oes thon thon measure how long takes the 15 minutes We also gouge how cceurately the A/C reaches the set temperate hather each model con recover ater abrownaut, ond hw loud each units onthe lowest ‘onahighert stings cron 4Grow Your Grill Skills! temperate fr giingand ee food ee eee ‘Our tests on gas grills show that you. should preheat for at least 10 minutes. Our expert grilling advice, accessory recommendations, and charcoal grill ratings are all [ap nied you need to keep the sizzle in your summer. Fm are cms oan by Paul Hope filled with coals and ignited by lighting crumpled newspaper (or a fire starter) below the chimney. Avoid lighter fluid and selFlighting coals, which can produce an off taste that distorts the ANYONE CAN FLIP a burger orbrown Chris Lilly, a champion pitmaster who flavor of your food. abun on the grill, but to make the hhas won 15 World BBQ Championships “You want the coals to be fully lit and ‘most of what may be summer's greatest and isa partner at Big Bob Gibson's BBQ._covered in a layer of fine, white ash,” pleasure, you'll want a top-rated in Decatur, Ala.;and Meathead Goldwyn Goldwyn says, noting that the process model, In this issue, for the first time _of AmazingRibs.com and co-author of takes about 15 minutes and is well worth. in decades, we're providing ratings on “Meathead: The Science of Great the wait. “Charcoal briquettes burn charcoal grills. (You'll find our gas grill Barbecue and Grilling” (Rux Mat at their hottest and won't distort the ratings in your May 2018 issue of CR.) Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2016) flavor of your food with heavy smoke if ‘And because even the highest Inaddition to their tips for getting __you let them ignite fully.” (For a quick rated grills can’t make up for a lack {great results with both gas and charcoal, comparison of traditional briquettes and of technique, you might be looking to we bring you our own advice on grill lump charcoal, see “Face-Off: Charcoal,” expand your grilling skill set. maintenance and great new barbecue on page 27,) Learning how to make use of hot and gear. Get ready to grill like a pro. ‘warm zones on the grill, flavor with Grill in Zones smoke, and get great results cooking iret Up meat, fish, and vegetables over charcoal You'd never cook everything in your or an open flame will broaden your Whether your grill is gas or charcoal, _oven at 500° F, but that’s effectively backyard recipe repertoire. I’salsoa__ always take the time to get it good and what's happening when you turn on ll ot easier than you might think. hot before you begin to cook. “You of agrill's burners or distribute charcoal For these and other strategies want to preheat your grill,justas you evenly across the bottom of the firebox. that will make this grilling season do when cooking in your oven,” says CR sensational, we turned to two experts; _ senior test project leader Cindy Fisher. Continued on page 26 Food poisonings peak in held raw meat, poultry, or Note that cooking meat PA TN Ee ar eet ‘over very high heat might FOOD will reduce the chances ‘thoroughly with hot, soapy not be an ideal way to of sickness spoling your water. Wash utensils that gett to a safe internal SAFETY cookout, hhave come into contact with temperature: Research uncooked meat of any kind suggests that eating a lot Handle With Care. before using them again. of heavily charred meats Store raw meat in a seoled ‘may increase the risk of bag orcontainerto prevent ‘Track the Temperature ‘cancer. Cold foods, such os itfrom contaminating other Use a meat thermometer potato or chicken salad, food items. Marinate in the to make sure the meat need to be kept at or below refrigerator, and discard has reached a sufficient 40° F to prevent the growth ‘the marinade when done internal temperature to kill ‘of harmful bacteria. Toss (do not use it as a sauce) harmful bacteria (at least perishable food that has 145" F for steaks, roasts, been left at room temperature Keep It Clean chops, and fish; 160° F for for more thon 2 hours Never place food—cooked ground beef or pork: ond (hour ifthe temperature is orraw—onaplate that has 165" Ffor poultry 190° For above). PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN FINKE uy 208 cronc 23GEAR FOR GREAT GRILLING he right accessories can elevate your oriling from average to oF ted and rated by our experts fond an adtitional five they oO t and liked) to consic jazing, Here are six tools er adding ta your arsenal wesen TESTED & RATED T] Weber Rib 7 Rack 7648 535 Silicone Basting Weber's ib rack allows you ae to stand three racks of tbs This no-ill brush ond bow! fon edge horizontally to free un | [not pictured) combo was @ req estate for other fare on favorite of our testers. The ‘your grill grates short handle made the brush sy to control when slathering Foods with sauce, and the bow shaped ike a measuring cup, holds up to 8 ounces of souce Nexgrill Grill Brush ato fe Soc Both are dishwasher-safe a ‘Our testers liked this long- Exon, hondled gil brush becouse GRILL BRUSH it doesnt flex under pressure Srdthcrrstal bts cared | [5] EathetoneGritone ° cffectively A knob on the Cleaning Block 750SH 56 brushhead allows you ta use |The replaceabie cleaning ‘two hands for extra leverage, | blocks were exceptionally metol hooks can be used to | effective at restoring grates to scrape individual rungs of your | their original condition, though {fil gates, making tis asolid | youll get only about two choice forroutine cleanings. | cleanings out of each stone— ‘and they leave behind some residue that youll need to wipe away. New stones cost $5 apiece, so this may be a | Bee ea best fora ence-a-season eerie Bosting Brush eaors siz | Se /212° Bastin We found that the generous handle on this heatresistont @ (up to 500" F) brush made it easy to keep hands a fromtheheat own when” | [x] Bolling Rib basting foods near the bock SEC ‘of agri. You do, however, Broil Kings rib roaster ets you sacrifice some control due to | cook upto three slabs of baby the longer handle back ribs inthis porcelain- coated roasting box, which we found produced succulent ribs ‘and prevented the fat crippings from falling onto coals or gas bbumers, reducing the chance for flare-ups, 24 croreProduct Updates Instead, opt for a zone defense. “On a gas, grill, ur one or two burners on and leave the others off” Lilly says. “For charcoal, light your coals, then push them all to ‘one side of the grill.” Use the hot side of the grill for searing and the cooler side for ‘cooking meats (and other foods) all the ‘way through without burning. “Wl cook chicken on the indirect side of the grill until it hits about 150", then move it to the hot side to crisp up the skin and cook it through to 165° Goldwyn says. He explains that the technique allows you to cook burn-prone foods, like skin-on chicken, over low heat, then finish on the hot side ofthe gril, Season With Smoke ‘Smoke, from wood chips or chunks, is used by skilled grillers to impart even ‘more flavor. “Ite beginners to think of smoke as a seasoning or dry rub,” says Lilly. “You want it to lend flavor but not to overwhelm what you're cooking.” Package instructions often call for soaking the wood chips or chunks before using them, but both of our experts agree that there’s no need for this step-the chips barely absorb any of the water, and they quickly dry ina fire anyway. If you're cooking with charcoal, simply throw the wood onto lit coals. “Ina gas grill, like (0 use wood chips ina smoker box, or put whole chunks ‘of wood right on top of the shields that cover the grills burners,” Goldwyn says. Lilly adds that the quantity and age ofthe wood typically influences flavor more than the wood variety (apple, cherry, or hickory, for instance), and that you need to experiment to get smoke Just right, starting with small quantities and working your way up, “lencourage people to try using wood local to their area, dried or seasoned for at least four ‘months after cutting,” Lilly says. You can also buy bags of preseasoned wood. Chunks burn longer and hotter, but Lilly says he uses chips when smoking ina small grill because a ‘chunk of wood that flares can raise the temperature too high. HOW TO KEEP YOUR GRILL IN PEAK CONDITION Grills toke a lat of abuse-from in-season smoke and grease to of seasan snaw and ice. Follaw our cleaning and care advice all season lang ta imprave your gril's performance ond keep it working langer PRESEASON Unless youre a year-round griller, chances are that your gf wil need a good cleaning before you fee it up for ‘your first cookout of the year Exomine the inside and lear away ony spiderwebs, which can cause a serious flare-up if they ignite. Reconnect your propane tank, ‘open the valve, and spritz the flexible gas line with a mixture of water and dish soap. Look for any bubbling, which could indicate « possible leak f you spot one, ‘order replacement gas in. Be sure to test the newly installed line with the some soapy water mixture. BEFOREEACH Weber thelangest glmanuoctrrinthettS, CooKout Sere ae ere (ss rl eee cat wetbe euro brah of rot season bran one y “Ceor for Great Gling” on page 24) Nel cisiaed sony aac mee neha reeeenl ae anne ican oeee ky pean eee oe Uraoye ot ts pots bur Gye coualyeeace ea te ae tees ete rae ees fer re Cee ree aerate PERIODICALLY Scrub the inside of your aril including the covers onthe. DURING THE ‘burners on gas gril, with soapy water end a scouring SEASON ‘pad From time to time. How often depends upon how frequently youre giling, and what you're cooking—iits Taare fatty meats, youll need to clean more frequently to help prevent flare-ups, Protect your gill whenever i's not in use with o cover made of « waterproot, breathable material, such as heavy-duty polyester most brands! * covers are designed to fit a particular modell. Ifyou live right on the ocean on @ particularly humid areo, however, leave your gril uncovered exeept during long ‘periods of inclement weather, to avoid trapping salty ‘or mois air that would cause the gril to rust. People in ‘these regions should aso wipe down grills once a week to remove solt deposits and accumulated moisture, POST-SEASON [At the end ofthe season scrub your grilinside and out. Use soapy water inthe firebox and on the grates, and 6 See eee a Seo mere aes ae eae ‘but never bring them into the house. 26 croreRatings > All Cue'd Up Our experts evaluated a sompling of barrel and kettie-style charcoal grills to find out which are the top performers, : ot Laan ana ; i i i : fogged! sie | + |oye-cieocns76onc-0 MMMM | $205 | @ © |G | stect25' roniercoatdstet | Coced cast won 2 | Kingsford 8222 int s10/ @ © © | 22045127 Ported steot Cost ren 2 | Expert Gri 24" xcrvov6o3en EMM | $90 |@ © O © | caxt5:27 Pondercosted test _ Costiron ETE TE | 5120 @ © © © | sso Ported set alae 5 | chorcriterProOetuxe 2528 MMMM | $100 | @ @ @ | soa226 Pontercootedstet Castlon 6 | Royal Gourmet coiszsn = EN | 8150 @ © © O esos sted tet Cocted ste 7 | Nexgri 10-0025 Cum | ls eo 146137129 | Pointed steal (Couted eat on 2 | NRchandid B10-0071 TEE | 8200 © © © O | siss019 | Ported se! eleanor | + | Weber 22" 14402001 GR | 8150 © O O| 3712330 Porcelai-coated steel Plated steel 2 | Weber 18° 441001 0 O © 36x18:21 | Porcelain-coated stes! Plated steal 2 | Chor-Brol Ketieman 16301878 | s100 | @ © © © | 220129, Porstor-cooted steel | Coated steel ow weres: Overall Score combines refers to eose af use, nludng adeing_occssthe cotch ay Inet cooking performance reflec temperotre renutslom ourtessforconvenance, snd aonging briquettes Cleaning” inceaterhow welthe gil llalowr_sformty across the cooking ifocs ‘eoning, ect cooking and indioterhow easy isto ceon the cookfoed when ls nt placsd ‘th aig aye of charcoal ‘cremeas performance Gonvenince grileemove spent charcoal end rect overthe choeool Evennwss briquettes Poe's cpproxmate ret FACE-OFF: CHARCOAL Lump charcoal the hotter (40 to 50 degress) favored fel of mony But for evenness, briquettes Which is better: Lump or briquette? aniling purists promises were the clear winner I we Our testers answer this burning question. hotter longer burn times scored this test the some thon standard chorcool way we measure evenness briquettes. Some people performance on gas grills, : iis peteleniote the lump charcoal would i ‘ore natural compesitios have earned a score of ; Though briquettes are Feirin the ket and Very i mode primeriy of sawdust, Good in the Komodo gil : - lump charcoal is simply the briquettes would have i chorred wood termed Excllent scores in j But is limp chorcoal both gil types 5 be cree ees HangsFOR> really wort ts premium We tink briquettes ore “Biieext 5 muETS price? To find out we tested better suited thon lump cee ere Kingsford Briquets chorcoal to most giling {$054 por pound) and tosis: Theyre also easier BigGraen Egg hardwood ta ataek contra and ht ; choreoal $1.25 per pound) which alot af backyard | intwo types of grils chefs wil opprecat troctioncl WeberKette We suggest that you save Oweber 22" ‘ond a Big Green Eag lump charcoal for the = 14402001 Komado-style. times you need to sear ' Oa Inboth fil the lamp atin stele or pork chop é seat choreoal cid Burn slghtly without overeaokng, ©0006 |,90 FaRoad Trip! In our new and exclusive ratings, you'll find Road-Trip-Worthy Scores for the best SUVs, trucks, and cars for any vacation or journey. Plus, follow our strategies for how to pre| and pack, how to pay less for gas, and how to keep everyone healthy, safe, and sane. by Mike Monticello ‘THERE'S A SPECIAL ROMANCE attached to hitting the open road with loved ‘ones onboard, carrying high hopes for ajourney rich with vivid sights, great food, bonding with friends, and hiking, fishing, or sightseeing. In fact, nearly two-thirds of American families planning to travel this year-more than 56 million individuals-are expected to takea road trip, according to the American Automobile Association Choosing the perfect vehicle for this adventure is perhaps your most important decision, which is why Consumer Reports has dug into our proprietary vehicle testing data and reliability and satisfaction surveys to craft ‘our firstever Road-Trip-Worthy Score for 50 vehicles: x categories. We factored in safety, comfort, fuel efficiency, and more. (See ratings on page 40.) No two road trips are the same. For some, it’s a couple of hours toa cozy bed and breakfast. For others, its a multiday cross-country trek to visit ‘grandparents. For the outdoorsy, it could involve camping, “Theme parks, beaches, and state or national parks are consistently some of the most popular road-trip destinations,” says Julie Hall, public relations manager at AAA. ‘That's why our list of vehicles includes ‘everything from sedans to trucks Lisa Seethaler, a 5t-yearold mother of two from Marlborough, Conn, isa fan ofthis vacation approach, “Road tips are the best way to soak up local culture, flavors, scenery, architecture, and nature,” she says. “My Toyota Sienna minivan isn’t glamorous, but it hasa sunroof, great storage, and comfortable seats. The kids are happy in the backseat ‘witha DVD player, and we often have our little dogiin the third row." No matter what your destination, smart planning can increase your ‘odds of avoiding mishaps, saving money, and arriving home with happy memories, In this package, we've ‘thought of everything you'll need to make that happen.Howto Like a Pro Dorit overload your car Weight limits ore lsted on the driver's doorjami and in the owners manual the figures for the combined weight of passengers ond cargo. Dorit exceed ‘manufacturer recommendations, which vary widely. A Chevrolet Equinox has @ 993-pound limity@ Hondo Odys- sey, 1340 pounds; tnd « Buick Enclove, 1,623 pounds Stow the heaviest items low, particularly In SUV. This keeps the center of grat lower, reducing the chances of rollover ler items shoul packed into due sone Been Pree Into storage areas. Strap larger item: down with carg anchors, Don't place heavier items on top ofthe cars bec: roof carge cartier but (CR tests found that @ acai much as 5 mp Jeff. BartThe Pretrip Checkup Your vehicle willbe where you spend the bulk of your time during your journey, so make Sure all its functions ore fine-tuned ‘end operating ‘ot maximum performance loves. Under the Hood FLUIDS. Check alllevels: ol, ‘coolant, brake, and windshield-washer Fuids. Inspect power-steering and transmission Fluid levels, if applicable, It youre toking & long trip, schedule a service appointment to double-check these levels HOSES. Squesze hoses with your ‘thumb and forefinger near clamps—that's where they con bbe weakest from wear. Feel for soft cor mushy spots. A ‘good hose willbe firm but bendable. Look for parallel cracks around bends: a hardened, glossy surface (which indicates heat damagel or ‘abrasive damage, Hove damaged hoses replaced, BELTS. Heat, ol, corone, and abrasion ‘can take atoll on bolts Look for cracks, fying, tnd spits, o¢ well 98 signs of glazing Roplace worn belts AIR FILTER, Remove the filter and hold itup toastrong light f you don't see ight the fiter is dirty enough toneedto be replaced. A clean air fiter helps the tengine run better, RADIATOR. Look through the gill and be sure the radiator isclear of any ‘obstructions BATTERY. Make sure the terminals ‘and cables ore securely attached, with no corrosion. Ifthe bottery has removable caps, checkits fhid level—especially in warmer limates. Top off os needed With aistiled water. Wipers Based on CR tests, Windshield wipers lost about ix ‘months they're 1 few months old, consider replacing them before a long trp. If the wipers ‘are newer, clean the blodes with other fluid or glass cleaner Honda cia Your Truly Complete Car Emergency Kit and make sure you nave ‘these iterns antoord, 30 crore PHONE CHARGER Inadaltion tohaving on hand ‘© chorging cord and power edopter, carry esmall battery- based charger in case your car's battery dies Hove standard and Philips screwdrivers, pliers, ond a compact socket set. HAZARD TRIANGLE, AND/OR FLARES. These can alert motoriststo your presence along the side ofthe road, Tire Toots Iyoudon't know how to change atire, consider learning before the trip. You could pack an easier-to-use lugor torque wrench, as well as work gloves. A short wooden board about afoot long} can be invaluable tostabilize ajack on soft dirt or mud. Many newer cars don't have spare tres, so familiarize yourself with your cor’s*mobiity kit” Know how to reach roadside assistance incase the tie can't be easily replaced, FLASHLIGHT This or chead- mounted ight con be especially helpful during nighttime breakdowns ortire changes. JUMPER CABLES (OR AJUMP-STARTER (Cables can be handy, but Tires (Check the pressure ‘onal tires, including the spore, before starting the tip. Use the pressure recommended by the vehicle's ‘manufacturer, which usually can be found fon a front doorjamb cond inthe owners ‘manual. Inspect tires for abnormal cracks, cuts, ond ony sidewall bulges, Replace tres that (ore 10 years old or overly worn. Once underway, check the pressure only ofterthe tires have cooled for 3 hous to get on accurate measurement Brokes You might need ecomprehensive checkup ifyou apply the brakes and there are gringing noises, or unusual vibrations in the ‘brake pedal or staering wheel, or ifthe vehicle pulls Glove Box Be sure you have up-to-date registration ‘ond insurance paperwork Lights Check exterior lights, including tallights, rake lights, tur signals, ‘nd fog lamps, Moke sure lenses cre clean, so the lights are as bright 19s possible. Infotainment Reduce distractions: Pair your phones fond transfer your contact lists ahead of time. (Make sure the roadside= ‘assistance number Is programmed!) Confirm that any subscriptions for satelite radio, taf fie services, and streaming music ‘ro up-to-date, Add radio presets and program all dest ations before you hit the road, to-one side. ef Bartlett a paperback-sized jump- FIRE EXTINGUISHER starter can get your motor Pack compact dry-powder running onits own. Plus, ‘nit for fires fueled by solids many canbe usedto charge and combustible liquids and other portable devices. ‘gases (lass ABC}. OF course, the safest response may be to REFLECTIVE VEST ‘get passengers far away from Thissafety meosure will make the vehicle and call 11, ‘you more visblein the dark deff Bartlet a”aOR 6 Tech Checks 7 hors Ooty Your Travels 2 Look into united probably © thespot where | Andokdandi0S- | yourmovieck | caption st Unlimited doesnt make Youll be devia toy, compotibie Dopenthe description antved! Cant wat Cel'Phone Data senseifyounced —_Lhingston Mont window, ondtap fortomorrows Krecdmmnght onviGBer268—onthecuskits Download the Download” ikea pretty bethepetect Per phone GFYelomtone Movies icon ttlooks ike good indication to (cere National Par then Before YouGo narrow pointing acrook that your timeforferies Download tapthe nome ofthe Evenifyouve dowrword. once houtels emp. We Bima deteplon, G00gle Maps ——_lecation Next top. sigredup foran—themoveor TV recommend waiting ‘Afterall, a minivan’s Navigation apps More, ond cickthe unlimited data plan, episode isen your (if you can) or passengers usually have transformed Download button. that doesn't mean | _- Mobile device, youll tightening up your don't have access ‘travel, making it you'll have great have anywhere sharing options. 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Download Amazon, can phone tablet for Butsheringyour tip of afetime shored doto.On_mapsbefore you handle four phones Instance openthe Grand Canyon, and your oth the otherhond, Seto Saorchfor—gtonce,ondifs.Netftcappyfind” photos witrthe Facebook frends Keep sooo sooo sooo Ways to Unplug window units, or tur the Monitor your home remotely Use timers on a few interior Your Home ‘thermostat up to between 85° F for leaks and flooding by ‘and exterior lights to mimic = end50'FtolowerA/Censs._—instaling a smart water x dy routine Safe While ttt che cd/or at server eh ali serrer You're Away Install smart thermostats with ‘Swop out a few bulbs with wocstionscheching muchas | BETTER Smart ightbulbs that con theHoneyoll bieTS $100.0 | Tam of your homes main Seatac CR BestBuy. water linebeforeyouleave. randomize Ita bi 32 crore