Party Fridge
What’s your kitchen style? If it’s fun and bold, we might have found the fridge for you. A new trend in appliances is adding bursts of color, and the Amana Quick Tap entertainment refrigerator will be one dynamic focal point — and conversation starter.
Shown here in red, it comes in eleven other colors as well as textures and patterns. Yup, you can have stripes or polka dots if it suits your mood.
Even better are the cool features. The Quick Tap, located in front of the fridge, holds and dispenses up to three liters of your favorite cold beverage. Think: Beer, white wine, nice cold lemonade, all with a push of a button. Knowing the owner of such a bold appliance probably likes to entertain, the fridge also comes with a five-bottle wine rack and 17.6 cubic feet of storage space.
Cost: $799
For more info, visit www.AmanaStyleFile.com or www.AmanaColors.com
Smooth Washer
This is a top-of-the-line dishwasher that includes Navitronic controls with immediate access to 19 wash programs and options that determine how to remove a stubborn food type. The dishwasher includes eight specialty wash cycles programmed to remove specific food items like cheese. Additional specialty wash cycles are available and labeled under dish or stemware name. It also comes with Vario temperature settings, an autosensor which adapts the turbidity of the water and the program to the degree of soiling by either increasing or reducing the number of times the water is changed during the cycle.
What’s interesting about this dishwasher is the safety valve and sensor on the incoming water valve. If there’s a fault, the water intake is stopped and water damage to the owner’s home is minimized. In addition, the PC Update function allows a technician to alter a machine’s programming parameters, reduce its water intake or electricity consumption or adapt it to a new type of detergent through a laptop.
Cost: The dishwasher retails for $2,349.
For more information, visit www.MieleUSA.com
Storage Success
For the higher-end market and especially for those who enjoy entertaining, the Maytag Ice2O French Door offers external ice and water, a removable ice bin tilt out bucket and an inside light to check the ice level. Other features of this 27 cubic foot appliance include a wide deli drawer, extra deep bins and heavy-duty stainless steel handles. The door alarm, power outage indicator and temperature controls on the LCD screen also help to ensure a constant temperature.
This Maytag Ice2O is an ENERGY STAR® model and has a PUR® filtered water. Whirlpool Corporation has eliminated the hassle of purchasing replacement filters for consumers who enroll in a subscription service that automatically ships replacement filters to their door via www.whirlpool.com/every6months.
Cost: The suggested retail price is $2,599 for black and white models and $2,799 for stainless models.
For more information, visit www.Maytag.com
Keeping it Fresh
Coming with all the space saving bells and whistles of most other high-end refrigerators, the SubZero prides itself on energy savings and food preservation. Think that must be the case with all fridges? The SubZ begs to differ.
The side-by-side fridge/freezer has dual refrigeration, which includes a freshness preservation system. What that means is that there are two separate systems that control the temperature and the humidity in the refrigerator and in the freezer. The air purification system is said to ‘scrub’ the entire volume of air in the refrigerator an average of once every 20 minutes, which is meant to reduce odors, viruses and bacteria.
The unit is pretty wide, coming in at is 84”x36”x24” so make sure your kitchen has the space. And if stainless isn’t your cup of tea, there’s an endless supply of color and design options. Plus, the classic stainless comes in three different finishes.
Cost: $8,575
For more information, visit SubZero.com
Waste Not
Whirlpool’s Latitude Refrigerator is a spacious (27 cu. ft.) French door unit that comes equipped with deep door bins, extra shelf space and an easy-to-access in-door ice maker with removable bucket. Keeping food safe is a priority as this ENERGY STAR-certified model lowers the temperatures when new foods are introduced. And when a power outage occurs, an alert notifies consumers so they know whether or not food is safe to eat.
There’s no wasting water with this model — it dispenses the exact amount, measured in cups, liters or ounces with a rotating faucet that allows the ability to fill tall and odd-shaped containers.The refrigerator is available at retailers nationwide in white, black, stainless steel and Satina® finish.
Cost: The MSRP starts at $2,599.
For more info, visit Whirlpool.com
Big Bucks, Cool Features
The high price of the 30” Miele bottom-mount Independence Series refrigerator makes the other ones look affordable, but look Mom, it has tons of cool features!
First, there is the SuperCool feature and the Master Cool™ Technology, both working to maximize the freshness of your food. With SuperCool, you can take your time loading your groceries since the feature will work faster to get your fridge up to its optimal temperature, once you close the door. And MasterCool™ lets you set different temperatures within zones and food type, working to preserve food longer and save energy. Then there’s the RemoteVision technology will send you a signal you if you leave the door open too long.
With high-performance dual compressors, improved insulation and more precise temperature control and defrost technology, your refrigerator efficiency is bound to be given a boost. It will last you quite awhile too, since it comes with a 20-year life span and is equipped with recyclable parts. With features like these, of course it’s ENERGY STAR qualified.
Cost: $7,495
For more information, contact MieleUSA
Great Adaptation
If you need a new refrigerator, but don’t want to break the bank, the 36” IKEA Nutid counter-depth fridge/freezer is considered a great budget-friendly option. With three adjustable shelves of tempered glass, one of the unit’s best features is a spill guard to prevent leaks from dripping from one shelf to another.
The 14 cu feet model also adapts to your decor. Simply match the refrigerator and freezer handles to meet your kitchen cabinet handles for a smooth unified look. The refrigerator also includes a water-and-ice-machine in the door; the water is cooled and can be served with ice cubes or crushed ice. The size of this ENERGY STAR unit is 36 x 27-1/2 x 68-3/4. Not only is the price of the unit more affordable, but its estimated annual operating costs is only $59.
Cost: $1,399
For more information, visit Ikea.com
Easy Clean Oven
Oh no! You’ve touched the stainless steel appliance and now you have to clean off the fingerprints yet again.
Nope! Not with this line of Miele MasterChef ovens. We do enough cleaning in the home, so it’s nice to find an oven that includes Clean Touch Steel technology. This is a fancy name for an easy cleaning surface that’s treated so it eliminates fingerprints, smudges and scratches. Simply use a damp rag, sponge or mild glass and surface cleaners and wipe clean when you need to. There are single ovens and double oven options, for those who love to cook or have to cater to larger families or dinner parties.
Miele comes in a variety of sizes, including 60cm, 70cm and 30 inches. For those who need to cook in a hurry, Miele offers speed ovens — a combination microwave, convection and speed oven all in one and a steam oven. It also features touch control pad, a multilingual LCD DisplayMetric, modes including AutoRoast, intensive bake, timers with delay start function.
Cost: The line starts at $2,749
For more information, visit www.MieleUSA.com
Energy Saving Oven
Energy savings should be on everyone’s mind, but it’s definitely on the mind of the Whirlpool oven makers. This new Whirlpool Gold free-standing double oven uses 50 percent less energy and preheats in half the time, which means you’re going to save energy and money on your energy bills too. You can bake your roasts and apple pie at two separate temperatures, which makes a model like this perfect for the home entertainer.
The combined capacity of both ovens is 6.3 cu. ft, which means it fit into your existing oven space, a concern when a homeowner is upgrading to a new appliance. The oven can bake, broil, toast and warm, is self-cleaning and has an eco-friendly cooktop that doesn’t contain any toxic metals. For those of you who wonder whether or not you left the oven on, it will automatically shut off after 12 hours. It comes in white, black and stainless steel.
Cost: $1,149
For more information go to www.Whirlpool.com
Artistic Range
It’s not something that’s been given much thought when it comes to redecorating your kitchen, but Futuro Futuro has made the range hoods a unique art piece that you’ll want in your kitchen. Futuro Futuro goes beyond the standard stainless steel design for range hoods and converts the hood to an art piece. The Murano Collection is the latest addition to the company’s portfolio of over 170 models of modern Italian kitchen range hoods. It is wrapped in glass and has internal adjustable lighting and, although it’s priced at the high end, it gives a contemporary look to your kitchen decor and comes in over 30 designs.
Cost: Prices ranging from $2095 for the wall-mounted 27″ models to $2795 for the island-mount models.
For more information, visit www.FuturoFuturo.com
Combination Cooking
Like a gas stove and an electric stove? How about combining them? Integrating gas with electric or even induction cooking offers flexible cooking opportunities that just aren’t available with standard cooktops. Miele launched the CombiSet series, which also includes the ability to use a Japanese tappanyaki, a special feature where you can saute your vegetables and meats and use two separate heating circuits that warm on the back and sear on the front. This stainless steel design has sleek steel knobs and an ergonomically inclined control panel.
The teppanyaki model can accommodate larger pots on its 15-inch burner, perfect for dinner parties, and includes single or double-burner units that stand alone or combined. The designs can be mixed and matched and include induction and gas and electric to deep fry. The electric sets come with black ceramic surface and circular heating elements.
Cost: Each piece ranges from $999 to $1799.
For more information, call 800.843.7231 or visit www.MieleUSA.com
Sleek Waves
Look closely… it’s not a drawer, it’s a microwave. Microwaves move from the countertop to become part of the decor with the Wolf 24” Drawer Microwave Oven. It can be built under the counter or below a Wolf E Series oven. They are actually designed to match the trim style of Wolf E Series ovens and can be installed in a standard or flush inset application.
The microwaves feature stainless steel finish; 950 watts of power with one cu ft of interior drawer space, easily accommodating that bigger 9×13 brownie pan, and include 11 programmable power levels so you can cook just about anything. While you’re waiting for your other foods to be ready, keep your food warm for up to 30 minutes. And to make sure your children don’t play with the microwave, it comes with a child safety panel lock.
Cost: Starts at $1375
Additional information can be found on the website WolfAppliance.com
Cooking Plenty
If you like to cook more than a one-pot meal, this Italian Bertazzoni range might be for you. It’s an ideal unit if you enjoy cooking a variety of courses at once, from appetizers to desserts. Six different sized burners allow you to use different sized pots so you can boil a small pot of water or a big batch of soup. It generates a lot of heat, up to 15,000 btu, so if you’re always watching Hell’s Kitchen or Top Chef and you want to be the next Julia Child, this allows you to get the job done. It has a one-piece high-efficiency worktop and is available in 30-inch four-burner and 36-inch five-burner sizes.
The all-gas, stainless steel ranges will include triple-ring burners with separately controlled flames that generate up to 15,000 Btu. But don’t worry… when the power goes out, the flame and the gas stop burning. Other features include an air flow fan, the ability to roast, bake and other cooking modes, a triple-glaze door to ensure minimal heat loss and low-temperature external surfaces.
Cost: Prices range from $2,299 to $3,349.
For more information, go to Betazzoni-Italia.com
Wine Time!
For the true connoisseur, wine bottles should be kept in the kitchen, handy for whenever you want to top off your delicious meal. Vinotemp offers wine coolers that is designed to become part of your kitchen appliances. It has a front-vent design that can be used as a built in or a free standing appliance. The stainless steel unit, which measures 15 x 23-1/4 x 34-1/2, features a locking glass door, so you can control who goes in and out gliding wood and metal shelves so you can easily get to your wine of choice, a light and digital display, adjustable temperature control for both red and white wines, and the ability to hold up to 26 bottles.
Cost: $895 to $1195
For more information, visit www.Vinotemp.com
Wine Cellar
If you’re a wine connoisseur looking for a permanent fixture to store wine in your kitchen or home bar, this Haier built-in model may be for you. Just like the Vinotemp cooler, this built-in wine cellars provides a dual zone, which means that you can control the temperatures of two different bottles and you can control the temperature through a state-of-the-art electronic LED display. When you are looking for that perfect bottle of vino, simply slide-out one of the six storage racks and make your choice.
The cellar can hold from 31 to 54 bottles. It also features a reversible door so you can installed anywhere in your kitchen or home and convert the door so it opens properly. The size of the unit is 23-3/4″ x 23-7/8″ x 34-1/4″.
Cost: $899
For more information, visit HaierAmerica.com
Non-Slip Cooktop
Have you ever started stirring a pot only to have it slide off the burner? It’s cumbersome and dangerous, but Kenyon Custom has created a helpful solution. Their induction cooktops now feature a silicon pad that prevents the pots from sliding. The pads come in a variety of designer colors that could be quickly changed out to other colors and designs, so it always matches your kitchen décor. Kenyon offers the Mediterranean model in black glass, perfect to partner with contemporary kitchens and stainless steel appliances, beveled edge design, durable, and it’s easy to clean. Both one and two burner models are available in either 120 or 240 volts, and include push-to-turn controls, infinite heat control and quick to-heat radiant ribbon elements. If the pan or pot does happen to come off the burner, the unit also includes an automatic shut down feature, as well as other safety features such as heat-limiting cooking surface protectors, an on indicator light for each burner, and a hot indicator light or a high temperature sensor that shuts the unit off. The overall dimensions are 23 1/4″ x 14 1/4″ x 2 5/8″.
Cost: $995
For more information visit KenyonAppliances.com or call 860-664-4906.
