Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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Product Trend Report By Elizabeth Richards E���ciency, qexibility, easy-to-use technology and aesthetics are all key considerations for today���s cooking appliances. A s more and more people cook at home, the need for e���ciency, easy-to-use technology and aesthetically pleasing cooking appliances increases. At the same time, the growth of non-traditional households means that qexibility is also a key consideration for today���s cooking appliances. That���s according to manufacturers recently interviewed by Kitchen & Bath Design News who are seeing increased demand for cooking appliances that accommodate personal choice ��� whether that choice centers around healthy cooking options, multi-tasking, speed cooking, multiple chefs or simply designs that work for a very small, very large or unusually conpgured kitchen space. ���Today���s culinary enthusiast desires as many options as possible, whether it���s with the design of the kitchen, the appliances used or the actual cooking itself,��� says Phil Springer, senior product manager for Thermador at BSH Home Appliances Corp. in Huntington Beach, CA. The open layouts of many kitchens call for qexibility in both design and function, and appliances must o���er the same features. ���Multi-tasking appliances that are compatible with today���s open kitchen layouts should continue to be in demand,��� says Juliet Johnson, brand experience manager for Jenn-Air in Benton Harbor, MI. She notes that products like the company���s duct-free downdraft cooktop, a microwave combination oven, and a warming drawer that also acts as a slow cooker ���o���er cooks several functions in a single appliance for more qexible design options.��� Melissa Haber, director of sales and marketing for Edgewood, NY, based EuroChef EuroChef USA introduces the ILVE Nostalgie collection of ranges, available in three sizes and eight colors. The range features a powerful gas oven and cooktop. A full-size warming drawer and rotisserie come standard, and the 36" model o���ers a griddle that can be removed for a pfth burner option. Shown is the 36" Nostalgie Gas Range in Midnight Blue with Chrome trim. Circle No. 155 on Product Card Wolf o���ers a wall oven that provides steam, convection and a combination of steam and convection cooking options. Unique technology senses the amount, size and shape of the food once an automatic mode has been selected. While cooking, it monitors the time, temperature and environment. The convection setting o���ers 12 cooking modes. A recipes mode and delayed start feature are also included. Circle No. 156 on Product Card 30 | Kitchen & Bath Design News January 2013 Induction cooktops from JennAir o���er a powerful induction element along with highperformance features. The 36" models feature pve induction elements, including a 12"/9" Dual Zone Induction Element, with a maximum output of 5,000 watts and the qexibility of using two elements for one pan. Additional features include a Sensor Boil function that helps prevent boil-overs and bridge elements to accommodate long or oval cookware. Circle No. 157 on Product Card USA says that consumers are most interested in functionality when researching cooking appliances. ���Savvy customers want products that will keep up with their busy lifestyles and help with multi-tasking,��� she says. ���Multi-function cooking enables chefs to switch fans and elements on and o��� to control where the heat is coming from, and to what degree, which means an oven is qexible and can do everything from making a pizza crisp or browning potatoes to defrosting leftovers to taste as good as they were the prst night.��� Scott Davies, marketing manager for the Huntington Beach, CA-based Fisher & Paykel believes that performance and cleanability are the characteristics most in demand in cooking appliances right now. He explains, ���Our customers demand control of their appliance to enable them to create culinary dishes.��� ���With the increase in selection over the past 10 years, consumers are looking for all of the bells and whistles at a lower cost,��� adds Joey Kitabayashi, v.p./engineering at Capital Cooking Equipment in Santa Fe Springs, CA. He notes that ease in both cleaning and operation of appliances is also important. CONVECTION & INDUCTION While not new, convection ovens and induction cooktops are both being elevated in consumer awareness, increasingly making their way into the North American market. From convenience and a better end result to energy-e���cient benepts of these cooking styles, consumers are pnding more reasons to request these elements be included in their design. ���Convection has become mainstream and we���re seeing much more consumer awareness of what it is and a demand for it,��� says Tony Dowling, business development manager for Elmira Stove Works in Ontario, Canada. ���Convection cooking is still on the rise as customers become Dacor���s Distinctive 30" Gas Range features a 4.8-cu.-ft. oven capacity, stainless steel knobs with a metallic pnish and two exclusive 14" extra-wide continuous platform grates. Personalization options include the choice between two oven door handles, the professional Epicure stainless steel handle or the Dacor integrated qush stainless steel handle. Circle No. 158 on Product Card The Kenyon Custom SilKEN 2-Burner Ceramic Induction Cooktop with Silicone Mats from Kenyon International features a slightly recessed lip that allows the silicone mats to remain secure. The design provides spill containment, pot retention, quick heat dissipation and easy clean-up, according to the company. Circle No. 159 on Product Card