Kitchen & Bath Design News

JAN 2014

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 Today's appliances feature increased versatility, streamlined design and greater efciency thanks to smart functionality that makes cooking easier and safer than ever before. J ust as the American family has evolved, so, too, has the kitchen. And that means the cooking function has evolved as well. The home chef is no longer isolated in the kitchen while entertaining occurs elsewhere in the house. Kitchens today are opening up to the rest of the house, the space is being developed for more and more uses and families are working together to get meals on the table. With more cooks in the kitchen, it follows that larger work spaces, multiple work zones and appliances that ofer more cooking options are important. Homeowners want cooking tools that can multi-task, with features that make tasks efcient and easy, and functions that promote healthy cooking. That's according to manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News, who see versatility, "smart" functionality and efciency as key trends in cooking appliances today. Zach Elkin, director, brand marketing for BSH Home Appliances in Irvine, CA says, "With added convenience in the kitchen through various appliance settings, we are encouraging Americans to get back in the kitchen and cook – making it a family afair and leaving the hard work and guess work to the appliances." The traditional work triangle has been replaced by multiple work triangles, which facilitates having more than one chef in the kitchen, he adds. Melissa Haber, director of sales and marketing at EuroChef USA in Edgewood, NJ, says, "As peo- The Induction Free Standing Range from Electrolux Home Products features an induction cooktop and convection oven. The cooktop can boil water in just 90 seconds using the Power Assist feature, and maintains a cool surface, transferring the heat directly to the cookware. The oven's Perfect Convect3 convection technology produces consistently even results and more baking options via a third convection element, notes the company. The Fresh Clean self-cleaning system cleans the oven with virtually no odor or smoke. Circle No. 155 on Product Card KitchenAid's Architect Series II 30" electric freestanding range features fve elements. The range comes with an Even-Heat Ultra Element with Even-Heat Simmer to reach a boil quickly and hold a precise simmer. It also includes AquaLift self-clean technology and a warming drawer. Circle No. 156 on Product Card Gas cooktops from Scholtes are available in 30" four-burner and 36" fve-burner confgurations. With 42,000 and 55,000 BTUs respectively, the cooktops ofer cooking power and versatile burner confguration. The cooktops feature a clean design with a fat wing above the control knobs to house spoons, spatulas and other utensils. Circle No. 157 on Product Card 50 | Kitchen & Bath Design News January 2014 ple spend more time cooking in their kitchens, they want more room." She notes that the American kitchen has gone from a standard 30" range to a 36" range that allows for a double oven to increase utility. EuroChef also sees a large increase in demand for a 48" range. "Customers are willing to give up cabinet space to allow for bigger, more productive ranges," she points out. Kevin Henry, director of business development and designer for Costa Mesa, CA-based Dacor adds, "Dacor understands that the kitchen is more than a space dedicated to food: It is a place of family gatherings, recipe experimentation and entertainment. However, with homeowners now busier than ever, their needs are changing. They want appliances that make cooking easier and that they control through their smart devices." MULTI-TASKING APPLIANCES In addition to more space, the demand is high for specialty appliances, as well as appliances that do more, thereby increasing cooking capabilities in the kitchen. Haber says people are adding function-specifc appliances such as warming drawers, steam ovens, griddles and rotisseries for a multi-tasking kitchen. EuroChef's Majestic ranges already incorporate many of these modules, and the ILVE line will be ofering a 12" drop-in cooktop in the beginning of 2014, the frm notes. Speed and convenience also matter, says Haber. "Busy lives make dinner one of the few times of the day that families spend together, so people want speed for preparing meals so they have GE's new wall ovens feature True European Convection with Direct Air. New vents on top of the oven cavity focus air directly on the food, providing signifcantly increased air fow for better cooking performance. An iPhone and Android app allows users to remotely control the Brillionenabled ovens with Wi-Fi access. An LED lighting strip between the top of the oven door and the bottom of the control panel pulses during preheating and progressively illuminates bar lights during timed cooking. Circle No. 158 on Product Card ILVE has introduced the Techno trim option for the Majestic series of ranges. Available from EuroChef USA, the Majestic series now includes sleek knobs, handles and legs for a clean look. The ranges are available in widths from 30" to 60" in seven colors and multiple cooktop confgurations. All-gas options are now available, along with the standard dual-fuel confguration. Shown is the 36" range in Midnight Blue. Circle No. 159 on Product Card

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