The Latest in Appliances
Upside: These cooktops are almost 100% efficient. Gas and radiant electric cooktops lose their efficiency to ambient areas around the burner and pot.
Safe (no burning of hands/finger/oven mitts), you can put your hand on the surface of the cooktop even after a hot pot has just been removed.
It is 2x faster cooking than gas.
The ceramic glass top makes it easy to wipe clean.
Smart new technology provides a temperature light that blinks if you do not place a magnetic connection in the area of the burner. If nothing is placed on the burner area, after 60 seconds the burner will automatically shut off.
Downside: The cost for this relatively new technology is quite high, it is currently almost twice the price of a gas cooktop. You may need to purchase new cookware that is magnetic. Here is a good hint: take a fridge magnet with you when shopping for your new pots and pans.
Pricing (CDN)*:
15” width unit (great for small kitchen or kitchenettes): $ 1 599.00
30” width= $ 2 599.00
36” width = $ 3 499.00
* approximate
Following the hot trend of drawer appliances, this new product is typically installed below counter and below the cooktop surface.
By comparison to its built-in sister, you do not have to purchase a trim kit to install this product.
Open and close this drawer by the push of a button. It has a safety mechanism in place to prevent kids from playing with it and to stop the drawer if an item gets caught between the drawer and the cabinet face.
Many people are installing these below their cooktop when they have limited cabinetry or counter space.
With special technology created for even power distribution, the need for a turn table is eliminated.
There are two sizes available that may compliment the width of your cooktop,
24” wide x 17” high, and 30” wide x 17” high.
Pricing (CDN)*:
Microwave Drawer: $ 1 000.00
Other Built-in Microwaves that require a trim kit: $ 1 000 with trim kit
* approximate
This is a Convection Oven in combination with a Microwave.
One manufacturer calls their product the “speed oven” as this product generally provides 50% faster cooking time.
The term Convection indicates heat exchange. This oven has a fan that works with a heating element. The cavity of the oven is heated and the fan, while moving the heat around, provides even cooking plus faster cooking times. Helpful hint: the cook time will be drastically reduced with this appliance and you will need to be cautious with your recipe timing until you become accustomed to this technology!
This is like having double ovens with the quantity of food you can cook at one time! Forget about shift work with cookie sheets for baking, you can put all of your cookie sheets in the oven at once. Depending on your racking placement, you can have 4 sheets in the oven at once, and they will bake evenly!
It is 50% faster again if the microwave and the oven features are used at the same time.
Pricing (CDN)*:
These are typically double the price of a regular countertop microwave. Sharp has an over the range micro combination with a built-in exhaust system for space saving: $ 1 100.00
A regular convection micro is $ 800.00
Built in higher end brand is $ 2 000 to $ 3 500.00
* approximate
Benefits of this product:
Healthy cooking, the vitamins and minerals stay locked in the food.
No worry of burning food.
No oils needed to cook food.
How does it work? A snap-in-place water reservoir allows heated water to produce steam. The technology integrated into this appliance injects the steam into the oven’s cooking chamber.
A stainless steel interior is resistant to bacteria and there is no risk of rust.
Pricing (CDN)*:
Countertop Steam Oven: $1 400.00
Built-in Steam Oven: $3 200.00
* approximate
Another hot trend in appliances was developed approximately 5 years ago by Fisher Paykel with their Dishwasher Drawers. What a great idea, but they are pricey!
You can buy a 2-drawer unit OR you can buy individual drawers and the great thing is you can run the drawers individually to save energy.
Trend: People have been purchasing two sets of double-drawer dishwashers and alternate the washer use. One set of drawers is for storing clean dishes and the other is for washing. You won’t ever have to unload the dishwasher again!
Pricing (CDN)*:
$ 2 000 per double-drawer unit.
* approximate
Fridges: Someone was thinking when they designed a fridge with the Freezer on the bottom. It just makes so much sense!
90% of the time the fridge is accessed for the refrigerator section and 10% of the time for the Freezer section; therefore much less bending with a bottom Freezer!
Several manufacturers offer the option of having the Freezer operated with a swing open door, but I really life the Freezer being in a drawer. A drawer rolls everything to you for full access rather than having to squat and crawl halfway into the Freezer cavity to sort back of shelf to front, to locate what you need.
For a custom kitchen with that built-in look, many people are buying the counter depth fridge at 24” deep. Sales numbers indicate more and more people are following this trend; but, if you have a large and active family, don’t sacrifice functional storage space to have the aesthetics.
With a minimal door swing space required to open the fridge, French Door Fridges are gaining in popularity.
Fridge Drawers: These units have been around for a few years, but continue to be one of my favourites! The Drawer Fridge as well as the Under Counter Fridge provides flexibility of placement not only in the kitchen but in all other rooms where refrigeration for specialty items is needed.
Drawer Fridges can be purchased as all Fridge units, all Freezer units or a combination of the two. They are easily integrated into a more contemporary look reducing the amount of tall and upper cabinetry. Units can be purchased to be Fully Integrated or with a manufacturer’s finished front – both very nice!
If you have a large active family, I do not recommend this type of fridge to replace a large main fridge. I would specify these drawer units for overflow storage of cold items and for placement in specialty areas such as your master bedroom for milk in a coffee/tea bar area and storage of cold cream, perfume, and wine; in your office, family room or any entertaining area where you may want easy access for juice, pop, and milk for hot beverages, etc.
Pricing (CDN)*:
$ 4 100.00 – $ 4 300.00
* approximate
This style of machine is gaining in popularity in comparison to the older top load style of machine, now affectionately called last century technology.
Front Loaded Machines are more efficient with water and energy, and have a larger capacity since the middle agitator is removed. This also translates into less friction without the agitator; and therefore, less wear and tear on your clothes. Larger bulkier items such as comforters can easily fit into the machines.
Manufacturer options such as Pedestal Bases used for storage for soaps etc, and to minimize bending while loading. As these units can stand up to 51” (130cm) high, I find they tend to look bulky and I am yet to be convinced that the pedestal base is worth the extra money.
Another option is Under Counter Units – I like these! They fit under a typical kitchen counter height, and the extra counter space is always a plus. Having quieter washer and dryer units in the kitchen or in close proximity to the kitchen in a mudroom is very convenient for a busy family, if space will allow.
Pricing (CDN)*:
More economical price starting at $ 2 000.00 going up to $ 4 000.00 with all of the bells and whistles.
* approximate |
