Party guests congregate here. You read your mail at the table. Your kids do their homework at the counter. Yet with all of the activities that take place in your kitchen, you still have to manage one other duty: cooking your meals. This task requires more than just a comfortable room with good lighting and open space; it demands tools. Investing in quality appliances, from your range and refrigerator down to the toaster, helps ensure that your family will have good food, as well as a place to hang out.
We’ll start with the stove: even though the basic technology remains the same, ranges and ovens have come a long way in the past few decades. Gas burners are still the favorite, though refinements in glass top coils make electric elements a competitive choice, particularly for budget-conscious remodelers. Art Fast, owner of Kitchen Masters in Lakewood, notes a third option. “We’ve seen a resurgence in magnetic induction (which heats the pot directly instead of the stove surface). It’s becoming more popular for families with small children, since the stove surface cools off almost immediately after the pan is removed.” Bosch introduced a pair of induction cooktops last year, noting the inherent efficiency of a heating system that does not waste energy heating the surrounding air.
For many homeowners, however, gas is still the only way to go. “Performance and versatility are the keys to a good stove,” says Fast. “Look for high BTUs, but also the ability to simmer at very low heat.” High-end units by companies such as Dacor, Viking, Sub-Zero and Wolf address versatility in a number of ways, including pairing a classic gas range with electric convection ovens.
Another combination cooking tool growing in popularity is the speed oven. This small appliance uses a three-pronged approach to heating food by adding convection (forced air) heat and a halogen heat lamp to a standard microwave. Explains Fast, “It’s smaller than your normal oven, and not designed to be the only one in your kitchen, but since it’s incredibly fast and capable of browning, we’re seeing more and more of them installed as a secondary oven.”
Stoves aren’t the only appliances doing double-duty. The latest refrigeration technology uses two cooling systems: one for the fridge and one for the freezer. Most refrigerators regulate food temperatures by blowing air from the freezer into the refrigerator compartment. The problem with this design is that air from the freezer is dry. That is great for preventing freezer ice build-up, but not so great for preserving moisture-hungry, perishable foods. Enter the newest fridge from Sub-Zero. Separate cooling units allow the freezer to stay dry while circulating longevity-increasing moist air throughout the fridge. This extends the shelf life of your leftovers by weeks, not days. The company estimates that over the course of 15 years, the food savings alone should pay for the purchase price.
Speaking of price, if one is spending four figures on what is essentially a big metal box, the question arises of whether to showcase or hide that item, be it a fridge, range or dishwasher. Some homeowners prefer unobtrusive functionality while others choose to use the appliances themselves as stylistic elements. The stainless steel exteriors that have grown so popular evoke the practical efficiency (and hopefully the high-quality food!) of a commercial kitchen. The look is now so ubiquitous that it can really be considered neutral: feel free to blend stainless steel into nearly any kitchen design, traditional or modern. Fast suggests looking for models that feature a fingerprint-resistant clear coat finish. It’s a nod to convenience that will slow the daily smudge build-up.
Paneled or “hidden” appliances offer convenience as well as an attractive appearance. “We’re seeing more and more easy-access dishwashers and under-cabinet fridge drawers,” says Fast. “Particularly as people get older, they don’t want to bend down to put away dishes or stretch to reach the far corners of a large refrigerator.” The solution? Cabinet-style installations for dishwashers can raise the unit a foot or more off the floor. The extra height means less stress on your back, and also less likelihood of toddlers or pooches getting noses in the way. Under-the-counter refrigerator drawers are another way to add easily reachable storage to your kitchen while saving some space. Viking’s pair of drawers adds 5.8 cubic feet of extra room placed under 24” of under-counter space.
In order to save room on top of the counter as well, consider a multi-tasking kitchen machine to handle mixing, blending, juicing and even meat grinding. Bosch’s Universal Plus Kitchen Machine combines all of those functions into a compact yet powerful mixer. With fewer appliances cluttering your countertops, the ones that remain will be easier to use and easier to see. Use this opportunity to add a splash of color to your kitchen. Toasters in particular are designed with an eye toward fashion as much as function. Siemens, Krups, Bosch and Dualit all offer products that promise to please the eye as well as the palate.
Ultimately though, the balance between form and function, performance and appearance, is one for each homeowner to approach on his or her own. Just don’t forget that whatever else goes on in your kitchen, it is ultimately built to cook.
Erik Maulbetsch is a Boulder-based freelance writer.
