What Happened To Steam Appliances

Look at this KitchenAid wall oven...

It has a steam setting, but you would not know that (they probably don't). Steam has not developed a following amongst manufacturers who don't understand it and the general public who don't want to pay the premium for the feature.

It's a shame. Steam is the healthiest way to cook. Instead of baking out nutrients, you are adding steam to contain them. You can even bake brownies in a steam oven.

The two best products:

Miele...their Masterchef controls prompt you for everything, so it is easy.

Gaggenau...The pioneers of steam cooking. They even have a direct water feed into the oven.

More Visual Aids

When I was an appliance lad, our display was very similar to what you see everywhere....rows and rows of stuff lined up by category. That's fine if people want to buy just one piece....if they need to renovate a space, however, you need to create an environment...

I always partner with a granite shop (Adamo in Boston, great guy) and try to show people radically new products and ideas for their consideration

This is our latest environment...

Cooktop is a Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau steamer...Look at the downdraft, it is self circulating and is vented back through the toe kick

36 inch pizza ovens from Gaggenau

Cool monorail track and pendants from Tech....I like track as an option to recessed lighting, especially in modern spaces

Cool faucet

Stainless island counters look good, but we will see once they have been used(and abused)...interestng rock backsplash

Shallow Depth Refrigeration

This site is tied in with Google Analytics. Yesterday, I was looking at keyword search details, and 7 out of the 10 reasons people look at our blog in the last 30 days is for shallow depth refrigeration, which may be a good reason for a post.

Quite honestly, shallow depth looks aesthetically cleaner in a kitchen, as the black or gray sides are not shown. The refrigerator is 24 inches deep, so it is also dimensionally similar to standard cabinets.

There are two types of shallow depth products: Regular (there is no official name for this) and integrated.

Regular shallow depth products are 24 inches deep plus the door. This is the largest segment of the shallow depth category. It includes SubZero, KitchenAid, GE among others...



Integrated fits within a 24 inch panel and is best for paneled applications. Best brands include: Thermador, Liebherr, Miele, Gaggenau and SubZero...

Mistakes To Avoid...Part 1

2 Posts today. More for your blog dollar. Lets take a look at some paneled shallow depth refrigerators...



There are a bunch: SubZero, Lehberr, Viking, Thermador, Bosch, Gaggenau and Monogram...But what about KitchenAid?



Good news: It is less expensive.

Bad News: It protrudes way more than the others.

A Week of Buying Smart

This week will focus on intelligent buying. Its about buying products not necessarily names. So pay attention to these next two induction cooktops(as a review induction is the fastest and most energy efficient cooking surface):









Top piece is the ultra chic Gaggenau cooktop complete with knob control. The other is the ever popular Thermador cooktop with didtal controls....The Gaggenau is $4159 and the Thermador is about $3000.

Its the same unit....Total savings $1159

Handle This...

So Whirlpool is Maytag, GE Cafe is GE Profile (in some cases), Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau can also be similar. Here is the one uniform feature difference...

The Handle





Quick suggestion to save you money: Forget the brand, buy the least expensive yet similar model. Unless of course you did not like the style of the handle.

Wall Ovens On The Fly

Have a Look



We must have 20+ of these units on display. All have convection oven (fan forced heat for more even cooking)

Brief marketing differences:

Wolf: Two convection fans for more even cooking, reversible control panel and pizza stone.

Miele: Best, most intuitive control panels, rotisserie.

Bosch: Style and price.

KitchenAid: Decent controls and price point.

Electrolux: Great racks and wave touch control panel.

Viking: Pro look.

Gaggenau: Side opening(easier access) and ultra modern style.

Integration And The Bobby Joyce Rule

Have A look at a few integrated refrigerators.



As we have posted before, integrated refrigeration fits inside the cabinet. It is the shallowest of refrigeration, and the best looking.

But how hard is it to install?

For this, I use my infallible Bobby Joyce Rule. Bobby and I have worked together for 22 years. He is the type of guy who owns every tool known to mankind. We once built a deck together. I carried the wood. He pretty much handled the rest.

The Bobby Joyce Rule is this: If Bob cannot install it, then homeowners, contractors and builders cannot or will at least drive themselves mad in the process.

Bob Joyce cannot install the panels on Bosch, Thermador or Gaggenau columns.

In our corner of the universe, we have found and paid a master carpenter to effect installation to our customers(we pay for it out of our marketing funds).

Lesson of a very distracted post: Line up installation before you buy these products.

Seriously.

Its Whats on the Inside That Counts

2007 was the year of the integrated refrigerator with Thermador, Bosch and Gaggenau introductions. Miele has entered the fray this year (last month actually).

Integrated refrigeration is actually shallower than even shallow depth refrigerators, so it is the same depth as the cabinet. In this case a picture helps the explanation:



Anyway, we now have 4 new products to choose...which is best?



Well, your decision is easier than expected, because they are essentially the same box...

Differences...



Bosch: Basic

Thermador: Hydraulic shelves

Gaggenau: Stainless interiors and hydraulic shelves

Miele: Masterchef controls, better lighting and easier installation

Shallow Depth Refrigeration Part 3...Integrated

Integrated is the last of three posts dedicated to shallow depth refrigeration. An integrated refrigerator is totally hidden by the cabinets. The doors in other shallow depths will protrude.

In other words, an integrated refrigerator will disappear behind a cabinet. You can also buy these units in columns in different dimensions and place these products at point of use(appliance term for wherever you want). The main brands are Thermador, Bosch, Gaggenau and SubZero.

Have a look:



Pro Versus Integrated



An interesting video explanation..(interesting is always a relative term)

The Return Of Gaggenau?

Back in the 1980s, if you wanted to buy an upscale kitchen, you purchased a SubZero refrigerator and probably Gaggenau appliances. They had very precise cooking modes and were designed by Bang and Olufson, the elite stereo firm.

Lets flash forward to 2004, and the brand is almost dead. Why, because it was the same product as 20 years ago. All of a sudden, the cutting edge look is dated, their sizes are smaller and the burners are not as powerful. Happens when you spend zero on product development for almost 20 years.

Someone on Germany has awoken, because their new wall oven is decent. I like the side opening door, as it allows easy access to your food(as well as being ADA approved). The look is updated as well.

The Many Whirlpool(and Maytag) Duets

In 1997, Maytag introduced the $999 Neptune washer, which revolutionized the appliance industry. The Neptune would also be Maytags undoing. The problems garnered such consumer angst that it culminated in a classaction lawsuit. Their symbol, the ol' Lonely Maytag Repairman(played by Gordon Jump of WKRP fame), was not so lonely after all. They were bought by Whirlpool in 2004.

Before Maytags' problems, Whirlpool was under tremendous pressure to develop a front load washer of their own. The companys' legacy is in laundry. The two founders of the company sold their first machines to Sears in 1925.

Fast forward 70 years and Whirlpool is now a global manufacturer, and a company with internal communications issues. They actually manufactured the Duet in Germany and exported the product to the US...Enough with ancient history...They have gaggles of them...which one is right for you.....


They have 2 platforms and 4 labels Whirlpool Duet, Duet Sport, Maytag Epic and Epic Z

The Duet Sport and Maytag Epic Z is their smaller platform at 3.5 cubic feet(exterior 36h*29.25D*27W). The only difference between these 2 labels and three machines is spin speed and temperature settings










The Regular Whirlpool and Maytag Epic are the larger machines with a 4.0 cubic foot capacity(exterior 38*31.25D*27D). The top end machines offer steam in the washer and dryer, but after that the difference is simply tempertaure and spin speed.

Water Filtration

I saw this demonstration and had to tape it. I love these visual comparasons, but this is pretty basic when you really think about it. The Everpure and WaterX filters are larger, three stage filters of carbon, ceramic and resin. Add water pressure and out pours clean water.







Now honestly, how many Brita owners just gagged?

Steam Cooking

Hi this is Kurt, Resident Chef at Yale Appliance + Lighting and Guest Blogger.
My job is show consumers at Yale how to use their appliance to their fullest capabilities, before and after you buy them.

Steaming is tastier and healthier way to cook. There are Four steam oven manufacturers: Miele, Sharp, Wolf and Gaggenau.

These items can do more than steam veggies. Steam ovens can bake cakes and custards to professional perfection or braising ribs for the ultimate BBQ. They are very easy to operate. Drop me a line at (888) 827-9109 and I can explain the differences or help you select the appropriate build in for your kitchen.

Here are a few of the options:

Gaggenau


Miele


Sharp

Rebates

People always ask: What would you buy? The answer is always complicated as it always depends on budget, needs, and type of property. Appliances are the best investment in your house. I really believe that. Most people will not know what type of tiling, heating system or shingle, but they do understand appliances.

Am I advocating buying a SubZero for an income property....heck no. Just buy products and understand that it does matter when selling your property

You should also absolutely take advantage of rebates. Rebates have become a huge part of this industry for some reason(although not at the super premium end..SubZero, Miele, Gaggenau)...There are some great companies like JennAir, KitchenAid, Electrolux and Thermador that have very substantial rebates.


The programs are simple really. The rebates are geometrically increased with every product purchase. 1 piece may be $100, 2 would be $300, etc....So certainly buy as much within a certain manufacturer to maximize the rebates.

I will show specific examples in subsequent posts.

Whats in the Name?

There are four major appliance companies in the industry plus a few aspirants. Often times, a manufacturer will produce the identical product under several different labels. With rebates, it is possible for a $200-400 price disparity on the same product. This information can save money when purchasing new appliances...Take a look

Bottom Mount Refrigeration:
Maytag, KitchenAid, JennAir, Amana andWhirlpool
LG and GE

Top Mount refrigeration
Amana and Maytag
GE and Hotpoint

Dishwashers
Siemens and Bosch
Thermador and Bosch
Uppper Maytag models and JennAir

Gas Stoves
Siemens and Bosch
Amana, JennAir and Maytag

Electric Stoves
JennAir, Maytag and Amana
GE and Hotpoint(basic models only)

Wine coolers
Marvel and Viking

Wall ovens
Monogram, Profile and GE...A few features different, but inherently the same

Pro Refrigeration
Thermador(not freedom) and KitchenAid
Thermador Freedom and Gaggenau