Choosing Major Kitchen Appliances

New residential units are chasing their commercial predecssors in terms of price and features, so do your homework. Electric residential cooktops may be less expensive, but will not have the same precision as gas models. Cooktops range in size from 30 to 38 inches wide, but may be as wide as 48 inches if a griddle is included. An island cooktop allows the entertaining chef to face the guests and bring the cooking to the party. Downdraft ventilation systems can eliminate the need for overhead hoods, and emerging technologies like induction cooking can create a safer cooking environment. With induction cooking, a magnetic-based pot or pan interacts with a magnetic field created by the cooking hob coils, inducing a current in the pot or pan. The pot or pan actually heats up and cooks the food while the surface stays cool. The system itself is entirely flame-free. Standard and Convection Ovens Ovens come in two types—convection and conventional. Convection ovens are more expensive, as they feature blowers that circulate the heat for faster, even cooking. As with dishwashers, two ovens is becoming the norm in today’s kitchen. “The double oven is really critical,” Solerno believes. “Every kitchen should have two ovens.” Whether wall-mounted or fixed below the cooktop, two ovens allows for greater cooking capacity and flexibility. Warming drawers, once a pretty prominent fixture in kitchens, are seeing a resurgence in kitchen design. Warming drawers can be set from 0 to 175° Farenheit to maintain the texture and temperature of cooked foods without drying them out. Warming drawers cost anywhere from $800 to $1000, but are useful additions to kitchens that see a lot of use and provide large or complex meals for guests or families. Innovative appliances like convection microwaves offer new cooking options for the pressed-for-time homeowner. With roasting, baking, and crisping capabilites, convection microwaves combine all the reheat features of a microwave with the cooking options of a convection oven. Cooking time is cut in half, but the desired flavor and texture of the food remains. Refrigerator Rundown Stove Exhaust The exhaust system is an essential and often overlooked kitchen component. Exhaust system capabilities should match the size of the stove or cooktop below it. Exhaust systems are measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). The bigger the stove, the greater the exhaust capabilities of the system. A 36-inch stove, for example, should be matched by a minimum 800 ft3/min system, while a 48-inch stove would require at least 1000-1200 ft3/min. Check with your designer or certified dealer to be certain that the exhaust system matches and complements the stove that it services. Refrigerators come as side-by-side, top-and-bottom, and built-in units. Choosing a style may be largely a matter of personal preference, but the size of the refrigerator should take into account the size of the family. A family of four may only require a 21 to 25 ft3 unit, while one of six or more might want a 27 to 32 ft3 unit. Storage may be measured in cubic feet, but the width of the unit determines placement options. Let the needs of the family determine the size of the fridge, but be sure not to skimp—there’s nothing worse than having a packed fridge that doesn’t function to fit the family. When considering additional features like ice makers or water dispensers, think about placement. A paneled refrigerator, for example, won’t go well with an external water dispenser, as spills can damage the paneling over time. Both height and width need to be taken into account when looking at refrigerator size. Refrigerators can be as tall as 68 inches or more and as wide as 36 inches. A homeowner will want sufficient clearance from hallways, doorways and so on. A refrigerator that is going to be placed next to a wall will require a suitable door design. A standard rule of thumb is to allow at least 2 inches minimum on each side to allow a door to swing open, depending on the model. One rising trend to consider is the addition of auxiliary fridge/freezer drawers. These under-the-counter units can serve as easy-access beverage centers or to store overflow items from the fridge or freezer. Reducing traffic through the chef’s space is a nice little perk for the busy kitchen. “A beverage drawer can keep the kids out of the cooking area and out of the primary refrigerator,” Solerno says.

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