Choosing Major Kitchen Appliances

Choosing major kitchen appliances can be fun, but homeowners should think of family and lifestyle first. If hiring a designer, be prepared with a list of your desired appliances as they will impact space and traffic patterns. Many designers will want this information first, as it will influence the shape and design of the rest of the kitchen.

Dishwasher Upgrades
Dishwashers have undergone changes over the years, replacing loud, clunky eyesores with incognito models that are so quiet it is difficult to tell if they are on. Look for models that feature concealed control panels built into the top of the door and stylized paneling that keep this appliance from standing out. Quieter motors and stainless-steel interiors help deaden dishwasher noise—a crucial feature for open-plan homes or kitchens with adjacent entertaining spaces.

Don’t overlook the possibility of buying two or more dishwashers, a growing trend in kitchens and kitchen remodels. “Fifty percent of my clients have at least two dishwashers in their kitchens,” says Peter Salerno, a certified kitchen designer and owner of Peter Salerno Inc., in New Jersey. “For larger families or homes that like to entertain, one dishwasher can be cleaning while the other is being filled with new dirty dishes.”

Companies like KitchenAid and Fisher have also come up with dishwasher drawers, essentially two independent dishwashing drawers that are stacked on top of one another to accommodate single- or double-drawer loads. Salerno sees homeowners in space-challenged kitchens using the dishwasher drawers as storage, too. “If there’s a shortage of storage space, one drawer can hold dishes while the other washes them,” he adds.

Dishwasher Technology and Sizing
Homeowners interested in cutting-edge technology should be on the lookout for energy-efficiency, shorter cycles, and advanced features designed to cut time and fuss over dishes. GE’s SmartDispense dishwasher, which holds 45 ounces of detergent for automatic release with each load, and Jenn-Air’s 3-tiered dishwasher, with adjustable racks and a washing arm under each rack, are setting new marks in dishwasher design. 

Most American-made under-the-counter dishwasher models are a standard 24 inches in width, so selecting a new unit to replace an old one may not require space reconfiguration. If considering European models, check the measurements since they are often narrower than their American counterparts.

Cooktop Features
Cooktops—formerly known as stoves—are now fully independent from ovens, which brings more features and flexibility to both. Commercial cooktops are becoming more popular in residential kitchens because they truly cater to the gourmet chef. High-end gas cooktops feature low-level BTU output settings for cooking light sauces or melting chocolates, which provides maximum control for precise cooking. Look for burners with an inner and an outer flame for high-precision and consistent heating.

New residential units are chasing their commercial predecessors 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.