ANIMAL MAGNETISM: Featuring the flexibility and versatility of a gas cooktop, this induction unit cooks more quickly and efficiently, the manufacturer says. Instead of a traditional fuel source, it uses electromagnetic energy to heat only the pan while the cooking surface stays relatively cool to the touch. Four glass ceramic models are available in 15-, 30-, and 36-inch sizes. Thermador. 800-656-9226. www.thermador.com.
TWO TIMER: For those home buyers who like to multitask, the Profile double-oven freestanding range is sure to please. The 30-inch unit features 6.5 cubic feet of total cooking space including a 2.1-cubic-foot upper oven with a pizza mode for cooking both fresh or frozen varieties. The unit also has a slow-cook mode with four settings for roasting beef or stews. It is available in two models in black, white, bisque, and stainless steel. GE. 800-626-2005. www.ge.com.
HOT 'N STEAMY: For home buyers who want true professional-style baking at home, the manufacturer's new Architect Series II built-in oven comes with steam assist technology. The company says the right amount of moisture at the right time enhances food flavors without the need to cover, baste, or mist food. Ovens are available in single, double, and combination configurations. KitchenAid. 800-422-1230. www.kitchenaid.com.
PRO STYLE: Aimed at home buyers who want professional-style appliances for less, Kenmore PRO includes a full line-up of products such as cooktops, range hoods, refrigerators, and the 30-inch dual fuel freestanding range shown here. Product features include stainless steel construction, heavy-duty knobs, temperature controls, and heavy-duty grates. Sears, Roebuck and Co. 800-349-4358. www.kenmore.com/PRO.
LOW DOWN: The 24-inch BL253 Lift Oven allows users to load and unload food much easier than a traditional oven, the manufacturer says. Mounted on the wall, the unit's glass ceramic base lowers to the countertop where items can be loaded or removed. Because heat rises, the lift operation results in minimal heat lost, and it increases safety as it eliminates the need to reach into a hot oven, the company adds. Gaggenau USA. 877-442-4436. www.gaggenau-usa.com.
If you were among the many visitors at this year's International Builders' Show in February, there is one question you should have been asking yourself: What's next for the major appliances category?
As the housing industry cools and builders reevaluate their strategies, the appliance industry is doing much of the same—identifying what trends and needs will drive tomorrow's consumer. Energy-efficient products that are long on style are hot, but what is the next level of efficiency? What will a shifting demographic of home buyers want in their houses tomorrow? What designs and innovations will they want?
One current trend that is likely to continue is the high-end look. The premium market—once home to names such as Viking, Sub Zero, and Gaggenau—is now filled with brands that are not typically associated with luxury. “As more and more Americans join the culinary craze that is making chefs celebrities and home cooks aspire to be like professional chefs, they also hunger for dream kitchens of their own,” says Sears, announcing its new Kenmore PRO line for consumers and builders. The line, the company says, “will help simplify meal preparation while satisfying [consumers'] cravings for professional performance and sleek design features—all without the five-star restaurant prices.”
It is not news that consumers want better-designed products that look expensive, but what is new is that they want to make that statement with home appliances that aren't necessarily visible to visitors in the home, says Benton Harbor, Mich.–based Whirlpool Corp. “Appliances are being celebrated as interior design focal points in the laundry room,” says Tania Aldous, studio director of the company's Global Consumer Design department. “Color in the laundry room is a relatively new phenomenon. We see consumers offered many more color choices that coordinate with a broader selection of existing home interiors as color choices expand.”
Perhaps the most popular color at the moment is green, and this is likely to continue. Though the movement toward energy-efficient appliances has been growing for many years, recent energy issues have made consumers more interested than ever in saving money. New Bern, N.C.–based Bosch recently unveiled a new ECOWASH “green” button option on its line of washers. A simple push of the “e-button” allows the unit to optimize heating cycles for greater efficiency. Energy efficiency is a big deal with many other companies.
“Given world interest in global warming, appliance manufacturers and essentially all building products manufacturers are touting their ‘green' stories,” says Lori Dolnick, a spokeswoman for Miele, a manufacturer of high-efficiency appliances. Dolnick continues, “However, what mass consumers are looking for in appliances likely crosses a variety of categories, and the basics still apply. They want performance and ease of use.”
There is one technology in particular that manufacturers hope will supply the efficiency, performance, and ease-of-use consumers want: induction cooking. Largely used in Europe, induction cooking uses electromagnetic energy to heat a pan while the cooking surface stays cool to the touch. “Featuring the flexibility and versatility of a gas cooktop, the responsiveness of the induction makes it much quicker and efficient, particularly when bringing a pot of water to boil or simmering sauces and stews,” says Thermador, announcing its new cooktop.
The technology is emerging as a viable option in the U.S. market—at least, manufacturers hope so—which is why it can be found on a whole slew of products from other manufacturers, such as Viking, Kuppersbusch, Electrolux, KitchenAid, and more. Induction appliances usually cost more than traditional electric and gas units, so it remains to be seen whether the technology will catch on with U.S. consumers.
For more product information, visit ebuild, Hanley Wood's interactive product catalog, at www.builderonline.com or www.ebuild.com.