Appliance . net -- Home and Kitchen Appliances news, reviews, ratings, repair centers, store locator and community forums

Ranges, Ovens, Cooktops, Microwaves, Barbeques and everything else that really cooks

• Basic Appliance Care and Safety
  May 14th, 2008
  

  If you are lucky, you rarely need to pay much attention to the appliances that run, some of them 24 hours a day, in your home. But to keep everything trouble free, it’s good to follow some basic guidelines for care and safety when using or installing appliances in your home. Handymanclub.com offers some [...]

• Kelly Ripa helps bring Electrolux Kitchen Appliances to America
  May 9th, 2008
  

  Electrolux, known mostly for vacuums in the US is known in Europe for its premium appliances. This spring they are trying to make a splash here in the US with Kelly Ripa.

• KitchenAid Adds Induction Cooktops to Series
  May 5th, 2008
  

  KitchenAid, is now offering induction cooktops in its Architect Series II Collection. If you are not familiar with induction cooking and the difference between cooking with induction technology rather than conventional heating methods, you can read more about them in Conduction Cooking is Hot- and Cool and How Food Cooks - Conduction, Convection [...]

• KitchenAid”s New Retractable Down-Draft Vents
  April 29th, 2008
  

  KitchenAid is adding to their retractable down vent line by including 30 and 36 inch widths in their Architect Series II design line. Retractable vents are installed flush to the countertop behind the cooktop, pop up for use and retract out of sight when not in use. Many homeowners look for this type of vent [...]

• Miele’s New Line of Ventilation
  April 26th, 2008
  

  Debuting in February 2008 were five new island and wall ventilation hoods that increase Miele’s product offering to more than 30 hoods.  The four 30” - 48” width units are available in classic stainless steel or may be custom ordered in over 200 colors for the ultimate in design customization. An impressive 70” wide, double [...]

• KitchenAid Introduces First 30″ Five Burner Cooktop
  April 25th, 2008
  

  If you’ve been longing for an extra burner, but are short on counter space, KitchenAid offers their newest cooktop- a five burner that fits in a thirty inch space. Part of the new Architect Series II appliance collection, they will also be available in a thirty-six inch size if you have a bit more [...]

• High End Appliances - What are You Getting for Your Money?
  April 24th, 2008
  

  Stainless steel looks beautiful in the kitchen, but shine doesn’t necessarily equal performance. Do high end appliances (many with those gleaming finishes) really rate having such high price tags? Sometimes they really do. But that doesn’t mean you should rule out mid-priced options. As mid-priced manufacturers start adapting some of the features the pricier models [...]

• LG Appliance Rebate
  April 23rd, 2008
  

  If you have been considering buying a new kitchen appliance, now might be the time to act. LG is offering a rebate of up to $500 on their kitchen appliances. The deal starts at $250 for two appliances and goes up to the $500 if you buy four. You can outfit [...]

• Miele Unveils CombiSets- For Customized Cooking
  April 17th, 2008
  

  Miele will introduce an entirely new CombiSet assortment in Fall 2008. Miele CombiSets are unique units that stand alone or combine to fully customize any cooking surface, or even create multiple cooking stations.
  All CombiSet™ modules are matched to one another in terms of their design and functional characteristics so consumers can mix and match to [...]

• How to Pick an Energy Efficient Appliance
  April 9th, 2008
  

  If you are confused by the different claims of energy efficiency by appliance manufacturers, JamesDulley of the Detroit Free Press has some helpful advice.
  Depending upon the type of product and the fuel it uses, efficiency ratings can mean different things. Also, some manufacturers and/or salespeople play fast and loose with the accuracy of efficiency claims.
  A [...]

• Appliance Design Magazine’s Excellence in Design Winners Announced
  April 8th, 2008
  

  Appliance Design magazine has announced the winners of its 21st Annual Excellence in Design competition.
  Entrants were evaluated by an independent panel of three experts in the field of design. The products were judged by four criteria: aesthetics, human factors, innovation, and technical merits.
  Products were entered into one of several categories. The winning entries, listed by [...]

• Electrolux to Debut New Line of Premium Appliances in North America
  March 29th, 2008
  

   Called Electrolux, the new appliance line is set to debut on North American shores in spring 2008. Boasting a distinctive look with a curved front design and signature blue LED displays, the new European-designed collection from Electrolux also offers ingenious features such as advanced Wave-Touch™ controls, one touch and more than 60 controls appear and [...]

• Appliance Sales are Down
  March 24th, 2008
  

  Here’s some bad news for appliance dealers (if they haven’t already noticed the effect in their own markets)
   Twice.com reports that according to AHAM (Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers), January shipments of major appliances fell 17 percent to 3.9 million units compared with the 4.7 million major appliances sold during the year-ago period.
  Taking the biggest hit was the home-comfort [...]

• A Source for Antique Replica and Retro Style Kitchens
  March 18th, 2008
  

  If you are planning your new kitchen or remodel and have your heart set on a 1950s  or Victorian look, Elmira Stove Works will have you covered.  They have two product lines, Antique and Northstar which include ovens, dishwashers, refrigerators and more.
   
  Antique
  The Elmira Antique line adds the warmth and beauty of an antique, traditional, or country [...]

• LG and GE to Share Patents
  March 17th, 2008
  

  News from appliancemagazine.com a trade magazine, reports:
  LG Electronics has entered into a cross licensing agreement with GE Consumer & Industrial that will allow LG and GE to use one another’s patents for refrigerators and cooking appliances without paying licensing fees.
  “We believe that this licensing arrangement with GE will enhance our ability [...]

• Dacor Introduces New Wall Ovens
  February 26th, 2008
  

  Dacor introduced the new Renaissance Wall Oven in 36-in, 30-in, and 27-in widths for the Epicure and Millennia Collections, expanding the brand’s premium cooking appliance offerings.
  The new wall ovens exemplify Renaissance thinking with a design that celebrates the luxurious style of the classic wall oven combined with cutting-edge performance details, to create an appliance that [...]

• Bosch Dual Fuel Range Receives Top Ranking for the Fourth Time in a Row
  February 25th, 2008
  

  Bosch home appliances is proud to announce that its dual fuel Evolution 700 Series freestanding range has been ranked #1, for the fourth time in a row, by a leading consumer magazine. The entire Evolution™ Series of ranges offer an unmatched assortment of cooking and convenience features with clean, European styling and advanced engineering.
  Offering 4.6 [...]

• Plan for Spring - Viking’s Outdoor Gas Rangetop
  February 23rd, 2008
  

  Planning for spring?  Looking forward to meals in the backyard? When winter is wearing thin, planning for coming days of sun can cheer you up.  Viking’s outdoor gas rangetop can be a part of your outdoor kitchen.
  “Outdoor areas like gardens, decks and patios are now often considered rooms of the house. Since cooking and entertaining [...]

• Bosch Showcases Appliances that Offer Complete ECO Solutions at Builders’ Show 2008
  February 22nd, 2008
  

  Bosch showcases it most advanced lineup of kitchen and laundry appliances that offer complete ECO solutions at the 2008 International Builders’ Show. Bosch remains the undisputed leader with the ENERGY STAR qualification on all its models in every major appliance category that the program rates. With the most energy-efficient dishwashers [...]

• How Food Cooks - Conduction, Convection and Radiation
  February 21st, 2008
  

  If you are feeling scientific and have begun to wonder how it is that the microwave or convection oven really cooks your food, or even what good old fashioned heat is doing to your meal, we’ve found your answers.  At drdavescience.com, a PhD candidate with a flair for explaining the scientific tells us how it [...]

• Questions and Comments About Convection Ovens
  February 12th, 2008
  

  It seems lately that everyone is interested in convection cooking and that even though manufacturers have brought the technology to the simple toaster oven, many home cooks are still confused about how to use them.  The The Wichita Eagle fields some questions regarding convection oven use and has some simple advice.
  I almost never use the [...]

• J.D. Power Survey Shows Major Appliance Consumers are Happy
  February 7th, 2008
  

   WESTLAKE VILLAGE, CALIF. — J.D Power and Associates, the market research firm, said consumers are largely happy with the performance, features, styling and price of their major appliances.According to the results of its 2007 Major Home Appliances Study, only one in 10 consumers report some kind of problem with their major appliance during the first two years [...]

• Jenn-Air’s Convenience Oven
  January 24th, 2008
  

  Sometimes all you need is a little extra help. Jenn-air’s convenience oven is just 22 inches high with a 1.2 cubic foot interior. It would be just the thing for a mini kitchen in a guest house or family room. It can bake, broil, toast or warm and the small interior heats up more quickly [...]

• Bosch NES Electric Cooktop = Easy Cleaning
  January 22nd, 2008
  

  If you hate cleaning around knobs, the Bosch NES electric cooktop could be the cook top for you. It solves that fussy work with one dial, the mTwisT. This removable dial, held in place by a magnet under the ceramic glass, does it all. Select an element on the touch-through glass panel, then rotate [...]

• Gaggenau’s Teppan Yaki
  January 18th, 2008
  

  This is an interesting idea, but I think for most of us, it remains that- an idea. Gaggenau has created a restaurant style griddle just like those used in Asian restaurants, it is recessed and has a direct-fry surface. Two heat zones adjust from 122 to 482 degrees Fahrenheit; sear meats and warm vegetables at [...]

• Cooktop + Microwave
  January 16th, 2008
  

  Sharp makes the Insight Pro Cooktop+Microwave Drawer Combination Unit, combining all the advantages of the Microwave Drawer Oven with a sleek electric cooktop in only 30 inches of space. This space-saving 2-in-1 cooking center eliminates steps between appliances and creates a highly efficient traffic pattern. It is an ideal companion to wall ovens.The glass ceramic [...]

• Shopping Tips - Save Money, be Satisfied
  January 7th, 2008
  

  Once you’ve read through our articles on choosing a kitchen appliance and have narrowed down your decision, it’s time to shop.  A good place to start is with your budget.  Knowing what you feel comfortable spending and sticking close to that number will help you to enjoy your new purchases.  One good way to stay [...]

• Choosing Kitchen Appliances - Ovens, Cooktops and Hoods
  December 29th, 2007
  

  Choosing new appliances is one of the biggest decisions homeowners make when remodeling their kitchens. You can’t make a good choice if you don’t know what’s available and what suits your needs. here’s some advice on choosing your oven or cooktop from appliance.net and HowStuffWorks.com
  First, ovens:
  The traditional range or stove, a single unit with [...]

• In Kitchen Design, Appliances Come First
  December 24th, 2007
  

  We spend so much time in the kitchen during the holiday season. Families gather for dinner and inevitably a large group gathers in the kitchen. This gets us to thinking that we need a larger, prettier, or more usable space. That’s likely why so many kitchen remodels take place after the holidays. If you are [...]

• Whirlpool Aims for Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  December 21st, 2007
  

  If you are shopping for eco-friendly appliances, here’s some good news from Twice.com:
  Whirlpool will increase its commitment to environmentally-sound business practices by reducing total greenhouse gas emissions 6.6 percent by 2012, the company announced last week. The world’s largest majap maker will make these global, voluntary reductions while at the same time increasing production by [...]

• Keeping Stainless Steel Clean
  December 13th, 2007
  

  Stainless appliances are popular right now, but they are difficult to keep clean.  Fingerprints and smudges are a constant challenge. Consumer Reports tested six stainless steel cleaners, trying both wipes and sprays.
  When it comes to smudgy fingerprints, the tests showed all the cleaners do a good job removing them. But beware of claims [...]

• Cook Safely This Holiday Season
  November 19th, 2007
  

  With the joy of the holidays comes the joy of delicious food- and someone has to cook it.  If that someone is you, you might want to take a look at the Association of Home Appliances Manufacturers (AHAM)safety page.  There, you can order brochures, read safety tips and learn facts like these:

  The range-top was involved in [...]

• Induction Cooking is Hot- and Cool
  November 16th, 2007
  

  Induction cooking has been around for a while, but it seems that in North America it is just beginning to assert itself.  I’ve recently learned more about how the technology works from some helpful sites. 

  At choice.com.au they offer a clear explanation about the magnetic fields:
  Each ‘element’ (an induction coil) generates a magnetic field that induces heat in steel cookware [...]

• Downsizing? Some Choice Advice for Baby-Boomers
  November 13th, 2007
  

  As the population ages, many people choose to move to smaller homes or condos for ease of maintenance.  Some Baby-Boomers are purchasing smaller, second homes that can become retirement homes in the future. 
  Marriette Mifflin at about.com advises:
  Take a serious look at your appliances, large and small, and consider their age, general condition, capacity, performance, and [...]

• You Probably Don’t Need That Extended Warranty
  November 9th, 2007
  

  Straight from PR Newswire: J.D. Power and Associates Reports: High Reliability of Major Home Appliances May Reduce Need for Extended Warranties
  According to J.D. Powers and Associates 2007 Major Home Appliance Study, most major appliances these days are quite reliable, yet many consumers continue to purchase extended warranties.
  The study measures customer satisfaction in nine segments of [...]

• Cooking in Full Color
  November 7th, 2007
  

  Homeowners who add high end appliances to their kitchens have for years acknowledged stainless steel as the premium finish for appliances according to appliance magazine.  But now “more consumers are daring to commit to vibrant color on kitchen fixtures, and colorful alternatives to stainless ranges are becoming common.”
  Dacor launched a colored-glass front on its wall ovens three [...]

• How to Buy a Cooktop
  October 25th, 2007
  

  Gas or electric? Smooth top or coils?  We’ll help you sort out your options.
  Features and Frills:

  Popular finishes: stainless steel and black; followed by white and bisque.  An oiled bronze finish is also newly available as is a ”clean” steel which doesn’t show fingerprints.
  Some models offer more than one type of burner- induction plus electric or gas, plus [...]

• Cooktop vs. Conventional Range
  October 24th, 2007
  

  Are you trying to decide whether a conventional range or cooktop would work better for you?  If you have the space for either option and are unsure which would best suit your needs, here are some thoughts to consider:
  Cooktop:
  Pros:

  Flexibility- can be built into any countertop.
  Optional burner configurations and add- on such as griddles and grills

  Cons:

  Can be [...]

• Recycle Responsibly
  October 21st, 2007
  

  Reuse, recycle, save energy- These ideas are ones many of us try to do daily.  There is one way we may not have thought of before- disposing of an old appliance properly.  Appliance Recycling Centers of America estimates that 55 million appliances will be removed from service this year.  If yours is one of them, be [...]

• The Right Appliance for You
  October 10th, 2007
  

  Do you find that you are drawn to a certain brand of appliance again and again?  Did your mother always rely on one brand of washer and dryer?  Whirlpool is aware of consumers conscious and unconscious preferences for specific appliances.
  For every Whirlpool Corporation brand - including Whirlpool®, Maytag®, KitchenAid®, Jenn-Air®, Amana® and Gladiator® GarageWorks - [...]

• Viking Goes Commercial
  September 30th, 2007
  

   ”Viking doesn’t make commercial ranges?”  That has been the response to my very informal survey when people learn that Viking Corporation has recently announced their plan to release a line of commercial appliances.
  Viking Range Corporation who originated ultra-premium commercial-type appliances for the indoor and outdoor kitchen has announced their intention to enter the commercial market.
  The Viking [...]

• High End Appliances - Chef Included
  September 5th, 2007
  

  If you have recently spent some time feeling baffled by the many options on a new appliance, you are not alone. Some folks have even sought help with their entire kitchen. Maybe not a bad idea. The Los Angeles Times writes:
  With sophisticated, professional-quality appliances and high-design gizmos going into residential kitchens, many would-be home [...]

• The $2,000 Digital Post-it Note
  August 21st, 2007
  

  Are folks really willing to pay for what they say they want in an appliance?  Apparently not.  The OC Register has some thoughts on cool but pricy features that are appearing on kitchen  appliances.
  In 2002, for example, Whirlpool Corp. introduced Polara, which combined refrigeration with a convection oven. Polara would keep a casserole cool until a [...]

• SuperSize Me - Kitchen appliances to do a hummer proud
  June 27th, 2007
  

  I was visiting a friend a few weeks ago who has recently finished a home remodel in West Los Angeles. He and his wife turned their 1500 square foot bungalow into a 4000 square foot family home. I stood in their kitchen looking at their double wide refrigerator (literally, double wide.) [...]

• Recall: Thermador Ceramic Cooktops - Fire Hazard
  June 7th, 2007
  

  WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. Product: Thermador® Brand Ceramic Cooktops
  Units: About 2,000
  Manufacturer: BSH Home Appliances Corp. of Huntington Beach, Calif.
  Hazard: The cooktop can come [...]

• Kitchen Appliance News - August 2006
  August 15th, 2006
  

  When there were three major TV networks, appliances were fewer and simpler. WJAC-TV has an article Kitchen Appliance Features You Need and Don’t Need which helps you to decide which features should you pay for, and which ones should you forget?
  For ranges:
  For electric ranges, smooth glass surfaces are better because the coils on older [...]

• I just gotta have that vintage appliance part
  June 22nd, 2006
  

  What are you gonna do when you just have to have a Vintage 1970’s Mixmaster Governor Assembly? The great thing about the internet and search is that you can find most anything. But how do you know the information is reliable? Came across a great little site called Davesrepair.com run by Dave [...]