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choosing a Kitchen Appliance

Beautiful Choice for Range Hoods

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If you are planning a kitchen remodel and want a range hood that is a true focal point of your kitchen, Metellao Arts may have what you’re looking for.

They make classic hand-painted metal range hoods that  are “designed to look stunning in every setting from traditional to contemporary. ” Instead of a standard custom copper, brass, or wood range hood that would take months to build, they offer handcrafted metal hoods that ship within six weeks and cost around the same as a high-end production model range hood.

We’ve never worked with them, but the hoods look great:

 

 

 

 

 

 

They also seem to have a sense of humor:

Tops in Customer Satisfaction

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According to a new study by J.D.Powers and associates, Customer satisfaction was highest among owners of LG and Samsung washer and dryers than other brands.

This is LG’s third consecutive year in the firm’s 2008 Laundry Appliances Study, while Samsung ranked highest among all clothes dryer manufacturers.

The study measured customer satisfaction with washers and dryers based on performance in six factors: ease of use; features (such as the number of settings available and appliance capacity); performance (including energy efficiency, noise level and how well the appliance functions); styling and feel; warranty; and value.

According to Twice.com, LG achieved a score of 831 on a 1,000-point scale, performing particularly well in four of six factors: performance, features, ease of use, and styling. Following closely in the washer rankings with a score of 829 was Samsung, which performed consistently well across all factors. Sears’ Kenmore Elite brand ranked third with a score of 819, performing well in the ease of use and features factors.

Samsung scored highest in customer satisfaction with clothes dryers (833), performing particularly well in the performance and warranty factors. LG followed Samsung in the rankings with a score of 829, scoring high in ease of use, styling and feel, and features. Kenmore Elite followed with a score of 815.

The study found that while effective cleaning or drying performance is the most important driver of overall satisfaction, energy efficiency is also critical to the majority of consumers (see story above). Laundry appliance owners also cited capacity and price as the two most important considerations in selecting a washer or dryer, J.D. Power reported.

Modern Fridge or Range with an Antique Look

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If you want your new, ultra modern refrigerator to match your classic, antique style kitchen decor, Restart Srl appliances located in Antella near Florence, right in the heart of Tuscany has just what you need.

Restart Srl makes personalized refrigerators with old styled brass finishing for different styles of kitchens in accordance to the particular architectural style of each house. Built around the best modern brands, including Liebherr, Amana and General Electric, these refrigerators, meet the highest energy saving parameters.

They also make range cookers, built-in ovens and hobs which effortlessly combine antique and classic looks with modern technology ensuring performance, functionality and safety, while giving your kitchen a unique look. Restart built-in ovens and hobs are made by ILVE. The ovens are air-cooled, multifunction and programmable and are also equipped with a heat-insulating triple cold glass to ensure excellent performance and to reduce power consumption. The oven window is typically covered with an antiqued brass or copper door allowing food cooking eye-control, and giving them the touch of Restart’s classic old-style. Cooking hobs, enriched with heavy cast iron gratings, are equipped with handle-knobs electric ignition and safety flame devices. All copper and brass are treated with an exclusive natural oxidation coating process, concurring to obtain the antique look of Restart appliances.

Liebherr Engineers Re-Invent the 36” Luxury Refrigerator

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If you haven’t heard of Liebherr appliances, you might soon. Liebherr, a premium appliance designer from Germany, has recently introduced a 36′ refrigerator specifically designed for the North American market.
The 2062 Series is available in freestanding (CS 2062), stainless integrated (HCS 2062) and
fully integrated (HC 2062) models. This new size means that Liebherr now has every
possible refrigeration size available in North America including 24”, 30”, 36”, 48”, 60” and 72”
configurations.
Key features include:
• Stylish French doors allowing for better clearance than side-swing doors
• Dual refrigeration system, with separate super efficient variable speed
compressors for the refrigerator and the freezer
Liebherr – New 36” Refrigerator
Page 2
www.liebherr-appliances.com
• Double freezer drawers on telescopic rails and a new air flow system
• Revolutionary new LED light columns and enhanced vegetable drawer and
freezer drawer LED illumination
• Icemaker features most technically advanced water filter available for
household appliances
• An increased capacity icemaker that can produce 3.5 lbs of ice in 24 hours
and store up to 7 lbs of ice
• An enhanced Power Cooling system for improved chilling performance
• New, elegant Glass Line 6 mm thick shelving that withstands up to 180 lbs
• Complies with the new ENERGY STAR® guidelines for maximum efficiency
coming into effect as of April 2008.
“The 36 inch is not a common size in Europe, yet it is the most popular size in the luxury
category here in North America,” stated Marc Perez, Vice President, Liebherr North America.
“Weʼve been working diligently to offer this size in our North American product line, and Iʼm
confident that this product will exceed all expectations,” adds Perez.

Sub-Zero’s New Refrigerators Help Reduce Food Waste

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A recent study from the University of Arizona, along with internal research, suggests that the average U.S. household throws out well in excess of $500 worth of fruits, vegetables, leftovers and other food items every year due to spoilage. Much of this waste can be reduced by proper refrigeration, the reduction of ethylene gas in the refrigerator, and food storage education.

“With prices on the rise for so many food items at the supermarket, and as people make fewer visits to the store because of increased gas prices, it’s more important than ever before to keep food from spoiling in the refrigerator,” said Christopher Parr, consumer marketing manager for Sub-Zero, Inc. “Our new built-in refrigeration series includes several features to help combat this problem.”

Like all Sub-Zero refrigerators, the new built-in includes a freshness preservation system, which is a dual-compressor operating system that separately controls the temperature and humidity of the refrigerator and freezer compartments, and holds preset temperatures within a plus-or-minus one-degree. This precise, independent control of the refrigerator and freezer compartments ensures the highest air quality and therefore, fresh food and energy efficiency. Other refrigerators utilize just one compressor to push air from the freezer into the refrigerator, and this recycled air from the freezer compartment contributes to the drying and decay of fresh foods.

Sub-Zero’s new built-in series also includes an advanced air purification system that “scrubs” the entire volume of air in the refrigerator an average of once every 20 minutes. This purification system significantly reduces odors, viruses and bacteria – as well as the ethylene gases present in some foods that cause premature ripening and, ultimately, food spoilage. Some fresh foods, such as apples, naturally emit ethylene gas, which will make carrots in the refrigerator taste bitter and leafy vegetables decay faster.

Another feature of the built-in series is its new water filtration system. Sub-Zero created one of the most-advanced water filtration systems in the industry, designed to significantly reduce contaminants such as viruses and bacteria that may be present in water and ice. Most refrigeration water filters typically reduce chlorine and sediment, but Sub-Zero’s new design takes filtration a step further. The new microbiological water filter preserves the fresh taste of clean water and ice.

Proper food storage is also essential to ensure that foods stay as fresh as possible. Sub-Zero’s built-in units offer a freshness guide within the refrigerator that provides easy-access reference to proper storage for fruits, vegetables and leftovers. Advice featured on the card is based on research conducted by food scientists at the University of California, Davis. A second card offers important use-and-care information so owners can truly understand how to care for their food within the refrigerator.

“People often forget that certain foods shouldn’t be placed within proximity of each other in the refrigerator,” added Parr. “Our new freshness guide offers easy-to-understand tips and reminders that can make a big difference in keeping food fresh.”

These storage tips, along with guides on how to select high quality fruits and vegetables, and other helpful information are also featured on a recently launched Web site to support the launch of the Sub-Zero built-in series, www.subzerofresh.com. The site also gives users an expanded look at the refrigerator’s new features and allows virtual interaction with its capabilities.

Dishwashers Save Time and Water

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It’s official, running a fully loaded dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand. If you use an Energy Star rated dishwasher you will save even more. An replacing an older dishwasher with a newer Energy Star rated dishwasher can save you about $30 dollars a year in energy costs too.
According to Frigidairee appliances:
If you still wash your dishes by hand, you’re probably wasting more than just your valuable time. Over an average eleven-year lifespan, Energy Star qualified dishwashers can save 55,000 gallons of water (that’s a lifetime supply of drinking water for more than four people) or $465 in energy and water bills (that’s like getting a 15-year supply of dishwasher detergent).

Here are some additional savings that come with upgrading to an Energy Star dishwasher:

Save Time:
Using an Energy Star qualified dishwasher instead of handwashing will save nearly 10 days of your time each year. So stop scrubbing – just load and go!
Dishwashers today don’t require pre-rinsing of dishes before loading. Pre-rinsing doesn’t necessarily improve cleaning and wastes water. Just scrape off food and liquids – the dishwasher will do the rest.

Save Money:
Cut your energy and water bills by more than $40 per year compared to handwashing.
You can save $465 in energy and water bills over the life of an Energy Star dishwasher compared to washing dishes by hand.

Save Energy:
Use half as much energy as washing by hand.
Fill your dishwasher to full capacity to get maximize the energy used to run it. Most of the energy used by a dishwasher goes to heat water. Since you can’t decrease the amount of water used per cycle, fill your dishwasher to get the most from the energy used to run it.

Save Water:
Use nearly 5,000 gallons less water per year, compared to washing dishes by hand.
Run your dishwasher only on the cycle necessary for the task to conserve water

Reduce Noise:
Energy Star qualified dishwashers run 50% more quietly than 10-year old models.

Help the Environment:
Less energy means less pollution and greenhouse gases in the environment. Less water consumption helps protect our lakes, streams and oceans.
Stay away from the heat-dry, rinse-hold and pre-rinse features and try the air-dry option instead.

You can read more here about choosing a Frigidaire dishwasher.

Save Energy and Save Money or Not?

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Energy costs are going up and we’re surrounded by warnings of global warming.  What’s a conscien-tious consumer to do?  Buy an energy efficient appliance of course.

From washing machines that use steam instead of hot water, to refrigerators that use low-energy compressors, to low-power computer screens, electronics companies are furiously developing energy-efficient products and heavily promoting lines already on the market that use less electricity than competitors’ brands.

Homemakers are increasingly buying front-load washing machines, which use gravity to move water instead of agitators as in top loaders.

And now, new washers from LG Electronics and Whirlpool offer an option to use steam instead of hot water, cutting water and power use by more than 70 percent compared with some top-load models.

LG expects 4 out of 10 front-load washers it sells in North America to use steam technology by the end of this year, compared with 2 out of 10  currently.

Their biggest appliance plant in South Korea makes mostly front loaders, while recently built plants like one in Russia have stopped manufacturing top loaders altogether.

Among refrigerators, which consume 30 percent of overall power in a typical home, traditional compressors are giving way to linear compressors that use up to 40 percent less power and make less noise.

In the computing industry, power-saving has long been a key priority as bigger and hungrier gadgets challenge battery life.  PC makers from Apple to the Lenovo Group are replacing screens lit by conventional cold cathode fluorescent lamps with light emitting diode (LED) displays.  “LED saves up to 40 percent of the power used in traditional backlights,” said Jeff Kim, an analyst at Hyundai Securities. “Next year they will be commonly found in notebook screens, and will be increasingly used in TV panels from 2010.”

But too often, these energy-efficient products carry a hefty price premium to reflect the cost of developing new technologies, which in turn hampers faster adoption.  For instance, Whirlpool’s washing machines with steam are sold at $1,300 to $1,500, compared with a traditional machine priced at $700.  Still, makers argue that the lifetime savings from green products could amount to the price of the appliance itself.

Sometimes a little incentive helps.

The Japanese electronics retailer Bic Camera is running a campaign in which buyers of eco-friendly products get extra credit points that can be used for future purchases. “That’s a little nudge to help people buy products that are more efficient, even if they are slightly more expensive,” said Naoko Ito, a Bic Camera spokeswoman. “Consumer interest is high.”

Whirlpool’s New SpeedCook Oven

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Whirlpool’s New SpeedCook combines a microwave with a true convection oven and range hood.  The  SpeedCook appliance is a True Convection oven, a g2Max® SpeedCook oven, a  microwave and a steamer all in one. 

 Typically, microwave ovens operate on HIGH power only. For example, to achieve a 50% power level (“medium”) in a typical microwave oven, the microwave oven operates 50% of the time at HIGH power and 50% of the time OFF.  In contrast,  this microwave system delivers the selected power level continuously. This constant stream of microwave power helps to minimize overcooking of foods and messy food spatters.

The microwave system features the 6th SENSE™ cooking system. A humidity sensor in the microwave oven cavity detects moisture and humidity emitted from food as it heats. The sensor adjusts cooking times to various types and amounts of food. Sensor cooking takes the guesswork out of microwave cooking.

A 1,000-watt halogen bulb with a 500-watt quartz bulb to serve as the grill element for various cooking functions.  This allows browning which is not usually possible in a microwave.

The oven’s convection system is composed of a convection element, which heats in conjunction with the convection fan for true convection cooking. The system is embedded in the wall of the microwave oven cavity, behind the protective screen.

On the outside, a glass LCD screen makes programming simple and easily visible. You can choose from a handy 30-second cook option and many resets to cook different sorts of food. There are also speed cook, “keep warm,” and childproof options on the oven.  Other options include the option to turn off the turntable and instructions for using the oven to proof a loaf of bread.

This sounds like a real multipurpose appliance.  It retails starting at $919.

Are You Using LPG or Natural Gas?

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The last time you bought a new gas appliance- grill, dryer or range for example, you were likely asked what type of gas you used in your home.  Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or natural gas are both used to power those and other household appliances,but they have different properties and will be used differently in an appliance.

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),  is a product of crude oil distillation. It contains mostly propane, or C3H8. Propane has the nice property that, when you compress it, it condenses into a liquid. This means that it is much easier to store in a tank than natural gas, which does not easily compress.

Natural gas is just that — natural. If you sink a well in the right spot, natural gas flows out of the ground. It is mostly methane, or CH4.

Howstuffworks.com offers further explanation:

You can see the difference between natural gas and LPG most easily when you buy a gas stove. Normally, you are supplied with two sets of jets, one set for natural gas and one set for LPG. You install one jet in each burner. The jet is simply a little screw-in cap with a hole drilled into it. The difference is that the hole in the jet for natural gas is bigger — about twice as big — as the hole in the jet for LPG.

The reason for this difference is because LPG contains much more energy than natural gas. A cubic foot of natural gas contains something like 1,000 BTU (British Thermal Units) of energy. A cubic foot of propane contains perhaps 2,500 BTU. You can see that if you take a gas appliance set up for natural gas and then run it on LPG, the appliance is going to run more than twice as hot. In the case of a water heater , it is apparently hot enough to start a fire.

So, the seemingly simple question of what type of gas fuels your home, can be an important piece of fire safety information for protecting you and your family.

KitchenAid Introduces its Quietest Dishwasher Yet

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KitchenAid is now offering its quietest dishwasher ever. Featuring the new EQ™ Wash System and Whisper Quiet Ultima Sound Insulation System, this latest KitchenAid undercounter dishwasher is exceptionally quiet with a sound rating of only 48 dBA, or decibels, a level close to that of a quiet room (40 decibels) and well below a moderate rainfall (60 decibels).

The EQ™ Wash System provides optimal cleaning performance and noise reduction while also saving water and energy. The system features a true variable speed motor that helps to minimize operating noises by starting slowly and adjusting its operating capacity to deliver the power needed based on the wash cycle. Alternating wash zones focus the washing action while using less water and energy for high performance cleaning. A three-stage filtration system captures food particles as the water circulates within the dishwasher to maximize efficiency of its pump. For enhanced drying performance, the interior of the dishwasher is heated by a dedicated drying element.

“In addition to being our quietest, our latest dishwasher is 58% more efficient than

Energy Star standards,” notes Debbie O’Connor, Senior Manager of Brand Experience for KitchenAid. “Beyond being Energy Star qualified, it also has an efficiency designation from the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), making it eligible for energy rebates in select states.”

Additional features include a welded tall tub with a stainless steel interior, a premium feature found throughout the entire KitchenAid dishwasher line. Other innovations include a ProScrub® Option that provides concentrated cleaning during the normal wash cycle for harder to clean items like casserole dishes with baked on food. An Optimum Wash Sensor adjusts the wash cycle to specific water conditions for maximum cleaning efficiency.

A culinary tool rack, an adjustable and removable upper rack, fold-down cup shelves, an extra-large silverware basket with three lids and a Sure-Hold® Small items pouch offer great versatility in accommodating a variety of dishwasher loads.

Available in stainless steel, white, black or a panel-ready model for a custom panel, the new dishwasher model will carry suggested retail prices of $1,449 for the stainless steel model,
$1,299 for the black or white models and $1,399 for the panel ready model.