Kitchens are the heart of a home and probably the space where clients have the strongest thoughts and opinions. I suppose that makes a lot of sense because it’s the one room in the house that everyone generally uses the most – both individually and in untold combinations with friends and family members.
Even if you don’t really cook.
I wrote a post on the Top Ten Modern Kitchen Design Trends back in September of 201o and to my great surprise, it is one of the most popular articles on this entire site. Not because the information isn’t good (it’s great by the way – 16 months later and it’s still relevant and current), it’s because I didn’t ever think that this site would turn out to be a resource on kitchen design.
This got me thinking that it was time to put together another kitchen post but this time focus on kitchen appliances. My office probably specifies between $500,000 and a million dollars worth of kitchen appliances a year and we have learned a few things along the way. To help round out this post (because I would like to have every one of these appliances in my own house), I asked some renown kitchen designers (who also happen to be trusted colleagues and my friends) to give me opinions on their favorite appliances. Surprisingly – or maybe not surprisingly – there were several appliances that ended up on everyone’s list.
In no particular order, the Top Kitchen Appliances for 2012 are:
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Gaggenau CX-491 – full surface induction cook-top
Gaggenau’s CX 491 full surface induction cook-top is the first induction cook-top to turn the entire surface into one large cooking area. Cookware of all shapes and sizes can be placed anywhere on the CX 491’s surface, which can accommodate up to four pots and pans simultaneously. Beneath by the glass ceramic surface are 48 closely-spaced, staggered micro-inductors. Unlike conventional large induction coils, this structure transforms the entire cook-top into one large cooking area.The intuitive controls are operated by an extra-large TFT touch display.
Of all the appliances on this list, this one is definitely the coolest.
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Thermador Masterpiece – cis365gb – induction cook-top
Includes the Thermadore exclusive – SensorDome™ – a retractable sensor that measures the heat of the pot. This unique retractable sensor utilizes an infrared beam that continuously measures the heat from the cookware to maintain the precise temperature needed. To take advantage of this feature, simply use your existing enamel-coated cookware or attach the included dishwasher-safe stickers onto non-enamel cookware.
Note: All the experts I spoke with had induction cook-tops on their list – every single one. We have been seeing our clients choose them more and more often and the market demand seems to be catching up with what these systems offer.
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Miele KF 1901 VI – Refrigerator/Freezer Combination
As far as refrigerators go, this one is about as stylistically clean as they come. A fully integrated appliance with loads of features – including “Remote Vision” which allows the fridge to tell a monitoring system that there is a problem so that it can be fixed before you have to throw away the contents of the interior. Great storage capacity, great interior visibility and “ClearView” lighting system –
with this unique halogen-based lighting system cascading from the top and sides of the appliance, blind or dark spots are eliminated, making it easy to see and access virtually all food items.
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Wolf CS024 – Convection Steam Oven
Delivering precise control is easy with a variety of steam, convection, and combination steam and convection cooking options. Unique technology senses the amount, size, and shape of food once an automatic mode has been selected. While cooking, it monitors the time, temperature, and environment, eliminating all guesswork in the kitchen. It is also a great looking appliance which sometimes counts more than it’s functionality … in this case you get both.
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Sub-Zero all refrigeration IC-27R and all freezer column IC-27FI
Electronic controls are up front and easy to use, flat to the ceiling bright lighting in cabinet and drawers, door alarm will alert you with an audible beep if the door is left ajar. The integrated design accepts custom wood panels. It has adjustable, spill-proof glass shelves and soft close crisper and deli drawers. This is one of the appliances that sets the Gold Standard for refrigerators and freezers.
If given the chance, I would do just about anything to get these into my own house … [sigh] When this site really started taking off, I had dreams of someone from Sub-Zero calling me and telling me
“Congratulations! We love you and your site and we are sending the IC-27R and 27FI to your house as we speak!”
It hasn’t happened because I would totally tell you if it did. It still remains a dream.
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GE Monogram – 48″ All Gas Professional Range – ZGP486NDRSS
This is a great range and one that we use all the time. It has an authentic professional appearance, sealed, dual-flame stacked burners, infrared broil burner and the largest all-gas professional oven capacity available (in the 48″ range size). If you cook big meals (or just want to look like you do) this is a fantastic appliance. Furthermore, until you’ve had a range-top griddle at your disposal to work with, you don’t know what you are missing.
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Miele Dishwasher – Diamond G 5975 SCSF
The quote from my expert pretty much says it all;
“Honestly, it gets no better than this machine. Between its configurable trays, brilliant interior lights and self-closing door, what more could anybody want. Oh yeah, it also cleans dishes really well.“
I have a Miele dishwasher in my house, it was the first appliance I swapped out when I moved into my current house. In fact, part of the reason I did it was I had to replace my dishwasher in my last house and I went with a Miele and I was so amazed at how well it performed, there was no way I was going back to another brand … it was that good.
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I would like to thank the following kitchen designers and appliance savants; they all gladly gave me their opinions freely which is saying something, most people have to pay to consult with theses experts! They are all very knowledgeable and maintain websites that generally contain the latest ideas and thinking when it comes to all things associated with the kitchen. Check them out: