Appliance Heaven
Speed, Convenience & Design

by Jane Kidder

One of the most exciting aspects of appliances is that they are always changing. Standard white has given way to a myriad of available colors; new ovens now have the capability of baking up to eight times faster than they could just 10 years ago; boxy, counter space-eating microwaves can be contained in sleek, new under-counter drawers; and refrigeration modules can be placed all over the house without anyone even realizing they are there! These are just a few of the features available to home owners, making their kitchens more efficient, easier to use and far more design-oriented.

Those of us who remember the ‘70s now laugh (or groan) when Avocado Green and Harvest Gold are mentioned—those colors were a thing of the distant past! But, guess what? Color is back in a big way. More and more manufacturers are offering full palettes of color from Lemonade to Plum, giving home owners the ability to showcase their personalities with every appliance in their houses. These new colors lend a vibrancy and excitement to the kitchen and also allow the home owner to incorporate far more dramatic tones in countertops, cabinets and flooring.

But the trends in appliances reach far deeper than just surface colors, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the plethora of new ovens available. Although all units still offer standard baking cycles, they now do so much more.

In recent years, manufacturers have become increasingly aware that customers no longer have the time to prepare meals in the same manner their parents and grandparents did. Still, they have high expectations for the food that their cooking appliances will produce. They want speed without—meals that are flavorful, colorful and maintain the texture of food cooked slowly by more traditional methods.

The industry’s first response to this new demand was the microwave—introduced in the late ‘70s with the promise that it would revolutionize the way America cooked. And it did, but not without some sacrifices. Although consumers loved the speed at which they could cook, the taste and texture of the food was often lacking.

Today, that problem has been solved. Now we have combination ovens, units that still utilize the speed that microwaves offer but partner that speed with convection heat and, in some cases, halogen light systems that retain natural flavor and consistency.

In addition, the quest for healthier food has brought the advent of cooking with steam. Although stovetop steamers are nothing new in the American kitchen, we now have available fully equipped steam ovens that can be installed into a wall or dropped into a countertop. These unique items give us the ability to cook a full meal in less than 15 minutes that, when served, is unparalleled in taste, texture and color while still maintaining the vitamins and minerals we all need.

And let’s not forget refrigeration. The last few years have brought us marvelous new innovations in classic, full-size refrigeration. No longer are we limited to the big white box standing in the kitchen. Instead, we can now own integrated models that can be fully concealed by cabinetry panels or under-counter refrigeration and freezers that can be tucked invisibly into niches throughout the house. These new modular concepts afford us the ultimate convenience of being able to quickly and easily access food and drinks no matter where we might be in our homes.

In 2008, speed, convenience and design are the watchwords of the appliance industry, and we, the consumer, are the fortunate recipients of these exciting and innovative trends.

How lucky we are!

Jane Kidder is a Showroom Sales associate at Westar Kitchen & Bath in Scottsdale, Arizona.