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Home appliances represent a major purchase for most families and something around which the kitchen is usually designed; consequently, most people purchase appliances about every 10 years, at most. A lot can change in just a few years these days, thanks to technology’s rapid development. The chances are excellent that today’s home appliances are very different from the last set you purchased. Here are a few of the hottest trends in home appliances today. Induction Cooking Considered one of the biggest appliance trends in years, induction cooking looks to be the way of the future. This technology uses electromagnetic energy transfer to heat the pan itself (and thus the food), rather than the cooktop. With induction, you get the benefit of virtually instantaneous response that gas cooking offers but with the energy efficiency provided by electric cooking. Nothing burns onto the cooktop itself because it never gets hot, which also ups the safety factor. This technology is energy efficient and any cooking pot or pan that will stick to a magnet can be used. Dual Evaporator Refrigerators Dual evaporator refrigerators feature a separate evaporator (cooling unit) for both refrigerator and freezer. The advantages include not having the entire unit fail if there is a mechanical problem, not having fluctuations in one side if the other is open, and, as the exhaust systems are separate, your ice will never take on the smell or flavor of the fish you have in the fridge. Food stays fresher longer because the humidity levels in the fresh food cabinet remain higher, not having to share its air flow with the colder, freezer section. Steam Self-Cleaning Oven The concept of high heat self-cleaning ovens (known appropriately as pyrolytic cleaning) is rapidly disappearing, thanks to the host of problems this technology caused. Range controls would melt from the high degree of heat (usually above 700 degrees F), smoke detectors would routinely be set off, and incidents of people being overcome by fumes were common. Today, steam self-cleaning ovens are made with a special enamel interior surface coating that, when exposed to low-heat steam, releases dirt and stains. Steam cleaning is faster and doesn’t give off fumes; however, some critics say it doesn’t work as well as pyrolytic cleaning for baked-on substances. French Top Burners Only recently incorporated into home appliances, the French top (also called French plates or French burners) features a series of concentric cast iron ring cover plates on the stove top, above a high-powered gas burner. Some, all, or none of the rings can be removed to expose the burner’s heat directly to a pan. Otherwise, if all the rings are left in place, many smaller pans can be placed on the smooth top surface. The heat is mostly concentrated toward the center of the French burner, allowing the home cook to prepare more delicate sauces further way from the heat. Some ranges offer a combination of regular, open burners with a center French plate. These and other trends in home appliances are meant to offer more choices when purchasing home appliances. Although many people prefer to do their own research online today, there is no substitute for consulting with an industry expert. Find a local home appliance dealer in your area for a review of products that are available so that you are an informed shopper.
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home appliances, induction cooking, dual evaporator refrigerators, steam self-cleaning ovens, french top burners, stoves, ovens, dishwasher,
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