Kenmore Combo Grill
The Kenmore Combo Grill allows you to use it as a closed grill, ideal for pressing paninis, or an open grill to double the size of its grilling surface. Its double hinge allows for even grilling and toasting of foods of all thicknesses. The grill's 13-inch by 11-inch removable non-stick plates are dishwasher safe.
Saeco Primea Espresso Machine
Saeco's Primea automatic espresso machines integrate the milk frothing inside the machine, making it easy to prepare cappuccinos, macchiatos and other drinks. On the Primea Ring, users make their selections via an interactive click wheel and LCD screen, while the Primea Touch Plus has a 2-inch color touch screen. Both machines have a ceramic disc grinder for grinding coffee.
KitchenAid Countertop Oven
In addition to a new standard countertop oven (available in 10-, 12- and 13-inch sizes), KitchenAid is introducing one model with convection (12- and 13-inch sizes) and a third with both convection and steam-assisted cooking (in a 13-inch size only). The steam model also includes digital controls, pre-programmed cook times and a 13-inch pizza stone. Dishwasher-safe drip pans, a bake temperature of up to 450 degrees, warming functions and 120-minute timers all add large-appliance functionality.
Preserve the Coffee Beans' Aroma and Flavor
Courtesy of KitchenAid
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Coffee tastes best when made from freshly ground beans. For best results, the size of the grounds should differ based on the brewing method: drinks made with shorter brewing times should use finer grounds; espresso needs a fine grind; drip and percolated coffee require medium grinds; and French presses work best with coarse grinds.
More expensive, larger coffeemakers have grinders built into them, but separate grinders can be purchased for anywhere from $10 to $200. On the cheaper end of the scale you have blade grinders; on the higher side you have burr grinders.
Blade grinders use a sharp metal blade to chop whole coffee beans into grounds. To get smaller grounds, you run the grinder for a longer period of time. Made from plastic or stainless steel, these grinders are shaped like cylinders, with a motor at the base of the container and a lid on top. They typically make 12 to 21 tablespoons of grounds.
Pros
- Affordable
- Small, good for drip coffee makers
- Produce enough grounds for six to 10 cups
- Can be used for grinding spices and herbs
Cons
- Size of the grounds varies, which affects brewing quality
- Heat generated by the blade can burn the grounds, affecting taste
- Not recommended for espresso machines
- Don't make enough grounds for larger coffee pots
Burr grinders, also called burr mills, use a rotary tool to crush whole coffee beans into grounds. You have a choice of two types, a wheel burr grinder or a conical burr grinder.
Wheel burr grinders have a horizontal metal wheel or disc that revolves against another, stationary wheel. The space between the two burrs determines the size of the grounds and usually can be adjusted. The wheel spins anywhere from 10,000 to 30,000 rotations per minute.
Pros
- Create less heat than blade grinders
- More affordable than conical burr grinders
- Produce consistently sized small grounds
- Good for espresso machines
Cons
- Noisier and messier than conical burr grinders
- Create more heat than conical burr grinders
Conical burr grinders have intricately designed steel burrs that can run at a speed below 500 rotations per minute. Both the size of the grounds and the time it takes to grind the beans can be adjusted.
Pros
- Quietest
- Retain the most flavor and aroma in the coffee
- Stay cool
- Least likely to clog with oily or flavored coffee beans
- Produce the most consistent grounds
- Work well with any type of coffee maker
Cons
- Most expensive
- Larger and take up more space
Kenmore Elite Portable Induction Cooker
The Kenmore Elite 1,500-watt portable induction cooker provides even heat distribution and comes with a 12-inch stainless steel and aluminum sauté pan. The blue LED bars indicate when power is on, and the touch screen control panel provides instant heat adjustment for painless flameless cooking.
KitchenAid Toaster
The new KitchenAid Pro Line toaster collection features an auto-sensing function that automatically lowers bread to begin toasting, and after toast is finished, re-lowers the toast to keep it warm if it has not been removed. Additional features found on most models include a defrost button, LCD digital displays, and a progress bar that counts down toasting time. All models feature extra-wide slots with a bagel button that toasts just the interior side of the bagel and a high-lift lever that minimizes burnt fingers. Available in two- and four-slice versions.
Viking Professional Hand Blender
The Viking hand blender can blend and chop everything from soups to smoothies to coffee beans with a professional-grade 300-watt motor. Two-speed pulse control offers flexible performance and automatic safety shut off. The blender comes with a blending attachment, stainless steel whisk and 35-ounce mixing cup with lid. A chopper attachment is optional.
A Space-Saving Option
Courtesy of Maytag
A combination washer and dryer work well in homes with limited space.
Two types of products fall under the washer-dryer combo heading: laundry centers and all-in-one washer dryers. These laundry appliances typically are used in homes where space is an issue.
Laundry Centers
Often found in apartments, condominiums and other multi-family housing, laundry centers are the more common option. They're also known as stacked washer-dryer units.
Rather than consisting of two separate components, a laundry center is just one appliance, with a top-loading washer on the bottom and a gas or electric dryer on top. It can be full sized (27 inches) or compact (24 inches).
All-in-One Washer-Dryers
With an all-in-one washer-dryer, clothes are washed and then dried in the same tub. These products have been more popular outside the United States, where homes are smaller and many homeowners prefer to line dry most items.
In addition to being used in apartments, condominiums and other multi-family housing, all-in-one models are good for homes that do not offer dryer venting to the outdoors.
The Cost of Washers & Dryers
Courtesy of Washer-Dryer.edu.ms
Capacity and loading functionality are two things that can affect the price of your washer and dryer.
As with all appliances, you'll find that the more features your washer and dryer offer, the higher the price. For both types of laundry appliances, you will find a big range between the high and low end of the price spectrum. Washing machines cost between $250 and $2,050; dryers cost anywhere from $200 to $1,750.
Clothes Washer Prices
An average top-load washer with capacity over 3 cubic feet, three main temperatures and multiple cycles, and a plastic tub, will cost between $275 and $450. The matching dryer will cost about the same, although gas dryers are always more expensive than electric dryers.
Features such as a stainless steel tub, Energy Star qualification, detergent or bleach dispenser and additional cycles can take you up to about $650 in a top-loading washer.
The most expensive top-loaders are those that use an alternative technology rather than an agitator to wash clothing. They cost anywhere from $800 to $1,300.
Front-loading washers start at about $500 and typically cost at least $300 more than a similar top loader. In general, a high-end front loader with large stainless steel tub, electronic controls, a dozen cycles and more, easily costs $1,000.
Compact washers range from $200 for a tiny portable model to about $2,050 for a 24-inch, front-loading Energy Star washing machine with stainless steel exterior and tub and a dozen wash cycles.
Clothes Dryer Prices
An average electric dryer with about 6 cubic feet of capacity, plastic drum, dial controls, three temperature settings and a few dryer cycles and/or a timed dry feature, will cost between $200 and $400.
Features such as a stainless steel tub, moisture sensors, larger capacity and additional cycles can easily take you up to about $700 or $800.
Gas dryers cost about $50 to $100 more than electric dryers up front, but cost less to operate on a monthly basis.
The most expensive gas dryers are those that use offer the largest capacity, most cycles and designer exterior finishes. They cost anywhere from $800 to $1,200.
Compact dryers range from $300 for basic 24-inch electric dryer to about $1,750 for a 24- electric dryer with stainless steel exterior and drum and more than a dozen dryer settings.
Washer-Dryer Combo Prices
A laundry center-a stacked washer and dryer unit-ranges from $750 to $2,000, with most falling under $1,300.
An all-in-one washer-dryer unit, in which washing and drying take place in the same tub, ranges from $700 for a compact model to $1,700 for a full-size model with electronic controls, multiple wash cycles, stainless steel tub and noise-reduction features.
Things to Think About When Selecting Washers and Dryers
Courtesy of Whirlpool Appliances
To help focus your selection process, ask yourself the following questions. You also can print out the PDF version of the questionnaire and refer to it while visiting an appliance showroom or retail store.
Do I prefer a front-loading or top-loading washer?
Do I want a gas or electric dryer?
What are the dimensions of my current washer and dryer? Does my current floor plan allow for changes in these dimensions? Do I want to relocate the washer and dryer or change my floor plan?
Will the washer and dryer be in a closet or other tight space? If so, do I want to stack them?
Will the washer and dryer be in a readily visible location? If so, do I want to coordinate their color, finish and styling with the rest of the room?
Is my available space so small that I should consider a combination washer/dryer appliance?
Do I want my washer and dryer placed on platforms so that I don't have to bend down to load and unload them?
Are environmental considerations such as energy and water savings important to me?
Do I want large-capacity appliances so that I can do fewer but bigger loads of laundry, or do I need to do more frequent, smaller loads?
Is it important to have quiet appliances to avoid disturbing neighbors or sleeping family members?
Do I need a sanitizing wash cycle for heavily soiled clothing or family members with allergies?
Do I need just a few wash and dry cycles, or do I have multiple fabric and stain types that require a wide range of temperatures, water levels and other options?