Dishwasher Detergents: Here's How They Rate

By Alan J. Heavens The Philadelphia Inquirer

July 3, 2012

I'm calling to order this meeting of the readers with various dishwasher issues, only to let you kind folks know of a recent Consumer Reports study of — you guessed it — detergents.

In the latest testing — results of which appear in the July 2012 issue — Finish Powerball Tabs and Cascade Complete All-in-1 ActionPacs earned the highest marks in CR's ratings of nonphosphate gels, liquids, packs, pods, powders and tablets. (Laws in several states removed phosphates from dishwasher detergents a few years ago, which resulted in some cleaning challenges.)

Many detergents left food stuck to plates or pots. Finish Powerball Tabs, the only "Best Buy" rated by the magazine, at 21 cents per load, and Cascade Complete All-in -1 at 29 cents per load both cleaned dishes and pots well, and dishware washed in these detergents didn't have water spots, white film or discolored aluminum.

In its latest tests, Consumer Reports added hard-water performance to the ratings of models first reported in October 2011.

The magazine began this test last year in response to readers' comments about a white film or cloudy buildup on dishware.

Consumer Reports found several products that allowed glassware to be covered in varying degrees with a frosty-white film in just 20 washes using very hard water.

And, while no type of detergent was best overall, liquids and gels tended to fall toward the bottom of Consumer Reports' ratings.

Whatever the detergent, consumers can get cleaner dishes by adding a rinse agent, making sure the water is hot (120 degrees), separating flatware, and facing dirty dishes toward water jets.

Case closed. Meeting over. No appeals will be heard.

***Its all in the dishwasher!

Make sure you have a great dishwasher and if you live in a place with hard water such as Utah, then get a dishwasher with water softener. That will make your dishes nice and clear once again. Another huge problems with dishwashers is that the heating element goes out and thats why the film of white and food bits stick to the dishes still. Be wise in buying your dishwasher because that is what ultimately will keep them nice and clear!

From the Basement to the Living Room

Many Homeowners are moving their laundry room closer to the source of the dirty clothes and linens, according the the National Association of Home Builders. Washer and Dryers are beginning to be moved to the family rooms and in some homes with a second set to the Master or Guest room. If you are one that is wanting to carry on this trend there are a few things you needs to consider. 

In the Basement/Utility room you don't every really think of things like "What if my washer leaks?" because usually it is placed on a cement floor. You will want to look and see if the washer you have has drip pans and electronic shutoff valves that automatically stop the flow of water when they sense a leak. You will also want to find top-rated washers and dryers to minimize vibrations. You also want to keep the following in mind: Stackability, Cycle Noise, Cycle Time, End-of Cycle Signal.

Blomberg has a perfect washer and dryer!

 "we love our washing machine. Unlike some reviews we read before, which describe the washing machine as very loud, we found it extremely quiet. If you install the machine yourself, or have a plumber installing it, make sure you remove the four big transportation bolts in the back of the machine. If you don't do that, your washing machine will sound like an airplane and vibrate like an earthquake"

"I love using it. It does not move, really silent, washes great and spins up o 1200 rpm. Excellent with one word"

"Delivered on Time
Great product.
Simple yet effective.

Has a cool feature where the drum changes directions during the drying cycle, so clothes wrinkle less and sheets aren't tied in knots."

"quiet efficient good looking dryer, would buy again" 

This Year Put Your House on an Energy Diet

With the New Year here many people are back at the gyms and eating healthy as part of their resolutions. Another thing you may want to look at "trimming" is your utility bill. Look for products that are more "energy saving"!

Programmable thermostats can trim about $180 a year from your energy bill by automatically reducting your heat or cooling when you need it least.

Replacing 15 incandescent lightbulbs with energy-saving bulbs can save you a $50 a year and more than $600 in energy costs of the life of the bulbs.

Replace your old appliances with newer models that meet Energy Star Standards. You can save over $900 in the lifetime of the product. Appliances and electronics account for 20 percent of your energy bill!

When you purchase Energy Star Products you can usually receive rebates from your local power company. In Utah you can receive a rebate of $50-$750 back! Thermwise has a program, as do most local power companies, that pays for your attic insulation! They pay up to 25 cents a square foot I believe and you save about $35 on your utility bill every month.

At Rivell Distributing we offer many different Energy Star qualified Appliances!
Blomberg, Fagor, Whirlpool, Maytag, Airking and Faber

Kitchen Range Buying Guide

Getting started

Gas or electric ranges can give you fine performance. Serious chefs often prefer gas for the quick response and visual confirmation of a flame. But electric elements generally heat faster and maintain low heat more precisely. Dual-fuel ranges combine a gas cooktop with an electric oven though we've found no advantage in that combination. You'll also find induction ranges, which use an electromagnetic field to heat the pot or pan more quickly and effectively while leaving the cooktop surface cooler.

Electric smoothtop ranges sell the most overall and are tops in performance and value. The best blend superb heating and simmering with a large oven and maybe a cooktop warming zone that keeps the vegetables warm while you cook the main course. Induction ranges heat roughly 25 percent faster than conventional electric smoothtop models, using an electromagnetic field that heats mostly the pot or pan.

Climbing the social ladder

Most ordinary electric and gas ranges are 30 inches wide, while the huge pro-style gas models favored by decorators may span 36 inches or more. But more ordinary ranges now have beefy knobs, rugged grates, and stainless trim for far less money. In this range guide, we compare and contrast types and features.

How to choose

Love steaks? Choose a range that did well in our broiling tests. And if you're sweet on desserts, look for models with strong baking scores. A roomy range also helps if you entertain often; we measure space you can actually use. Then keep these tips in mind:

Focus on convenience. Look for at least one high-powered burner or element for quick heating. Expandable electric elements let you match their size to the pot or pan. Ranges with at least five rack positions provide added flexibility when cooking on more than one rack, and models with dual ovens can roast a turkey and bake a pie at the same time.

Don't buy by Btu. Short for British thermal unit, range and cooktop Btu are often a selling point at the store. But that measure merely indicates the amount of gas used and heat generated, not performance. Indeed, higher Btu haven't guaranteed faster heating in our tests.

***Courtesy of Consumer Reports

This Verona Range is only $3,999 or 4,599 in black, burgundy or antique white

36" double oven gas range with 5 Sealed burners (BTU over 52,000 combined), Two convection ovens with infrared broil

Consider This...

This is a great buying guide for your next appliance purchase. We want to give you helpful tips from Fridges to Dishwashers. Before you start shopping for your new kitchen appliances, make sure you have a well thought out plan for your kitchen renovation. You should also have a clear vision of what your new kitchen will look like. Don't forgot that you should have a solid budget to follow.

Refrigerator: Consider space, features and budget when shopping
                 Figure out what your cost range is for your new fridge you can expect to pay $350-$15,000 depending on the brand you want.
                 Find out how much space you have for a new fridge in your home. Size is very important when shopping for any appliance.
                 Decide on what type of fridge you would like: Side by Side, Top Mounted Freezer, Bottom Mounted Freezer or French Door. See what you have room for and what is more convenient for you to use. (i.e. you may want an integrated fridge so the bottom mount freezer would be more convenient for you)
                 Decide on what features you would want to pay for on your fridge such as a glass door, adjustable shelves or built in water filter.

Cooktop: Consider ventilation and fuel type when shopping
                Figure out what your cost range is for your new cooktop you can expect to pay $300-$2,500 for an induction or pro-style gas cooktop
                With cooktops, the size of the appliance will come down to the size of the cut-out you have in your countertop. Standard widths are 30" and 36".
                Do you need Gas or Electric and decide on the style you would like for your burners (gas especially). Make sure it has enough Watt or BTU power for what you will mostly be cooking for.
                Ventilation is a very important feature to have with any cooktop or range. It eliminates grease, odors and smoke. Make sure you have room for this product in your budget. FAGOR has a 30" 600 CFM Hood for $499, thats a great price for that product.

Ovens: Consider space, budget and your cooking needs when shopping
                Figure out what your cost range is for your new fridge you can expect to pay $600-$4,500 depending on what features and brand you are choosing.
                With wall ovens it is important to replace like with like. Wall ovens are usually 30" but can also come in a 27" or 24"
                Because a wall oven is smaller than a range oven having an extra oven can overcome that limitation. You can easily find a double wall oven for under $2,000 and they usually aren't much more expensive then a single wall oven.
                Gas or Electric. Self Clean or Manual Clean.?
                Another major factor when buying a wall oven is to spend some extra money to get a convection oven. Convection uses an internal fan to circulate hot air throughout the oven compartment, which is said to improve heat distribution and reduce cook time.

Ranges: Consider fuel type and burner style when shopping
               Figure out what your cost range is for your new range you can expect to pay $350-over $10,000 depending on whether you want gas, electric, dual fuel and the size.
              Ranges come in models sold as freestanding, slide-in and drop-in. Freestanding is the most common and is called taht because it can be placed anywhere in the kitchen given that it is finished on all sides. Slide-in and drop-in models have unfinished sides and are useful when only surrounded by cabinetry.
             Fuel type: Electric, Gas or Dual Fuel?
             Self Clean or Manual Clean, and choose your burner style?
             One or Two ovens and do you want it convection?

Ventilation: Consider the size and strength of your range when shopping
            Ideally, the unwanted elements of smoke, odor and humidity and heat would be exhausted outside the house with a ducted vent hoods but if you are unable to do this that you can also have an inducted hood. The non-ducted hood does a pretty good job of eliminating grease and odor when the filters are regularly cleaned and replaced but do not eliminate heat and humidity form the home. So make sure you know which one you would prefer when you are shopping. The ducting always will cost more money about another $500 to your budget.
          Do you want the chimney hood to be wall or ceiling mounted?
          Do you want a custom built hood, which means your ventilation will be integrated?

Dishwasher: Consider factors like noise and capacity when shopping.
          Figure out what your cost range is for your new dishwasher you can expect to pay $250 for a noisy dishwasher with a control knob and plastic interior tub and as much as $2,000 for a sleek and quiet stainless machine with concealed digital controls and adjustable racks.
         One of the biggest changes in newer dishwasher si the removal of the lower kick panel. Smaller motors and pumps have allowed dishwasher doors to extend almost down to the ground, making way for larger interiors. These are called the "Tall Tubs"
         It is definitely worth it to spend a little more money on a quieter dishwasher. Most of the quiet dishwashers start at about $500. Make sure to add that to your budget especially if your kitchen is attached to the main family room.
         The appearance and how the racks hold up are also very important when shopping for your new dishwasher.
         

Hopefully these are some helpful tips to make your shopping much easier for appliances. We have great package deals and individual pricing on all of our appliances. My favorite for the Fridge is the Fagor completely built in 24" bottom mount freezer. My favorite for the Cooktop would have to be the gas or induction from Fulgor Milano. Fulgor Milano and American Range both have gorgeous wall oven depending on the style you are going for. Verona and American Range have perfect ranges to fit your kitchen needs. For Ventilation you can choose from Faber or Vent a Hood. Dishwashers are definitely a must with Blomberg.

Braised Short Ribs Menu

Invite guests for a meal worthy of the best steakhouse. Here our some new recipes to try out for the next time you have company over. 

Beet and Apple Salad

Directions

Toss 2 thinly sliced apples, 4 thinly sliced celery stalks (with leaves) and 1 minced shallot in a bowl with the juice of 1 lemon. Peel 1 beet, then slice into matchsticks and add to the bowl. Toss in 1 teaspoon sugar, 3 tablespoons chopped walnuts, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper. Let stand 10 minutes, then serve on a bed of sliced endive.

Braised Short Ribs with Mushrooms

Ingredients

• 8 short ribs (12 ounces each), trimmed and tied by a butcher
• 8 shallots
• 11 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 6 ounces pancetta, diced
• 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cognac or brandy
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups red wine
• 1/4 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 bay leaves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 10 ounces oyster mushrooms, trimmed
• 10 ounces cremini mushrooms, trimmed and halved

Directions

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Bring the short ribs to room temperature. Meanwhile, pulse the shallots, 10 cloves garlic and the tomato paste in a food processor to make a paste. Cook the pancetta in a large ovenproof pot over medium-high heat until crisp, about 7 minutes. Transfer thepancetta and all but 2 tablespoons drippings to a bowl.

Add the shallot mixture to the pot and cook, stirring, until brown, about 6 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and add 1/2 cup cognac, scraping up the browned bits. Sprinkle in the flour and cook, stirring, about 5 more minutes. Gradually stir in the wine until smooth. Add the porcini, thyme, bay leaves and 11/2 teaspoons salt.

Season the short ribs with salt and pepper, place in the pot and add water to cover. Trim a piece of parchment paper so that it rests on the surface of the meat. Cover the pot with the lid and transfer to the oven. Cook until the meat is fork-tender, about 3 hours.

Remove the meat from the sauce and transfer to a plate. Set the sauce aside, about 10 minutes, then skim off the fat. (If the sauce is thick, add a splash of water.) Discard the bay leaves, season the sauce with salt and pepper and add the remaining 2 tablespoons cognac. Return the short ribs to the sauce and keep warm over low heat.

Chop the remaining 1 clove garlic, then mash with 1/2 teaspoon salt using the flat side of a knife; add the parsley and chop. Heat the pancetta and the reserved drippings in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the oyster and cremini mushrooms and cook until brown, about 10 minutes. Toss in the parsleymixture. Untie the short ribs, divide among plates and top with the sauce and mushrooms.

Polenta Fries

Ingredients

• 1 1/3 cups whole milk
• 2 cups polenta
• Kosher salt
• Extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing
• 1/2 cup grated gruyere cheese
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter

Directions

Bring 7 cups water to a simmer in a large saucepan. Combine 4 cups of the hot water and the milk in a heatproof bowl (the bowl should fit over the saucepan). Gradually whisk in the polenta and 2 teaspoons salt. Cover the bowl tightly with foil and set over the simmering water; do not let the bowl touch the water. Cook until very thick, 20 minutes. Meanwhile, brush a 9-inch square baking dish with olive oil.

Stir the cheese and butter into the polenta. Spread in the prepared dish and refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Slice the chilled polenta into eighteen 4 1/2-by-1-inch sticks and transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Brush the sticks with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake until golden, 30 to 35 minutes, turning halfway through.

Chocolate Pudding

Ingredients

For the Pudding:

• 2 large egg yolks
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons cornstarch
• 3 cups whole milk
• 5 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped
• Pinch of salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

For the Cinnamon Cream:

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

Make the pudding: Whisk the egg yolks, sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl.

Combine the milk, chocolate and salt in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until the chocolate melts. Gradually pour the hot chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, whisking constantly. Pour back into the saucepan and stir until thick, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla, then divide among 6 to 8 dessert cups or dishes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set, about 2 hours.

Meanwhile, make the cinnamon cream: Whip the cream with the sugar in a bowl until it just holds soft peaks; fold in the cinnamon. Serve with the pudding.

**Courtesy of Food Network

Think again...Blomberg and Fagor are #1 in refrigeration

Does Sub-Zero Really Make The Best Refrigerators On The market?

So we just got through reading the recent issue of dwell magazine’s “100 Kitchens We Love” and something occurred to us: there were an awful lot of Sub-Zero refrigerators mentioned in the credits section. Naturally, we decided to tally them up and came up with an interesting (to us, at least) finding.

As expected, many of the familiar mid- to high-end brands were fairly well represented in the projects—GE Monogram, Miele, Fisher Paykel, Gaggenau, Whirlpool KitchenAid. But they all pale in comparison to the number of Sub-Zero mentions.

On our unofficial count, 26 of the 100 kitchens featured a Sub-Zero refrigerator. Based on that math, that’s 26 percent—26! What accounts for this Sub-Love?

Well, for one, just look at the damn things! They are freaking amazing in their modernist simplicity—you know, less is more and all that stuff. Plus, the company continues to innovate (or, some might say, bite from the Europeans) with undercounter refrigeration, slim profiles, and integrated units. It’s no wonder that, as we reported here earlier this year, Sub-Zero is the go-to brand when Hollywood producers want to convey wealth and power.

But that doesn’t mean the brand is any better than, say, Kenmore or GE or Whirlpool. In fact, if you believe Consumer Reports, the brand is actually worst. To be fair, CR has said that most of the major luxury brands—including Viking Range Corp., Thermador, Dacor, and Jenn-Air—pretty much suck when it comes to dependability. In short, they are repair prone.

I know at least two friends who inherited Sub-Zero refrigerators and repeatedly had to fork over serious dough to fix the little buggers. These were older units so it’s hard to say with certainty what was going on. Plus, a high-end appliance executive once told me that luxury brands are “fragile” and break easily because they are loaded with sophisticated electronics that are easily damaged from power outages, improper use, etc. So the debate rages on.

***courtesy of http://homeiq.wordpress.com

SHOP THE NEW NAMES 

Fagor and Blomberg appliances are high end but half the cost of the Aga, Viking and Sub-Zero. You are still getting all the high end factors and benefits but not emptying out your wallet. Both Fagor and Blomberg are very sleek and are perfect for all kitchens no matter the size. Here are some great facts for both.

Blomberg: Bottom mounted Freezer. hygION antibacterial protection, safety glass shelves, hygiene plus antibacterial odor filter, Engerystar, vegetable drawers, bottle holder, frost free, reversible door, etc

BRFB 1040 comes up to be about $1500 for a 24" wide Stainless Steel Column

Columns can be added together or kept single

Fagor: Bottom mounted Freezer, BIO filter, multi-fresh and double fresh compartments, anti-bacterial coating, RoHs compliant and constructed of 99% recyclable materials, frost free, etc

3FCA-68NF X come up to be about $1800 for a 24" wide Stainless Steel Column

Columns can be added together or kept single

Both Blomberg and Fagor are great European companies and we carry both lines. So come in today and see what you can do with your refrigeration without emptying out your wallet. You should be able to have your dream kitchen no matter what the circumstances.

Chicken Dinner

Townhouse Parmesan Chicken Tenders

Preparation Time: 20 Mins. 

Total Time to Serve: 35 Mins. 

Servings: 12

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts 
1 egg, slightly beaten 
3 tablespoons fat free milk 
36 Keebler® Town House® Original crackers , crushed to 1 1/4 cup 
1/2 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese 
1/2 teaspoon paprika 
1/4 teaspoon pepper 
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder 
2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 
1/3 cup honey-Dijon mustard, barbecue sauce or ranch salad dressing 

DIRECTIONS

1. Lengthwise cut chicken breasts into 12 strips. Set aside. 

2. In shallow dish combine egg and milk. In another shallow dish combine KEEBLER TOWN HOUSE ORIGINAL crackers, Parmesan cheese, paprika, pepper and garlic powder. Stir in butter. 

3. Dip chicken pieces, 1 at a time, in egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off. Roll in crumb mixture until well coated. Place in single layer in shallow baking pan coated with cooking spray or lined with foil. Bake at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes or until no longer pink and juices run clear. Do not cover pan or turn chicken while baking. 

4. Serve hot with honey-Dijon mustard as dipping sauce.

Plain Chicken Tenders: Prepare recipe as directed above, except increase the crushed crackers to 1 3/4 cups (about 42 crackers) and omit the Parmesan cheese.

Feta Basil Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Preparation Time: 20 Mins.
Total Time to Serve: 1 Hour 10 Mins.
Servings: 4

INGREDIENTS

1 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves 

3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (3 oz.) 

1/4 cup Kellogg's® Corn Flake Crumbs 

--or--

1/2 cup Kellogg's Corn Flakes® cereal (crushed to 1/4 cup) 

2 tablespoons finely shredded Parmesan cheese 

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 

4 chicken breast halves (about 3 1/2 lb.) 

1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper 

DIRECTIONS

1. Spray cold grill rack with nonstick spray. In food processor bowl place basil leaves. Cover and process until chopped. Add feta cheese, KELLOGG'S CORN FLAKE crumbs, Parmesan cheese and garlic. Cover and process until combined.

2. Use your fingers to gently loosen skin from chicken breast pieces, keeping the skin attached to meat around edges as much as possible. Stuff cheese mixture between chicken skin and meat. Secure edges of skin to chicken with toothpicks, if necessary. Generously sprinkle with pepper.

3. Prepare grill for indirect cooking. Place chicken, bone side down, on grill rack. Cover and grill indirectly over medium heat about 50 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove toothpicks, if used.

Tangy Chicken Noodle Bake

Preparation Time: 25 Mins.
Total Time to Serve: 45 Mins.
Servings: 6

INGREDIENTS

1/3 cup Kellogg's® Corn Flake Crumbs 

2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted 

2 cups noodles, uncooked 

2 cans (3 oz. each) mushrooms, chopped 

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 

1 cup milk 

1/2 cup sour cream 

3 chicken bouillon cubes 

2 cups cubed, cooked chicken 

1/4 cup snipped, fresh parsley (optional) 

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix KELLOGG'S Corn Flake Crumbs and margarine. Reserve for topping.

2. Cook noodles according to package directions; drain well. Drain mushrooms, reserving liquid. Add enough water to mushroom liquid to make 2 cups. Set aside.

3. Meanwhile, to make sauce, measure flour and milk into saucepan. Place over low heat, stirring until smooth. Add bouillon cubes. Gradually add the 2 cups liquid, stirring constantly. Increase heat to medium and cook until bubbly and thickened, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Stir in sour cream.

4. Layer cooked noodles, mushrooms, chicken, sauce and parsley in ungreased 2-quart rectangular baking dish. Sprinkle buttered Corn Flake Crumbs evenly over top.

5. Bake at 400° F about 20 minutes or until thoroughly heated and sauce is beginning to bubble.

End of the Year and a New Beginning

The start of the New Year means we need to get rid of our old stuff at a great price!

Come check us out to get GREAT DEALS on AGA, MARVEL and NORTHLAND. 

Most importantly we wish you a safe and happy new year!

ILVE - 9 Different ways to Cook!

IlVE continues a 50 year heritage of elegant design and powerful engineering, as the finest manufacturer of cooking products in Europe today. Located near magnificent Venice, ILVE artisans hand-assemble the Majestic and Professional Series of ranges and hoods using premium materials for each custom designed piece. ILVE< known for their attention to detail, is a preferred brand worldwide for people with passion for cooking and shining design. ILVE's increasing popularity each year in the U.S. with their Majestic dual fuel ranges, will expand to include the Professional Series gas and induction-electric ranges in 2012.

Kitchen appliances trend toward sleek, concealed

**Kitchen designers and manufacturers forecast sleeker, faster and more efficient appliances for 2013, with technological advances and increasingly busy consumers fueling the trend.

Steam ovens and induction cooktops will continue to gain ground over traditional stoves and ranges. Electric coil range tops could become relics within the next five years.

"It's all about time, I think," said April Case Underwood, senior kitchen and bath designer with Case Design/Remodeling. "People are trying to make the most of their time, and the steam oven can cook a lot of things quicker."

Faster than a conventional oven yet slower than a microwave, steam ovens allow users to cook healthy meals without concerns about radiation. "You can cook a turkey faster, keep moisture and not get the dried-out, rubbery effect you get from microwaves," Underwood said. "It's a good in-between, and the food tastes great."

After a flawed introduction to the market 20 years ago, induction cooking is poised to replace electric cooking as the primary alternative to gas. With induction cooking, magnetic fields generate heat directly to the cooking vessel, wasting little energy.

"People are afraid it won't work. It's science, so it works," said Underwood. "I think that having an electric option when induction is out there, it's sort of repetitive and counterintuitive and doesn't make sense. "

Another trend gaining steam is the seamless integration of appliances into cabinetry. This marriage of kitchen cabinetry and appliance design originated in Europe and has made its way to the United States. This seamless look minimizes or totally conceals kitchen appliances.

Italian kitchen design Boffi of Georgetown offers the Duemilaotto system, which includes rotating and side recessing doors that can hide large appliances and modules that can house small appliances.

The $3,999 Futura ProfiLine Dishwasher from Miele can clean a full load of dishes from start to dry in 23 minutes. Its FlexiCare Deluxe Basket system adjusts to accommodate large pieces such as serving platters, chargers or terrines. Available as a fully integrated model, the ProfiLine can stay concealed behind kitchen cabinetry or be showcased with a touchpad panel.

Miele teamed up celebrity chef Eric Ripert and Poggenpohl kitchen designs to launch a restaurant-style kitchen line. Their concept kitchen, which will be unveiled in 2013, uses a suite of eco-friendly kitchen appliances from Miele, including an induction cooktop set in a Caesarstone countertop designed to be flush with the cooktop. This allows the cook to seamlessly transfer pots from the cooktop to the counter surface.

A broader range of affordable high-end and customizable appliances is making it easier to integrate them within cabinetry, said Megan Padilla, a kitchen designer with Aidan Design.

"Used to be Sub-Zero and high-end appliances were such a high price point that you only considered them if you had a certain kind of budget. Now you can find substitutes that have similar styling and counter depth," Padilla said.

One such alternative to the Sub-Zero is the German-built Liebherr refrigerator. Padilla said she has noticed less demand for the traditional and more interest in this transitional and even sleeker built-in contemporary design. "This built-in look, with your microwave, your wall oven, in a piece of furniture with a nice trim package ... everybody kind of wants that look," she said.

**from the Washington Examiner

You don't just have to keep to the most expensive appliances to keep up with whats trending. Fagor is a fairly inexpensive brand from Spain and has induction cooktops, convection ovens and completely built in refrigeration. Soon they will be coming out with a steam oven which will be by far cheaper then Wolf and Thermador. Come check it out!