Kelly's Kitchen Series - Appliances by Bosch

Kelly's turn.....

We are so excited to begin our series on my kitchen renovation!  The entire experience has been a wonderful learning process, an opportunity to collaborate with my mom, and only a slight exercise in patience! Following is an overview of the beating heart of the kitchen - the appliances. 

Since we couldn't design the kitchen without knowing which appliances we would be using, we enthusiastically jumped into the appliance world. There's something about appliances that gets this girl - and I suspect most homeowners - excited to learn about all the new features, modern technology and sleek designs. My interest in fashion temporarily took a sharp right turn in favor of an appliance obsession! Bosch appliances were the perfect match for our aesthetic and functional needs.

My husband, Dave, and I, assessed our needs and wants, while keeping in mind how each appliance would fit in with the overall design and function of the finished space. Here's what we chose and why.  In a later post I'll follow up with performance notes.

We finished our kitchen just 2 months ago and in that time, my cooking processes have changed in a number of surprising ways I'll get into soon!

Refrigerator

We had a few requirements entering into this decision. 

• We knew we wanted a side-by-side refrigerator to give us easier access to the freezer without having to bend down and dig through a single crowded drawer, and 
• We had to have more space than our current 30" refrigerator provided.  
• A counter depth easily semi-built in design 
• Functional interior accessories and features

Enter the Bosch 36" Side by Side!  This refrigerator fit the bill perfectly, offering many great features such as easily customizable digital programming, filtered water and ice maker, and an energy efficient cooling system. This was a dramatic improvement over our previous, much smaller, refrigerator.

Bosch 36" Counter Depth Side by Side Refrigerator - 800 Series, Stainless Steel
 


Oven

We debated briefly between a slide-in range vs. an under counter oven with separate cooktop.  We chose the latter in order to achieve a more built-in, streamlined look to complement the minimalist design of the cabinetry. We loved how the continuous form of the countertop allowed the eye to flow uninterrupted.

But, Friday night pizza night? More about that shortly-including convection drama (my mom would call me - um, repeatedly - and ask "are you using the convection settings???")

Bosch 30" Single Wall Oven - 800 Series, Stainless Steel
 

Cooktop

Once we decided on a separate oven and cooktop type of installation, we knew an induction cooktop was the way to go.  Bosch's impressive induction offerings were right up our alley with their AutoChef sensor, easy to use touch controls, and super fast heating ability.  We chose the 30" size instead of 36" to maximize our counter space which, given our lifestyle, was a higher priority.

Bosch 30" Induction Cooktop with SteelTouch Control and AutoChef - 800 Series, Black & Stainless

Hood

We debated between designing in a low profile hood (used in typical under cabinet installations) vs. a very cool chimney-style hood.  Originally, I thought I wanted a more substantial-looking hood that would signal "serious cook with serious ventilation needs," but after consulting with my mom, we set out to re-imagine and subsequently design-in a fresh look for this otherwise functional workhorse that typically sits obediently around wall cabinets above and alongside the hood.

More on this later, which was one of the more exciting and innovative elements to design into the kitchen.

Bosch 30" Under Cabinet Ventilation - 800 Series, Stainless Steel

Dishwasher

Our existing dishwasher was loud, leaky, and as unattractive as you can get, and it didn't fully clean the dishes! Yuk! Dishwashers have come a very long way in performance and aesthetics since ours was installed in the "dawn of kitchens age", it seems.

We chose a custom-panel dishwasher to support a visual flow of our cabinetry, and not disrupt our goal of a "furniture" feel kitchen.  We also needed it to be quiet, as our sofa is situated a mere few feet away from the dishwasher and we often run it during our prime-time TV viewing hours. But, what we discovered in its functional abilities went so much further than good looks - more later on that.

Bosch 24" Panel Ready Dishwasher - 800 Plus Series
 

I can't wait to elaborate on the performance of these appliances.  In short, we couldn't be more pleased, and are blown away by the tremendous enhancement they've been to our lives.  Ultimately, I'm really glad we followed a few important guidelines when choosing appliances and didn't get swept up in either the aesthetics or current trends when making our decisions.  

Here's what we kept in mind to make the most educated decisions possible: 

Bigger is not always better - really evaluate if, for example, you will use a full 6 burners often enough to sacrifice the necessary counter space. 

Energy-efficient may not seem like an exciting feature, but over time, you will appreciate the cost savings in your electric bill

Think about your overall lifestyle when evaluating appliance needs - for example, our need for a quiet dishwasher, due to the positioning of our kitchen or a low profile hood

Look at the overall footprint of your space in terms of whether minimalist, sleek appliances designing in appliances as focal points works for you.

Our thanks to Bosch for donating appliances in support of this kitchen renovation. More, soon, on my kitchen renovation - details, products, design issues, and what kept us awake at night!

Gaggenau CX480 Full Surface Induction

Last week I attended an event in New York City to introduce the Gaggenau CX480 full surface induction cooktop to the US. I had seen this amazing cooktop at The Living Kitchen show in Cologne, Germany just over a year ago, and I would not be overstating it to say that it was the buzz of that show.

Here's what this amazing piece of cooking equipment does:

 It is full surface induction which makes the entire cooktop into one big cooking zone

• It has TFT touch display - This means it has LCD touchscreen technology
• Cookware is automatically recognized by shape, size, and position
• Heat is produced only where it is needed
• The booster function increases heat output by 50%
• If cookware is moved, the cooktop detects the new position
• Cooking settings can then be immediately transferred
• It has intuitive operation

The ability to create a good (hot/fast) sear, in my cooking repertoire, is important - I sear meat or fish at least once a week. It is one of the easiest and most "professional" ways that any homeowner can cook just like a celeb chef. Nice sear...

Gaggenau introduced the CX480 at a pop up location that I cannot "not" show you. Gaggenau truly exemplifies fantastic design and product innovation at its best.

I have followed Gaggenau's product line since the mid 80s and have owned some of their products. They perform. They last. They are gorgeous!

Likewise, Gaggenau creates amazing (not an overstated word) displays in showrooms, shows and events. So, take a look at this fabulous pop up showroom which was only open for less than a week! 

I do love Gaggenau - there is "nothing not to like" as we say in New York, so New York was the perfect place to introduce this cooktop. 

Thermador Freedom Induction Cooktop

"Heat without boundaries", the holy grail for cooks, chefs, heater-uppers ... Thermador introduces a new cooktop with revolutionary natural mapping technology. What is that and what does it mean?

Imagine the following: you are sauteeing ingredients for Thanksgiving stuffing-let's say onions, celery, and sausage (I'll also add apple chuncks in mine) in a large pan. Another spot on the cooktop is needed to cook the fresh cranberry sauce. Don't forget the turkey stock - the stock pot needs a place too.

At different times of the cooking process each piece of cookware needs to be the center of attention, maybe moved to the front or off to the side to simmer or have more intense heat. The ability to move cookware around a cooktop at will is flexibility and freedom for any kind or type of cook. It's what you can do with the new Thermador Freedom Induction cooktop

 I saw this technology first hand at IMM Cologne, Germany, last year, and thought it would be quite awhile before we saw this technology in the US. This is big news, as this Thermador cooktop is the first cooktop with this innovative technology in the US, complete with 30 international patents.

Other features per Thermador's press release:

• "A 6.5-inch, full-color touchscreen display that recognizes pot shape, size, and controls power setting and cooking time   

• Surface area to accommodate a 21-inch x 13-inch pan with the largest cooking surface in the industry

• A range of 4,600-watt maximum power output with Boost feature and 15-watt minimum power output

The Thermador Freedom Induction Cooktop surface is made from transparent ceramic glass, which allows for the integration of the color touchscreen. In additional to the touchscreen interface showing the position of all cookware on the cooking surface, the touchscreen also performs live updates as cookware is moved to a different position, giving the home cook an intuitive cooking experience." MSRP is $4949.

A game changer!

Induction Cooking - Electrolux Icon 36" Cooktop

Electrolux invited me to review their Icon 36" induction cooktop in my personal kitchen. I accepted the invitation, looking forward to begin cooking with induction and with gratitude for the opportunity to replace my 20 year old gas cooktop with induction. I have cooked briefly on induction before, but I was very interested in cooking on an induction cooktop over a period of time, to truly understand its properties. I am approaching this review on several fronts.

AESTHETICS

Around this time, I was due to exhibit my new line of kitchen furniture, Bornholm Kitchen, at the Architectural Digest Show in New York. I thought it would be a good idea to incorporate an island into the show which would have a cooktop installed.

As Bornholm Kitchen is easily experienced as furniture and was designed as such, nonetheless, it was fun to see the reaction of visitors to my booth. The Electrolux Icon cooktop has such a low profile that many visitors to the booth were surprised that the island was meant to be designed into a kitchen and was not a dresser or other type of furniture. Their eyes lit up and we saw a smile, or heard a "wow". It is a response that made perfect sense, was fun to see, and confirmed to me that this type of cooktop is a real advantage for the open kitchen floorplan.

The point? Sleek = nearly invisible = aesthetically clean, especially in an open floorplan situation.

CONTROLS

The controls were very quickly and easily understood. I don't remember even looking at the manual before I started cooking; the cooktop is very intuitive. One more note about aesthetics - please remove the word "Induction" from the burners - it's simply not necessary and takes away from an otherwise GORG (gorgeous) stunning cooktop design. That said, I don't even notice it at all anymore - I have other things to think about when I'm cooking, but it's worth a mention.

If I'm going into another level of detail, I'll note that the design of the controls is, well, beautiful. The controls are simple in design and very cool. Less is more aesthetically, and all that. Well done.

COOKING!

I couldn't wait to cook my favorite things on this cooktop. I like to sear meat and fish, like filet mignon or salmon, then finish it in the oven for a perfect medium rare (especially for salmon, yum!) I also use grill pans to grill asparagas or other vegetables or to saute brocolli rabe, steam veggies or putting that pot of water on to boil, which I want done fast! We (my husband and I) cook with fresh foods all week and the induction cooktop has made the cooking experience a pleasure in all these ways mentioned.

The cooktop is fast. Very fast. Much faster than my gas cooktop. I'm impatient, so I like that, a lot! I'm also fundamentally lazy in some respects, so I like that all I have to do is to put my finger on either high or low, keep it there to control the heat, end of story. Fast, easy, intuitive. One of the very best features of induction cooking is that it has instant response - same as gas. So far, we have instant response to heat control, and more power than gas (see "power boost"). I'm happy. Is it more powerful than the most powerful gas btu burners? I'd love to see a test done. I do not know the answer to that.

A "Keep Warm" feature, multiple low heat 1/2 heat number selections, and a timer round out useful cooktop controls.

I love the versatility of the cooking zones and how different size pots can be used. I like flexibility. Take a look: 

Induction cooking is THE safest method of cooking, the most energy efficient way to cook, perhaps the fastest method and certainly the most understated in terms of aesthetics. These features are compelling reasons to seriously consider induction cooking. I have the utmost confidence in Electrolux Icon as a brand, based on my clients having purchased Electrolux products over the years and being very pleased with the products...and I hear feedback. 

I love induction cooking, and I'm NOT looking back at my much less powerful (and small) gas burners!

Appliance Spotting At IMM Cologne - The Living Kitchen

As anyone who has even remotely followed European kitchen design knows, appliances are virtually engineered into the most seamless fit within cabinetry to create as seamless a look as humanly possible.

To me, built in appliances are a special type of beauty to behold. It's sculptural, often a look of architectural permanance in the home and the design just flows. But, it's certainly not all about appliances being built in...some of the coolest appliances were freestanding or top mounted.  Let's take a look at some appliance awesomeness.

Below, Liebherr's experiment with texture-I was told it was a concept

Below, a sleek built-in Gaggenau oven...just fits in there so snugly!

Below, a very cool downdraft fan that glows - I did not get the name of this appliance, but I'll attempt to find out and report back!

Below, I just loved the knobs of this Siemen's cooktop...enjoy!

Below, love the stacked, super built in Miele ovens, don't you?

Below, an elegant drop in gas cooktop by Foster

Below, how about this curved range by Lofra

Below, uber built in cooktop in stainless steel by Bora - note the flush installation

Below, sexy built in Miele ovens once again!

Below, I really love this cooktop by Foster that is a long span of one cooktop wide, front to back

This is pure eye candy (at least for me!) I like many of the details. I have more appliances to show, which I will, soon! Much more to come from the IMM Cologne Living Kitchen show in Germany, especially the fantastic design of kitchens and furnishings...not to mention the displays within the exhibits!