The Microwave And The Shelf

The microwave, trust me as a kitchen design professional for many years, is an appliance that is very tricky to place in the kitchen. One of the pros of the microwave as opposed to other appliances is that there are quite a wide range of sizes available to either build it into cabinetry or, in the case of the countertop model, simply put it on a shelf. You also want to try to place it near the refrigerator since you commonly take something out of the refrigerator and pop it into the microwave.

The cons begin with microwaves needing extra depth to install, making it difficult to position it above countertop height where it is most easily accessible. Some microwaves have trim kits that allow them to be built into cabinetry and many do not. It takes SO much space to just place it on a countertop and is not the best look. 

The over-the-range microwave serves a purpose, yes, but the cons overwhelm the single pro of it being off the countertop. Ineffective venting and awkward and dangerous access (imagine foods cooking in pots below) make this installation a worst case scenario, sorry to say.

But, there's another solution!

Sometimes a microwave on a shelf just works. It can be designed to hide in plain sight!

It's the shelf. Sometimes, simply putting a microwave on a shelf just works. You have to first check the depth of both the shelf and the microwave to verify it will fit. In the case of the image above, the shelves are 14" in depth and the microwave is 12" deep. The outlet is recessed into the wall so that the microwave fits.

This is actually a microwave that I've been using on my projects for well over 20 years and it's still as popular as ever! It's the GE Profile Countertop microwave and it's in a stylish, nearly invisible Slate color but it comes in a range of colors. 

Hang it from underneath a wall cabinet or place it on a shelf between standard wall cabinets and it will be close in depth to surrounding cabinetry. That's the beauty of this appliance. It even has a turntable and all the most important functions a microwave needs. I just love this stylish, functional, convenient microwave. It works!

Thermador Pro Grand Steam Range

In June I attended a press event at the fabulous Thermador facility in Scottsdale, Arizona to be among the first to view their new, stunningly bold pro range, the new Pro Grand Steam Range. Manufacturers of the first pro range ever in 1950, not to mention in stainless steel at that time, Thermador's latest pro range has features in this new version one would not have dreamed of back then.

Did I say this range is bold? I like bold. I mean, if you're going to do something, be bold! Be awesome and be innovative too, for goodness sakes. Push the envelope, think out of the box and all that. Here's what we have in terms of features:

Steam Oven - If you want to cook in one of the most fabulous ways to achieve superb quality for your cooking efforts, steam oven technology provides the best of all worlds ... namely, a healthy cooking method, moist, flavorful foods with a crisp crust as required. Plumbing? None - just fill the handy reservoir.

Star Burners - Quite simply, the star burner gives you more real estate within the flame. Add 22,000 BTUs for the power star burner, and the impatient will be impatient no more. For me, that would mean a killer sear on my filet mignon and salmon. I like power! Extra low simmer technology too.

Spacious Oven - A 5.1 cubic foot convection oven offers ample cooking space with nine cooking modes.

Universal Design Features - Soft close hinges, full access racks, easy grip handles and a wonderful electronic oven display and light feature to illuminate words and numbers on the knobs just below. It's also just a little bit sexy - that blue light.

Warming Drawer - I almost forgot! If that's not all, coddle your freshly cooked food in the warming drawer - PERFECT for all those holiday sides and just about anytime something needs to sit ... without losing its wonderfulness.

Grill/Griddle Option - Sweet. Why should I have to decide between grilling the perfect burger and the great features of a griddle? Sauteeing vegetables, making pancakes, home fries and so on.

The fit and finish is of very high quality. I am especially in favor of the universal design features. Yes, it's a bloody fortune at nearly $14,000 MSRP, but this is clearly an investment product. Some things, in my philosophy, are just worth the lifestyle enhancement not to mention longevity, that is purchased along with the basic functions of the product. I've spent a bundle on a few products that were, let's say, seemingly above my financial demographic. I never regretted it, ever. So, a lesson in budgetary restraint? Not from me. If you feel it, it just may enhance your life - that is, if you can swing it financially. If you can, go for it, it's a ridiculously beautiful cooking center.

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!

Bosch Appliances–Beauty and Brains!

I was delighted to be invited to the Bosch training and showroom facility in beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona. I so welcome these opportunities to travel to corporate showrooms around the country (and abroad) for focused product training, which always adds another dimension of insight into a brand’s unique history and philosophy.

Robert BoschWho knew the founder’s name was Robert Bosch (1861-1942) who was equal parts socialist and capitalist, botanist and inventor, pacifist and philanthropist … whose company was one of the first to provide health care to its employees as well as the eight hour work day … who worked with Thomas Edison for a year here in the US and who had a commitment in theory and in practice to (what we now fashionably call) Reuse, Recycle and Reduce - in extreme ways? Bosch (the corporation) has recently celebrated 125 years of being in business as well as celebrating their equally long tradition to social commitment.

Half of the profit that Bosch generates each year goes toward philanthropic and environmental endeavors-nearly astounding! Since 1964 the Robert Bosch foundation has funded more than one billion euros toward the company’s social and environmental commitment. What an inspiring piece of “corporate history.”

BOSCH SHOWROOM DELIGHTS

I will have more information on some of the great features of Bosch appliances in another post. Quite frankly, I lost track of all the #1 awards Bosch has won, but it is impressive. Half the fun of going to these events is to enjoy the beautiful showroom design! I’ll take you for a short tour. Let’s take a look, and note the appliance integration. Enjoy the view.

Below: A look at the Bosch reception area just past the front desk. Tranquil and serene, connected to the feeling of the Arizona landscape 

Below: A wide shot (with the exception of one leg of the “U” shape) of the kitchen we cooked in, with a complete suite of Bosch appliances. A simple design with just a touch of coolness in the countertop and tile backsplash, accented with cool (toned as well as featured) stainless steel appliances.

Below: The tall wall of appliances and storage – so popular in European kitchen design, it serves as a visual foundation to the kitchen.

Below: We were all “Engineers in Training” for the day with real Bosch product engineers! Taking a short break in between learning all sorts of mathematical equations and theories-exhausting!

Below: A nice tight integration with cabinetry and countertop – the Bosch slide-in range. A slide-in range is a superb and elegant solution (and less costly than the purchase of a separate cooktop and oven) to what could otherwise be the bulky look of a freestanding range. An often forgotten product solution, the slide-in range provides a “flow” to your kitchen

Below: A fantastic and delicious artisan focaccia, just out of the Bosch true convection oven. It was delicious! Part of our experience cooking with Bosch appliances

Below: Now, let’s take a peak at a few other kitchens in the Bosch facility with either Thermador or Gaggenau appliances, both under the Bosch corporate umbrella

Bye, Scottsdale! (sniff...)

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!