Kitchen & Bath Buisness November/December 2024 - 32

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five. Rounding out the list were dual evaporators,
door-in-door designs and specialty filters.
Write-in answers included convertible temperature
drawers, black interiors and undercounter
refrigeration drawers.
ANTIQUATED APPLIANCE TRENDS
Perhaps the most outdated item in the kitchen
today is the over-the-range microwave, which
some say is a health and safety risk.
" At first glance, this location would seem to be
a good solution for space concerns, but it is not
ideal since one cannot be cooking at the cooktop
while another accesses the microwave, " said
Alvino. " Also, the ventilation from the over-therange
microwaves is typically not very effective. "
Microwave drawers were also noted for their
design shortcomings; they are great for freeing
up precious counterspace, but they are not always
user friendly. According to designer Aparna Vijayan
of Ulrich Inc., the convection steam oven
is starting to replace the microwave, and it can
be stacked neatly with a wall oven.
Some respondents are growing weary of
stainless-steel appliance finishes, but Erickson
and Mather say this is a classic option that will
never go out of style. According to Rob Elfers,
president of Ulrich Inc., other color options may
come and go, but stainless is a great neutral that
will never disappear. Hagood feels stainless steel
provides a professional, restaurant-grade look to
a kitchen, and it is easy to clean.
Instead of exterior water/ice dispensers, the Deep River team is
specifying filtered drinking water faucets and either internal ice dispensers
or dedicated/integrated ice makers. These designers also want
to see downdraft ventilation updated to improve operation and provide
better concealment.
Respondents were on the fence when it comes to smart technology in
the kitchen. Almost 15% said they did not include it in their projects in the
last year, and only 11% said they included it in 75-100% of their projects.
One reason behind the lack of smart tech is that homeowners don't want to
deal with the upkeep; they want their appliances to be simple to use. One
respondent said that brands keep increasing the price for these offerings
without increasing their functionality. Still another said that the integration
of smart cooking into ranges and ovens has been a game changer for many
of their clients - like hitting the easy button.
NOTEWORTHY INNOVATIONS
Answers to our survey ran the gamut and included the French-door wall
oven, a dual microwave, air fry built into the oven, speed ovens and ceiling
ventilation. Multiple functions in one oven have been gaining in popularity,
with steam and sous vide topping the list.
" My personal favorite is the speed oven, " said Alvino. " It is a microwave/
convection oven combo, so it allows you to cook food faster with the same
results as you would get from a convection-only oven. "
Other innovations our design professional respondents noted were
induction cooktops integrated into countertops, temperature probes
and AI cameras built into the oven, flush-mount coffee machines, vacuum-seal
drawers, blast chillers and shock freezers and a recirculating
cooking filter.
Some of the most outdated appliance trends don't necessarily need
to be canceled; some simple updates could be the answer. Whatever the
outcome, the possibilities for innovation in today's kitchen appliances are
endless.
Noteworthy Appliance Innovations
Door-in-door refrigeration
Built-in air fry capability
Flush-mount coffee machines
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/ NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2024
Ceiling-mounted
ventilation
Convertible
fridge/freezer
drawers
French-door
wall oven
Sous vide ovens
Kitchen & Bath Buisness November/December 2024

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