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What's New:
The new Tassimo combines superior quality and intelligent technology in a compact design. This versatile Bosch coffee maker projects a modern stylistic sense with its elegant lines and offers 6 different types of drinks such as freshly brewed coffee, espresso, cappuccino, latte macchiato, hot chocolate or tea at the touch of a button. Tassimo also requires only a very short heat-up period. Bosch designed this unique coffee maker to use a system of self-contained disposable T-discs instead of typical loose ingredients, with each disc having an integrated filter and a tiny brewing system. Tassimo also uses an intelligent drink identification bar code reader to set the drink size, brewing time, and precise temperature to make the perfect beverage. Other key features of this Bosch coffee maker include space saving design, fully automatic one-button operation, variable drink strength, innovative flow heater system, water level indicator, descaling indicator, descaling program, removable Mavea Maxtra filter cartridge and low energy consumption due to automatic transition to stand-by mode after every brewing cycle. Priced at around $170. Bosch.
Bosch coffee machine
Bosch espresso machine
Benvenuto coffee [...]
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The stainless steel Fagor wall oven has pyrolytic cleaning feature with interior heating up to 500°C, so the dirt turns into ashes which are easily wiped by a damp cloth. Fagor Auto-Pyro function prompts you to turn the cleaning program on when it detects that the oven needs cleaning. You can always use manual mode of course. The oven is 60cm wide fitting into standard wall opening and is multifunction, offering 9 cooking programs including Turbo Plus heat, 3d head, Eco heat, upper and lower element, grill with fan, grill, grill with rotary split and defrosting. It is rated ‘A’ for energy and has electronic controls with preset temperatures, LCD display that shows cooking modes, temperature and time and CoolTouch door. This Fagor wall oven also comes with Master Chef that has 12 auto cooking modes and culinary guide that can cook 7 common dishes by weight. Interior door with removable panes, removable tray, integrated extractor, auto door lock are other features of the Fagor 5H-880 X wall oven. Price is 1,019 €. Fagor.
Previously,
Fagor multifunction built-in oven
Fagor rustic oven
[...]
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The DeLonghi Icona range of small appliances is inspired by the glamour of 1950’s Italy, bringing a touch of old world glamour to any kitchen. All Icona appliances have a unique 3 layer high gloss paint finish, chrome detailing and a solid quality build. In this range, DeLonghi offers a rapid boil 3 kW cordless kettle, a traditional pump espresso maker and a 4- or 2-slice stainless steel toaster. Available in several finishes.
Icona electric kettle has 1.7 litre capacity and conveniently sits on its 360° swivel base which also stores the cord. DeLonghi incorporated a water level indicator, flat stainless steel concealed element, removable and washable scale filter and twin neon power ON lights. The kettle also has non-slip feet and triple-level safety protection including auto shutoff when water starts boiling as well as thermal cutoff and auto shutoff when kettle is lifted from the base. Price is £50.
The 1.8 kW DeLonghi Icona 4-slice toaster comes with electronic controls offering Reheat, Defrost, Bagel and Cancel options – all with neon indicator. Features are extra lift position, variable browning controls and extra deep crumb tray. Price is £60 while the 2-slice model sells for [...]
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The new 42-inch French Door fully flush refrigerator from Jenn-Air belongs to the recently introduced collection of high performance built-in refrigerators that marries seamless design with thoughtful functionality. Other flush refrigerator models include 36-inch bottom-freezer and popular 42- and 48-inch side-by-side door refrigerators. The new JF42NXFXDW is the industry-first 42-inch French door bottom-freezer refrigerator offering the widest interior space available in any fully flush refrigerator currently on the market and bringing the clean, seamless and refined look to your kitchen. One of the important design features is the hidden articulated hinges that allow for minimal gaps, no larger than that of surrounding cabinetry, making the refrigerator virtually disappear in its environment. The completely integrated look of the Jenn-Air refrigerator is all about aesthetics, yet functionality and performance are not sacrificed but further enhanced. Thus, the thinner exterior door provides a flush fit with custom cabinetry for a seamless exterior, while the interior offers even greater usable cubic space than similar flush refrigerators and a faster temperature recovery time after the doors are opened. High performance vacuum insulation panels help maintain energy and keep food fresher, longer. The articulated hinge is equipped with [...]
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The stylish Bosch Logixx Series, the TCC78K750B features new concept control panel with metal touch controls and clear text digital display. This Bosch espresso machine will be perfectly coordinated with other Bosch Logixx compact appliances as well as full size Bosch Logixx ovens. The fully automatic espresso machine makes excellent coffee, and with its atmospheric light concept adds an emotional and relaxing touch to everyday coffee making. The outstanding interface control panel with sleek, metal touch controls and all-metal pop-out control dial with illuminated band allows for several fully programmable functions including grinding grade, drink type, cup size, strength and temperature, enabling you to prepare your favorite espresso drinks just right. And thanks to the SoftEject system the machine can be pulled out of the wall for easy cleaning. Bosch also equipped this Logixx espresso machine with Brita water filter system to ensure water purity for the best coffee taste. The proprietary aroma pressure system results in optimum coffee flavour.
Other key features of the Bosch espresso machine are
- SensoFlow system
- ceramic coffee grinders with 4 grinding grades
- cream center
- one touch function for milk drinks
- frothing nozzle [...]
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Initially introduced in the United States in 2003 by Cook-N-Dine, the premium stainless steel, teppan cooking surfaces by CDS have been re-examined recently by the scrutinizing eyes of their inventor and patent-holder, Mr. Paul Schacht. To suit the demanding American customer even better, all built-in teppanyaki grill models have received a major technical makeover, resulting in improved heating element size, which led to almost double the actual hot cooking surface. These new models are already rolling out for the Holiday Season 2009.
The intriguing teppanyaki cooking style makes for effortless delicious, healthy eats. The secret is the intense heat of the solid 304 stainless steel surface that seals in all the juices on contact. Paired with its patented sink-down-in-the-center feature when on, a CDS teppanyaki grill can replace bulky pans and woks, and perfectly complements any traditional barbeque grill, while freeing up storage space and doubling as additional work top when not in use for cooking. Main features include:
- Worldwide patented feature: center bows down slightly when on to keep the fine juices in place; reverts back to flat when switched off
- Accurate temperature control from gentle 120°F up to 430°F, even contact heat, plenty [...]
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The CVA 2662 is the latest Miele coffee maker for the U.S. market. Finished in scratch resistant, anti fingerprint stainless steel with concealed handle, this coffee machine offers sleek built-in design and perfectly blends with Miele built-in ovens, steamers and drawers. It uses Nespresso capsule coffee system with 20 individual capsules sitting in 5 individual chambers of the removable capsule carousel. As the result, you can enjoy all 5 different blends with the push of a button. And large used capsule container can hold up to 25 capsules.
The Miele navitronic control panel of is state-of-the-art yet simple to use, menu driven interface which engages the coffee maker via touch screen controls, enabling you to adjust settings to your liking and brew your favorite blend of coffee. Machine can take 4 custom profiles in order to accommodate different preferences and serving sizes of family members. 4 programmable cup sizes include espresso, double espresso, coffee and double coffee.
For cappuccino lovers, Miele designed a unique cappuccinatore jug for frothing milk, which can either deliver froth straight into [...]
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Gaggenau now offers two 24 inch dishwasher models – the DF 260 with Euro tub and DF 261 with tall tub. Both power dishwashers provide restaurant-grade dishwashing capabilities while meeting all your decor demands with the sleek luxurious, built-in design. The new DF 260/261 24 inch dishwashers are strong enough to clean up after the most prolific home chefs in just 59 minutes flat – thanks to the unique Power Boost option, so you have quick and spotless results each and every time. And an Intense Wash setting is perfect for mixed loads. 6 additional programs include an Extra-Dry setting to remove all water particles from hard-to-dry plastics such as Tupperware. Very economical and efficient, the ‘AAA’ rated dishwashers save time, money and energy without sacrificing strength. Gaggenau exclusive Aqua sensor technology determines the load and degree of soiling, optimizing the water temperature, water quantity and the length of the washing cycle accordingly. The 24 inch dishwasher also has automatic detergent function which adjusts the amount of detergent used to the needs of each load. Not only does it take the guesswork out of doing the dishes, it also conserves [...]
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Here is what’s catching my attention…new and/or interesting products you need to know about.
 Blue Star is sort of a lone wolf (no pun intended) in the pro range category. A somewhat silent player, it’s a product that deserves more attention. Blue Star says that they are the only genuine restaurant range for the home due to their open burner system, producing 22,000 btus of power, resulting in shorter cooking times and an even simmer. BUILD YOUR OWN Blue Star range (that’s what I built in the image) to reflect your personal style and preferences.
Miele hasjust redesigned their CombiSets, or modular cooking pieces. I LOVE modular pieces. It’s a super flexible, super functional way to precision-design your cooking needs. The new line includes an induction cooktop and Japanese Tepan Yaki. The design of these pieces are gorgeous, with controls that are slanted in an ergonomic way. A slightly larger 15″ size is available for some models and that really makes sense to me.
 I’m crazy about sink accessories! In my new home, I have this one small built-in cutting board, and it’s so incredibly useful to have it right nearby. We [...]
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Whether you plan to install your new appliance yourself or have a professional do it, be sure your home is ready before delivery. Read these tips on power requirements, placement and more to ensure a successful installation.
Appliance Power Requirements
Check the power requirements of each appliance. To run major appliances and heavy electrical equipment, you need 220-volt current in the house. And unless your clothes dryer runs on gas, it will require a 220-volt outlet to operate, so it’s necessary to upgrade to 220 to handle these and other heavy equipment.
Appliance Installation
When having an appliance installed, be sure it can be removed easily for service. Flexible hook-ups for dishwashers and gas ranges can make repair jobs less labor intensive. Also, leave extra electric cable when installing electric wall ovens and cooktops. This will minimize the time the technician spends on the job and reduce the cost to you.
Here are some tips from appliancemagic.com regarding some specific appliances:
Dishwashers
If your kitchen floor is being tiled, make sure that it is tiled beneath the dishwasher or at least raise its flooring to the same height as the tiles. Once down, there may not be enough clearance to [...]
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Hard times don’t mean college students have to give up healthful, tasty food.
These appliances will come in handy whether your son or daughter lives in a dorm or an off-campus apartment.
And while this gear won’t turn your college-age cooks into an Iron Chef, they can save them some money and add variety and spice to their diet.
Be sure to check your school’s guidelines about appliances, and see the rest of our back-to-school coverage.
Compact Refrigerators
The “dorm-room refrigerator” moniker shows how closely compact refrigerators have become identified with college life, but only some of the models we tested made the grade. Many models have a single temperature-control dial, so you can’t find an ideal temperature between the refrigerator and freezer sections. And all that we tested for this report are comparative energy hogs.
Only two refrigerators we tested had freezer sections that were able to keep frozen confections from turning to mush, and the 3.7-cubic-foot Avanti 308YWT, 0, flunked basic refrigeration. Choose the 4.6-cubic-foot Frigidaire FRC05L5D, 0, if your student will be a frequent frozen-food diner. Tell your kid to discard frozen foods that have been stored above 40°F for more than two [...]
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I follow so many great people on Twitter, but cannot stay on Twitter constantly, so I’m sure I miss many great tweets. Oftentimes, I’ll catch tweets that really relate to something I’m thinking about or bring me great new information, as I’m quickly scanning, and I’m delighted. This morning is one such occasion. I happened to catch House Beautiful’s tweet, in part, on a case made for refrigerator drawers in a small kitchen.
 This REALLY spoke to me because I have thought about this issue a LOT. The issue is if one should substitute refrigerator drawers in place of a traditional tall refrigerator in a small kitchen.
This is a personal issue for me as well as being a basic kitchen design issue that I am interested in.
We own our own little piece of New York City. At the moment, our apartment is used full time, as our son, attending college, is living here for perhaps one more year. He and his girlfriend cook up a storm most nights a week. The tall, old, 33″ refrigerator is packed.
As my husband and I talk about the future, we’d love to be in this apartment on a part time [...]
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Dishwashers are a great time-saver and are also more hygienic than washing dishes by hand, due to the higher temperatures involved during the wash cycle.
There are a number of factors to consider when choosing a dishwasher, for example, unit type, how many place settings you can fit inside, control type and the number and type of wash cycles.
Unit Type
First decide on the type of unit. Dishwashers are available as freestanding (portable) or built-in (under the counter) models.
They come in two sizes, 24″ and 18″
Portable dishwashers
As the name suggests, these are portable, freestanding units. Smaller than the built-in but with just as many features. Used where space is at a premium.
Built-in dishwashers
Built-in models can retain the original door, or be integrated with the rest of your kitchen by having a cabinet door installed so that from the outside they look like just another cabinet.
Control Type
There are three types of dishwasher controls. The most basic type of control is the rotary dial, which allows you to select a cycle by turning the dial to the correct setting.
The second type of control is a push-button control. These work by having preset cycles that [...]
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One question that often comes up is, should you buy a range or a cooktop?
In short, it is really a personal choice, based on your budget, space limitations, looks, and needs.
Budget
Prices for cooktops, ovens and ranges vary a lot because the prices are changing constantly due to special offers and sales, brands are priced differently to start with, and they also depend on which of many different features they offer.
However, a separate cooktop and wall oven will always cost more than a range, and will also require electrical or gas plumbing to each unit.
Space Issues
With a cooktop and separate oven you are installing two appliances, therefore they will take up twice the space of a range. Building codes may also require you to install a vent over the cooktop. Also, you may lose some cupboard space to allow for the built-in oven.
Gas or Electric?
However, the first thing you should consider when buying a range or cooktop is whether you want the gas or the electric type. With the drastic increase in natural gas prices recently, many people are changing to electric appliances.
If you are simply replacing your existing equipment, this is no problem. If, however, you [...]
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August was another amazing month of Kitchen Contraptions – filled with kitchen gadgets, grilling, and other kitchen wonders. Thanks again to all of our loyal readers, and we hope to do some giveaways soon. You can also follow us now on 
