Appliances for Modern Lifestyles

   According to Chuck Proctor, West Coast business manager for Florida Builder Appliances, “Kitchen remodeling, as well as increased consumer interest in building new homes with state-of-the-art kitchens, continues to be on the rise. Consumers are more educated and informed about the newest and most up-to-date products due to the large amount of information available on appliance manufacturers’ Web sites.”
   Touch control electric cooktops, which automatically adjust the temperature with the touch of a finger, sealed gas burners and sophisticated LED sensors that cook to perfection are just some of the newest innovations. Induction cooktops, introduced 25 years ago, have reappeared with a number of brands such as Küppersbusch, Diva and Viking.
   Built-in coffee machines are also popular in luxury kitchens. Miele started the trend with a model that actually grinds the beans one cup at a time, but other manufacturers, such as Küppersbusch, Dacor® and Gaggenau are following suit. With the revolving lifestyles of after-school activities, families working and playing later, and large-scale entertaining, warming ovens are gaining popularity.
   Promising minimal fluctuation in temperature levels, refrigerated drawers, such as those by Sub-Zero, KitchenAid and U-Line, have become another popular appliance in high-end kitchens. Specifically designed to maintain the ideal moisture and refrigeration levels required for vegetables and other foods, foods stay fresher longer.
   Built-in dishwashers have changed dramatically in recent years. The demand for “quiet” dishwashers is driving consumer demand. Drawer-type dishwashers, such as those fashioned by Fisher & Paykel and KitchenAid, are popular and convenient as they are easy to reach and operate efficiently with separate motors.
   “The phenomenon of the appliance industry is evident in the evolution of the outdoor kitchen concept. Grills, in all sizes from 26 inches to 56 inches are all the rage! Priced from $1,000 up to $9,000, there are no limits to growing innovations. Popular grills include: AlFresco, Frigidaire, Viking, Wolf and Thermador. To keep ahead of the market, Dacor® has a 36-inch grill, which includes the convenience of halogen lighting on either side of the burner box for cooking at night,” says Proctor.
   The recent UL approval of stainless steel refrigerators, wine coolers, icemakers and wet bar set-ups for use outdoors, has further enhanced the advent of the summer kitchen. With all of these advancements, the outdoor kitchen has become recognized as a separate room for the ever-growing desire to entertain. Laundry products continue to evolve as manufacturers apply engineering improvements and technology in water consumption, filtration and the use of detergents and softeners. Front-load washers and dryers, such as Miele and Asko, have been well received in the United States. The demand for large capacity washers and dryers has led Whirlpool to introduce the “Duet Pair,” the largest capacity front-loading washer and dryer on the market.
   The appliance industry is strong. “We are seeing strong trends and innovative directions in the designs and features of major appliances, as well as improvements in quality standards. The result is better products with less service requirements, which means more added-value product for the consumer,” says Proctor. “The kitchen is the heart of the home. As manufacturers continue to make large capital investments in a fiercely competitive environment, we see no end to the continued excitement and growth of the appliance industry.”

FLORIDA BUILDER APPLIANCES
5257 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida
888 677-2645
www.FBAWEB.com