To See or Not to See? The Kitchen Question

Is it a den or a kitchen? According to Bill Mullet,president of Mullet’s Appliances in Sarasota and Naples, “The trend today is that people really don’t want to see their kitchen appliances. As a direct result of having ‘open’ kitchens where the family room is in close proximity to the kitchen, they want a softer, library-like feel about their kitchens.”

Consumers are leaning towards integrated kitchens, where the appliances are incorporated into the overall design of the space. With the exception of heat-producing appliances, cabinet door panels are being used more and more to cover range hoods, dishwashers, vegetable drawers and refrigerators.

With the exception of the freestanding, industrial professional-style (pro-style) ranges, which come complete with burners and one or more ovens, consumers want double ovens built directly into a cabinet box to achieve a streamlined, integrated look. This gives the home-owner more flexibility when deciding where to have their range top or cooktop installed.

Sixty percent of homeowners prefer an integrated kitchen while forty percent want an industrial, restaurant-style kitchen, complete with a pro-style range like those manufactured by Viking Range Corporation, Dacor® or Wolf, to name a few. Pro-style ranges are available in a variety of sizes with a multitude of range, griddle and grill combinations and either one or two ovens, depending upon the overall size.

While true aficionados prefer gas ranges to electric because of their efficiency and controllability, most professionals still prefer electric ovens to gas because it’s easier to regulate and monitor the heat source. In answer to this demand, Viking, who can be credited with
introducing pro-style ranges to residential kitchens 16-years ago, has introduced a dual-fueled pro-style range with gas burners and electric ovens.

“Healthier eating habits are driving the market trend,” says Mullet. “There has been an increasing demand for steam ovens where vegetables and other foods are cooked at a high temperature as steam surrounds and cooks the food.”

Dishwashers epitomize the concept of the integrated kitchen. People don’t want to see or hear their dishwashers. New Zealand manufacturer, Fisher & Paykel, revolutionized dishwashing with its dish drawer system. Stacked one on top of the other, or separated – one on each side of the sink for easy access – the drawers have separate motors to be run separately or together. The convenience of the top drawer is that it’s at waist level and ergonomically convenient to reach.

Even in integrated kitchens where most of the appliances are hidden, stainless steel ovens and microwaves are still the first choice. Black appliances account for about 10 percent of the market.

Sub-Zero has taken high-end refrigeration to the next level. The beauty of a Sub-Zero system is that it runs on two separate compressors – one for the refrigerator and one for the freezer therefore maintaining separate temperatures without fluctuating. The 700 Series is the first totally integrated system since it’s installed directly into the kitchen cabinetry.

With the emphasis on family life being so strong, kitchens have naturally become the nucleus of home life. Families love to congregate in their kitchens making it the most important room in the house. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that people want the newest and best accessories for their kitchens.

“Manufacturers are always trying to develop something new and different that consumers will fall over themselves to be the first on the block to buy,” says Mullet. “Competition in the appliance industry is fueling technological advancements. For example, European ovens, known for their highly calibrated, accurate thermostats, are still the most popular, but U.S. manufacturers are catching up.”

MULLET'S APPLIANCES
4233 Clark Road, Sarasota
941 921-5531
Toll free 800 648-4906
www.mullets.com

Written by Marla J. Ottenstein