Appliance Innovations

What's New, Jan/Feb 2004 by Rasdall, Joyce

The job of appliance manufacturers is to design appliances and other electrical products with innovations to improve convenience and safety. Here is a roundup of some of these new designs.

Cooking Technology

A new way to cook food features four halogen lamps. These lamps provide heat that bakes, broils, browns, roasts and grills. Halogen ovens are now available with either 240-volt electrical power or 120 volt cords that plug into typical wall receptacles. The 240volt ovens cook up to 8 times faster than conventional ovens, while the 120-volt ovens cook up to 4 times faster than conventional ovens. Manufacturers include Maytag, Whirpool, Amana and General Electric. See www. geappliances.com/advatium/home.htm for more information.

One of the most innovative appliance combinations that has emerged is the new refrigerator and range in one piece. Whirlpool's Polara chills dishes at the beginning of the cook-and-hold cycle. The range can be programmed to automatically cool foods for sanitary safekeeping. Two free videos are available about Polara (www.polara. whirlpool.com).

Cooktops and wall ovens now offer flush surfaces and controls that wipe clean easily. New stainless-steel styling makes it easier to mix and match different brands. Some of these cooktops and wall ovens offer high-end features at an affordable price. (www.geappliances.com) The GE Profile 36'' Built-in Gas Cooktop Model#. JGP963SEFSS is a deep recessed cooktop designed with a recessed surface to help contain spills and make cleaning easy. Sealed cooktop burners help contain spills and boil over liquids, ensuring easy cleanup.

Ranges have also seen some innovations. The Maytag Precision Cooking System assures uniform baking and even browning, so you can bake on all of the racks at once. Maytag's 5.22 cu. ft. oven capacity is larger than other range brands.

A new line of Jenn-Air WaZZ Ovens enables consumers to create their ideal kitchen with a variety of cooking combinations including single and double wall ovens, microwave/wall oven combos, convenience wall oven, built-in microwaves and warming drawers. Check out www.maytag.com.

Wolf Appliances offers 30- or 36-inch built-in ovens (single or double). The electronic controls are concealed behind a stainless steel panel. A motor quietly rotates the control panel into position. These ovens feature the dual convection system. Two fans and four heating elements operate either simultaneously or in sequence, depending on one of eight cooking modes users choose. see www.wolfappliance.com.

Dishwasher Upgrades

Dishes may need a light wash, high water pressure, high water temperature or other options. The Jenn-Air 3-Rack Dishwasher combines inventive use of space with a sleek, elegant exterior. The spacious interior with three full racks accommodates everything from long-stemmed wine glasses to sauté pans. Maytag's new JetClean II Dishwasher features a revolutionary FlexLoad third rack and tall tub design that adds capacity and flexibility to loading.

Amana's MasterClean Wash System features eleven Wash Option Pads, five levels of cleaning, Sensor Clean (senses food soils to save water and energy on light loads) and a stainless steel hard food disposer to chop food scraps. (www.arnana.com).

The Whirlpool Gold Tall Tub Dishwasher has 22 inches of usable space the industry's largest capacity. The tall tub fits in a standard opening, due to the new horizontal motor that takes up less space. An Anti-Bacterial Cycle that raises the main wash water temperature to 145 degrees F. and the final rinse to 160 degrees F. (www.Whirlpool.com)

The General Electric Profile Builtin Dish-washers with Stainless Interior offers either a "heated dry" cycle or the more energy effective air-dry feature. New dishwashing options include delay start controls, new upper and lower rack styles and quiet insulation.

Every year, appliance manufacturers are making our lives more efficient at the push or twist of a few buttons and knobs.

Joyce Rasdall is a Professor in the Housing and Interior Design Program at Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau, MO.