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Thermador Demo at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

Art — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:30:09 +0000

JOIN US for a Cooking Demo

Hosted by

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

Please join the Thermador culinary expert who will be cooking up some delicious appetizers to satisfy the most discriminating palate, and discussing Thermador's latest product innovations.

COME JOIN US!

Date: June 1st, 2013
Time: 11:00am to 3:00pm
Location: UAKC Calabasas
26767 Agoura Road
Calabasas ,CA 91604
(818) 880-0011

Introducing the Steam and Convection Oven

Defrost, steam, proof, bake, slow cook and reheat. The Thermador Steam & Convection Oven’s performance and flexibility are unmatched. The oven provides supreme taste, texture and quality. Built with the craftsmanship and performance that define Thermador, you’ll wonder how you ever cooked without the power of steam.

Masterpiece Series Freedom Induction Cooktop

Induction has been the most revolutionary advancement in cooking technology in the last 30 years. Now it‘s time for Thermador to inaugurate a new revolution: the Freedom Induction Cooktop. Our complete Induction Cooktop collection provides the speed and precision of PowerBoost technology and features the largest and most powerful element in its class.

We look forward to seeing you. For all your appliance, and plumbing needs for the kitchen and bath call the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC).

Two locations to serve you – Calabasas and Studio City:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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Miele’s New Steam Convection Oven

Art — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:00:14 +0000

Now Available From Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

The Next Innovation In Cooking from Miele

Miele Combi-Steam oven

As the pioneer in steam oven technology, Miele has perfected the art of steam cooking. Building on that expertise, the introduction of Miele’s Combi-Steam oven promises gourmet results — whether using steam, convection or a combination.

When choosing combination cooking, steam and convection work together to transfer heat more efficiently, proving ideal for locking in the moisture of meats or cakes, yet browning the exterior of items such as poultry to perfection. The result? Excellent quality with flawless taste.

MasterChef Gourmet Programs

For a lasting impression at your next dinner party, automatic programs for Turkey, Chicken, Salmon, Beef Tenderloin and Baby Back Ribs use slow cooking methods by combining lower temperatures and longer cooking times for the most tender and juicy results with a richly browned crust.

Lift-Up Control Panel:

With the simple touch of a button, the control panel automatically lifts up, allowing for easy access to the dishwasher-safe water and condensate containers. Then a quick and safe return of the control panel re-integrates your oven into the seamless design of your kitchen.

XL PerfectClean Cavity:

If you like to entertain, the extra large capacity of Miele’s Combi-Steam oven allows for more flexibility and larger dishes. As compared with Miele’s steam oven, the Combi-Steam oven capacity boasts a 40% increase in space, made possible by the location of the water and condensate container behind the lift-up control panel.

CleanGlass Door:

Offering a flush and smooth surface inside the door, the CleanGlass door makes cleaning up after your meal a breeze. Plus the door provides a durable and stable surface to place dishes, holding up to 17lbs in weight, thanks to the ingenuity of the stability hinges.

For more information on Miele and for all your appliance, and plumbing needs for the kitchen and bath call or visit the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC).

Two locations to serve you – Calabasas and Studio City:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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*content provided by Miele

Reminder – Thermador Lunch and Learn at Calabasas

Art — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:30:00 +0000

Thermador Event at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

Calabasas Location

Thermador will be hosting a delicious lunch and learn at:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
26767 Agoura Road
Calabasas, CA 91302

11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

https://maps.google.com/maps/myplaces?hl=en&ll=34.140527,-118.706524&spn=0.013409,0.01929&ctz=420&t=m&z=16&iwloc=A

Thermador will be cooking and demonstrating for attendees and discussing the new Thermador steam/convection oven, the exclusive Thermador Freedom induction cooktop, and the new Pro Grand® Thermador Range. Bring your questions and your appetite!

Thermador Pro Grand®

The Pro Grand® Thermador Range is a range that will change the way real cooks cook. This Ultimate Culinary Center™ features seven cooking options:

ExtraLow® simmering featuring our Star® Burners,
22,000 BTUs Power Burner
Titanium Griddle with ProCoat™
Titanium Grill with ProCoat™
Large capacity Convection Oven
Warming Drawer
Industry Exclusive Steam & Convection Oven.
Cooking Innovation & Performance

The Thermador steam and convection oven can defrost, proof, bake slow cook, and yes it even steams.
The Freedom induction cooktop is unique among all cooktops because it not only features the revolutionary induction technology, but it also allows the user to cook anywhere on the glass surface that they choose. Of course, induction means that it will cook with blazing speed while the cooktop stays cool – amazing!

The Pro Grand® Range, the Exclusive Steam and Convection oven, and the Thermador Freedom induction cooktop represent state-of-the-art technology, and deliver spectacular results.

A BSH (Thermador) representative will also talk a bit about the Thermador brand legacy and their promotional offer which allows customers to earn free appliances such as a dishwasher and a range hood when they purchase select Thermador products.

Many of the appliances at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center showrooms are hooked up live which gives the opportunity to demonstrate them for you. Join this Thermador Lunch and Learn on March 30th, at Studio City. Call or visit us today for expert advice in appliances and plumbing fixtures.

Two locations to serve you – Calabasas and Studio City:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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Microwave Ovens in a Kitchen Island

Art — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 17:47:00 +0000

Installing a microwave in a kitchen Island.

Utilizing an island for kitchen appliances is often just a case of good space planning. Designers are increasingly installing microwave ovens in the kitchen island. Microwave ovens can be problematic against a wall where upper cabinets a) may not make sense ergonomically, and b) don't fit in a standard 12″ deep cabinet. The island turns out to be a logical and convenient location for a microwave oven. The easily accessible microwave oven under the counter is a good example of universal design at work. Consumers can choose from an inexpensive countertop microwave with trim kit, or if they don't like the side swing door, several manufacturers offer built-in options with drop down doors. Some companies even have microwave ovens which have a motorized drawer.

Here are three brands that offer good options for island microwaves:

KitchenAid

KitchenAid offers a choice of built-in microwave ovens that can work nicely in an island. The oven below is a 24″ wide oven that comes with a 27″, and 30″ trim kit so that it can work in a 24″, 27″, or 30″ cabinet. KitchenAid also offers a very powerful built-in Micro-Convection oven that is available in a 240v. version.

KitchenAid Built-In Microwave

Sharp

Sharp is a leader in microwave ovens and pioneered the microwave drawer. They also source microwave drawers for a number of other leading brands. The Sharp microwave drawer is available in both a 27″ and 30″ version.

Sharp Microwave Drawer

GE Advantium

GE's Advantium Speed Cook microwave combination can be purchased in a variety of built-in configurations. The 240v. version is available only in a 30″ width. The 120v. version is available in both 27″ and 30″ width.

GE Monogram Microwave

Since many of the major appliance brands offer some built-in microwave options, you have a good chance of finding just the right features and brand to suit your needs. To explore your options further contact the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center today.

Two locations to serve you – Calabasas and Studio City:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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Thermador Lunch and Learn at UAKC

Art — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:00:44 +0000

Thermador Event at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

Thermador will be hosting a delicious lunch and learn at:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center – Studio City Showroom
Saturday, March 30th, 2013
11:00AM

View Larger Map Driving Directions

Thermador Pro Grand®

The Pro Grand® Thermador Range is a range that will change the way real cooks cook. This Ultimate Culinary Center™ features seven cooking options:

ExtraLow® simmering featuring our Star® Burners,
22,000 BTUs Power Burner
Titanium Griddle with ProCoat™
Titanium Grill with ProCoat™
Large capacity Convection Oven
Warming Drawer
Industry Exclusive Steam & Convection Oven.
Cooking Innovation & Performance

The Thermador steam and convection oven can defrost, proof, bake slow cook, and yes it even steams.
The Freedom induction cooktop is unique among all cooktops because it not only features the revolutionary induction technology, but it also allows the user to cook anywhere on the glass surface that they choose. Of course, induction means that it will cook with blazing speed while the cooktop stays cool – amazing!

The Pro Grand® Range, the Exclusive Steam and Convection oven, and the Thermador Freedom induction cooktop represent state-of-the-art technology, and deliver spectacular results.

Two locations to serve you – Calabasas and Studio City:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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Cooking and drinking tips for the holiday

Art — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 15:00:40 +0000

Holiday Reminders for Cooking and Drinking

Cooking

Find your meat probe for roasting. If your oven has a feature allowing you to roast by temperature rather than time, you should use it. It is much more accurate. If you don't use this feature often, chances are that the temperature probe is hidden away with your instruction manual so you'll need to conduct a search ahead of time.
Use the right pan for convection. The convection feature is wonderful for roasting and baking, but it's important to remember that the oven air needs to circulate around the food. If you have a roast or a bird sitting on the bottom of a roasting pan with high sides, you need to make sure that a roasting rack or trivet gets the meat above the pan sides so that convection air will encircle the food.
Don't forget your low simmer burner. This time of year there are lots of sauces and soups that need to sit on the stove for a long time at a very low settings. If you're having trouble getting a low enough flame on your gas burner try checking to see if you have another burner on your range with a lower simmer setting. Most ranges and cooktops today will have at least one burner capable of maintaining a very low flame, whereas the power burner probably won't be able to turn down low enough for your sauce.
Double check your recipe ingredients. Nothing worse than thinking you had the all spice or the basil or the you-name-it in the cupboard only to be unable to find it. While your at it, be aware that if these spices have been in the pantry for a couple of years, they've likely lost their potency. Might be a good time for a fresh supply.

Drinking

1. Store your wine at the right temperature. Most experts recommend a temperature of 52-59 degrees.

2. Drink your wine at the right temperature. The right drinking temperature for wine is not the same as the right storage temperature for wine. Too many folks seem to want to drink red wine at room temperature and white wine at a refrigerated under 40 degree temperature. In general, you should drink hearty red wines in the 60-63 degree range, while most whites will taste best just above 50 degrees. Only sparkling wines taste good at a 40 degree temperature.

3. Decant your wine if necessary. Much has been written about decanting wine and there is great disagreement among wine experts. Most experts do agree that older red wines can benefit from decanting to separate the wine from the sediment. Others go further and say that decanting wine exposes it to oxygen and lets it release flavor that would not otherwise be present. Some even like to decant white wines.

One final tip on eating and drinking.

ENJOY

See us at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center after Christmas for Year End Clearance prices.

NOW, two locations to serve you – Calabasas and Studio City:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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A Primer on Convection Cooking

Art — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 21:02:10 +0000

What you should know about convection cooking.

If you have a convection range or oven and don't use it, or if you are considering a new range or oven here are the essential facts you should know.

Here's how convection works – the theory behind convection cooking.

Convection Oven

Convection ovens rapidly move hot air past food making it possible to cook better, faster, and at a lower temperature. They are fan operated to force the hot air over and around the food, and typically have separate convection elements surrounding the fans to assist in providing heat. Most residential convection ovens are selective use. This means that users can choose when to use convection and when not to use convection.

Here are the important advantages and disadvantages of convection cooking.

Advantages

Using convection for roasting reduces cooking time by as much as 25%.
Using convection for baking provides consistent results cooking at a lower temperature for the same amount of time.
Because of the consistent temperature throughout the oven cavity, using convection allows for cooking on all the racks at the same time. Cookies baked on the top rack will come out exactly the same as cookies baked on the bottom rack.
Cooking with convection will provide superior results. Roasts will have a dark caramelized exterior, and remain juicy and tender inside. Baked goods will brown evenly and stay moist.

Disadvantages

Convection cooking may require adapting standard recipes to achieve proper results.
There is no benefit to using convection in casserole dishes or other containers that do not allow hot air to circulate around the food. For example, there is no reason to use the convection feature to bake Lasagna.

Here is what you should consider before buying.

All convection ovens are not created equal. Each manufacturer will tout their specific convection system as having better features than than others. Here are some feature differences and explanations. You should decide for yourself which features to consider in your purchase decision.

Does the convection system have a heating element surrounding the convection fan? Most convection ovens will have a heating element surrounding the fan or fans. The element may cycle on and off in accordance with the thermostat, or depending on the type of food being cooked to provide precise results. Some convection ovens do not have separate elements surrounding the convection fan. Heat is provided only by the bake element in the bottom and broil element in the top of the oven. The fan merely circulates the existing oven air.
Does the fan operate at different speeds for different foods? Ovens with this capability will use a higher fan speed for roasting meets and a lower fan speed for baking.
Does the oven have more than one fan? Some ovens have two fans for better coverage. The fans may be surrounded by a single “bow-tie” or “butterfly” type element or individual elements.
Do the controls have an auto-conversion feature? Though there are a variety of systems for converting recipes, many ovens are equipped with controls that provide an automatic method of converting recipes from conventional to convection.

Though the above are some of the key features to consider, oven manufacturers might have their own pet or exclusive features or explanations of how their ovens differ. You may hear of different methods of pulling or pushing the air through the oven cavity or channeling air in a certain fashion. Decide for yourself whether these pitches are marketing hype or whether they provide significant points of differentiation.

Convection has proven to be reliable and effective method for cooking most foods, and provides superior results. For more information on cooking with convection consult the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center.

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
12025 Ventura Blvd. Ste B-105
Studio City, CA 91604
PH 877 696-2987
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Like Steam? Like Convection? You’ll love Steam + Convection from Wolf.

Art — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 02:58:48 +0000

Wolf has introduced a steam plus convection oven. Steam provides the benefits of more healthier and nutritious cooking. It’s the time tested system that professional bakeries use to get the perfect crust on boules and baguettes.

Add convection and you’ve got the complete appliance. There has never been a more versatile cooking instrument.

For more information contact the Wolf experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center.

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
12050 Ventura Blvd. Ste B-105
Studio City, CA. 91604
PH 877 696-2987

Don’t be afraid of convection.

Art — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 23:36:46 +0000

We’ve been selling convection ovens in the U.S. for decades.
Yet, there are still many customers out there who shy away
from convection for several reasons. Here are some important
points to keep in mind:

Convection is an option. Though I regularly use this feature
in my oven at home, there are times when I elect not to use it.
My wife usually does not use convection, but there are times
that she chooses to. It’s up to you whether you want to use
the convection feature in your oven or not.

Convection is easy to use. Many convection ovens today
have an auto conversion feature allowing you to set your oven
just as you normally would. The oven then converts the
time/temperature as needed for convection cooking of your
favorite recpe.

Convection is more expensive. Well, yes. However, in most
cases if you want a manufacturer’s better range or oven
convection is an included feature – just as power steering and
automatic transmission is more expensive, but you can hardly
get a car without it.

We plan on blogging more about convection, but first we’d like
to hear from you. Post your questions and comments
in the comments section and we’ll have our experts reply.

Speaking of experts, our sales staff at Universal Appliance
and Kitchen Center can provide the expert help you need to
select your new convection oven or any other appliance you
may need. AND they’ll get you a great price too. Call them at:
888 439-9795.