Preview new products coming to Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

Induction cooktops have been a big hit for several years. Now, ranges have begun to appear featuring induction technology. GE is launching new Profile models of slide-in and freestanding ranges which included induction cooktops. They both feature 19 power settings and a huge 5.3 cubic ft. convection oven. Knobs have been replaced with illuminated front touch controls that are ADA compliant.

LG has been expanding their appliance brand to offer a complete line of appliances. Their new Studio line includes matching kitchen appliances in all categories – refrigerator, dishwasher, range or cooktop/oven, and microwave. LG Studio appliances have a clean-modern look and include a gas cooktop, a double wall oven, deluxe electric slide-in range, a microwave-hood combination, and a high-performance steam dishwasher. LG now has a 42-in. built-in side-by-side refrigerator, as well as their French-door models. With their own linear compressor and a dual evaporator that works to optimize refrigerator humidity, LG refrigerator technology helps keep food fresh longer.

Designers have been creating beautiful modern kitchens with an elegant white theme only to find themselves without a selection of white appliances to complement the white cabinets. Now Miele's new Brilliant White Plus appliances are helping to bring new life to white as an appliance option. The clean lines and elegant appearance are a perfect fit for this modern luxury white kitchen concept. Miele's collection features a suite of appliances with white glass doors, chrome handles, and touch controls.

Known for the commercial refrigeration products, Perlick's Signature Series 48-in. undercounter freezer/refrigerator (HP48FR) gives commercial quality to the discerning homeowner. This model features a large freezer compartment and both food and beverage refrigeration with a total of 12 cu. ft. of storage space. The Perlick unit is built with a Variable Speed Compressor. The zero-clearance hinge and shallow depth permits a flush to the cabinet installation for an integrated look. Choices include a built-in, freestanding and/or stacked model in a variety of door options. In addition, this Perlick unit has been awarded an Energy Star Most Efficient designation.

New from Dacor is the Discovery Wine Station, an automated, temperature-controlled, four-bottle wine dispenser for the home. Enjoy just the right wine in the right amount at each pour, whether you desire just a taste, a full, or a half-glass, the Dacor Wine Station is Ideal. The argon gas preservation system shields the unit from harmful ambient UV rays and allows wine to be opened and preserved for up to 60 days. The dispenser comes with its own energy efficient thermo-electric cooling system keeping an ideal temperature for either red or white wine. Wines are protected and safe behind a locking door. The dispensing system is operated using LCD screens and touch controls which display wine varieties, vintages, temperature settings and pouring volume.

This are just a few of the new appliance product launches that are on their way to UAKC. Visit Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) today for the latest in appliance innovation.

Two locations to serve you – Calabasas and Studio City:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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The vast majority of cooktops sold in the U.S. are either 30″ or 36″ in width. However, there has been a very good market over the years for cooktops ranging from 42″ – 48″, with a 45″ width being the most common size in this X-Large cooktop category.

In an effort to reduce their model lineups, some manufacturers have discontinued 45″ cooktops. This has created a problem for consumers needing to replace their old 45″ cooktop since there is now a very limited selection of cooktops that will fit the hole left when the old cooktop is removed. Here are some suggestions and workarounds if you find yourself in this situation.

Viking RDECU2566BSB

Dacor SMG466

The Viking Range Company does still make a 45″ wide electric cooktop model RDECU2566BSB. Dacor makes a 46″ wide gas cooktop model SGM466, and Miele makes 42 1/2″ wide cooktops in both gas and electric. While these options may or may not provide the perfect fit for your existing cooktop there are some workarounds for you to consider. If you are replacing a 45″ wide cooktop with a 46″ wide cooktop, you may be able to just cut the existing whole a bit wider to accommodate the larger unit. On the other hand, if the replacement cooktop is not quite wide enough to fill the hole, there are companies that make filler kits such as Micro-trim. Also, It might be feasible to just replace the entire countertop. That way you can cut the opening to fit a new cooktop.

Some of these 45″ cooktops were installed in islands and peninsulas and have downdraft ventilation systems. Jenn-Air still makes 45″ downdraft cooktops in both electric and gas.

Jenn-Air JED8345ADB

The electric model JED8345ADB comes with a grill in the left bay, and two open bays that will accept 2 element radiant or coil cartridges, as well as a griddle that will fit over the grill element. The grill may also be removed and replaced with a coil or radiant cartridge to provide a total of 6 electric cooking elements.

Jenn-Air JGD8345ADB

The gas model JGD8345ADB comes complete with a gas grill in the left bay, and fixed gas cartridges in each of the two right bays. The grill is removable and can be replaced with an additional gas cartridge giving the homeowner a total of 6 gas burners. The Jenn-Air center downdraft eliminates the need for an expensive rear downdraft or island hood, and provides effective, economical, and unobtrusive ventilation. This is a great solution if you are replacing a Jenn-Air or other downdraft vented cooktop. If you have a traditional overhead vent system, you would need to reconfigure your ducting and remove the overhead system.

Wolf Cooktops and Modules

Finally, another interesting possibility for replacing a 45″ cooktop would be to combine 3 – 15″ cooking modules or a 30″ cooktop and 1 – 15″ cooking module. Wolf has a good selection of modules and also has trim pieces to make them fit together.

If this all sounds a bit complicated and confusing…well, it can be. It's a good idea to get some expert advice. First, measure your existing cooktop outside dimensions. If you have the old installation instructions with the model number and cutout dimensions that would be helpful also. Then call or visit the experts at UAKC, Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center. They'll be able to recommend the best solutions for your specific situation.

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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Having just finished the 4th of July holiday season with all the attending appliance sale events, it should be noted that at least one of the big box stores – the guys who wear orange aprons – had a newspaper tab with a patriotic theme, Red, White, and Blue sale featuring a Korean appliance brand.

It might be interesting and worthwhile to look at the landscape of appliance brands and manufacturing to identify the brands by nationality and by where they are manufactured. In other words, which brands are “American” brands and what is manufactured in the U.S. By the way, we mean “made” or “manufactured” to also include assembly. Most manufacturing facilities today are primarily assembly factories where parts are attached to a chassis.

American brands of major appliances include Whirlpool and GE as full-line manufacturers. Whirlpool is the largest appliance manufacturer in the world though over half their sales are in the U.S. Their headquarters are in the U.S. and they are listed on the U.S. stock exchange. Whirlpool also makes and sells U.S. appliances under these brand names: Amana, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, and Maytag. They claim that over 80% of the appliances they sell in the U.S. are made in the U.S.

Though listed on the U.S. stock exchange, GE is a true multi-national, doing business all over the world making and selling everything from jet engines, to nuclear power plants, to major appliances. They are much less of a factor in world wide appliance sales than in the U.S. GE outsources to other manufacturers and does joint ventures for quite a few of their U.S. appliances. They have recently expanded their U.S. production and have begun making new french door refrigerators at their Appliance Park facility in Louisville, Ky. Estimates are about 50% of its U.S. appliance sales are manufactured in the U.S.

Electrolux is the second largest appliance manufacturer in the World. Headquartered in Sweden and listed on the Swedish stock exchange, they sell in the U.S. primarily under the brand names Electrolux, Frigidaire, and Icon. They have recently closed a couple of U.S. facilities. Though they still have several factories in the U.S. they also bring in major appliances from Mexico, Asia, and Europe.

BSH is a German held company (Bosch – Siemens). They sell appliances in the U.S. under the brand names Bosch, Gaggenau, and Thermador. Some are made in the U.S.

The above list covers the “Big 4″ (Whirlpool, GE, Electrolux, BSH) of full line major appliance companies selling in the U.S. We should probably add the Korean firms, Samsung and LG (Lucky-Goldstar) to the list. Most of the Samsung and LG products sold in the U.S. are built in Korea.

The balance of US appliance sales are from companies that are niche or not full-line. Viking Ranges, Sub-Zero Wolf, and Dacor are stalwart high-end U.S. brands that also manufacture nearly all of the products in the U.S. There are many specialty U.S. manufacturers such as Scotsman, U-line, Marvel, and others. Haier is a Chinese brand that sells some low priced appliances made in China.

If you are interested in finding out more about major appliances call or visit the experts at:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
12025 Ventura Blvd. Ste B-105
Studio City, CA 91604
PH 877 696-2987
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Warming Drawers have become increasingly popular due to the great convenience of having a device whose primary purpose is to keep cooked food warm until it is ready to be served. Whether cooks need to keep some food warm while other food is being prepared, or whether dinner needs to be kept warm until the entire family is present and accounted for, these devices are a sensible and practical solution to having meals ready to be served when diners are ready to eat.

These temperature controlled drawers are designed to install easily in standard cabinetry under a counter or in a full depth wall cabinet along with a wall oven. Another location for warming drawers is in a butlers pantry. Some companies even make warming drawers that are rated for outdoor use, eg. Viking Outdoor.

Most full-line appliance manufacturers offer warming drawers that match their ovens and other appliances to complement their appearance in kitchen suites. Warming drawers may have additional features such as automatic shutoff, moisture control, and even slow-cooking (crockpot) capabilities (see KitchenAid). Temperatures range from a low of under 90 degrees for proofing or plate warming, and all the way up to 250 degrees.

Are warming drawers a needless frill or luxury? Not necessarily. In addition to the convenience, warming drawers can save time and energy. Customers might also choose a single oven and warming drawer to save money over the cost of a double oven recognizing that the second oven is oven used only to keep food warm.

Check with the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center for more information on a warming drawer to fit your needs.
Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
12025 Ventura Blvd. Ste B-105
Studio City, CA 91604
PH 877 696-2987

DACOR

Dacor is the innovator of the most stylish premium American-made kitchen appliances that provide a luxury ownership experience for those who are passionate about the details of gourmet cooking. Since its inception in 1965, Dacor has been owned and run by three generations of the Joseph family. Originally named Distinctive Appliances Incorporated, the company is responsible for many industry firsts, including the 30” self-cleaning Pure Convection™ wall oven, a drop-in cooktop with continuous grates, an outdoor grill with halogen lights and the first professional dual-fuel range with sealed burners. Today, Dacor utilizes the expertise and heritage of a third generation, family-owned company to provide exquisitely designed luxury appliances.

CAPITAL

Established in 2001, Capital Cooking Equipment is under the leadership of Surjit Kalsi whose long and decorated career designing high performance cooking products for companies such as Viking, Thermador, GE, Jenn-Air and DCS is industry renowned. Product lines include the Precision Series of ranges, range-tops, outdoor cooking and accessories, Maestro Series of cooktops, built-in ovens and warming drawers, and the Culinarian Series of ranges and range-tops. New to Capital’s offering is the Connoisseurian series of dual fuel ranges. Capital is distributed throughout the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand through specialty retailers.

AGA

AGA MARVEL is the North American subsidiary of AGA Rangemaster Group plc. The AGA MARVEL corporate name is the umbrella for all brands marketed in North America including AGA, Heartland, Marvel, Northland and Marvel Scientific.

Established in 1990, Heartland is a recognized designer and manufacturer of unique premium kitchen appliances; including Dual Fuel, Gas, Electric and Woodburning Cookstoves. Heartland produces products that span centuries of cooking technology in Classic designs. Heartland has expanded its original Collection to include European inspired ranges as part of the Paragon and Toledo Kitchen Suites to suit contemporary sophisticated kitchens. For additional information or to locate a dealer near you, visit our website or call us.

The team at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center can answer questions about these luxury ranges as well as most other brands. Give them a call or stop by today:
Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
12025 Ventura Blvd. Ste B-105
Studio City, CA 91604
PH 877 696-2987

Black Appliances

Black is not new as a category in appliances, but selection is definitely improving in high end appliances that have focused primarily on Stainless Steel finishes. Wolf appliances showed a black glass front wall oven that received a lot of attention at the show. Dacor displayed its Renaissance wall oven in a black glass version. Jenn-Air offers an entire black glass suite of appliances including black glass front refrigerators.

Black faucets

Matte black faucets are now offered by many leading faucet manufacturers. Jason Wu had designed a special line for Brizo that was displayed at KBIS 2012. Delta and Kohler also showed black faucets at this year’s KBIS.

Whether you’re looking for appliances and plumbing fixtures to provide color for your kitchen or want to stick with stainless, Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center has a fantastic selection of all the best brands. Visit us soon:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
12025 Ventura Blvd. Ste B-105
Studio City, CA 91604
PH 877 696-2987

Dacor highlighted their line of Renaissance wall ovens at last weeks 2012 KBIS show at McCormick Place in Chicago. With a 4.8 cu. ft. interior, these ovens have the largest capacity available on the market and feature seven rack positions. The extra capacity is perfect for large families or home chefs who like to entertain.

The Renaissance Wall Oven marks Dacor’s 8th generation of developing category leading ovens. “Dacor invented the 30″ self-cleaning Pure Convection™ wall oven category over twenty years ago,” says Steve Joseph, President of Dacor.

For more information about Dacor appliances visit Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center.

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
12025 Ventura Blvd. Ste B-105
Studio City, CA 91604
PH 877 696-2987

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.