Kristen “likes” UAKC on social media

Kristen E.

Altadena, CA

So I've started looking up small businesses on Facebook and Twitter because I know a lot of them are starting to offer discounts to their social media fans, and since I just moved into a new place and need a bunch of new kitchen stuff, I thought I'd try to find some appliance places on these sites. Most of the places I searched for didn't have social media accounts, but I was pleased to find that UAKC does and they do indeed offer specials for their fans.

Like UAKC on Facebook and visit Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center to get the best prices on your appliance and plumbing fixture needs.

Two locations to serve you – Calabasas and Studio City:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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At Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC)

Franke prides themselves on being a leader in product innovation, design and engineering.

Franke, a Swiss company, is the World’s largest manufacturer of kitchen sinks, and is at the forefront of research and development of new materials and products for the kitchen. Franke was formed in 1911, and currently operates in a number of different markets on a global scale. Franke USA is wholly integrated into the Franke Kitchen System Division.

A GRANDE Idea by Franke

The simplicity of shape, the functionality of a flat surface and the convenience of wide corners for easy cleaning creates the perfect sink.

Waste Disposers. Smarter engineering with bold new models from Franke.

F A S T E R. F I N E R. G R E E N E R. The new smarter engineered line of waste disposers from Franke take less time to do the job, grind to septic system compatible level of fineness in ALL models and use less energy. These energy efficient and environmentally friendly waste disposers are superior in every way from price to performance.

Franke has launched a convenient way to experience the luxury of filtered or instant hot water right from the tap. The newly introduced Franke Value Offer combines popular point-of-use faucets with water filtration, a heating tank or both, competitively priced for the ultimate in water quality and shopping simplicity.

New Franke Fireclay Colors

Matte white and matte black additions to Franke Fireclay by Villeroy & Boch sinks!

DW6000 Series – New Drinking Water Faucets

A new addition to the FF6000 and FF7000 families of products, this drinking water tap has an elegant high arc to accommodate the tallest glasses, with a beautiful, decorative silversmith-detailed handle.

FFBP2500 – This perfectly proportioned bar/prep faucet is a compliment to the full-sized kitchen faucet and the soap dispenser.

High arc design reminiscent of archways and curved lines. This perfectly proportioned bar/prep faucet is a compliment to the full-sized kitchen faucet, which together with the soap dispenser creates a full suite of beautifully matching products for a kitchen of any decor. Coordinating Suite Product includes the FF2500 pull-down kitchen faucet, and SD2500 soap dispenser:

Franke Centennial Sink

When you think about a ‘Traditional’ Kitchen you are envisioning what still remains the most popular design in the US today. Each detail is a tribute to traditions and treasures passed down from one generation to the next. This kitchen displays a sense of history and fundamentally portrays a luxurious elegance.

The Centennial is the very first Franke sink that was conceptually designed from beginning to end in the United States, yet still manufactured in Aarburg, Switzerland. The purpose was to capture the essence of the US home owner. In our Centennial year it is only fitting that we commemorate the classic ‘D-bowl’, with a redefinition of this traditionally styled bowl.

For all your kitchen and bath appliance and plumbing needs call or visit the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) today.

Two locations to serve you – Calabasas and Studio City:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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Leon- 100% professional and very knowledgeable

David W.

Malibu, CA

I was a high-end custom home builder for 20 + years, including homes on the Beach in Malibu and the hills of West LA. I recently discovered Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center. I visited the store on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City. The salesperson who assisted me was Leon. He was 100% professional, very knowledgeable and placed no pressure to buy. Leon was hands down the best appliance sales professional I have dealt with in my entire career. The shop had a pleasing environment-almost a family feeling even though Universal is a sophisticated chain of appliance and kitchen specialty stores. Additionally, their prices were the best I have found. I am going to replace all the appliances in my kitchen to update and convert to a stainless steel finish and I will definitely purchase everything from Leon at Universal. I recommend Universal without hesitation.

Experience the best in selection, service, and satisfaction – not to mention the GREAT PRICES you'll get when you shop at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC). David W. is an experienced appliance buyer, but he'd never come across a sales professional like Leon, or a dealership that can match UAKC for service and price. He's replacing all the appliances in his kitchen, and plans to get everything from Lon at UAKC.

Call or visit today, Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center is your headquarters for new appliances and plumbing fixtures.

Two locations to serve you – Calabasas and Studio City:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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*Highlighting added

Phiroze T.
Los Angeles, CA

I and my partner are re-doing our kitchen and we just bought all new appliances from Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center – double wall ovens, refrigerator, cooktop, hood, washer, dryer and wine cooler . I was pleasantly surprised by the extremely competitive prices that I paid. The sales staff (we were helped by Edward) was patient, explained the pros and cons, and helped us make choices that will provide good value, and that we will be happy with for a long time. I highly recommend Universal for kitchen appliances and fixtures. Diane from plumbing was also extremely patient and helped us select a sink and faucets. At first I was certain that I could get better deals online but after I checked prices I realized that I was getting a very good deal at Universal. The sales staff were willing to spend a lot of time with us without pressuring us to make any choices. All in all, it has been a great experience for us and we will certainly go back to them.

Emphasis Added

Experience the best in selection, service, and satisfaction – not to mention the GREAT PRICES you'll get when you shop at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC). Phiroze worked with Edward in appliances and Diane in plumbing and outfitted an entire kitchen at UAKC.

Call or visit today, Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center is your Southern California headquarters for new appliances and plumbing fixtures.

Two locations to serve you – Calabasas and Studio City:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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]]> http://www.uakc.com/blog/customers-write/feed/ 0 http://www.uakc.com/blog/kitchen-fires/ http://www.uakc.com/blog/kitchen-fires/#comments Tue, 26 Feb 2013 02:28:12 +0000 Art http://www.uakc.com/blog/?p=2297 Preventing and Putting Out Fires in the Kitchen

Your friends at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) want you to enjoy all your kitchen appliances – safely.

By far the most likely cause of a fire in the kitchen is from cooking. Flare ups, grease fires, accidental spills, clothing, and flammable material catching fire are all possible reasons for cooking fires. Here are some tips that will help you prevent cooking fires from occurring, followed by some tips that will help you put out a fire in your kitchen.

Fire Prevention

1. Check to make sure that you have an operating smoke detector in your kitchen. Change the battery annually as a matter of habit.

2. Stay in the kitchen while cooking. It may not be feasible to be in the kitchen for the entire time while your 21 pound turkey is cooking, but you shouldd to make it a practice not to leave the room while there is an open flame on your gas cooktop.

3. Whenever you step away from your cooktop, turn the pan handle away from the front of the cooktop. Brushing up against a handle can cause a pan to tip over resulting in a nasty burn.

4. Keep the cooktop surface and hood vent filters clean. Fires can easily occur where there is a buildup of grease.

5. Beware of loose fitting clothes near the flame. Also, dish towels, hot pads, and other cloth items are dangers near the cooktop. Keep lids on cooking oils, and don’t store them next to the cooking surface. Similarly, do not use flammable cleaning fluids near your rangetop while cooking.

Putting Out Fires

1. Call the Fire Department immediately. You’ll waste precious time if you try to put out the fire first and have to call for help later. Make the 911 phone call first.

2. Grease fires are among the most common of kitchen fires. Covering a grease fire is the easiest and quickest way to put it out. Reach for the nearest pan lid that will cover the flame. Don’t fuel the flame – turn off the burner. Have a fire extinguisher handy and use it.

3. Be careful that you don’t try to extinguish a flame by hastily dousing it with the nearest liquid. Instead, smother the fire with baking soda. It’s a good fire retardant.

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) is pleased to provide these tips for preventing and putting out fires in your kitchen. For help in selecting new appliances for your kitchen call or visit the experts at UAKC today.

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

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

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What does it mean when we hear the phrase “POP of color”? Ask a designer and they will describe a room full of neutral colors that is brought to life by a bold and surprising use of color. Sometimes it's a bright accent wall. Sometimes it's colorful throw pillows and flowers. But always its a contrast created by adding color to an otherwise neutral room. The POP calls the attention of the viewers eyes to the bright spot or POP, and often creates a focal point in the room.

Here's an example of a room that would have been a blinding snowstorm without the blue cushions and pillows. Notice also how the flowers create some balance and flow, and the clever addition of the touch of yellow in the chandelier.

In the picture below, the colorful chairs create needed interest, and the color-matched light fixtures help fill the volume of the room, an important consideration in large rooms with high ceilings.

In today's kitchens there are more ways than ever to add color. Kohler has recently teamed up with designer Jonathan Adler from Bravo's Top Design to introduce colored sinks that help bring life to a kitchen.

Jonathan Adler

Adler says, “It's the surprise factor that makes color work.” According to Adler, there's nothing better than a colored sink to bring a kitchen to life. Even better, he says, “These colors work in just about any kitchen color palette to add a little punch.” Kohler's new collection of sinks created in collaboration with Adler includes four special-edition colors available on six enameled cast iron kitchen and bathroom sinks. Available on select sinks in limited quantity, the punchy colors include Greenwich Green, Piccadilly Yellow, Palermo Blue and Annapolis Navy.

While we've previously blogged about color choices in major appliances (see link below), an important area worth considering for color splashes is in the vent hoods. The dramatic island hood from Best Hood's Sorpresa collection would be attention-getting without the color, but the red will bring any kitchen to life. It is appropriately named “lipstick”.

Another dramatic and colorful hood is the Italian Elica Euphoria model which features interactive color panels.

For more information about color POPS click on the link below to our previous blog:

More POPS of color to make kitchens lively

For more information on the products featured above call or visit Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center:

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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The Living Kitchen is more than a beautiful showcase for Wolf and Sub Zero products. It's an education and idea center. The Living Kitchen presents Sub-Zero and Wolf products in full-scale kitchen settings with all the resources you need to create a dream kitchen of your own. You can touch and feel and open and close in a simulated kitchen environment, and visualize how beautiful they will look in your home.

Tired of looking at pictures? Want to see up close and personal how an integrated refrigerator gives you a seamless built-in look? Eager to check out the new Wolf Steam Oven that everyone is talking about? Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center in Calabasas is the place to go. Their Living Kitchen is truly a destination shopping experience for homeowners and design professionals alike. The new Calabasas showroom has California's newest Wolf Sub Zero Living Kitchen.

Better yet, you're just in time to take advantage of the latest savings offer from Wolf and Sub Zero.

This Sub-Zero, Inc. and Wolf Appliance, Inc. Instant Savings offer is valid beginning October 1, 2012, and expires March 31, 2013, at participating Sub-Zero and Wolf dealers in the United States and Canada. This instant savings will be applied at point of sale only for qualifying purchases. All appliances must be purchased and invoiced at the same time, during the program period, appear on the same invoice, and be delivered by September 30, 2013. Products must be delivered and installed in the country of purchase. The Instant Savings offer cannot be combined with any other offers. Check with your local dealer for details.

Sub-Zero is not only the leading name in built-in refrigeration, it is a food preservation system designed to guard the freshness of your food, through superior technology such as an exclusive dual refrigeration system, and unsurpassed attention to detail. Sub-Zero equipment is built with care and craftsmanship in the U.S.A.

Built into Wolf range products is a belief system. The chief tenet of Wolf's cooking credo: that your ideas, not your equipment’s limitations, should determine how your meals turn out. With Wolf’s precise control, the dish you envision will be the dish you serve. Like Sub Zero refrigeration, Wolf cooking is built in the U.S. in environmentally

The new Calabasas showroom of Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center has not yet “officially” had their grand opening, but if you don't mind a bit of dust and would like to see California's newest Living Kitchen, they're open for business. Call or visit today:

Directions:

Take Highway 101 to Exit 33 turn South on Lost Hills Road turn East (Left) on Agoura Road. Arrive at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center.

UAKC Calabasas

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
26767 Agoura Road, A3, Calabasas, CA 91302
Phone 818-880-0011 Fax 818-880-0411
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If you are doing some kitchen remodeling in a pre-1950's house that has not been previously remodeled, you will most likely have Knob and Tube Wiring. This is an obsolete form of wiring. Though it is not inherently dangerous, it is often considered hazardous, and you should seriously consider replacing it. Local codes might even require it once you open up the walls. Of course, you should always have electrical work done by a licensed electrical contractor.

Knob and Tube (K&T) wiring is insulated copper wire which passes through holes drilled in studs. The wires are protected from chafing by porcelain tubes. Periodically, the wires are supported by and passed through porcelain knobs that are nailed down and keep the wire suspended. These are single copper wires so current passes through in one direction, the hot wire, and returns through a separate neutral wire. There is no ground wire.

Knob and Tube Wiring

During the first half of the twentieth century, homes were wired with electricity primarily for electric lights. The only appliances found in most homes consisted of small appliances such as tea kettles or toasters. Therefore as refrigerators, televisions, and other electrical devices came along with their increasing electrical amperage demands homes often received a patchwork of modifications to their K&T wiring as each new device was added. Many of these modifications were improperly done, resulting in shock and fire hazards caused by reverse polarity, crossed neutrals, and overloaded circuits.

Knob and tube wires are insulated with a rubberized cloth or fiber that can deteriorate over time. Even if your local code does not require replacement, it is a very good idea to do so because of the age of the system, the possibility of deterioration, and the fact that grounded appliances with 3 prong cords are not designed to operate on K&T wiring. There are also insurance companies that will refuse to provide insurance for a home with knob and tube wiring.

How can you tell if you have knob and tube wiring in your kitchen? If your wall switches are push button, that would be one indication of K&T wiring. If your receptacles do not accomodate a grounded plug, that is another indication. However, there have been modifications that have updated electrical receptacles, switches, and even junction boxes but left the K&T wiring in place inside the walls. Sometimes, the only way to know for sure is to open up a wall or check in the attic.

How much will all of this cost? It depends on whether just the kitchen needs to be rewired or the entire house. It also depends on what modifications might have already been done, and if they were done properly. An entire house could cost as much as $8-10 thousand dollars. If just the kitchen needs to be rewired you must consider that some wiring expense would be incurred in your kitchen remodel anyway, so an additional $2000 or so might not be out of line to replace some old K&T wiring.

The GOOD news is knowing that you have done what is necessary to protect your house for your safety and enjoyment, and preserve the resale value as well. As a reminder, make sure that your work complies with all applicable codes and is done by a licensed and bonded electrical contractor.

Now that you've got your wiring issues resolved, be sure to contact the professionals at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center to save money on your appliance purchases.

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
12025 Ventura Blvd. Ste B-105
Studio City, CA 91604
PH 877 696-2987
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Getting ready to purchase new appliances and confused about where to begin? How about settling on a brand first? This can be an easy way to narrow the field and to make sure that you get a product that suites your lifestyle and your budget.

First let's consider what a brand really is and what it means. Unfortunately, the word brand has different meanings to different people and in different circumstances. For example, we often associate a brand with its logo. We also sometimes confuse a brand with its generic equivalent. We think of the word BandAid as the same as a bandage, even though it is only one brand of bandage, or we ask for a Kleenex instead of a tissue. Basically, a brand tells the unique story of a product or company. It defines the product or company. Marketers like to say that a brand is the company or organization's specific “promise”.

branded

How does that help us in buying appliances? When you select the appliances for your home, you are looking for a set of attributes that most fit your needs that include product features, quality, price, warranty, etc. Each brand will represent a collection of those attributes.

Appliance manufacturers tend to position themselves across a spectrum of these attributes and that makes it much easier for customers to narrow their section. For example, if we were looking at refrigerators strictly for price you would find the Chinese brand Haier at one end of the price spectrum and the luxury SubZero brand at the other end of the spectrum. However, nearly all customers select their brands on multiple attributes.

A few of the really large appliance manufacturers build a variety of brands to suit different customer needs. For example, Whirlpool Corporation's US brands include Amana, Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and Jenn-Air. In General Electric you'll find Hotpoint, GE, GE Profile, GE Cafe, and GE Monogram. In order these brands would be positioned as value brands (Amana and Hotpoint), core mass brands (Whirlpool and GE), premium mass brands (Maytag and GE Profile) premium brands (KitchenAId and GE Cafe), and luxury brands (Jenn-Air and GE Monogram).

Supppose that Joe and Mary, a newly married couple just starting out have purchased a condo and need to replace the appliances kitchen. The have a tight budget and the small kitchen will only accomodate a small refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and microhood. Their brand selection will be limited to a few brands that fall into the category of “value” brands. George and Karen live in an upscale country club community and need have hired a Certified Kitchen Designer to help with their kitchen remodel. Karen is a gourmet cook and wants a professional style kitchen with a dual fuel range and a built-in refrigerator. Their brand selection will be in the premium or luxury group of brands, not the mass brands.

So you can see that you'll easily begin to hone in on two or three brands that fit your needs when you begin your search. The best place to start is at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center. Because they carry such a wide variety of brands, they're sure to have what you need and they always have great prices.

Call or visit the professionals at Universal Appliance and KItchen Center today:

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