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August 01, 2017
The "Universal" Dishwasher Buying Guide: What To Look For In A Dishwasher
Today’s kitchens are modern and advanced spaces that help you craft creative, home-cooked dishes with ease. But after every culinary execution it’s time for the less fun task of clean up. This is where the modern dishwasher does its job. The contemporary home requires an effective dishwasher to keep plates, glasses, utensils, and more, ready for repeated use. There is no shortage of premium dishwashers available today, and discovering the right choice for your home can be a challenge. With that in mind, the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center have crafted this helpful dishwasher-buying guide to ensure you have the information you need before investing in a new dishwasher. Types Of Dishwashers Before beginning your dishwasher search, it’s important to understand the different types of dishwashers. There are a host of dishwasher designs available for the modern home, and naturally you’ll want to find the proper design for you home. For an integrated feel that exudes modern style, consider a built-in dishwasher. Built-in dishwashers are installed flush to your kitchen cabinetry, offering a seamless and space-saving feel that often boasts a combination of traditional and advanced wash functions. Built-in dishwashers are a traditional design, but today’s offerings feature exceptionally stylish exteriors for truly elevated designs.Dishwasher drawers offer the same functionality you’d find in a traditional built-in dishwasher with a -
May 21, 2017
Buying Appliances on Memorial Day
Why Buy Appliances on Memorial DayBest Overall Memorial Deals at UAKCI've been around the appliance industry for nearly 40 years. During that time I've had a variety of jobs in sales and marketing with distributors and manufacturers. Along the way, I've taught marketing classes to both undergraduate and MBA students.One area that marketers study is consumer demand. We know, for example, that each year there is a finite number of appliances sold. Annual appliance sales are determined by factors such as new home sales, household creations, appliance replacement cycles (lifespans), new appliance innovations eg. microwave ovens, and household incomes.However, holiday appliance sales, do not fit this rational model. Buying an appliance because you have a 3 day weekend is not rational. Or so, I thought. Study after study, shows that appliance sales dramatically spike during holidays. In fact, one of the biggest appliance sales weekends of the year is coming up. Memorial Day. It's not because people get married, have kids, or get raises on holiday weekends that appliance sales spike. It's certainly not because appliances tend to break down on holidays. It's because manufacturers and big retailers promote heavily with big discounts centered around holidays. Consumers like to save money. Voilà! Lot's of appliances get sold during the Memorial Day holiday period.Here are examples of two great deals available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center during the 2017 Memorial Day Sale. click on photos below for details You may have heard the story of the youngster who asked the old -
May 03, 2017
Mothers Day Gifts
3 Gift Ideas for MomYes you can give her an appliance for Mother's DayLet's get that old myth out of the way. IT IS OK TO GIVE AN APPLIANCE FOR MOTHER'S DAY! I was once told that a new dishwasher was just not romantic, and therefore inappropriate for Mother's Day. Nonsense.If you have an old broken down appliance, that she's been complaining about forever, there's no better time to replace it than now...Mother's Day. She'll be delighted. You might want to include a bouquet of roses or a box of chocolates, but the new appliance will be what makes the day really special.Here are three thoughts about what appliance you might want to consider: Buy something that is needed. If the old dryer shakes and rattles and is on its last legs (or leg), then it makes sense to replace it. Why buy something different, when that's what she really needs and wants? Buy something really special. If your thinking a new dishwasher would be great, but you really want to make an impression, and you're in a position to splurge consider one of the luxury European brands such as an Asko or Miele. Buy something unexpected. Does she like coffee? A new built-in coffee maker would be just the thing. Or, one of my personal favorites: a countertop convection oven from Wolf. What a great Mother's Day gift! Where could you go to find all of these neat gifts? Well, Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center, of course. Call or -
April 30, 2017
Electrolux Twins
New Built-In Refrigerator IdeaOld Concept: Surprising New BenefitsElectrolux Twins at UAKCFor many years the folks at Frigidaire/Electrolux had been known for offering an All Refrigerator and an All Freezer. Selling them as a combination was not a new idea, but the concept was slow to catch on. However, this may be an example of an idea whose time has come. The current Electrolux Twins are part of the luxury collection of appliances in the Electrolux brand, and are being presented as a good choice for a built-in refrigerator/freezer.There is a lot to offer here:1. Full-size built-in refrigerator, and full size matching freezer (72" wide)While the products are mirror images of each other, and are clearly made to match, they are indeed separate and can be purchased that way if you just want an all refrigerator or an all freezer. The features are fully updated with LED lighting, slide out glass shelves, etc.There are trim kits (faux grills) available for both the top and bottom that are 72" wide, and visually tie the two units together. The doors are configured in the photo so that the refrigerator and the freezer each open in the center, just as you would expect on a traditional side-by-side refrigerator/freezer.2. Traditional compressor in the back.Standard built-in refrigerators have the compressor on the top requiring an 84" height. The Electrolux units have the compressor and machine compartment on the back in the bottom of the appliance, are easier to access and do not require the 84" height. -
April 17, 2017
New Appliance Finishes
Review of the Latest Appliance FinishesChoices of Appliance Finishes Abound at UAKCThe last half of the 20th century began with most appliances having porcelain enamel on steel cabinets. Porcelain was durable and easy to clean, but the manufacturing process was expensive, porcelain was subject to chipping, and was not environmentally friendly. Eventually, porcelain enamel disappeared in appliance cabinets to be replaced by steel with powder coat painted exteriors or stainless steel. In the last decade, we've begun to see some different choices in appliance exteriors. While painted surfaces remain a standard for base appliances, more expensive stainless steel is enormously popular. In recent years, we've seen new smudge-proof Frigidaire and fingerprint resistant stainless steel in Maytag brand and others. They're still stainless steel, but they have properties that eliminate or greatly reduce the possibility of smudges and fingerprints. European luxury brand, Miele, has introduced a fingerprint resistant steel called CleanTouch, as a replacement to stainless steel.Even more recently, Black Stainless Steel has hit the appliance market and appears to be taking off. Black Stainless Steel is essentially stainless steel base metal with black painted finish. KitchenAid was the first to Black Stainless Steel, and it seemed to take off slowly. But now, it is available in more brands and seems to be rapidly taking hold as an alternative to the shiny stainless steel we see everywhere. Here are some of the brands that are now offering Black Stainless Steel appliances:Brands offering Black Stainless SteelKitchenAidSamsungLGDacorMaytagFrigidaire -
April 04, 2017
Using Consumer Reports® for Appliance Purchases
Trustworthy Appliance AdviceUniversal Appliance and Kitchen Center Sales AdvisorsA friend recently purchased an older home in a retirement community, and I'd offered to help him with his appliance selections. In spite of my many years in the appliance industry, my friend wanted to go his own way. He researched refrigerators on Consumer Reports®, and chose to shop at one of the big box home improvement chains (you know, their sales associates wear orange or blue aprons).My friend stuck with the exact model that CR ranked #1, and he found it On Sale at the big box store. Later, when I visited him in his new place, he proudly showed me his new kitchen appliances.It was a small galley kitchen with the door from the garage going directly into the kitchen. His new fridge was right next to the door. Since he had purchased a full-depth refrigerator instead of a counter-depth refrigerator, the refrigerator prevented the door from the garage from opening fully. You had to turn sideways to enter from the garage. Similarly, there wasn't quite enough space for the refrigerator door to open all the way,While I was viewing his new kitchen and dutifully admiring his modest remodeling, I suddenly heard a buzzing sound coming from his refrigerator. It lasted a short time and then went quiet. "What was that, I said?" He replied, "It does that every once in a while." I thought for minute and said, "It sounds like the ice maker." He said, "I don't have -
March 31, 2017
Are Cooking Modules the "New" Thing?
New Cooking Modules From Jenn-AirBest Selection on Jenn-Air at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterCooking Modules are individual cooking units that can be mixed and matched to provide a unique combination of cooking options specific to the user. There are several advantages to using modular cooking units. Converting a RoomSuppose you convert a room into a separate living room for a grown child or an elderly family member. A cooking module or two would be a great choice for this situation. Spot CookingYou could add a cooking module to a wetbar for added convenience. Extending your existing range or cooktop.You have an awesome gas range, but you've often got too much going on at the same time. You could really use a separate griddle unit for those big family breakfasts. Add a griddle module. Viola! Expanding your overall cooking capabilities.You love what you've got, but often a superfast induction module would be really nice or an separate wok module would help you show off your Asian cooking skill. Adding a second cooking station.Your spacious house is wonderful, but you know realize that a second cooking station would really work well for your family's lifestyle. Avoid the cost of adding a second kitchen by configuring a new cooking area with modular cooking.When it comes time to get specific, you've now got one more great choice with Jenn-Air modules.Jenn-Air has long had cooktops with a base model which accepts an array of "plug-in" modules, AND has now entered the category of separate cooking -
March 25, 2017
Dacor Appliance Launches Modernist Line
Look at What's Happening at DacorNew Dacor Appliances Coming to UAKCPrivately held Dacor has long been known as a standout in the Luxury appliance segment. Dacor has had geographic strength in the Western US where they were founded and where their headquarters and manufacturing facilities have been located. With great performance and some unique features, Dacor carved out a solid niche' in the cooking segment. To have a full line, Dacor outsourced most of the non-cooking products such as dishwashers and refrigerators. Now, however, Dacor is part of the giant Samsung company and we're getting a look at their strength and innovation in these newly launched Dacor products. The new Modernist Line from Dacor has a striking design that keeps some of Dacor's classic looks and features, but plants itself squarely in the forefront of 21st century styling and innovation.Let's take note of a few of the new enhancements in Dacor's new Modernist Line:The most striking thing to note in the new line is the new finish which Dacor describes as a "dramatic graphite color that accentuates and elevates the sophistication of any kitchen."The Modernist Line includes an updated version of Dacor's Pro Dual Fuel Range with a Steam option. Complete with digital controls, brass burners on the top, a burner that accommodates a wok, and a griddle. The touch controls are wi-fi enabled for remote operation.Dacor's recently launched refrigerated columns are now part of the Modernist Line, too. Below refrigerator and freezer columns -
March 20, 2017
Smart Appliances at UAKC
What to look for in Smart AppliancesSmart Choices at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterWhat's a smart appliance?There's more than one definition, but for our purposes here we're going to say that a smart appliance has some degree of connectivity. It might be as simple as an app that notifies you if your refrigerator door has been left open for some period of time. Or it might be remotely pre-heating and cooking a roast from your smartphone. All of this may sound wonderful, but there are pros and cons.Is it safe?Some manufacturers, as well as UL (Underwriters Laboratory) have expressed views on limiting remote capabilities for certain products. For example, should a remote app for ovens allow consumers to put their ovens through a self-clean cycle while nobody is home? Even remotely operating a cooking appliance of any sort has some consumers wary. One manufacturer has a remote app that can be set to operate only by Bluetooth which gives the homeowner complete use of remotely operating the appliance only within the house.How much is the premium for Smart Appliances?The first refrigerator with a TV built into the door launched over a decade ago and retailed close to $10,000. It really had little functionality, and failed miserably. Today, Samsung has a Family Hub refrigerator with a 21" tall wi-fi enabled full-featured communications center in the door and cameras inside that can be viewed remotely eg. from the grocery store with the Samsung app. The Samsung Family Hub refrigerator retails for $5800. -
March 13, 2017
Guideline for New Kitchen Appliances
Preferences, Necessities, and BudgetThere is lots of online advice on choosing new kitchen appliances. But honestly, this can be a difficult process. Some will say, "Start with your budget." Makes sense, doesn"t it? But if you haven't purchased appliances in years, and don't know for sure what you're going to need or what things cost, it's like trying to hit a bullseye wearing a blindfold!On the other hand, just going out blindly looking for appliances seems rather foolish also. You don't know what you don't know, so where do you start? Here is how you might proceed. What is your current status? Building new, remodeling, or just a straightforward appliance update. Make a tentative timeline from now to completion. Eventually, you're going to need a hard schedule. Get started now. Think of the end state. How do you picture your new kitchen in your mind? It's totally OK to to dream a bit. Close your eyes and think of what you hope your new kitchen will look like. Check your favorite home magazines, and clip photos of what you like! My favorite online site for new kitchen ideas is Houzz. Think about a budget. Whether it's $10,000 for a built-in refrigerator, or for all your kitchen appliances, you're going to need to start with a number. Here are the basic product categories you're likely to consider. The categories are necessities. Make sure you get the features that are important to you, eg. refer icemaker and dispenser, self-cleaning oven, quiet dishwasher
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