Appliances
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March 25, 2015
4 Tips on appliance care and usage
Myth or Fact? The truth about caring for your appliances. Here are 4 "Truths" that are widely circulated about appliance care and usage. See if you can guess which ones are factual and which ones are false. 1. You don't need to bother with replacing the water filter on your refrigerator on the recommended date. Manufacturers push the replacement date up so that they can sell more filters. Myth There is no doubt that appliance manufacturers like selling add-ons such as refrigerator water filters. However, there is also no evidence that they recommend premature replacement of filters. It's amazing how many folks think so. The only excuse for not replacing your filter regularly is if you have RO (reverse osmosis) water piped to the refrigerator. In that case, you should consider removing and replacing the filter with the plug that originally came with your refrigerator. 2. It's not necessary to self-clean your oven whenever you have a spill or smudge that's bigger than a quarter. Fact If you have a self-cleaning oven, it's really a matter of personal preference, and usage patterns how often you should clean it. We don't do a lot of baking, and our oven stays clean for quite a while. Therefore, my preference is to clean it soon after the holidays. There's usually enough accumulated grime in the oven at that point to warrant running the self-cleaning cycle. 3. Dishwasher pods are more effective than dishwasher powder. Fact I've fought this, and I've not been a -
March 08, 2015
Color in your Kitchen
Making Your Kitchen Stand Out with ColorWe see a lot of monochromatic or duochromatic (is that a word?) kitchens these days. White-on-white. White and gray, white and black, etc. Kitchens are likely to have stainless steel appliances, but still there's not much color. Here are some ideas that might help you find a color solution that works best to make your kitchen sparkle:AppliancesIf you'd like to add a splash of color, there are opportunities in appliances such as the Bertazzoni and BlueStar ranges as well as Viking appliances (ranges, refrigerators, dishwashers, etc.). We've written about them in previous blogs. Click the links below for more info:Red Bertazzonis and Ferraris from ItalyAppliance Colors for 2014Bluestar Range ColorsArtworkIf appliances aren't the right option for you, consider artwork to brighten the room. Here's a stunning print from Kaye Menner, that I found on fineartamerica.com. Click the link below to find out more.ColorfulKitchenCollageThis image can also be purchased as a horizontal collage upon request.BacksplashA popular choice for introducing color into a white kitchen is the backsplash. Look at the yellow blacksplash and notice the other yellow accents that bring it all together.Credit: ChrDAUER Architects / Bruce Damonte PhotographyAccent WallAnother option is paint or wallpaper on an accent wall. Pick a wall where there is enough space for the color to make an impact, and go bold.AccessorizeI've been hearing designers talk about "pops" or "splashes" of color for a long time. But when I started paying attention to the photos showing this phenomenon at work, -
January 11, 2015
Kitchen Remodeling Tips #2
Kitchen Island Ideas What can you do with a kitchen island? We're appliance guys. Mostly, we like kitchen islands that provide space to build in kitchen appliances. We like islands with shelves built-in, because there's no such thing as a good place to put a microwave oven on a kitchen counter. We like them even more if we can also put a built-in oven nearby. By the way, both of these ideas make the appliance accessible, and can be part of a thoughtful universal design. We love slide-in ranges. Several appliance manufacturers have recently introduced new slide-in range models. Slide-in ranges work very well in islands. Make sure that you plan for ventilation. Let's concede that islands can serve purposes other than provide room for our precious appliances. This island has a butcher block countertop. Great for food prep. Speaking of food prep, an island sink can be a big help if food preparation is a primary function of the island. At the other extreme, this table in the kitchen is great for meals, and family gatherings, but not so much to chop lettuce on. Here's an island that is really multi-purpose. Sink, appliances, and bar stools that are convenient for an informal meal, or to just visit and nosh. From the above, you can see that kitchen islands can be multi-function. For appliances and plumbing fixtures for your island, count on the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center for the best availability and lowest prices. -
January 09, 2015
Kitchen Remodeling Tips #1: Backsplashes
Kitchen BacksplashesMake your kitchen standout with unique backsplash colors and designsThe kitchen wall space above countertops and below the upper cabinets, is a great place to add color and creative touches, and contrast. Here are a few examples: Subway Tile continues to be very popular. In addition to the traditional white tiles that you see in...well in subways, these tiles are now available in a variety of colors, sizes and finishes. Glass patterns and mosaic tiles can be used to tie-in to other kitchen colors, and provide contrast at the same time. Range backsplashes provide another opportunity for differentiation. If you choose any material other than tile or glass to go behind a range or cooktop, be certain that it is heat resistant. You should also consider if you'll face any special cleaning issues due to smoke coming off the range. The space behind appliances and countertops, can get dirty quickly. On a practical side, glass and ceramic tiles can make cleaning a breeze. Choose materials carefully, and consider sealing your grout.The nice thing about backsplashes is that you get to determine how much contrast and color you wish to add, and where. Even if you're not doing a major kitchen remodel, adding or replacing a backsplash can give you an entirely new "look".Of course, another way to achieve a new look in your kitchen, is with new appliances, or sinks and faucets. For the best availability and lowest prices on major appliances and plumbing fixtures contact the professionals at -
November 26, 2014
Shop Black Friday or Small Business Saturday for Savings
Choose to Save on Friday and SaturdayBest Holiday Prices and Availability at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center Whether you're of the mind to head out on Friday for UAKC's BIG appliance and plumbing fixture savings, or to hit Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) for Small Business Saturday savings, you won't be disappointed.You see, UAKC is your “small” BIG appliance and plumbing fixture retailer in Southern California. With two large showrooms in Studio City and Calabasas, and a large warehouse, UAKC is one of the largest independent retailers of appliances and plumbing fixtures in the area.At Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center you'll find all the major appliance brands such as Amana, Bosch, Frigidaire, GE, KitchenAid, LG, Maytag, Samsung, and Whirlpool, as well as the best selection of premier brands such as Dacor, BlueStar, Electrolux, Gaggenau, Jenn-Air, Miele, Thermador, Sub Zero, Wolf, and Viking. Add specialty appliance brands such as Liebherr, Perlick, Vent-A-Hood, and True and UAKC has perhaps the largest selection of appliance brands in the Soucal market.In spite of this international collection of product, UAKC began in the neighborhood and they remain locally owned and operated. That means you not only get the best selection and lowest prices available, you also are provided professional delivery, installation, and haul away by UAKC's own employees.It also means that the dollars you spend here, stay here, are re-invested here, and are used to pay local employees who in turn spend their dollars here. Shop Small makes sense for you and the community. AND -
November 06, 2014
When is the best time to buy appliances?
Should You Wait for Black Friday?Shop Early at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterHere's a recommendation. Suppose you have a need for an appliance. Your existing appliance isn't working or you're moving next week and have to get appliances for your new place. By all means don't wait. Call or visit Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) today. It just doesn't make sense to postpone getting an appliance that you need now, for the off chance that you'll find the exact product that suits your needs on sale during Black Friday. The experts at UAKC can certainly point you in the right direction today.Also, if you have already settled on the brand and model numbers that you want, don't hesitate. Head over to UAKC and get the best deal. Waiting just doesn't make sense. Black Friday Specials are just that - Specials. It's highly unlikely that the carefully selected specific models you've chosen from thousands of possibilities will magically appear as Black Friday Specials. For example, KitchenAid makes great dishwashers, but they have LOTS of models. If the one below just happened to be the one you've selected, Bravo! But, if you're stuck on a different feature set, are you going to settle for a model that you don't want just because it is a Black Friday Special?On the other hand, if you are an opportunistic buyer willing to jump for a deal when you see it, and don't mind waiting a couple of weeks, it probably won't hurt to wait -
November 02, 2014
Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
Visit Our Showrooms Welcome to Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center If you've been looking for appliances, chances are you may have been disappointed. Maybe you went to one of those big box stores. You know, where the sales guys wear those orange or blue aprons. They're everywhere. I rely on them for light bulbs and gardening supplies. Plumbing fixtures and appliances? Not so much. They've got a couple of the big brands lined up, but the sales folks don't seem to know one from the other. Ask them a question and they start reading off the price tag. You can do that! On the other hand, perhaps you've been to one of those boutique showrooms. You feel like you need to get dressed up to shop there. Just a few brands with names you can't pronounce, and you're not bold enough to dare ask the price. Relax. You're about to discover Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC). Of course, they carry all the popular appliance brands such as: Amana Bosch Frigidaire GE KitchenAid LG Maytag Samsung Whirlpool Not to mention top plumbing fixture names: American Standard Brizo Franke Grohe HansGrohe KWC Toto and more.UAKC also carries premium and specialty appliance brands: Asko Bertazzoni Dacor DCS Fisher & Pakel Jenn-Air Scotsman Marvel U-line Vent-a-Hood And luxury appliances too: AGA Gaggenau GE Monogram La Cornue Miele Sub Zero Thermador Wolf Viking As great as it is having all these brands to choose from, it's even more exciting when you visit the UAKC -
October 03, 2014
Rangetop vs Cooktop
Choosing the right cooking surface unit Buying a New Rangetop vs a New Cooktop What?? Aren't rangetops and cooktops really the same thing? No, they're definitely not! For sure, if you ever try to replace a rangetop with a cooktop or vice versa you're going to find out very quickly that they are substantially different. In short, think of a rangetop as the upper portion of a range, including front facing knobs in the cabinet front. Think of a cooktop as a surface unit only, with the knobs on the countertop surface.Though you could find an electric rangetop if you looked hard enough (I think Viking and Electrolux make them), rangetops are most likely to have gas burners rather than electric elements. On the other hand, both gas and electric cooktops are commonly available in nearly all brands. So, what are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Well, since rangetops have the knobs in the front, they are very accessible, and make sense in a universal design, or for anyone who might have a difficulty reaching knobs that are on the countertop, especially the knobs in the back. Similarly, you might want to have knobs on the top to keep them away from small children. Remember though, all knobs require a push-and-turn movement to operate regardless of where the knobs are located. Also, If you're trying for a Pro-Style look, the rangetop is going to have more of this professional,restaurant type look. But, -
September 28, 2014
Who is Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
Meet Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center It's always interesting when searching for a vendor to find out what they have to say about themselves. Here's the Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) writeup from their website: About Us Founded in 2000, we're among the largest appliance retailers nationally, and we are one of the largest high-end appliance retailers in Los Angeles. We've being selling most brand name appliances and well known brands of plumbing fixtures online since day one. Over the years we've helped tens of thousands of customers all across the country with their home appliance and plumbing needs. Quality Products Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center offers only nationally recognized name brand unopened factory sealed products to our customers. Occasionally we sell clearance items and floor models which clearly marked as being an open box product. Variety Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center offers the latest and the greatest appliances and plumbing fixtures by the most popular brands, such as: Amana, Asko, Bosch, Dacor, DCS, Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel, Franke, Frigidaire, Gaggenau, GE, Grohe, Hansa, Hansgrohe, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, KWC, LG, Marvel, Maytag, Miele, Porcher, Rohl, Samsung, Sub-Zero, Scotsman, Thermador, Toto, U-Line, Viking, Whirlpool, Wolf and many more Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center is one the biggest dealers on the web and is able to offer you some of the lowest prices every day. While the above is how UAKC describes their operation, below are a couple of testimonials from customers regarding their Studio City and Calabasas locations respectively: Testimonial- Studio -
September 23, 2014
Checking Appliance Dimensions
Getting Appliances that Fit Your Space Measure Twice - Install Once When buying new appliances it's a good idea to double check dimensions and openings. Width, height, and depth are just the beginning. Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) can help you get appliances that fit in your space. Here are a few tips to get started: Refrigerators In the case of a refrigerator, consider also how much clearance you will need for air circulation. Will the doors open fully without banging into a wall or cabinet? Even if the refrigerator door will open 90 degrees with an adjacent wall, make certain the refrigerator door swings out wide enough to enable you to open the crisper drawers. Some 72" tall counter depth refrigerators could have a clearance issue with upper cabinets. Not only does the refrigerator case need to slide in the space, but the hinges need to clear if the upper cabinets extend forward to the front of the refrigerator Dishwashers In tight spaces, avoid putting dishwashers with handles near a corner. You'll quickly find that adjacent cabinet drawers cannot open because they are blocked by the dishwasher handle. The same problem could occur with other appliances so make sure that there is sufficient clearance when appliance doors and cabinet doors open into each. Cooking Appliances Ranges and cooktops should not be placed at the end of a cabinet run. Placing cooking surfaces against an adjacent wall is a fire hazard. A wall oven next to a refrigerator
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