Refrigerator
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June 03, 2017
Refrigerators with Cameras
Why Buy a Refrigerator With A CameraSamsung, Dacor, and LG Refrigerators with Built-In CamerasWhy in the world would you want to buy a refrigerator with a built-in camera? GOOD QUESTION. Below, we'll explore 3 appliance brands that currently offer refrigerators with cameras. The obvious answer to the question of putting a camera in your refrigerator is so that you can know what's inside.The cameras not only take photos of the contents of your fridge, they're "smart cameras" that link with your smart phones so that you can view your refrigerator contents remotely. For example, when you're shopping you may want to check the status of your milk.The Dacor, LG, and Samsung cameras can each let you view the contents of your refrigerator from your smart phone and much more. Here are just a few highlights to whet your appetite:DacorThe Dacor column refrigerators are designed for the luxury refrigerator buyer who wants high tech with his or her luxury. The built-in cameras on the all new Dacor columns are just a highlight of the advanced features on these columns. Recently acquired by Samsung, Dacor is enjoying not just an infusion of resources, but also a healthy dose of advanced features completely new to the brand and to the luxury category in general. Their beautiful new column refrigerators are just one example. Ask your sales consultant at UAKC about the new Dacor Modernist line.LGKorean manufacturer LG created quite a stir when they introduced an early edition of high tech refrigerators with a -
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 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 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 -
March 03, 2017
Connected Smart Appliances at UAKC
New French Door Refrigerator From Jenn-AirUAKC has great selection of Jenn-Air AppliancesJenn-Air has been a leader in French Door Refrigerators since they introduced the industry's first counter-depth refrigerator decades ago. Now, they've launched this exclusive smart French Door Refrigerator with state-of-the-art technology including wi-fi connectivity. Add to this, Jenn-Air's famous cooking products, Jenn-Air's other U.S. made refrigerators, wine cellars, and ice-makers and you've got the very best in super-premium and luxury appliances for the kitchen.Here are the features and specifications of this amazing new state-of-the-art refrigerator:72” Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator with Obsidian InteriorEuro-Style Stainless HandleModel: JFFCC72EFS(also available with Pro-Style handle)This freestanding refrigerator is a premium expression of design and performance. It features our industry-exclusive Obsidian interior and WiFi connectivity through an app for iOS and Android devices. And the Twin Fresh™ Climate Control System delivers premium temperature management with additional features like a Pure Freeze™ mode which can maintain a -6°F freezer temperature.Features: Obsidian Interior WiFi Connectivity Twin Fresh™ Climate Control System Pure Freeze™ Mode Interior LED Theater Lighting 72-Inch Height Adjustable Door Bins with Metal Accents Adjustable, Clear Glass Shelves Automatic Ice Maker Counter Depth Design Electronic Temperature-Controlled Pantry Drawer Energy Saver Favorite Fill Fold-Away Glass Shelf FreshFlow™ Air Filter Gallon Door Storage Bins Glide-Out Freezer Drawer with Premium Glide System Herb Tender™ Container Humidiseal™ Crisper Drawers In-Door-Ice Storage Bin Integrated Electronic Controls with LED Display Integrated Cubed/Crushed Ice and Water Dispenser Max Cool Max Ice Measured Fill Pull-Out Platter Removable EveryDrop™ Filter by Whirlpool Water Sabbath Mode Soft, -
January 17, 2017
New Products from 2017 KBIS/IBS
UAKC Brings New Appliances to Soucal MarketNew Dacor Appliances for 2017At the recent 2017 KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Show) held in Orlando, Dacor Appliances introduced a remarkable new column refrigerator. These built-in column refrigerators have become quite popular in recent years. The single unified door creates appealing uninterrupted vertical lines versus the look of traditional built-in units with a horizontal compressor compartment on the top.But, column refrigerators are nothing new. What makes this refrigerator unique? Dubbed the Heritage™ Column Refrigeration Collection, the new refrigerators and their companion freezers are equipped with 4 advances that are at the forefront of refrigerator engineering. 1. The new Energy Star® line-up is equipped with an advanced environmentally safer refrigerant and has earned the 2017 E-Star Emerging Technology Award from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 2. The Dacor Columns tout the largest storage capacity in the industry among comparable width column refrigerators. It's a decided plus: more storage in the same space.While #1 and #2 above are clear advantages and well-worth mentioning, #3 and #4 below are the convenience features that really caught my attention! 3. “The auto-open door provides virtually hands-free access, and... 4. ..each refrigerator includes a built-in camera that enables owners to monitor their groceries on the Dacor iQ Kitchen™ mobile application,” said Dacor President and CEO Chuck Huebner.Anybody who has stood in front of the fridge, hands full of groceries, reaching for the door, will appreciate a refrigerator that opens with a simple touch. And the built-in camera which lets you -
December 12, 2016
The Disappearing Refrigerator
Sub-Zero Integrated Refrigerators and FreezersLet's begin by setting the record straight on built-in refrigerators with cabinet panels, versus fully integrated refrigerators with cabinet panels that are flush with adjacent cabinets. The Sub-Zero brand pioneered built-in refrigerators decades ago, and continues to be a leader in this appliance category. They have long had cabinet panel options for their refrigerators, but not what we now call "fully-integrated". In fact, Sub-Zero typically exposed their trademark grills on top of the refrigerator where the compressor compartment was located. They still make these refrigerators, and they are very popular. However, today's fully-integrated refrigerators with custom flush-fitting matching cabinet panels, are indistinguishable from the adjacent cabinets. They're often referred to as invisible or disappearing refrigerators.A few years ago, Sub-Zero Wolf embarked on a major re-design of their entire appliance offering. This update included a complete launch of integrated refrigerators, freezers, and wine storage units, accompanied by undercounter refrigerator and freezer drawers, as well as undercounter beverage and wine storage units. Here are some of Sub Zero's latest products in their own words: How often have you wished for a larger refrigerator? Weekly? Daily? We invite you to think modular and solve your food storage problems once and for all. The Sub-Zero Integrated 24” All Refrigerator Column delivers an impressive 12.9 cu. ft. of well-organized refrigerator storage – likely at least 50% more than you have now. Pair it -
November 17, 2016
When to call an appliance repairman?
Getting your appliance repairedWhen NOT to call for repairLast week my wife informed me that our dishwasher was broken. When I asked her what the problem was she said it just didn't work. It wouldn't even start. I asked her if she'd been under the sink that day. "Sure" she replied, "but what does that have to do with the dishwasher being broke." "It's simple. It is unplugged." I said, pointing to the dislodged dishwasher cord on the back wall underneath the sink. This would NOT have been a time to call for a repairman.Before calling for appliance repair be sure that cords, hoses, etc. are all connected. Also, open the breaker box and make sure that no circuit breakers have been tripped. Review your operating instructions. There may be a "before you call for service" section in the back of the manual. This is all designed to avoid the embarrassment and cost of paying for a service call when the only thing the repairman does is flip a switch.When TO call for appliance repairBeyond the obvious disconnections or blown fuses, call for service. The last time I needed service was just a few years ago, when the bottom of the freezer section in my refrigerator became covered with ice. I knew exactly what the problem was. There was a defrost drain tube in the back of the freezer section that was clogged and wouldn't drain, causing water to drain on to the freezer floor and freeze into a large
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