Stainless Steel
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March 31, 2015
Kitchen remodeling ideas on a budget
Budget Kitchen Remodels 3 Great tips - 1 Bad idea I've been searching online for good ideas to remodel a small kitchen on a budget. Not necessarily a full redo, but just a few things that might help perk up the room. Below are three of my favorite tips, and one that I really don't like much at all. 3 Great Tips Paint can solve a lot of problems. Need some contrast or brightness in a drab kitchen?Want your backsplash to stand out? Visit a paint store. Take photos of the kitchen and bring in samples. I really prefer the freestanding paint stores over the big box stores. These guys really know paint, and can give you good advice. Of course, if your working with a design professional she or he will be your color expert. Cabinets dominate the space in your kitchen, but replacing cabinets can blow your budget. Think about painting those wood-stained cabinets. White is very popular these days, and will give your kitchen a bright, updated look. Here are some other ideas that can add some drama to your kitchen. If you can spare the storage or move it elsewhere, consider removing some or all of your upper cabinets. It's amazing how much volume your kitchen will gain. For many of us who are...ahem, vertically challenged, those upper cabinets aren't practical anyway. Consider installing some shelves in the free space or even wall brackets to hand pots on. Another idea is to just remove the cabinet -
February 24, 2015
Coming Soon - New Professional Style Appliances
Surprising New Pro-Look Appliances from Frigidaire See them Soon at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center One big surprise at the 2015 Design and Construction Week (KBIS/IBS) was the "pre-launch" of a new line of professional style appliances by Electrolux's Frigidaire brand. The look is definitely "pro-style". It's much more than we've seen in previous attempts at professional looking appliances by entry level mass brands. From a design perspective, we're predicting that this is going to be a home run. The industry could really use some attractive professional looking appliances in the mass brand categories. However, as always, consumers are the ones who make any new product launch a failure or a success. Pricing and features are key as Electrolux will need to keep the Frigidaire brand properly aligned with the other brands in their portfolio. Ranges debut first with retails from $1599 to $2699. The new Frigidaire Professional dishwasher is slated for a $1099 retail price, and has a 30 minute quick wash cycle. The Frigidaire Professional French-door refrigerator has all the sex appeal you'd expect in a free-standing pro-look model including the bulky tubular stainless handles you might find on a big built-in pro refrigerator, at a fraction of the price. The retail on this refrigerator will range from $3199 to $3499. All this means that you could outfit a kitchen with new Frigidaire Professional appliances (range, dishwasher, and refrigerator) for a bit less than $6K, or as much as $7.3K. As a nice bonus, all these appliances will -
February 16, 2015
50 Shades of Grey in Appliances
Grey Appliances at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterThere are many shades of grey in appliances.Even though stainless steel is the dominant color/finish in major appliances, most major appliance manufacturers offer choices in the colors and finishes that they produce, including shades of stainless, silver, and yes of course, grey.Stainless steel itself comes in different grades and types that also look different. Even within a brand or a given model there can be differences. For example, the stainless steel interior of a dishwasher can be an entirely different type of stainless steel and have a different finish than the dishwasher's exterior. Generally, manufacturers try to match the stainless finish on the outside of their appliances, but if you're mixing brands, you could easily find discernible differences in appearance from brand to brand.Frigidaire offers a stainless steel that is smudge-proof. It's real stainless steel that has been treated to prevent the feared fingerprint smudges. It does seem to work quite well. Both GE and Whirlpool have in the past offered lines of faux stainless, eg. painted silver appliances. A quick check of their websites shows a very limited offer of silver or satin appliances.However, GE introduced a line of Slate appliances a couple of years ago, that has become quite successful. It's a shade of grey that you might like very much. It's clearly NOT faux stainless steel and doesn't pretend to be, but it will provide your kitchen with -
February 01, 2015
New Sinks and Faucets at KBIS 2015
New Franke Planar 8 Kitchen Sink and Faucet During the recent Kitchen and Bath International Show (KBIS) in Las Vegas we saw a variety of stunning new products. We were especially pleased to see at new kitchen and bath sink and faucet collection from a favorite brand, Franke. Read more below: LAS VEGAS (JANUARY 20, 2015) — The new Planar 8 Series of handcrafted, Italian-made, stainless steel kitchen sinks from Franke Kitchen Systems feature sleek, contemporary designs that are right at home in any modern kitchen décor. Introducing the New Franke Planar 8 Kitchen Sink Designed and hand-fabricated in Italy, the Franke Planar 8 Kitchen Sink Series is made from premium 304 grade 18-gauge stainless steel, equipped with sound-dampening pads and Franke’s silky luster finish. Other key features include: Maximized work space: These undermount sinks measure 17 inches from front to back to enhance countertop work space without compromising sink functionality. Maximized storage space: The drain is placed in the rear of the unit so that drainage piping does not crowd the space inside the cabinet beneath the sink. Easier cleaning: Unlike other hand-fabricated sinks, the new Franke Planar 8 sinks are engineered with an 8 degree radius in the corners making the sink much easier to maintain. Enhanced functionality: Custom accessories, such as a bottom grid and a cutting board, are available to create a more productive and enjoyable food-preparation experience. In conjunction with this introduction, Franke is also unveiling the Planar 8 Flex Semi-Professional Kitchen Faucet as a -
December 27, 2014
2014 Kitchens
3 Kitchen Trends in 2014 Here's what has been trending in kitchen design: Contrast A little more than a decade ago appliance manufacturers called it white-on-white. White appliances with chrome trim had been de rigueur for years, so the early movement to solid white was a big deal in the beginning of the last decade. Kitchen cabinets, countertops, sinks and even faucets contributed to the solid white kitchen. Even today, an all-white kitchen is not unusual or out of place. However, for several years, we've seen the ever popular white kitchen complemented with contrasting yet subdued colors, in particular grey. Now, contrast is becoming more bold with black showing up in islands and base cabinets, stainless steel sinks, and chrome, or even gold faucets. Color Along with non-white cabinets, sinks, and faucets, 2014 saw more solid contrasting colors on kitchen walls not just gray or black, but also bright colors and pastel shades. Thanks to specialty appliance manufacturers such as Smeg, BlueStar, Bertazzoni, and even Viking, many appliance color options are now available even though stainless steel continues to dominate. Changes in upper cabinets and islands. Upper cabinets are sometimes being replaced by shelves, and occasionally disappearing entirely. See the limited use of upper wall cabinets in the photo above. Islands have been around for a long time, but we're seeing more use of islands for seating, and even tables and chairs as substitutes for islands. What can we expect in 2015? There will be more of the same as -
November 03, 2014
New Line of Kitchen Appliances from DCS
New DCS Professional Style Handles and Knobs Choose Your Style at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center Considering the fact DCS helped pioneer restaurant grade appliances for the home, it's quite interesting that the new line of DCS appliances is styled to have a more "professional-grade" aesthetic. Though the new line has round handles, DCS has continued with the square handles, too. DCS has also added a kickplate to the ranges, as well as illuminated range and oven knobs. Home chefs are sure to love the new Sealed Dual Flow burners on ranges and cooktops with more precise control. The 19,000 Btu infrared oven broiler does an amazing job of searing. Optional griddles on ranges and cooktops are 1/4" Stainless Steel, and are thermostatically controlled for even temperatures. There's much more, so we've listed the features of one of the most popular ranges below: RDV-364GD 36" Professional Style Dual Fuel DCS Range with Griddle Brushed Stainless Steel Designed to meet the demands of the world’s finest chefs. Large, 4,000 watt, self-cleaning convection oven. Full Extension Telescopic Racking System for easy accessibility. Patented Dual Flow Burners™ simmer as low as 140° and up to 17,500 BTUs. Comes with an 18,000 BTU Griddle. Also available with square handle. For more information on DCS be sure to call or visit Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center, your headquarters for major appliances and plumbing fixtures. Two locations to serve you - Calabasas and Studio City: We Deliver and InstallAll Major Appliances877-696-2982 Studio City12050 Ventura Blvd.818-755-1111 Calabasas26767 -
August 12, 2014
GE Slate Appliances - An Alternative to Stainless Steel?
Don't Want Stainless Steel? Check out GE Slate Appliances at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterIn the sea of stainless steel appliances, there are still many customers looking for alternatives. Some don't like the amount of cleaning entailed with stainless steel finishes. Others feel that shiny stainless steel is glaring and they would preferred a softer look. Whatever your particular hesitance with stainless steel, you should take a look at the GE Slate Appliances available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC). Here's how GE describes the slate finish: GE's exclusive Slate finish exudes refinement and elegance for a look unlike anything on the market today. Inspired by the rich texture of stone, it provides a warm, inviting alternative to stainless steel. Slate not only offers an option that's elegant and modern, it also maintains its great appearance. The dark matte finish naturally hides fingerprints, smudges and dirt. It's also a breeze to clean using a clean cloth and a mild household detergent. Evidently, Rachel Ray has updated her TV kitchen with GE Slate Appliances. Notice the magnets - something you can't do with stainless steel.It sure looks like Slate is going to be around for a while, too. GE launched this finish in 2012, and now they've announced that they'll be doubling the number of models available in the GE Slate finish: "The popularity of Slate among consumers has exceeded our expectations," said Brian McWaters brand -
August 10, 2014
Types of Stainless Steel Appliances
Surprising Differences in Stainless Steel AppliancesSee them all at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterManufacturers began using stainless steel in appliances because of its appearance as well as its durability, and resistance to corrosion. Today, they also use stainless steel because buyers want the stainless look in their kitchens.Categories of Stainless SteelThere is stainless steel and then there is stainless steel. All stainless steels are not created equal. The metallurgists among us will point out that there are 5 different categories of stainless steel: martensitic, ferritic, austenitic, duplex (ferritic-austenitic), and precipitation-hardening stainless steels.The vast majority of major appliances are made of 304 (austenitic) type stainless steel or 430 (ferritic) stainless steel. Even within these two different categories there are different grades, gauges, and finishes. Moreover, some manufacturers will use different types of stainless steel on the same appliances. For example, a dishwasher tub might have different stainless steel than the dishwasher door. Some stainless steel has superior fabrication characteristics, while others works better in specific temperature ranges, or is more corrosion resistant.Stainless Steel Finishes and CoatingsYour stainless steel appliance also has a finish called a "grain" that goes in a certain direction. On some appliances and in some lighting, the grain is more noticeable than others. Also, there are a few appliance manufacturers that offer stainless steel appliances with a protective coating. Frigidaire promotes their Smudge-Proof™ line of appliances that does a great job of hiding fingerprints. Some KitchenAid stainless steel appliances are made with clear -
August 05, 2014
New Appliance Inside Colors
What color is your refrigerator --- on the inside? Jenn-Air Launches Obsidian Refrigerators Available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center Jenn-Air introduces a new Obsidian refrigerator. The Obsidian interior is accompanied with LED Studio lighting to lend an air of sophistication to the inside of Jenn-Air's luxury built-in unit. The idea is to give the inside of the refrigerator a touch of the elegance that designers endeavor to convey in the kitchen environment outside the refrigerator.The new refrigerators are available in three configurations - a 36" wide unit which has a single upper door and bottom freezer drawer, a 36" French door model with split upper doors and bottom freezer drawer, or a 42" French door model. All three models can be configured with custom panels to match the surrounding cabinets, or with stainless steel fronts. More than just a pretty new interior color, the new Jenn-Air's multi-point LED lighting gives an elegant sparkle by reflecting off the metallic accents in the dark charcoal pigment coating the cabinet. Add to that soft close interior drawers, and there is no doubt that this product is a standout among luxury refrigerators. The sophistication goes beyond just look and feel. Jenn-Air's TwinFresh® climate control system provides separate cooling for refrigerator and freezer by using dual evaporators. This creates two internal cooling climates: a high humidity refrigerator environment, contrasting with a very dry freezer environment. Jenn-Air has been previewing this sophisticated look at industry shows such as -
May 29, 2014
New Refrigerators Inside at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center
What's Inside Your Refrigerator?Materials used inside today's refrigeratorsThe interior of a new refrigerator is most likely to have a sturdy plastic liner made of material called ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). Between the ABS liner and the metal exterior of the refrigerator is foamed polyurethane. Some refrigerators may be made with metal interiors such as stainless steel. Once standard for refrigerator interiors, porcelain is no longer used to line the inside of refrigerators. The latest trend for the inside of your fridge appears to be new colors. Visit Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center to review all the new refrigerator interiors and options. Below are two of the latest innovative colors in refrigerators from KitchenAid and Jenn-Air.New Colors Inside RefrigeratorsRecently, KitchenAid has launched a refrigerator with a Platinum interior, and Jenn-Air will be launching an Obsidian color in some of its built-in models.KitchenAidKitchenAid® 29 Cu. Ft. Platinum Interior, Standard-Depth French Door Refrigerator, Architect® Series II MODEL KFIV29PCMSExperience a fresh design that complements the freshness of your sensitive ingredients. This French door refrigerator features the Preserva® Food Care System. Three distinctive features include an ethylene-absorption cartridge that helps extend the freshness of produce by up to 25%. The Platinum interior design features an industry exclusive - silver, glossy walls. Exceeds minimum Federal Energy Standards by 25%.Jenn-AirJenn-Air has launched three new refrigerators with a unique interior finish they call Obsidian."Black lends a very flattering and sophisticated look to this collection and gives everything within the refrigerator more prominence and visual pop," says manager of
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