Have you seen Black Stainless?

For two years now, black stainless has been the industry’s strongest selling alternative for buyers turned off by traditional stainless because of its inherent fingerprints and smudges.

Black stainless is stainless steel, but it’s protective coat and modern finish resists the gooey smears and eyesores that can ruin the look of traditional stainless. And like traditional stainless steel, the black stainless matches just about every cabinet type without compromising modern style or even that professional look.

In the past, various alternatives to traditional stainless have fizzled out because they lacked the wow-factor or a healthy selection of models and features. But almost overnight, black stainless is enjoying support from Samsung, LG, and Kitchen Aid- and not just on their freestanding products or entry models. Black stainless is also available on wall ovens, professional hoods, and other built-in appliances.

Its darker hue is not as reflective as traditional stainless steel or as generic. It’s not industrial. It’s modern. Black stainless can be mixed and matched with traditional stainless or black appliances, chosen for an accent piece, or used to tie in other design materials in the kitchen. The hue is open for interpretation. Some have described it as a warmer option while others have praised it as more of a statement.

Stainless steel is not going out of style- it’s the color choice for more than 70% of new appliance purchases. But a shift in style and taste is certainly occurring. Fittingly, the last time multiple brands simultaneously supported a new appliance color was when traditional stainless steel was introduced.

If you love the look, but are tired of the upkeep that comes with traditional stainless steel, don’t write off the new black stainless. It maybe the alternative you’ve been waiting for.

Must-Have Smart Appliances from CES 2017

CES (Consumer Technology Association) 2017 Conference- the biggest, most highly-anticipated tech convention of the year- just wrapped up in Las Vegas, with smart appliances making a big splash with merchants, reviewers and consumers alike. Here are some of this year’s highlights- which ones fit best in the high-tech smart home of your dreams?

LG Smart InstaView Refrigerator

Move over, Samsung Smart Hub refrigerator- there’s a new kid on the block! Last year’s most talked-about appliance, the Smart Hub drew large amounts of praise from both consumer reviewers and tech critics, completely overshadowing LG’s InstaView offering on its latest, greatest fridge model. What a difference a year makes! LG came back swinging with the Smart InstaView Refrigerator (LFXS30796D), complete with a 29” touchscreen that is 7.5 inches bigger than the Samsung fridge display. Not only that, but this smart fridge has the amazing InstaView technology which allows the user to simply knock on the refrigerator door to have it turn clear, making the contents visible without the energy-wasting habit of letting the door hang open. Superior also to the Samsung smart fridge are the voice controls- LG’s model comes equipped with Alexa voice controls, making it compatible with the Amazon Echo and all other smart-home devices that use Alexa as their primary AI voice assistant.

Samsung FlexWash and FlexDry Laundry System

Finally, an answer to the prayers of people everywhere with tight living quarters and lots of laundry. The wizards at Samsung have engineered a two-in-one washer with a second, smaller compartment over the main one, allowing the user to wash two loads at once. The dryer, which is a separate machine, follows the same thought process, with two compartments to allow for drying two loads simultaneously. This could be the beginning of a whole new era in laundry technology! Follow our blog, and we will keep you updated when we will offer these products.

Whirlpool’s new Alexa Skill

Whirlpool used CES 2017 as the stage upon which to demonstrate its new Alexa skill, set to become available in early 2017. This skill will enable users of the Amazon Echo, Dot or Tap to ask Alexa to control several different Whirlpool smart appliances, performing tasks such as preheating the oven, setting a wash/dry cycle or timer, and many more practical applications. We will let you know when this is available.

If you are a tech enthusiast who is dreaming of creating your very own Home of Tomorrow, this is a great time to be alive! Share your favorite smart-appliance innovations in the comments section below.

Front-load vs. Top-load Laundry

Nearly every day I’m asked to help someone choose between top-load and front-load laundry pairs.  While there are a great many differences between the two styles they serve the same purpose: wash and dry clothing.  In the US the most common unit sold is the top-load style with an auger-like agitator in the tub; this style uses more water and is the least energy efficient.  They are a lower cost option in the short term but the end cost of water and energy over time can easily outstrip the initial savings.

Let’s look at some of the pros and cons of each style.

Traditional Top-load:

Pros.

• They have a lower initial purchase price.
• They require less bending over to load and unload.
• They are not sealed and generally don’t smell musty.

Cons.

• High water consumption, as much as 27 gallons per load.
• Slow spin speed (500-800 rpm) requiring longer wash/dry times.
• Agitators in the wash tub can damage clothing, especially when clothing wraps itself around the agitator. There are models that do not have the auger-type agitation system, but your clothing in the middle may be surrounded and take longer to dry; agitator-less models are easier on the clothing but do not clean as well.
• Smaller capacities; 2.1-3.5 cubic feet means running more loads per day.
• May not fit comforters, especially king-size.
• Vertical design can make it difficult to reach items at the bottom of the tub.
• Louder spin cycles.
• Higher cost per use.

Front-load:

Pros.

• Uses only 7-10 gallons per load.
• High speed spin cycle (1000-1400 rpm) for shortened wash/dry times. They use gravity to help them operate, and these faster spin speeds result in lower energy costs each year.
• They have no agitator and are gentler on clothes.
• They have ever increasing numbers of load cycle options, even downloadable custom cycles.
• Very large load capacities, as large as 5+ cubic feet.
• Direct drive systems are quieter to operate.
• Load sensing technology accurately evaluates material type and the amount of water required.
• Versatile: laundry pairs can be stacked to accommodate smaller spaces, and can also be placed on top of pedestals to raise the height of the machines while providing extra space inside the pedestal for products.

Cons.

• Higher initial purchase price.
• Without proper care they can have a musty smell, but this can be easily managed with cleaning tablets.
• Bending and/or kneeling required, unless you have the option for pedestals.

Considering the pros and cons and the experience I have built up over time with customer feedback, front-loaders win the match-up every time.

Washer/Dryer Combos- the Future of Laundry?

If you live in a cramped space but still want to do laundry in the comfort of your own home, a washer/dryer combo may be a good investment for you. That’s right- you read it correctly. There is a single appliance that washes AND dries your clothes, saving not only space but also the cost of a second appliance. Tech giants Samsung and LG each have several models of washer/dryer combos on the market, and on the surface this appliance seems to be the greatest innovation since the chocolate-covered peanut butter cup. But how does this washer/dryer combo stack up against the traditional washers and clothes dryers that come separately? Let’s look at some pros and cons:

Pros

The washing and drying performance of the combo roughly match that of separate washers and dryers. You likely won’t be disappointed by the quality of clean you are experiencing with a combo.

You can use the wash and dry functions separately; they don’t have to be combined. In other words, if you are washing something that should be hung to dry, you can just do a wash cycle, which makes it just as efficient as a typical washer and dryer.

The purchase price and costs to run loads in the combo washer/dryer are virtually equivalent to owning and using a separate front-load washer and condenser dryer, so you’re not spending any extra money.

Though the drying capacity is limited, it mostly matches the average load size people use in their regular washers and dryers.

Cons

A combined wash/dry cycle can last from over 3 hours to over 6 hours, which is more than double the average wash/dry cycle of a normal load of laundry in a standard washer and dryer.

The dryer component of the combo washer/dryer can only dry around half the capacity of the washer. This means that for a full load, the whole thing will not likely get dry in one cycle.

Though they are touted for their space-saving features, some combos are still too large to fit under a bench, so you will need to check their exact dimensions prior to purchasing a combo for a specific location in your home.

Bottom Line

 In the future, washer/dryer combos may be the ideal solution for small homes with no room for both a washer and a dryer, as well as for individuals with mobility issues who have trouble transferring clothes from washer to dryer. It will be exciting to see what the future holds for the washer/dryer combo as technology continues to improve. Who knows? Maybe one day our grandchildren will laugh at our stories of the “olden days” with our separate appliances for washing and drying laundry!

Seeing Red

Friday, February 5 is the National Heart Association’s 13^th annual National Wear Red Day, which promotes awareness of heart disease and stroke in women. In honor of this important event, here are some of our favorite red appliances to get you in the spirit and add a pop of color to your home!

Kitchen-Aid Artisan Stand Mixer in Empire Red, $249- The hallmark of a sophisticated yet homey kitchen, this classic stand mixer is as beautiful as it is functional.

Keurig Mini Plus Personal Coffee Maker, $99- Brighten up the day of the coffee lover in your life with this delightful, easy-to-use coffee maker.

Big Chill Original Refrigerator with Ice Maker, $3,499.00- Who said a refrigerator can only be white, black or stainless steel? Embrace your retro style with this fabulous fridge that combines vintage cool with state-of-the-art functionality. 

LG Electronics High Efficiency Front Load Washer and Electric Dryer in Wild Cherry Red, $999 each- Spice up your laundry routine with this beautiful washer and dryer. All the quality you expect from LG with a bright red kick!

Oster 10-Speed Blender, $29.99- Your smoothie just got a lot more exciting with this beautiful red blender. At just under $30, it makes a great gift for anyone with something to celebrate, and can dress up a kitchen instantly!