Extreme How To - DIY Home Improvement
We cover a lot of remodeling projects in the pages EHT, but when it comes to kitchen renovations, the project usually revolves around placement of the new appliances. Here’s a roundup of innovative new appliances to consider when planning your next upgrade.
Pfister PotFiller Faucets
Potfiller faucets are standard features of your favorite restaurant kitchens. Why not bring that same convenience to your home kitchen and make it easy to fill pots where they’re used? Among the Pfister line of potfiller faucets is the Lita Wall-Mounted Potfiller. Featuring a sleek design and two swivel points, the Lita potfiller provides extended reach and flexible positioning across the counter and stovetop, allowing you to fill pots right where you need them. An extra lever at the nozzle lets you can control water flow at the tip of your fingers. The Lita Collection offers potfiller faucets in Polished Chrome, Stainless Steel, and Tuscan Bronze to create a coordinated look in your kitchen. The simple cold-water only supply means the faucet installs with a single hole in the wall. And Pfister’s advanced Pforever Seal technology prevents leaking over time. Visit www.pfisterfaucets.com.
Delta Trask Touch2O Spotshield Kitchen Faucet
Exclusive at Lowe’s, the Delta Trask Touch2O Spotshield faucet features Touch2O Technology, which means a simple touch anywhere on the spout or handle will start and stop the flow of water. This helps keep your faucet cleaner, because washing the mess off your hands shouldn’t involve making a mess of your faucet. The Delta TempSense LED light changes color to alert you to the water’s temperature and eliminate any possible surprises. Delta MagnaTite Docking uses a powerful integrated magnet to pull your faucet spray wand precisely into place and hold it there, so it stays docked when not in use. SpotShield Technology helps to keep your faucet cleaner, longer by resisting water spots and fingerprints. Plus, Delta faucets with Diamond Seal Technology perform like new for life with a patented design which reduces leak points, is less hassle to install, and lasts twice as long as the industry standard. Visit www.lowes.com.
Thor Black Stainless Steel Kitchen Suite
Thor Kitchen debuts the first pro-style Black Stainless Steel Kitchen Suite for under $6,000. This includes a top-performing 30-inch gas range, 30-inch under-cabinet ventilation hood, 4-door French door refrigerator with recessed handles, and 24-inch dishwasher. This is the same great metal stainless steel, just a different finished look. Black stainless steel is durable, resistant to rust, corrosion and fingerprints, and it blends well with stainless steel. It combines the dark appearance homeowners love, with a modern touch. Visit thorkitchen.com.
Forza Pro-Style Gas Ranges
Forza’s radically designed gas ranges are offered in 30-inch or 36-inch models and six color options. High power dual-flame burners provide precise heat control. Forza’s 18,000 BTU double broiler outperforms traditional infrared broilers with its powerful BLUE flame-spanning the widest oven cavity on the market and evenly distributing heat for superior, consistent results. The range boasts the largest continuous usable cooking surface with edge-to-edge cast iron grates and integrated bullnose. The oven has up to 6 cubic feet of usable space with the capability to fit commercial size cooking trays. Visit www.forzacucina.com.
Thermador MicroDrawer Microwave
Thermador MicroDrawer microwaves are a convenient, beautiful addition to the home. The 24-Inch Built-in MicroDrawer Microwave MD24WS has a spacious 1.2 cu. ft. interior that fits a 20 oz. cup or 13×9-in. pan. Achieve a perfectly flush installation in any standard-depth cabinetry. The MicroDrawer includes a special sensor mode that controls humidity and automatically adjusts cooking level and time. It offers ten cooking modes that include melt, warm and soften. Simply touch the MicroDrawer to open and close it, eliminating the need for a handle. Visit www.thermador.com.
Rev-a-Shelf Sink Base 2-in-1 Cleaning Pullout
The Rev-a-Shelf Sink Base 2-in-1 Polyethylene Cleaning Pullout allows you to store all your cleaning supplies in one easy-to-access location. Designed for 24-in. and larger sink base cabinets, this under-sink cleaning pullout features a removable polyethylene caddy in three color choices, two 1-L spray bottles, and glides on full-extension, under-mount, 7-lb. rated, concealed slides with soft-close. Visit www.rev-a-shelf.com.
Jenn-Air Obsidian Interior Refrigerator
Following recent refrigerator and ovens designs that allow remote control, Jenn-Air has added obsidian interior built-in refrigerators to its line of luxury home appliances. Lauded in appliance reviews as the hottest trend in fridges, they feature an interior black finish with stainless steel trim and LED lighting. While changing up interior colors in fridges is nothing new —KitchenAid did the same thing with its line of platinum interior fridges in 2013— Jenn-Air has taken it a step further, making it easier to see what is in the fridge with its dark background versus the white interior of most other fridges. All food labels stand out and the color of your fruits and vegetables is enhanced. Visit www.jennair.com.
Bosch Stainless Steel 24” Dishwasher
Bosch is promoted as the “Quietest Dishwasher Brand” with washers generating only 50dB. The Bosch 24” Stainless steel dishwasher offers the 24/7 Overflow Protection System to helps prevent water leaks. The utility rack provides a place for those hard-to-place items, and the stainless exterior offers the ultimate protection against fingerprints, dirt and smudges. The washer’s sanitize option eliminates bacteria and enhances drying results. With Bosch PrecisionWash, intelligent sensors continually scan and check the progress of dishes throughout the cycle, and powerful, precision spray arms go to work targeting every item of every load. Every Bosch dishwasher undergoes 485 quality checks to deliver dependable quality. The company offers several lines of dishwashers, including the 500 Series with AutoAir, which automatically releases the door at the end of the cycle to let moisture escape and fresh air in. And the Bosch 800 Series features the patented new CrystalDry technology that delivers 60-percent better drying results. Visit www.bosch-home.com.
Kohler Semi-Pro Faucet Collections
Designed with professional kitchens in mind, Kohler’s line of Semi-Professional Kitchen options on the Purist and Bellera Faucet Collections are the perfect edition for the at-home chef. The unique DockNetik magnetic docking arm holds the spray-head firmly in place while the three spray options provide superior cleaning and filling. The temperature memory feature allows the faucets to be turned on and off at the temperature set during the previous use for easy operation. Visit www.us.kohler.com.
Inspira Range Hoods
The new Ispira range hood series from Best offers creative freedom for homeowners who want to add a personal touch with interchangeable glass panels in 8 on-trend color choices. Let your imagination take over with chimney, island and under cabinet models. The dishwasher-safe hybrid filters trap up to 28 percent more grease than the previous generation. You can enjoy visiting with your guests while cooking, thanks to the whisper-quiet blower. The Energy Star-certified PURLED light system offers even, glare-free lighting across your entire cooking surface — just like in full daylight. An exclusive new LED system boosts light output by 25 percent, distributes light six times better, improves energy efficiency by 88 percent, and extends the life of your light bulbs by up to 25 times. You can choose from four light settings, including night light. Visit www.bestrangehoods.com.
Radiant Wireless Charger
For your charging needs in the kitchen, the Radiant by Legrand Wireless Charger offers a charging solution that complements both elevated style preferences and evolving consumer needs at home. The outlet holds and charges a wireless charging-enabled personal device in a sleek cradle backed by a Qi-certified charging pad, keeping it off the counter. It easily replaces an existing outlet without requiring installation of new electrical wiring. The Wireless Charger offers simultaneous charging via multiple access points including two AC receptacles, one wireless charging pad and one USB port. It is compatible with every Qi-enabled device, including those from market leaders like Apple, Samsung, Sony, LG, Motorola, and Nokia devices. The radiant Wireless Charger is available for purchase on Amazon.com.
Gaggenau 200 Series Combi-Steam Ovens
The 24-in. flush-fitting 200 series ovens from Gaggenau can be coupled with a fully automatic coffee machine, warming drawer or vacuuming drawer. Positioned vertically or horizontally, this elegant series comes in three finishes and installs flush to your wall surface, fitting discreetly into any interior. And for those requiring a more traditional formation, the oven can be positioned under the work surface. Certain appliances offer Home Connect with the option of remote control using a digital device and integration into home management systems. Steam without pressure with its included water tank. Using a TFT touch display, convection 30 °C to 230 °C can be combined with chosen humidity level of 0, 30, 60, 80 or 100 percent. Visit www.gaggenau.com.
Bocchi Farmhouse Sinks
Bocchi Farmhouse Sinks bring back the ultimate kitchen material. Fireclay, a 100-percent natural organic and recyclable material used by craftsman for centuries to create timeless appliances, has now returned. With firing in the kilns up to 2000°F temperatures, Bocchi claims Fireclay is the most durable material used in today’s kitchens, so dealing with extreme heat coming from pots and pans is no problem. Due to their special glaze coating fused with the fireclay body, the sinks have a non-porous, uniform, scratch- and stain-resistant surface. With its protective bottom grid and distinctive looks, Bocchi Farmhouse Sinks are crafted to match your design and functional needs. Visit www.bocchiusa.com.
Kohler Customizable Apron Front Sink
Impress your guests with Kohler’s customizable Tailor Apron Front Sink. The interchangeable front panel can support any custom creation; match the panel to your tiled backsplash or countertop material for continuity, or pop in your favorite color to add some flair. Kohler also offers pre-designed curated apron fronts in design-forward patterns. Perfect for the indecisive, choose one insert, then swap it out for another whenever the mood strikes. Change up the apron panel for a quick home refresh. Visit www.us.kohler.com.
Rev-a-Shelf Wall Pullout Shelving System
Make the most of your wall cabinet space with Rev-A-Shelf’s Wood Shelving System. Designed for 9- and 12-in. wall cabinets, the 448-WC Series is available for full access cabinets and a new face-frame version is designed for 36-in. wall cabinets. This pullout features natural maple construction, full-extension, ball-bearing, 100-lb. rated slides with soft-close and either four or five shelves with chrome wire accents. Precise door is easy with the patented mount brackets with micro-adjustment. Visit www.rev-a-shelf.com.
Thermador Custom-Panel Refrigerators and Freezers
Discover stainless steel and custom-panel refrigerators and freezers that reflect what you love. The newly redesigned Freedom Refrigeration Collection offers a wealth of personalization options. The 23.5-in. integrated column-style refrigerator pairs with an 18- or 24-in. freezer column to fill a pre-existing 42- or 48-in. space to create a side-by-side built-in refrigerator and freezer. The new Thermador Auto Door Opening technology allows you to either push or pull to open the refrigerator door, adding a personalized touch. Protect your fresh-from-the-garden fruits and vegetables with removable and luxuriously soft-close Delicate Produce Bins. A touch-screen TFT display panel controls settings throughout the refrigeration unit, including individual temperature control, lighting and Open Door Assist. Controlled independently, the ThermaFresh System provides humidity control and precise temperature management where you need it most. Visit thermador.com.
Side Note One
Simple DIY Repairs for Kitchen Appliances
These simple repairs to three common household appliances can save homeowners money that would otherwise be spent on service calls and labor.
Refrigerators: The gaskets on the refrigerator doors–an important feature to both lower energy consumption and preserve food–often become ripped or cracked, and it’s a repair almost anyone can do. Most gaskets today need to simply be pushed into place; older fridge gaskets may have screws that need to be loosened to install a new one.
Ovens: Bake and broil elements like a light bulb in an electric oven can fail, but they are usually simple repairs. Make sure to shut off power to the oven or unplug it; then unscrew and remove the old element and replace it with a new one.
On a gas stove, the glow bar igniter frequently fails, and while it’s a fragile part, it’s also easy to DIY. It’s a bit more involved than the bake/broil elements on the electric stove, because access panels have to be removed, but it’s not too overwhelming, and requires just a screwdriver or multi-tool.
Dishwashers: Dishwashers also have a door gasket that can tear–and a functional door gasket is the difference between a leaking dishwasher and a sealed one. Gaskets can be ordered and repaired quite easily; like a refrigerator, some only need to be pushed into place, while others are slightly more challenging, but none is very difficult to repair.
The detergent dispenser is another relatively straightforward fix. Depending on the model and age of the dishwasher, fixing this might be as simple as replacing a spring, or may require replacing the enter dispenser module.
To find more appliance repair advice and to shop for parts and supplies, visit www.repairclinic.com.
Extreme How To
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