Do You Really Need The Newest, Professional Grade, High-end Kitchen Appliances?
Are High-end Kitchen Appliances Worth The Expense?
Today, high-end kitchen appliances are gaining in popularity with homeowners across the country. As lifestyles change, and homeowners are looking for that “wow factor” luxury appliances in kitchen remodeling are becoming more common as the demand for smart homes and high-tech continues to grow.
Appliances are one of the most significant decisions you'll make when designing your new kitchen. Homeowners today have an endless array of technology, options, and designs available to suit almost every budget. While they all perform the same functions – cooling, cleaning, and cooking – technological advances can dramatically affect their form and function.
Homeowners need to weigh the cost versus the benefits when looking at high-end kitchen appliances. While the latest technology can be expensive, the benefits of high-end kitchen appliances can provide can more than make up for the additional cost.
Let's explore some of the newest high-end kitchen appliances on the market to help you make the best decision.
Reasons To Consider High-End Kitchen Appliances in Your Remodel
If your budget allows, luxury appliances can be worth the cost. They can add value to your home, make preparing meals faster and easier, and add aesthetic beauty to your home. Most homeowners choose to purchase high-end kitchen appliances for a few reasons:
Long Life Expectancy - Most luxury appliances are built to last. They use the latest technology, and high-quality materials in their construction and are designed to provide a high-end experience, look, and many years of service.
Performance - Cheaper appliances will most definitely get the job done, but if you love to cook, high-end kitchen appliances deliver better performance. A high-end range will perform consistently, even heat and high-end ovens are better insulated to keep in the heat. Many also come with options like griddles, temperature-probe cooking, and automatic cook-start so dinner can be ready when you get home from work.
Design - Luxury appliances are built with aesthetics in mind. Most manufacturers of luxury appliances offer many colors, trim, handle, and knob choices so you can design the look of your appliances to meet your style.
When considering appliances, ask, and answer some questions before investing. Do you eat out all the time, or cook for your family a lot? How do you use the kitchen? Do you entertain often? How you use your appliances should factor into your decision. If you're using them all the time, high-end appliances can be a good investment as they'll make your time in the kitchen more efficient.
Luxury appliances can set the tone of your home. They provide a specific look and feel and can be stunning focal points in your design. High-end kitchen appliances can also help you when it comes time to sell your home. Buyers know the quality and reputation of luxury manufacturers like Wolf, Viking, and Sub-Zero and aesthetically beautiful luxury appliances can provide the wow factor buyers love.
Beyond the Basics: Atypical Luxury Appliances
While investing in the big four luxury appliances – stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, and microwave is generally a good investment, today there are several options for additional types of appliances like wine refrigerators, induction cooktops, and warming drawers, that you can add to your design.
If you're the type of person who loves new technology, or you fancy yourself a chef, here are some other luxury appliances that might make sense for your kitchen remodel.
Steam Ovens - Steam ovens cook faster than a conventional oven saving you time (and using less energy) in the kitchen. Food cooked in steam retains moisture, cook more evenly, keep more nutrients in your diet, keep its color better, and eliminate the need for oil. Some have variable steam settings you can use when the oven is in combination/convection steam mode.
Warming Drawers - Warming drawers use a low heat setting to ensure that dishes stay hot and ready to serve, no matter when you made them. If you love to entertain, host dinner parties, or cook large holiday meals, a warming drawer can be a welcome addition to your new kitchen.
Induction Cooking - Induction cooking can revolutionize your kitchen! Induction technology uses magnetic currents to heat pots and pans instead of electricity directly. Induction cooktops can boil water in seconds, get up to cook faster, offers precise control, and is easy to clean. An induction cooktop can make weekday meal preparation a breeze.
AGA Cooker - An AGA cooker is a “heat storage” stove and cooker. It works on the principle that a heavy cast iron frame can absorb heat from a relatively low-intensity, but continuously burning source and the accumulated heat can then be used for cooking. An AGA stove is really for chef's only and it is not exactly environmentally friendly. So, unless you're creating a real chef's kitchen, an AGA stove may not be the best choice for you. A two oven 24 inch AGA cooker can set you back about $9,000.00 or more. Depending on the model you have your eye on, you could spend just under $20,000.00 for a 39 inch version. However, if you're looking for a long lasting stove, some AGA stoves have been operating flawlessly for over 50 years!
Bertazzoni Ranges - If you're looking for a cooking appliance designed, engineered, and manufactured to professional commercial standards, Bertazzoni Ranges are worth a look. They offer a practical elegance and aesthetic beauty that can't be beaten. A Bertazzoni range is for people looking to make a real statement with their kitchen. But all that Italian style may come with a price. Consumer Reports gave the Bertazzoni PRO304GASX range a rating of 47 out of 100 and of the seventeen customer reviews, fifteen were a one out of five.
When it comes to high-end kitchen appliances, it comes down to your preferences. High-end appliances offer the latest cutting edge technology, can save you time in the kitchen, and give the heart of your home a look that you'll love! Examine how you use your kitchen and your lifestyle when making a choice. Some of the more esoteric appliances (like AGA or Induction cooktops) can be expensive, and if you don't spend a lot of time in the kitchen, it may not be worth the investment.
However, if you're looking for the latest and greatest technology, love to cook, or entertain often, appliances like a steam oven, induction cooktop, or AGA stove can make your time in the kitchen fun and efficient... and look great doing it!
If you're considering a kitchen remodel and you live in the greater Tuscaloosa area, give the experts at Toulmin Kitchen & Bath a call at (205) 366-0807. We can show you all of the options available to you in home technology and high-end kitchen appliances. Let us design your dream kitchen.
