Bosch

BSH Home Appliances has expanded its recall of dishwashers due to fire hazard. This recall expansion is the result of faulty power cords in a number of Gaggenau, Jenn-Air, Thermador and Bosch dishwashers. These defective power cords create incredibly hazardous conditions, as they are prone to overheating and creating fires. No injuries due to this power cord defect have been reported, though BHS Home Appliances has reported five instances of power cords overheating, causing property damage and fires. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the latest recall covers approximately 408,000 units, in addition to approximately 149,000 units that were recalled back in October 2015. Home improvement stores, authorized builder distributers, department stores and appliance/specialty retailers sold the recalled dishwashers nationwide and online from January 2013 through May 2015. A comprehensive list of model and serial numbers for affected units can be found on the CPSC’s official website. These numbers are printed inside your dishwasher, either on the side or top of the inner door panel depending on the unit. If you have a recalled dishwasher in your home, you should immediately stop using the unit and contact either BSH Home Appliances for a free inspection and repair or Universal Appliance Repair. You can reach the BSH Home Appliance toll-free at 888-965-5813 from 8am to 8pm ET Monday through Sunday, or contact the company online through the brand websites listed below: Thermador: Visit thermador.com and click on “Customer Care,” then “Safety Notices” Gaggenau: Visit gaggenau.com/us and click on “Support,”

Choose your brand. Buy something. Get free appliances.Free Appliances with Purchase at UAKCIs it too good to be true? The copycat effect is here in the form of free dishwashers and other great appliances. For years, Thermador has been promoting a free dishwasher with the purchase of other select Thermador appliances. Why? Brands are often famous for a single product category. Thermador, is famous for its cooking products. Now a part of BSH, one of Thermador's sister companies is Bosch, a brand that is known for its dishwashers. So, it only makes sense that Thermador dishwashers are manufactured by Bosch. Yet Thermador customers would consistently purchase a Thermador oven, and a Thermador cooktop, and then choose a different brand dishwasher, perhaps a Miele, an Asko, or yes even a dishwasher from their sister company, Bosch. But Thermador wants their customers to buy a kitchen full of Thermador appliances. Voilà, give customers a free dishwasher when they buy other Thermador appliances, too. This package might include not just cooking products, but also Thermador refrigerators, vent hoods, etc.Well, it turned out to be such a good idea that other brands now offer free dishwashers or other appliances, when you select their brands. Right now, if you make a qualifying purchase at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center, you can get a free dishwasher or more from the following brands:GE Free Dishwasher RebatePurchase 3 or more qualifying GE Cafe Appliances and recieve a GE Cafe dishwasher valued up to $1000Thermador 1-2-FREE PromotionIgnite your imagination.

Three tips for cleaner dishesTry these tips for cleaner dishes, or get a new dishwasher at UAKC Here are three suggestions to make sure you're getting the most out of your dishwasher:1. Don't pre-clean your dishes.Some people want to give their dishwasher a little help by pre-washing their dishes. While you certainly don't want to put your leftover for baked on food in your dishwasher, it is not a good idea to rinse off your dishes before placing them in the dishwasher. Dishwasher detergents contain chemicals that keep food particles removed from the dishes in suspension so that they don't get redeposited on your dishes. If you put only clean dishes in the dishwasher, the detergent will find no dirt particles and wind up as a film on your already clean dishes.2. Hot water gets dishes clean.Typically, dishwashers will heat incoming water to 150 degrees or more depending on the cycle selected. However, the incoming water needs to be 120 degrees for this to happen. Even if your water heater provides water at 120 degrees, if your dishwasher is located too far from the water heater, the hot water may not be hot enough by the time it gets to the dishwasher. My water heater is at one corner of my house, and my dishwasher is clear over at the other corner, as far as it can be from the water heater. We need to run the hot water at the sink near the dishwasher for a few minutes before we

Quiet Dishwashers at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterHow much will a good quiet dishwasher cost?Well, you knew this was coming. It depends! There are a lot of variables, depending on what is important to you. The average retail price for a dishwasher in the U.S. is around $500. However, to get the dishwashers with the best cleaning features, longest warranties, and the quietest ratings, you'll need to pay a premium. For example, the very quietest dishwashers available are 40 db or even less, and you can expect to pay near $1,000 and even more for a dishwasher in this category.All dishwashers are not created equal. It is true that better dishwashers cost more money, but there are also diminishing returns for most of us. At some point, the difference of the next $100 spent on added dependability, quietness, and cleaner dishes is not discernible. So, what we've done here is to leave off the entry level products that are advertised by the big box stores. Here are a few great dishwasher brands that have received terrific ratings from several sources and authorities. They'll not only get your dishes clean, they're built to last, and they're the quietest dishwashers in the industry.BOSCHBosch has made a lot of noise over the years, by touting how little noise their dishwasher makes. It's probably fair to say that they invented quiet as an important feature in dishwashers. They're part of BSH, and one of the largest appliance manufacturers in the world. Though they manufacture

More thoughts on Black Stainless SteelChoices about at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterIt looks like almost everyone has jumped on the Black Stainless bandwagon when it comes to appliance finishes. KitchenAid introduced a Black Stainless Steel refrigerator only a couple of years ago. Since then, Samsung has launched an entire line of Black Stainless Steel, along with LG. However, Dacor, a Samsung owned company, appears to be the only luxury brand to enter the Black Stainless fray with their new Modernist collection.Frigidaire appears to be jumping into the Black Stainless appliance pool with a full-line offering. Parent company, Electrolux, has yet to announce its intentions with their premium Electrolux offering. Similarly, Bosch has introduced a dishwasher in Black Stainless, presumably to be followed with a full line. However, Bosch's high end brands, such as Thermador, and Gaggenau have not made a move in this direction.It seems clear that this finish has a definite appeal for Millennials, and will find a home not in the entry level, but in the upgrade offerings of the popular brands GE, Frigidaire, and Whirlpool; as well as the Korean brands Samsung, and LG who have carved out a strong offering for Millennials.Notably, Whirlpool's super premium brand, Jenn-Air does not have Black Stainless, nor does GE's luxury brand, Monogram.Here's the good news. Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center is your headquarters for major appliances regardless of brand or finish. They carry all the major brands as well as most of the specialty brands, and an interesting selection

Top Choices in Built-In Coffee MakersBest Selection and Prices on Built-In Coffee Makers at UAKCBuilt-In coffee makers were quite uncommon 10-15 years ago. There were only two brands that dominated the category. Today, Several of the luxury brands, and the top premium brands offer built-in coffee makers. (They're probable best described as combination espresso and brewed coffee makers). Here's a list of some of the top appliance brands offering built-in coffee makers:BoschDacorGaggenauJenn-AirThermadorWolfThey're expensive, but for those who love a cappuccino or latte' in the morning, there's nothing like having a gourmet coffee drink ready when you wake up. Here are descriptions of three popular brands. MieleProbably, the Grand-Daddy of the home espresso machine category, Miele is a well-known luxury appliance brand. The Miele coffee maker can be installed either plumbed or not. That is, you can run water to the machine to eliminate the need for filling the tank or you can forget the plumbing and just fill the water tank as needed. Miele has several exclusive features including a "cup sensor" that recognizes the cup rim and lowers the coffee maker spout accordingly to the proper height for a perfect pour.Jenn-Air We'd describe Jenn-Air as a Super Premium brand rather than a luxury brand. Look for luxury features at a bit more affordable price. The Jenn-Air built-in coffee maker has lots of the desirable features that you'd expect from a luxury brand, so it's definitely worthy of consideration. It's not a plumbed model so you'll have to refill the

There is Still Time. Hurry-In!6 brands have extended President's Day offersLots going on during President's Day? So, you missed the fantastic President's Day Sale at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center. There were some really big savings available on top brands. You could have saved up to $2000. What a shame.Hold on! 6 of our top brands below have figured out that it doesn't make much sense to have a sale for only 1 day. They give customers a window to take advantage of the sale prices. Here are their offers:Bosch has a 10% rebate on eligible kitchen packages. The offer is valid on purchases made before March 31st. It's a good deal, but don't let the time slip away from you. Click on the link below to find out more:BOSCH KITCHEN PACKAGE SAVINGSElectrolux get $1000 rebate expires February 28th. Click below for details:ELECTROLUX REBATEGeneral Electric says you can save up to $1200 on select GE Appliance packages if you act by March 1, 2017.Click below for details:GENERAL ELECTRICMaytag offers savings up to $600 on two or more Maytag appliances if you purchase by March 8, 2017Click below for details:MAYTAGSamsung will send you a visa reward card worth up to $550 on appliances if you purchase by March 1, 2017Click below for details:SAMSUNGWhirlpool will send you up to $600 by mail when you purchase 2 or more Whirlpool Appliances by March 8, 2017Click below for details:WHIRLPOOLAs you can tell, these are definitely limited time offers. Don't

Is it time for a new dishwasher?Houzz has published its 2017 Kitchen Trends Survey. For homeowners planning kitchen renovations, dishwashers are the most likely to be first on the list for replacement. It really isn't a big surprise considering all the changes in dishwashers over the years. Here are the top trends in dishwashers in our view.Sani-CycleHomeowners are increasingly concerned with sanitation, particularly in the kitchen. Some new dishwashers have sani-cycles that are certified by the NSF which requires that the water is heated to 155 degrees fahrenheit and kept there for a certain amount of time. This feature can be particularly important when someone in the home is sick, or if there is a baby to care for.Energy and Water SavingsWhile dishwasher manufacturers are all keen on having the EnergyStar label, some dishwashers are more energy efficient than others. They work with smaller highly efficient motors that run quieter (and longer) to get dishes clean while running at whisper quiet sound levels.In addition, though dishwashers may have long run times, they actually use far less water. That's one reason why they are more energy efficient because a big part of a dishwashers energy usage is the cost of heating the water.QuietToday's open kitchens make it critical that dishwashers run quietly, and appliance manufacturers tout their "whisper-quiet" dishwashers. In my opinion, to be considered quiet, a dishwasher would have to operate at a decibel rating in the 40's. The really quiet dishwashers are often in the low 40's with a

Get trending appliances at Universal Appliance and Kitchen CenterBuilt-In Coffee MakersThe booming business in built-in coffee makers has caught many industry experts by surprise. Built-in coffee makers have been around for quite a while, but there has been limited demand until recently. European luxury appliance brands such as Miele, Gaggenau, and Thermador have had built-in coffee makers for many years. But now, U.S. competitors in the luxury space such as Wolf have added coffee makers, and other super premium brands such as Jenn-Air and Bosch have also entered the space.While built-in coffee makers are hardly a necessity, customers are stretching their appliance budgets to acquire automatic coffee makers in many kitchen remodels, and new semi-custom and custom homes. There are a host of feature differences from one device to the next. Some models can be connected to plumbing while others have water tanks that require filling by hand. One built-in coffee maker even stores your whole coffee beans and grinds them on demand. Other options may include automatic cleaning features, one or two cups simultaneously, frothing features, cappuccino option, and more.It's a good idea to do your research, or consult the experts at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center.  

Are Stainless Steel Appliances on the way out?Don't bet against Stainless SteelEvery so often we hear some predictions that stainless steel is on the way out as an appliance finish. Is that like to happen soon? No. Stainless steel is going to be the top choice for appliance buyers for years to come. Here's how it stands today:New constructionProduction home builders usually offer a base appliance package in white or black with an upgrade to stainless steel. Upgrading to stainless steel appliances continues to be a very popular choice for new home buyers.Custom homesProfessional/Restaurant style appliances are a top choice for custom homes buyers. Several of the top brands in this category only offer stainless steel, though some color selection is an option for Viking and Bertazzoni brands. (BlueStar, a pro-style line of cooking products has a very wide selection of colors.) In addition some elite luxury brands such as Le Cornue offer a selection of designer colors.Remodels and replacement salesCustomers who choose to replace their kitchen appliances from the popular entry level appliance brands, eg. GE, Whirlpool, and Frigidaire, available in white, black or stainless steel will almost always upgrade to stainless steel (except for basic apartment replacement sales). Though premium brands such as KitchenAid, GE Profile, or Bosch may be available in white and/or black, their sales skew heavily toward stainless steel. Kitchenaid has recently introduced a finish called black stainless steel that is getting a lot of attention.Whatever