Microwave Drawer

Review of the Latest Appliance FinishesChoices of Appliance Finishes Abound at UAKCThe last half of the 20th century began with most appliances having porcelain enamel on steel cabinets. Porcelain was durable and easy to clean, but the manufacturing process was expensive, porcelain was subject to chipping, and was not environmentally friendly. Eventually, porcelain enamel disappeared in appliance cabinets to be replaced by steel with powder coat painted exteriors or stainless steel. In the last decade, we've begun to see some different choices in appliance exteriors. While painted surfaces remain a standard for base appliances, more expensive stainless steel is enormously popular. In recent years, we've seen new smudge-proof Frigidaire and fingerprint resistant stainless steel in Maytag brand and others. They're still stainless steel, but they have properties that eliminate or greatly reduce the possibility of smudges and fingerprints. European luxury brand, Miele, has introduced a fingerprint resistant steel called CleanTouch, as a replacement to stainless steel.Even more recently, Black Stainless Steel has hit the appliance market and appears to be taking off. Black Stainless Steel is essentially stainless steel base metal with black painted finish. KitchenAid was the first to Black Stainless Steel, and it seemed to take off slowly. But now, it is available in more brands and seems to be rapidly taking hold as an alternative to the shiny stainless steel we see everywhere. Here are some of the brands that are now offering Black Stainless Steel appliances:Brands offering Black Stainless SteelKitchenAidSamsungLGDacorMaytagFrigidaire

Find the right place for your microwave Creative Design in the Kitchen One of a design professional's enduring issues with microwave ovens is where to locate them. Many designers fight the idea of locating the microwave over a range or in an upper cabinet. They argue (correctly in my mind), that it is not ergonomically sound for most homemakers because it is too high, and it's certainly not ADA compliant in an over the range location. One solution is an oven microwave combination. It's certainly doable, but it does require a 24" deep cabinet top to bottom instead of the more common 12" upper cabinet over the counter. However, a microwave above the oven is also likely to put the microwave controls a bit too high, and certainly not ADA compliant or universal design. An option we've discussed before is an under counter installation. The main disadvantage of installing a microwave under the counter is that the microwave oven is too low. Manufacturers have worked to overcome this with a slide out drawer and/or controls that are rotated upward. That's a great solution. Here is another possibility that builders or designers could work into their plan. I really like this one. Nearly any brand or model of countertop or even drawer microwave oven will fit in this location. This particular Jenn-Air is designed as a built-in microwave, and is available in either a 30" or 27" width. The raised granite breakfast bar is also super convenient. Of course this design

Four Kitchen Island Ideas It seems hard to imagine a kitchen these days without either a peninsula or island of some type. With today's open kitchen designs, the extra workspace comes in very handy. Here are a few kitchen island ideas for kitchens of various sizes and shapes. 1. Wheel-In Kitchen Island Belmont White Kitchen Island This roll about cart from Crate&Barrel can serve as a work table or as convenient roll-in seating for a small kitchen. Roll it out of the way if you need the space to maneuver around the kitchen 2. Basic Kitchen Island Credit: Trackmeetsonline If you have room to add a permanent kitchen island, here's one that fits basic needs of an island with workspace, and seating for two. It's great for food prep or for your morning coffee and roll: the French call that morning cuppa with croissant a petit dejuener. 3. Kitchen Appliance Island I'm kind of an appliance guy, so I have to point out that a kitchen island can be a great place for appliances. Get that microwave off the counter and into the island. The microwave pictured above works well, but I really like the convenience of the microwave drawer for an under counter unit. The wall oven shown in the above picture is particularly useful for an accessible kitchen. If plumbing is available, another favorite use on a kitchen island is for a sink. Either a main sink or a small prep sink can make the island even more

Special Microwaves for a Special Person Available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center All microwave ovens are not created equal. While there are microwave ovens that are good only for reheating coffee or popping corn, there are also microwave ovens with very nice features that make the microwave oven an everyday appliance with many advanced cooking capabilities. Here are three that you can get from Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center (UAKC) that are priced right for a premium appliance. Great for a special Holiday gift. Sharp Microwave Convection Oven R820BW Microwave with enhanced browning and crisping Enhanced browning and crisping are possible in this convection microwave oven. That's because only the Grill 2 Convection has "double" grills that emit radiant heat both over and under food. Additional Features 0.9 cu. ft. Convection Microwave bakes, roasts, grills 12-3/4" Carousel (R) turntable holds most 9" x 13" dishes Easy-to-use 12-digit 2-color display 35 cooking options, plus CompuDefrost Stainless Steel Rack 20-1/2" W x 12-1/8" H x 19-3/4" D Silver exterior, Stainless Steel interior KitchenAid Microwave Convection Oven KCMC1575BSS Width: 21.75"Depth: 20.44 *KitchenAid products ship only within 150 mi. of store location 1200W Microwave/1500W Convection 10 Power Levels Electronic Controls w LED Display 9 Quick Touch & 4 Sensor Cycles Roast and Grill Functions This countertop microwave oven operates at 1200 watts of microwave power and includes a separate 1500 watt convection element that allows you to use this microwave as a true second oven. In addition to convection, you can also grill

Finding the Ideal Location for Your Wall Oven Many customers spend hours on the internet, and in showrooms researching wall ovens for their new kitchen. Should it be a single oven, double oven, or combination oven/microwave? Is convection important? What about steam? HOLD ON!! First things first! You need to have a kitchen layout, before you begin the selection process. Where will the oven or ovens be located, and are you going to have the requisite power available? Not too high nor too low, but just right for YOU. Unfortunately, wall ovens too often get placed either too high or too low for convenient operation. Since it's a new installation, why should you settle? You don't want an oven control panel so high that you need to be on your tiptoes to operate it. Nor do you want one so low that your back goes into spasms every time you place an item on the lower rack. Take a moment before deciding on the perfect oven to find the perfect location for the oven. New oven designs are available so that you can also choose among traditional drop down oven doors, side swing doors, or even French doors. Click below for blogs covering: Appliance trends French door and side swing ovens Would one of these new options work well for you? Here are a few choices to consider: Microwaves are now often finding new places to fit in the kitchen. Counter height is ideal, but not always practical. Undercounter is

Appliances that Fit Under Your Countertops Visit Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center Not long ago the only appliances placed underneath a counter in most homes were the dishwasher and perhaps a trash compactor. Now, there are a host of appliances configured to fit underneath the counter. In fact, it's hard to think of a major appliance category that does not have products configured to work under a countertop. Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center has a huge selection of appliances from many brands that will fit under your countertop. Among the reasons to install an appliance under a counter, would be not only to save counter space, but also for accessibility. It's also good to remember that the cabinets above your countertop are only 12" deep, not the 24" that most appliances are designed to occupy. Microwave ovens are no longer relegated to the countertop or over the range. Today, microwave oven drawers open and close at the push of a button and are perfect for undercounter installation. In addition, the big kitchen refrigerator is being replaced or at least supplemented with refrigerator and freezer drawers.Sub Zero has recently introduced a host of new undercounter refrigeration appliances that are also designed for living spaces other than the kitchen. The phrase that is being used is "point-of-use" appliances. For example, it might be a good idea to have a refrigerator in a recreation area stocked with snacks and drinks for the kids. Entertainment areas are being equipped