Small appliances are the unsung heroes of the kitchen. They don’t get the attention that your oven, dishwasher or refrigerator receives, yet you would probably be lost without them. If you’re about to begin a home remodeling project, you’ll want to make sure your kitchen includes storage for these key appliances.
Coffeemakers
There’s nothing like waking up to the smell of coffee in the morning. Whether you prefer a steaming mug of black coffee or a shot of espresso, a coffeemaker is a must for many homeowners. Even if you don’t enjoy coffee, you’ll still want to buy a small coffeemaker that can be used when friends visit.
For the diehard coffee-enthusiast, a plumbed in coffee maker, such a Meile bean-to cup system, is a dream. Capable of a selection of lattes and espresso, it also has a hot water dispenser. While other appliances are designed to help you serve others, this appliance is on Pointe to serve you.
Pod-style coffeemakers are a less expensive choice if you have a mix of coffee and tea drinkers in your family. Since each cup is made individually, everyone can choose the type of drink he or she prefers. Want to control your coffeemaker remotely? Opt for a Wi-Fi-enabled machine that can be controlled by your smartphone.
Our Pick: Bonavita 1900TS Coffeemaker
The Bonavita 1900TS use pre-infusion technology to provide an exceptionally tasty cup of coffee. Coffee grounds are moistened first before water passes over them, which helps remove oxygen that can make coffee taste stale. Unlike other coffeemakers, the Bonavita 1900TS uses a stylish stainless steel carafe that keeps coffee hot for hours and coordinates with other stainless steel finishes in your kitchen.
Have you ever removed the filter basket of your coffeemaker and noticed that some of the grounds weren’t even wet? The problem occurs due to small showerheads that can’t reach every part of the basket. The Bonavita 1900TS prevents this problem by incorporating a large showerhead and flat-bottomed filter basket that allows water to saturate the grounds evenly. The coffeemaker is a must-have item if you’re a coffee connoisseur who also appreciates good design.
Blender
This classic kitchen appliance is just as indispensable today as it was when it was introduced in the 1930s. Whether you want to make smoothies, crush ice or mix up a batch of frozen margaritas, a blender is an invaluable kitchen appliance. Today’s sleek blenders will look right at home on your countertop.
Our Pick: Vitamix A3500
Most blenders require you to monitor the blending process closely. If you walk away for a minute to grab another ingredient from the refrigerator, you risk over-blending. The Vitamix A3500 features a programmable timer that automatically turns off the blender without any intervention from you.
Settings for frozen desserts, hot soups, smoothies, dips and spreads, and self-cleaning take the guesswork out of blending. Want to make a single-serving smoothie? Just choose the appropriate size container, and the blender will self-adjust accordingly.
Slow Cooker
Slow cookers are a must-have appliance if you enjoy home-cooked meals but don’t want to spend an hour or two in the kitchen at the end of a long day. Make meal preparation stress free by buying a model that can be controlled from your smartphone.
Our Pick: Crock-Pot 6 Quart Smart Slow Cooker
Slow cookers are a great invention for busy people, but they have one important drawback. There’s no way to turn them off if you’re stuck in a colossal traffic jam, or your daughter’s soccer game goes into overtime.
Crock-Pot’s 6-Quart Smart Slow Cooker can be remotely controlled from a smartphone or other digital device using the free WeMO app. The app allows you to turn the slow cooker on and off, increase or decrease the temperature and cooking time, and activate the keep-warm setting. The app can even send notifications to your family when dinner’s ready. The slow cooker offers three heat settings and removable oven stoneware.
Electric Pressure Cookers
Electric pressure cookers are the hot new kitchen item. The versatile appliance functions as a rice cooker, pressure cooker and slow cooker, and it can also sauté, brown and warm foods. Some models even make yogurt. Electric pressure cookers come with preset programs for poultry, rice, meat, soup and other foods. The cookers use 70 percent less energy than other cooking methods and prepare food two to six times faster.
Our Pick: Instant Pot IP-Smart Bluetooth-Enabled Multifunctional Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot’s Bluetooth-enabled pressure cooker offers 14 smart programs and a convenient delayed start feature that automatically turns the cooker on up to 24 hours after you set it. Dual pressure, three temperatures and an automatic keep warm make it easier to make rice, meat, chili, chicken, poultry, yogurt and other favorites. When you choose a recipe from the database, the cooker automatically selects the appropriate temperature and cooking time. This versatile pressure cooker will quickly become one of your must-used appliances.
Stand Mixers
Handheld mixers are perfectly adequate if you want to mix a batch of brownies or whip cream, but they’re not nearly as convenient asstand mixers. Since the mixers are supported by a sturdy stand, you can turn them on and peel a few potatoes or enjoy a cup of coffee while the mixer does all the work. Manufacturers offer a variety of attachments for stand mixers, including dough hooks, wire whips, pasta rollers, food grinders, shredders and juicers.
Our Pick: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
KitchenAid mixers have been a kitchen staple for decades for good reason. They’re extremely durable and not only beat, mix, puree and blend, but also knead dough. Optional attachments make it easy to whip up a batch of ravioli, prepare your favorite juice or dice vegetables. Need to add more ingredients? Just tilt the head and drop a few eggs or a cup of flour into the large five-quart bowl. Thanks to 20 color choices, the KitchenAid Artisan complements any décor.
Toaster Oven
Toaster ovens do much more than prepare a nicely browned piece of toast. When you choose a convection model, you can use the oven to bake cookies or roast a chicken. Toaster ovens offer a convenient option if you’re preparing a small meal or need an extra cooking option when you host large gatherings.
Our Pick: Breville Smart Oven Convection Toaster Oven
Whether you want to heat up a pizza or cook a roast, you won’t have to worry about underdone or overdone foods with the Breville Smart Oven Convection Toaster Oven. The oven uses quartz technology to direct heat above and below foods for uniform cooking. In addition to toasting, the oven also broils, bakes and roasts. It’s the perfect choice when you want a home-cooked meal, but don’t want to fire up your wall oven.
Food Processors
Does it seem like you spend more time chopping and dicing foods than actually cooking them? A food processor chops, slices, purees and blends ingredients in just a few seconds, giving you more time to enjoy the meal you prepared. The most powerful models can also knead bread.
Our Pick: Cuisinart Elite Collection 2.0 14 Cup Food Processor
Can your current food processor only chop one onion at a time? When you’re making big batches of foods, a small capacity processor can slow you down. The Cuisinart Elite Collection 2.0 14 Cup Food Processor includes a large work bowl that’s perfect to hold chopped, sliced or shredded foods. Removable food processor parts pop into the dishwasher for easy cleaning.
Wine Cooler
If you frequently cook with wine or enjoy a nice glass of Chablis with dinner, you’ll appreciate the convenience a wine cooler offers. Simply set the desired temperature using the LED controls and enjoy a perfectly chilled glass of wine any time you want.
Our Pick: Electrolux ICON Under-Counter Wine Cooler
The Electrolux ICON stores up to 48 bottles of your favorite wines and features transitional LED lighting. A built-in alarm sounds if the door remains open longer than five minutes or you experience a power failure. The cooler keeps wine perfectly chilled and allows you to choose your preferred temperature setting.
When you’re ready to begin a kitchen remodel, give us a call. We’ll help you create an attractive, functional kitchen and efficient places to store and display your small kitchen appliances.
HGTV: 9 Must-Have Countertop Applianceshttp://www.hgtv.com/remodel/kitchen-remodel/9-must-have-countertop-appliances
The Kitchn: The Kitchn’s Guide to Essential Small Electrical Applianceshttp://www.thekitchn.com/the-kitchns-guide-to-essential-small-electrics-setting-up-a-kitchen-170634
This Old House: 15 Best Kitchen Gadgets Under $50http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20369345_last,00.html
KTAR: 7 Steps to a Successful Home Remodeling Projecthttp://ktar.com/story/502822/7-steps-to-a-successful-home-remodeling-project/
Bonavita: Thermal Carafe Coffee Brewer
http://bonavitaworld.com/products/thermal-carafe-coffee-brewer-8-cup
Vitamix: Vitamix A3500
Crock-Pot: 6 Quart Smart Slow Cooker
Instant Pot: Instant Pot
KitchenAid: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilted-Head Stand Mixer
Breville: Smart Oven
Cuisinart: Cuisinart Elite Collection
Electrolux ICON Under-Counter Wine Cooler
