This story was originally published in Builder.
For centuries, kitchens have had a functional purpose but today's consumers expect more. To ensure that modern homeowners can cook, entertain, and clean with ease, manufacturers have developed new kitchen products that offer updated technologies and on-trend design selections. Read on for a few examples of the latest innovations.
Bocchi
Italian kitchen designer Bocchi’s product line, recently introduced to the U.S., includes four kitchen-sink design series. Made from natural and recyclable fireclay that’s kiln-fired at 2,000°F, Classico, Contempo, and Vigneto sinks feature a farmhouse style with apron fronts, while Sotto sinks have an undermount design. Bocchi says that a glaze coating fused with the fireclay creates a nonporous surface that resists scratches, stains, and calcium deposits. Sinks include a removable protective bottom grid and are available in nine finishes. Pricing ranges from $350 to $2,200. bocchiusa.com
BlueStar
BlueStar’s 36-inch Touch Induction Cooktop features touchscreen controls rather than knobs. The electric cooktop lies flush with any countertop and has five 5,500-watt burners, each with three levels of heating performance, which the company claims heat up faster than a gas burner. A seamless two-burner bridge function allows users to grill with an add-on, dual-zone griddle. Safety features include a safety lock, pan detection, and hot-surface indicator light. The maker says that the black ceramic glass surface is scratch and stain resistant. Pricing starts at $3,000. bluestarcooking.com
Federal Brace
Federal Brace has recently announced the return of Stainless Steel Island Countertops to its residential product line. The countertop material boasts a contemporary, modern flair that would look at home in a chef’s kitchen. Stainless steel is durable, stain-resistant, nonporous, and heat tolerant, and it also provides fast and easy cleanup, according to the manufacturer. The prep surface is sold in the standard island size of 50-by-26-by-1.5 inches, but custom sizes are also available. Pricing for the counter starts at $870. federalbrace.com
Amerock
The knobs and handles in Amerock’s newest hardware collection, Carrione, are inspired by Italian Carrara marble. The metallic bases feature two geometric rings that cross over the top of the marble-look handle, which pairs angular textures with rounded ends. The collection is available as a 2 1/2-inch knob and 3 3/4-inch, 5 1/16-inch, and 6 5/16-inch pulls. The zinc knobs and pulls come in a marble-white base color with a choice of five metallic handle and accent finishes. Pricing ranges from $15 to $40. amerock.com
Zephyr
Kitchen-appliance manufacturer Zephyr has introduced a black stainless steel hood in its Ravenna Island collection. A smoke-gray glass canopy curves over island cooktops and has an anti-smudge titanium coating for extra durability and easy cleaning. An energy-efficient “BriteStrip” LED light outputs an even 3,000K warm white color to illuminate the cooking surface, and “IconTouch” controls, integrated into the canopy, operate the hood’s 600-cfm blower. Pricing starts at about $1,700. zephyronline.com
Wine storage provider Vinotemp has launched its new line of kitchen appliances, Brama by Vinotemp, with the collection’s first product: the Brama Stainless Dishwasher. The stainless-steel Brama is designed to accommodate and clean large loads of dishes, with enough room for 16 place settings across three dish racks. The unit is Energy Star certified, and features a self-cleaning, multi-filter system that reduces the amount of water the appliance needs to run. The dishwasher offers six washing options, six cycle selections, and a turbidity sensor. All options operate quietly, at a volume of 44 dB or below. Pricing starts at $999. vinotemp.com
The Libero electronic and automatic door opener, designed for use with manufacturer Richelieu’s E-Cargo and Euro Cargo waste bin management systems, provides a hands-free opening system for cabinet-integrated waste bins. The low-voltage sensor device can be installed to the bottom of a base cabinet, and secured with only four screws. It is activated via motion sensor; the drawer opens when the user waves their foot in front of the sensor in the kick board. An integrated LED light indicates the sensor’s position to the user. Pricing starts around $294. richelieu.com
Lenova
The TKO Touch Kitchen Faucet, Lenova’s newest line of hands-free faucets, allows the user to turn the water flow on and off with just a light touch on the faucet handle. The faucets are made from no-lead brass, and coated with a PVD finish in Brushed Nickel or Polished Chrome, and available in a variety of contemporary designs. The hardware includes a pull-down spray and side lever handle. Additional features include an automatic shutoff and a LED light bar that indicates the temperature of the faucet’s water flow. According to the manufacturer, this technology promotes improved kitchen sanitation by reducing the potential spread of bacteria. Pricing will start at $475. lenovasinks.com
Moen
Moen’s newest garbage disposal, the EXL100c, is equipped with six motion-activated LED lights designed to illuminate the space under a kitchen sink when the cabinet door is opened. The lights provide up to 75 lumens of light output. The motion sensor is freely positionable, with a front-facing battery compartment for easy replacement. The disposal itself runs on a powerful 1 HP engine, along with Moen’s VORTEX permanent magnet motor and SoundSHIELD insulation. It attaches with Moen’s Universal Xpress Mount, which fits all Moen assemblies and most existing three-bolt garbage disposal mounts, along with an open dishwasher inlet that installs without tools. A removable power cord is also available for optional hardwiring. moen.com
Verona Appliances
Verona Appliances, an Italian appliance maker distributed with EuroChef USA, has expanded its line of single-oven freestanding ranges with the new Designer series, available in electric or gas configurations. The 36-inch Designer range features a larger oven cavity capacity than previous series, with two halogen lights, dual fans, an oven glide rack, and a soft-close door with three panes of glass. The gas model offers a new continuous grate design, as well as an analog temperature gauge and brass burners on all burner elements. The ranges are available in four finishes: Stainless Steel, Matte Graphite, True White and Burgundy. Design features include spindle legs, clean beveled doors, rounded handled and modern-style knobs. veronaappliances.com
This story was originally published in Builder.
