Appliances

Kitchen showrooms are full of massive, shiny appliances meant to be strewn liberally about in a large kitchen. Most of the world, though, doesn't have that kind of space to spare for ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, kitchen islands, stovetops, and the like. The Clei Ecooking kitchen minds its manners and limits itself to a very compact space.

The Ecooking station is sleek, modern, and modular. It was created by Italian designer Massimo Facchinetti for Clei, a company specializing in transformable furniture. The company's creations are intended to make the most of small spaces like apartments and lofts.… Read more

You know the toaster oven: it gives forth deliciousness every day. The familiarity afforded by the device invites versatility; as food cooks inside, a glance or two may lead to inspiration. The blank canvas that is a slice of toast or a bagel practically begs for additional ingredients to be piled on. Sooner or later, it's going to happen; all that is needed is to get to the food.

The Hamilton Beach 31334 Easy-Reach 4-Slice Toaster Oven ($49.99) makes it easy to access whatever happens to be on the menu. With bake, broil, and toast settings, the countertop … Read more

Cooking starts with heat. Everybody knows that; it is the way in which that heat is applied to food where things get complicated. This, of course, is a good thing. The range of modern cuisine is so widely varied, thanks in great part to all the different cooking methods that are readily available at one's fingertips. With a press of a button or a twist of a dial, meals can be created that range from instantly recognizable to outlandishly strange. Sometimes, even with the same appliance.

From minestrone soup to a good old-fashioned fish fry, the Deni 9135 five-quart Multi Cooker … Read more

The toaster has an iconic design. For simply being a rectangular box with rounded corners, the kitchen appliance is still instantly recognizable for what it is. However, regardless of the ubiquitous nature of the toaster -- or perhaps because of it -- it is clear that the stainless-steel commonality of the past is in danger of fading away.

The Kalorik 2-Slice Glass Panel Long Slot Toaster ($99.95) gives kitchen countertops everywhere a clear view into the future of toasting. Featuring a clear glass side that allows for full viewing of the toasting action, the toaster offers insight into what'… Read more

A refrigerator pretty much has one job. Well, make that two: to keep food cold and colder. Even with the oncoming eventuality of smart appliances dominating the kitchen, the basic task of the fridge is in regard to food storage. Somewhere along the way, a logical extension of the refrigerator's responsibilities resulted in the creation of water and ice dispensers; a welcome addition, as a nice, cool drink of water is impossible to beat. Unless maybe you wanted hot water.

The GE Cafe Series CFE29TSDSS French Door Refrigerator with Hot Water ($3,099) incorporates a water dispenser that delivers … Read more

Mornings are the worst time to think. At least, that very early first part of morning. We settle into routines as a matter of practicality: with the brain not yet firing on all cylinders, we can at least semiconsciously stumble through a set of actions that has been furrowed into our gray matter simply by repetition. However, even though the morning routine may guide us from the coffee grinder through to the toaster, occasionally a wrench gets thrown into the plan. When these deviations occur, it can set up a domino effect that derails the whole system.

Setting out to … Read more

Sous vide cooking is a relatively new phenomenon and even newer for the home market. While professional restaurants have been cooking food in a water bath for quite some time (say, pulling out a steak and giving it a quick sear before plating), the home kitchen has not until recently joined in on the party. Recent advancements are making the method of cooking food in a precisely controlled heated water bath an easy reality for home consumers.

The Viante Home Products CUC-09SV Sous Vide Cooker is a countertop appliance that will further the prospects of this exciting cooking method becoming … Read more

Cooking is a balancing act, but don't tell that to the appliances. As a cook runs from pot to oven, oven to fridge, and then back again, the coordination required to bring the cacophony of activity to a satisfying (and tasty) conclusion is not something that's easy to do. Trained professionals may attack this puzzle each and every day with relish and zeal, but the home cook doesn't have the benefit of a sous chef or prep cook (usually). They can however, have the Intellisteam.

Set to become available in July 2013, the Viante Home Products CUC-30ST … Read more

The act of grilling brings a unique sense of anticipation -- as well as a crowd. Perhaps it is because seared meats and vegetables cook so tantalizingly close. Consider in contrast, the oven: a small viewing window and the need to do calisthenics (or at least two deep knee bends) to get food in to and out of the cooking chamber just doesn't create the same sense of excitement. With grilling, the food is right there within easy grabbing distance. Especially when the grill is on the kitchen countertop.

The Hamilton Beach 25360 Searing Grill ($89.99) mimics the … Read more