A Fridge with a built-in Keurig coffee maker??!! Learn about that and other kitchen appliance trends. Part 1-BYHYU 036

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Today we have the first part of a conversation that I had Judy Bilyeu, the corporate marketing director of Metro Appliances and More.  She tells us about the newest trends in kitchen appliances, including a refrigerator that has a built-in Keurig coffee maker.

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Before we get to that, let’s go over this week’s pro term: Induction cooking.

PRO TERM

Induction cooking is a cooking technology that heats the cooking vessel with magnetic energy, instead of thermal energy, which is what’s used with an electric or gas stove.  The cooking vessel must be made of a magnetic metal, such as cast iron.   When that magnetic pot or pan is not present, the induction heating element will automatically shut off.

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Induction cooking provides faster, more consistent heating and increased energy efficiency than cooking by thermal conduction. Induction cooking also gives you precise heat control, similar to gas cooking.


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So, our pro term is induction cooking, an alternative to electric or gas cooking that uses magnetic energy to cook your food.

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INDUCTION COOKTOP [image from whirlpool.com]

Now, let’s move on to the first part of my conversation with Judy Bilyeu of Metro Appliances and More.  I started by asking her to tell us about Metro...





Metro Appliances and more started in Tulsa Oklahoma when the owner started selling a few appliances to builders.  They now have 9 stores in 4 states (Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas and Missouri).   They currently sell to builders and the general public.  Metro carries 50 brands of appliances, so they have something for all budgets. ​

check out METRO APPLIANCES AND MORE

JUDY BILYEU, CORPORATE MARKETING DIRECTOR FOR METRO APPLIANCES AND MORE

Then I asked:


What are the hottest trends in refrigerators and freezers?  For custom built homes, what type of fridges are homeowners most often requesting?  




She explained that french door refrigerators continue to be to very popular and that most brands have a french door model.  Industrial size, individual units with a completely separate fridge and freezer are also a popular higher end option.



There are now fridges with auto refill water pitchers that are automatically refilled with cold, filtered water.  



GE makes a refrigerator that has a built-in Keurig coffee maker.  Take a look at the video below to see it in action.  It makes fresh, hot coffee in a few moments.  Look for the GE Cafe’ Series French Door Refrigerator.  It comes in a Stainless Steel and Slate finish.  

Another fridge reminiscent of the Jetsons (the back-in-the-day cartoon about a futuristic family), is the new Samsung Family Hub refrigerator that has a computer screen and built-cameras.  It allows you to see the inside of your fridge from your smart phone.  Not sure if you need milk?  With this fridge you can find out by simply checking the app on your phone.   It also has 4 compartments that will let you switch each unit from refrigerator to freezer, and back again, as needed.  

SAMSUNG'S FAMILY HUB REFRIGERATOR [image from samsung.com]

see more of this refrigerator

When choosing your refrigerator,  remember to consider the amount of ice the fridge will  make, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors or entertaining.




Next, I asked Judy to tell us about the appliance finishes.

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Are stainless steel appliances still the top choice for homeowners?  What other options are available?





Yes, she said, stainless steel finishes are still very popular, but brands are coming out with other options, such as the Slate finish by GE.  It’s more of a matte gray finish.  Samsung has a black stainless steel.


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​ Whirlpool has White Ice and Black Ice, a very shiny surface that looks like glass.  

WHIRLPOOL'S WHITE ICE COLLECTION

SEE WHIRLPOOL'S ICE COLLECTION

Viking is one brand that has several appliance colors.

COLORFUL VIKING APPLIANCES [image from https://www.vikingrange.com/consumer/]

VIKINGRANGE.COM/CONSUMER

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Smeg appliances also offer lots of colors, plus several prints.

SMEG REFRIDGERATOR [image from smegusa.com]

see more smeg appliances

Next, Judy and I talked about cooktops, ranges and other cooking appliances.  What new features should homeowners be looking out for?





Induction cooking is one of most talked about trends in cooktops and ranges. Induction cooking is based on a magnetic field.  An induction cooktop has a glass cooking surface, but has the power of gas, so you can achieve a full boil in a couple of minutes.  





One of the very newest innovations is a countertop that has the induction cooking surface embedded in the countertop material, so you end up with a hidden cooking surface that simply looks like a countertop.  You should be seeing that option soon.

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We're seeing more wall ovens with double doors that open from the middle, like a restaurant style wall oven.  Doors open to the left and right instead of up to down, so you don’t have to lean over a hot oven to get food out of the oven.

FRENCH DOOR WALL OVEN [image from vikingrange.com]

Also look for computerized ovens where you can input what you are cooking and what type of container you are using to cook it (metal, glass, etc), and the oven will automatically set the appropriate time and temperature to cook your food to the perfect temperature.  The oven will then turn off when your food is done.



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Microwave drawers and combination microwave and convection ovens continue to gain popularity.  And finally, steam ovens that add moisture into whatever you are cooking are now being included in new kitchens.  And some ovens use steam to clean the oven.




Well, that’s the end of the first part of my conversation with Judy Bilyeu.  Some of the features that she talked about really did sound like something from the Jetsons, didn't they? 





Next week, I continue my conversation with Judy and she’ll educate us about what’s on trend with dishwashers, washers and dryers and some luxury appliances for our homes.  





Ok, ready for your quiz?




QUIZ:



1. True or False.  With induction cooking, you need a cooking vessel made of 

A. Ceramic
B. A magnetic metal
C. Glass
D. Silicone





The answer is B, a magnetic metal, like cast iron, is the type of cooking vessel needed for induction cooking.  That’s because induction cooktops use magnetic energy to cook and heat the food.





2. Metro Appliances and More offers a variety of refrigerators, including those with:

A. Colorful finishes
B. Cameras that allow you to see inside the fridge from a smart phone app
C. A Built in coffee maker
D. Units that can be switched from refrigerator to freezer and back again, as            needed.
E. All of the above.





The answer is E, all of the above.





3.  Our guest this week was Judy Bilyeu, what character from the Jetsons was also named Judy:

A. the mother
B. the daughter
C. the maid
D. the dog
E. the boss

If you can remember the theme song, you’ll get this one right. 




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The answer is B, the daughter.  Judy Jetson was George Jetson’s daughter. The mother was... do you remember?  Jane.  The maid was Rosie.   The dog’s name was Astro and the boss was, Mr. Spacely.

How’d you do?


Well, that it for this week.



Please remember that the purpose of this podcast is simply to educate and inform.  It is not a substitute for professional advice.  The information that you hear is based the only on the opinions, research and experiences of my guests and myself.  That information might be incomplete and it’s subject to change, so it may not apply to your project. In addition, building codes and requirements vary from region to region, so always consult a professional about specific recommendations for your home.
 



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Thank you for joining me. I hope you’ll come back for another episode of  Build Your House Yourself University (BYHYU).