Cava 36 Bottle Wine Credenza

The Vinotemp Cava credenza is the perfect solution for serving and storing your wine collection when you don’t like the look of a stainless steel and glass box.

The Cava Credenza has the ability to hold up to 36 bottles in two independently controlled refrigerated units, up to 18 wine glasses in the central hanging stemware racks, and all of your favorite wine accessories in its 3 storage drawers.

The Cava Credenza has dual thermoelectric cooling systems with 53° to 64°F temperature range and soft interior lighting to beautifully display your favorite wines without adding heat. It is available in two finishes: Espresso and Rich Maple.

The Credenza is 54″ wide, 22″ deep, 40″ high and weighs close to 250 pounds. Pricing is set at $1,780 plus $415 freight. It does not meet CA prop. 65 regulations.

While this credenza does not hold a lot of bottles, I think the use of furniture feet give it a lighter appearance than other models on the market. I’d prefer if one cooler could handle large or oddly shaped bottles. If you place a champagne bottle in this credenza you will most likely reduce the overall bottle capacity that can be stored.

January 8, 2014

Dacor Discover IQ Dual Fuel Range

Ever since Android was released, there have been attempts to build it into appliances. None of these products have kicked off the era of smart appliances we’ve all been dreaming about, but Dacor is back at CES this year with yet another Android-powered appliance in its Discovery iQ series.

The 48″ range comes with a 7″ Android powered tablet built into the control panel complete with the ability to run apps. The Wi-Fi connected range comes with Dacor’s iQ Cooking App which provides the user “with tools they require for precision cooking.” It allows home chefs to control the range with their tablet or smartphone to do such things as conveniently preheat the oven, change a cooking setting or receive a text message when the meal is complete.

“The new range combines the cooking precision our customers have enjoyed for nearly 50 years with a first-of-its-kind Dacor Cooking App and iQ Controller, providing a convenient, connected cooking experience.”

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The Dacor Discovery iQ range does has built-in safety features. For instance, whenever someone is using the range via the built-in tablet, all users connected from other rooms will be kicked off the controls. The oven also cannot exceed a certain temperature when controlled from the app. The top burners also can’t be controlled via the mobile app.

The Discovery iQ 48″ Dual-Fuel Range is priced at $11,999 MSRP and will be available nationwide in June 2014. A 36″ range is supposed to be released next for $4,299.

Let’s hope that the specs on the tablet are updated from Android 4.0.3, 512MB of RAM and 1GHz Exynos processor.

August 18, 2013

Top Brewer

The Scanomat Top Brewer is the ultimate coffee machine for the homeowner that likes an uncluttered countertop. You can control the grinding and brewing hidden below the countertop with a touch pad controller or by using your iPhone or iPad.

The Top Brewer has dual grinders and a height-adjustable goose neck spout that can brew a cup of coffee from a cold start in 45 seconds. Once warmed up the Top Brewer can deliver a hot cup of coffee in 15 seconds or a shot of espresso in 25 seconds. The refrigerated compartment keeps milk fresh for on demand foaming at the correct texture for Lattes, Cappuccinos, Macchiatos or what ever it is you desire.

Another great feature is that the Top Brewer cleans itself automatically. The cleaning system cleans all hoses with water after each cup.

Two models are available; the Pro and the Compact. The Pro requires a drain so some extra planning is required for installation.

If coffee isn’t your thing, the Top Brewer can be configured to dispense hot and cold water, milk, fruit juices or even just steam for blanching vegetables. Pricing is available upon request.

Be your own Barista

The Top Brewer app is easy and intuitive. Adjusting your coffee strength or amount of milk is as simple as moving the slider to your personal preference. You can also save the customized settings in your app. Scanomat built the app with real-time status so you can oversee the whole brewing process.

Those who own more than one Top Brewer can control multiple machines simultaneously via the app’s favorites screen. It gives you control all of your machines in one view, so you can be churning out a variety of drinks with a few taps, turning you into the ultimate barista.

This appliance has benefits outside the home. Imagine your local coffee shop with a team of Top Brewers that lets you order your coffee drink just the way you like it from your iPhone or iPad while you stand in line to pay for the beverage.

August 4, 2013

High Tech Kitchen

The Prisma Kitchen from Italian Manufacturer Toncelli Cucine Spa is clean and minimalistic with tablet technology built into the countertop. The island concept is a collaboration between Toncelli Designs and consulting firm Experientia to create a new kitchen experience.

The black glass countertop seamlessly incorporates the large Samsung tablet and is trimmed with anodized aluminum. The sliding cutting board is a great feature if you are not vertically challenged. I would think it would be okay for dicing small things but I wouldn’t try to cut a pineapple or a watermelon on it. I do like the contrasting red color. The center of the cutting board turns via lazy Susan hardware. I’m not sure it is necessary but Toncelli states it is for viewing upright items like a tablet – do you need another one?

“The “prismatic” composition of the surfaces transmits an immediate sense of weightlessness, emphasized by the lights
that illuminate the pieces from below.”

The overall concept is successfully minimalistic while also being complex in its ingenuity. The lack of visible hardware and almost floating appearance of the island keeps the cabinetry streamlined but not boring.

The large screen would make recipe viewing easier than using a smart phone or a tablet. Unlike a tablet, it can’t be knocked off its perch. I think as long as the screen resolution is nice then viewing your screen at an angle would be acceptable.

I am curious if the type of person who would be most likely to want this technology might also be the person who grows tired of it the fastest. What do you think? Is this the type of item someone buys for themselves or do they buy it to impress others?

Toncelli has been creating beautiful kitchen designs for over 50 years. Their philosophy is to produce and distribute all over the world fitted kitchens enriched by the handicraft tradition. The secret to success is their “passion for beauty and the will to satisfy always the client.”

Category: Appliances

Cava 36 Bottle Wine Credenza

Dacor Discover IQ Dual Fuel Range

Top Brewer

High Tech Kitchen

“The “prismatic” composition of the surfaces transmits an immediate sense of weightlessness, emphasized by the lights
that illuminate the pieces from below.”

“The “prismatic” composition of the surfaces transmits an immediate sense of weightlessness, emphasized by the lights that illuminate the pieces from below.”

“The “prismatic” composition of the surfaces transmits an immediate sense of weightlessness, emphasized by the lights
that illuminate the pieces from below.”