ActiveSmart Technology from Fisher & Paykel

We live in a designed world and we believe everybody deserves good design. The ongoing collaboration between design engineers and customers has changed the course of appliance design for us as a company and for those who use our products day in and day out.

Fisher & Paykel are striving to set themselves apart from the competition with their ActiveSmart refrigeration technology.

ActiveSmart consists of a microprocessor, interior temperature sensors, independently controlled variable speed fans and multiple air ducts. The microprocessor controls how the refrigerator operates based on changing patterns of use. The sensors continuously send information to the microprocessor, which analyses and adjusts the fan speed and compressor operations accordingly to deliver a consistent and stable temperature. Continuous feedback means that ActiveSmart has the ability to respond to intelligently adapt to daily use to help save energy, cooling and defrosting only when they need to without compromising on food care.

CoolDrawer

Taking the idea of the flexible DishDrawer and ActiveSmart refrigeration technology, Fisher & Paykel developed the CoolDrawer, a multi-temperature drawer-based fridge. It can be placed anywhere in the kitchen or home and the CoolDrawer provides five temperature settings to deliver total flexibility – fridge, freezer, chill, pantry and wine mode.

Intelligent Design

One of the worst things about replacing a refrigerator is waiting for he new unit to cool to the desired temperature. Fisher & Paykel’s Rapid Chill feature is very convenient. Independent variable-speed fans control airflow through multiple air ducts to all compartment as well as rapid chill and freezing to ensure food safety and maintain food quality.

Fisher & Paykel built-in appliances are designed to install flush with existing cabinet openings – provided you have 25″ of depth and 72″ of height. The depth of the newly designed refrigerators is 23.75″ without the door panel. This shorter design might prove to be easier to work with than other 84″ models but some families may find the 16.8 cu. ft. (5.1 freezer, 11.7 refrigerator) of storage inadequate for their needs.

August 16, 2015

Whirlpool Recalls Jenn-Air Wall Ovens Due to Burn Risk

Whirlpool Corporation is recalling 41,000 Jenn-Air brand single and double wall ovens, and combination microwave/wall ovens with an extendable roller rack with handle.

The extendable roller rack can unexpectedly disengage when fully extended, posing a risk of burns to consumers.

The models affected were sold from March 2012 through June 2015 and have model numbers beginning with JJW2, JMW2, JJW3 and JMW3 and a serial number beginning with a D or F.

The ovens were sold in the US and Canada at various retail locations.

Model and serial numbers for single and double ovens are located under the control panel, and for combination ovens, the model and serial number are located near the center vent of the lower oven.

Consumers with affected ovens should stop using the extendable roller rack and contact Whirlpool Corporation for a free in-home inspection and repair.

Contact Whirlpool Corporation toll-free from 8:00AM – 8:00PM ET Monday through Friday and 8:00AM – 4:30PM ET on Saturday. at 1-877-929-2029. Or click this link to determine if your model is affected.

July 9, 2015May 13, 2017

Incorporating Touch-latch Hardware

Also referred to as Invisible or Magnetic latch hardware | KitchAnn Style

As a designer I’ve been very happy with the improvements in touch-latch hardware.

Also referred to as Invisible or Magnetic latch hardware, I would try to discourage customers from using touch-latch hardware because they were not very reliable and always seemed to break. Continue reading “Incorporating Touch-latch Hardware”

June 28, 2015

Wolf Gourmet Appliances

The Sub-Zero Group’s Wolf Appliance brand has partnered with Hamilton Beach to create a collection of housewares for the kitchen. The exclusive licensing agreement provides customers with a line of luxury counter-top appliances and cooking tools that will be sold to select retailers.

The collection includes a 10-piece cookware set, a six-piece cutlery set (including kitchen scissors and honing steel), a countertop oven, a blender and two- and four-slice toasters.

The convection countertop oven features unique perimeter convection which provides uniform heat surrounding and circulating the food. Home chefs will appreciate the reduction in cooking time by up to twenty-five percent. The oven has 6 cook modes and will hold a 9″ x 13″ casserole.

Pricing will range from $399 for the two-slice toaster, $499 for the countertop oven, $479 for the four-slice toaster and $599 for the blender.

I could not locate information as to whether these items are made domestically or internationally.

Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of NACCO Industries, Inc.