K/BIS Culls The Newest In Kitchen And Laundry Majaps

By Alan Wolf On Apr 19 2010 - 4:01am

CHICAGO — This week’s 47th annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) was expected to draw 30,000 attendees to McCormick Place, here, where dozens of major appliance manufacturers from Jenn-Air to GE and seemingly every niche vendor in between showed their wares.

The following is an overview of spring majap introductions based on pre-show announcements. A complete K/BIS wrap-up report will appear in the next issue of TWICE.

Danby: The Findlay, Ohio-based maker of compact, specialty and home-comfort appliances showed a host of new products at K/BIS including the Energy Star-qualified DDW1899BLS dishwasher. Featuring a built-in water softener system and a black and stainless-steel design, the unit has a durable stainlesssteel spray arm and interior, and can hold up to eight place settings. It also offers a number of programmable features, such as a delayed-start function, and seven different wash cycles, including a water cycle that can also accommodate crystal and fine china.

Fisher & Paykel: The New Zealand manufacturer featured a 36-inch, counter- depth, side-by-side and Energy Starqualified refrigerator under its DCS sister brand. Features include a tri-sensor control system, a humidity drawer for produce, an adjustable temperature drawer for meats and cheeses, and a chiller designed to keep beverages cooler than the rest of the refrigerator. DCS also introduced a newly revamped outdoor module system that integrates its traditional grilling system with the versatile 360° grilling of the Liberty Collection to provide a single versatile cooking platform.

GE: The company touted its pilot line of smart-grid enabled appliances. Its new hybrid water heater, purportedly the first smart appliance available on the market, will be followed by connected refrigerators, microwaves and ranges that power down or delay operations during peak demand times, when electricity prices are highest. The company also showed its latest GE Profile side-by-side models featuring the ClimateKeeper2 dual-evaporator system that helps extend produce freshness. The series is Energy Star-qualified and ADA compliant, and will be available this spring within a suggested retail range of $1,399 to $2,799.

Jenn-Air: The premium Whirlpool brand showcased its Trifecta dishwasher, part of a luxury appliance collection that also includes wall ovens, cooktops and ventilation systems. A new “sensor wash” option gauges load size and food particle levels and adjusts the wash cycle accordingly. Additional cycles include a one-hour wash option, a plate warmer cycle, a crystal and china cycle, a top rackonly option and a steam-clean option. Other features include a variable-speed motor that adjusts to save energy and reduce noise, an adjustable upper rack, cup shelves with integrated stemware holders, and a lower rack with a “split and fit” silverware basket.

Kobe Range Hoods: The premium range hood manufacturer showcased its signature CH-122 SQB series multi-style hood, designed to blend into any kitchen style whether used in an under-cabinet or wall-mount style. The four-speed, 6-inch seamless hood features halogen lights, dishwasher-safe stainless steel baffles, a 30-second delay shutoff, and Kobe’s exclusive “QuietMode” technology.