New appliances are introduced twice a year.
The KBIS (Kitchen Bath Industry Show) is a good place to see new products in the winter—at least, I think so.
My flight was canceled this year while I was at the airport, and the only other flight to Vegas would’ve given me just three hours before flying back.
In the fall, most buying groups hold their shows where you can check out the latest appliances. You’ll see these new models later this year or early next year.
Observations:
There wasn’t anything revolutionary worth waiting and planning your kitchen around—except one appliance that could change everything we do in the kitchen (if it works).
The last few shows introduced combination washer-dryers, induction ranges, and other interesting appliances.
While there weren’t any “must-haves” this year, there were a few that you’ll definitely find interesting.
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Brand New Kitchen Appliances Fall 2024
A Quick Review
48-Inch Induction Ranges
Fisher & Paykel and AGA both debuted their 48-inch induction ranges, even though we’ve been showcasing them in our stores for about nine months.
As more states ban gas ranges in multi-unit housing, you’ll start seeing larger induction ranges. For luxury brands, these induction ranges will replace gas professional ranges.
BlueStar and Wolf are expected to release their 48-inch induction ranges in early 2025.
Heat Pump Dryers
LG featured their compact 24-inch WashTower with a heat pump. We’ve had this model on display in all four Yale locations for about six months.
Heat pump dryers are far more efficient than regular dryers, using a compressor, heat exchanger, and evaporator instead of the older (ancient) heating elements.
Regular dryers constantly pull air from your room, heat it, and vent it outside, while heat pump dryers recycle air and don’t need venting. They can be placed anywhere.
You’ll also save $150 in electricity annually in Boston by making the switch.
By the way, when did manufacturers decide color was such a big deal in laundry? You can now buy your next set in black, blue, or green.
What New Products I Did Not Look At
Downdrafts
Downdrafts are back. Again.
I didn’t bother looking because downdrafts don’t effectively remove smoke, grease, or toxic emissions while cooking.
JennAir has a joint feature with Bora, a prominent European manufacturer, and Fisher & Paykel has its own system, along with others.
But frankly, you have much better ways to vent than using downdrafts.
New Appliances
LG Zero Clearance Hinge
Okay, my pictures are terrible, but this refrigerator is definitely worth the wait. Finally, it fits and opens within the standard 36-inch cabinet.
Now you can place the refrigerator against a wall or at the end of a row without worrying about leaving extra inches for the door swing.
The new articulating hinge opens inside rather than outside, so it doesn’t add any extra width.
While it may not be as revolutionary as LG’s combo washer-dryer, it will have a significant positive impact on kitchen design.
By the way, KitchenAid is coming out with one, too.
GE Four-Door French Door Refrigerator
The top is your average French door refrigerator.
French doors and shorter doors are a great idea if you’re planning to install an island in your kitchen.
The better GE refrigerators in their Profile or Café lines now feature triple cooling, a system made popular by Samsung and LG.
This allows you to use the bottom right section as either a refrigerator or a freezer.
So, you can alternate between storing ice cream or a charcuterie board, for example.
GE Induction Cooktop
There’s nothing unusual about the induction (magnetic heat that boils and simmers better than other fuel types) cooktop here.
However, at $1,599, it may be worth considering, especially with a bridge element and a power burner.
We’ll need to check the wattage, but this could be a solid option.
GE Air Sentry Hood
You won’t notice anything unique about this GE hood—even if I showed it to you.
GE is launching a new line of hoods that measure air quality. You probably think the air in your home is fine. But that’s not always the case.
Potentially harmful compounds like Carbon Dioxide, Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, and Formaldehyde are emitted during cooking.
This hood will detect these emissions and automatically turn on when needed.
Note: If you have a hood, turn it on before you cook.
XO Marijuana Wine Refrigerator, AKA the Weed Fridge
You’re looking at the first-ever combination marijuana and wine refrigerator.
Have to give XO credit for riding current trends—they even patented the model.
Still, it gave me flashbacks (I’m at the age where almost anything will trigger something these days).
Marvel had a similar wine and cigar refrigerator.
We had one displayed in the store with cigars and wine, and I remember thinking it stunk of cigars and wondering if customers really wanted cigar residue in their wine.
Probably not.
However, the XO model is smartly separated between marijuana and your wine.
Clever.
Samsung Induction (Non-Scratchable) Range
You’ve got to hand it to Samsung. They do manufacture beautiful appliances.
Their newest induction range features LED lighting underneath the controls and a non-scratchable top.
Let me take a second to explain glass tops on electric and induction cooktops: 90% of them are made by the Schott Ceran company—you can tell by the Schott emblem on the glass.
The glass is pretty tough. Thirty years ago, they used to bounce ball-peen hammers off that glass. But it can scratch.
This range didn’t have the Schott emblem, so it’s a different type of glass. Samsung didn’t reveal the origin of this new scratch-proof glass, so we’ll have to take their word for it.
Then again, someone else will have to try it because we won’t be selling that range.
Fisher & Paykel Built-In Refrigerator
At first glance, the Fisher & Paykel looks like a Miele or any other integrated 36-inch refrigerator.
It features a standard metallic interior, twin compressors, and more flexible shelving.
However, the price on the Fisher & Paykel is under $8,000—about $2,000 less than most competitors.
LG Top Load Washer
Personally, I prefer front-load washers for their size and efficiency. In fact, I thought top-load washers were on their way out.
However, LG, GE, and Samsung have stepped up their game, adding more capacity, efficiency, and improved features similar to front-load models.
Top-load washers do have some advantages over front load washers.
You won’t have to deal with mold like you do with a front load, since top-loaders drain in a way that leaves no standing water.
Some people also find it easier to reach into a top-load washer than to bend down for a front-load.
That said, large top-load washers do require a longer reach, so LG designed the tub to sit higher in these new models.
GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer and Dryer
It’s been over a year since GE Profile introduced its UltraFast washer-dryer combo. At the time, it was the most unique appliance to hit the market in the last ten years.
Now, Samsung and LG have released their own versions, so GE has introduced a new, less-featured model that’s even more expensive.
And now, the one appliance that could change everything…
SKS AI Wall Oven
The SKS “AI” oven has sensors that detect what’s inside and automatically cook it to your preference.
Imagine that.
No more figuring out how to cook the perfect meal—this oven handles time and temperature for you.
But does it really?
A word of caution: We sold the TurboChef oven about twenty years ago. It promised advanced convection and intuitive controls to speed up and simplify cooking. But it didn’t work.
I could say the same for the Whirlpool Polera refrigerator-stove hybrid or Thermador’s ill-fated “CJ” advanced convection oven.
We have to test this one first.
But if the technology works…
Style
For the last thirty years, stainless steel has dominated, surpassing all other trendy finishes. But now, two older finishes have made a comeback.
These finishes were also popular when I started back in 1986.
In the past three years, white has returned, rebranded as “gloss white” by brands like Café, LG, Samsung, and KitchenAid.
Black is also making a return, rebranded as a more modern look. Viking and Fisher & Paykel both introduced their new ovens in this contemporary black style.
Key Takeaways
Aside from the SKS wall oven, most of what you’ll see are improvements on existing products.
However, prices are dropping in several key areas, like induction and laundry.
You’re also seeing more color choices and solid options for stainless finishes—especially in, of all things, laundry appliances.
And finally, if you smoke marijuana (no judgment here), you’ve now got a dedicated place to store it.
Additional Resources
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