Reading through a fun article on Apartment Therapy the other day featuring vintage appliances that should make a comeback I had to pause while laughing at some of these crazy designs to see just how far kitchen appliances have come. Because, wow have we come far!

When it comes to making our lives easier and more connected, today’s kitchens are as modern as ever and go beyond what we imagined for ourselves in this space-aged future thanks to the magic of Wi-Fi. It is no surprise that today’s appliance trends are re-shaping our normal and that Wi-Fi and internet connected appliances are the biggest trends we’ve seen since stainless. This trend has been something we’ve been watching for a few years now and continues to enhance the built-in capabilities we were already seeing on the market like:

• • Diagnostic checks
  • Remote monitoring
  • Communication between appliances
  • Intuitive cooking
  • Energy monitoring

With innovative new ways to connect with your family and your food, the kitchen really has become the hub of the home again.

Want to know what’s coming to a kitchen near you this year and into the future? After CES (the big tech show in Las Vegas every year), the Spoon rounded up their ‘Smart Kitchen Trends’, check that out here.

If your kitchen is headed for a re-model in 2018, the WiFi connected appliances trend is here to stay and is a smart investment in making the hub of your home smart too.

Isabelle, Your Appliance Expert

Space is a luxury that most people don’t get in the kitchen. Generally, appliances come in standard sizes to make your installing process as convenient as possible. If you purchase a built-in range, chances are that range will slide right into that space without even the slightest issue. While that’s the beauty of appliances, that’s also the problem. It’s not very easy to stray from the norm and find smaller or larger appliances depending on our needs. Built-in microwaves are another appliance that comes in very few different sizes, allowing little room between the microwave and range.

Now, Whirlpool is changing the ideal built-in microwave look without sacrificing quality and performance. The Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combination intertwines both microwave and vent hood into fun-size – giving room to all those who need space above their stove!

Space Saviour

While you may feel like you just compromised size for stove space, this low-profile microwave is anything but tiny. This nifty appliance may look itty-bitty, but it has more than enough capacity to fit large dishes inside. You can fit tall glasses, wide plates and big bowls in this over-the-range microwave that still has enough room for all the essentials with 1.1 cubic ft. of purposeful capacity.

Ventilation at Its Finest

In the words of Shakespeare, “Though she may be but little, she is fierce.” In this case, Whirlpool’s Low-Profile Microwave Hood may be quite small, but it’s powerful! Its high-performance venting quickly gets rid of smoke, odours and moisture so your kitchen continues to smell like home. Those smelly fumes don’t stand a chance with this swift acting vent hood!

Low Maintenance Design

A microwave should be low maintenance which is one big reason why this Whirlpool Microwave is a top favourite of ours. No need to spend extra money hiring someone to install this low-profile microwave – it’s simple enough to either do yourself or have someone you know help with it. Not only is the set up easy, the cleanup is also a breeze. You can easily remove the turntable within this stainless steel microwave and place it in the dishwasher for a safe and thorough wash!

No Hands Required

OK. You may need a finger here and there to push certain buttons. But when it comes to opening the Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood, an elbow will simply do. This tap-to-open door helps keep things flowing efficiently and the kitchen stays clean in the process. Next time your hands are full of dishes, a gentle tap will pop it open so you can keep the dinner moving along smoothly.

A microwave is an essential appliance to have in your kitchen, so making sure it is one that provides you with ease and convenience can make your day a lot less stressful and your food taste a whole lot better. Stop into your local appliance store and check out the Whirlpool Low Profile Microwave Hood Combo. Speak with a sales associate to learn about all the features this small and vigorous microwave has to offer.

Amanda, Your Appliances Expert

The three main cooktop styles are electric, induction, and gas cooktops – but what’s the difference? How do you know which one to choose for yourself? When choosing between Samsung cooktops, you can’t go wrong. It all comes down to what works best for your lifestyle. Learn more about these diverse kinds of cooktops so you can figure out what stovetop would be best for you.

Electric Cooktops – Smooth. Sleek. Modern.

If there is one cooktop that exudes sophistication, it’s electric cooktops. Cleanup is a breeze since the cover is glass, making the surface smooth and easy to wipe up. Samsung Electric Cooktops are even made with a Glide-2-Set Control which helps adjust the temperature so dishes come out perfectly with just the touch of a button.

Induction Cooktops – Innovative. Worry-free. Precise.

Have you ever asked yourself, “Did I leave the stove on?” It’s a scary thought because the consequences could be detrimental, but a Samsung Induction Cooktop will leave you less worried than any other style of cooktops. The way Induction burners work involves an electromagnetic heating technology that only heats when it comes in contact with magnetic metals. That means there is no open flame, much like an electric cooktop, but the surface will never burn you. If your child gets curious and touches it, they won’t hurt themselves. One of the best parts about induction cooktops is its precision. As soon as the induction element touches the metal pan, it heats up quickly or lowers at exactly to the temperature you need. You can even boil water in a record 90 seconds!

Gas Cooktops – Classic. Professional. Versatility.

Gas cooktops have a quick response speed, which means they can go from extremely hot to simmering in almost no time at all. When it comes to your utilities bill, they usually cost less than an electric cooktop. Not to mention if the power goes out, you can still cook with your Samsung Gas Cooktop.

Have you figured out which one is for you? Visit your local appliance store to learn more about these Samsung Cooktops so you can get the one that complements your cooking style best!

Amanda, Your Appliances Expert

When you’re in the zone and preparing dinner, the last thing you want to do is break away from your intense concentration to go preheat the oven. Not to mention, your hands could be covered in food so pushing buttons on your range or wall oven doesn’t seem like the cleanest of actions. In a perfect world, you’d get to continue working on your culinary masterpiece and conveniently not have to step away from it to turn on the oven. Instead, what if your appliances could do it themselves? What if you could waste less time doing those tiny tasks, and instead be doing what you enjoy? With a GE Appliances WiFi connected kitchen, you can start doing the things you love more while your GE Appliances take care of the minor responsibilities for you. With a little help from the GE WiFi Connect App, Alexa by Amazon or Google Assistant, and GE Appliances, your life will immediately be made easier.

Let the Coffee Be Made for You

You’d better get used to things being done for you because GE Appliances linked with WiFi Connect are very efficient and like to get things done. That includes preparing your coffee in the morning. Let the coffee be made for you like the royalty you are with one of the GE Wifi Connected Refrigerators. Through your GE WiFi Connect app, you can easily schedule when you want your coffee to start brewing! If you don’t feel like doing that, you can just ask Amazon’s Alexa to ask GE Appliance’s Geneva to do it. There is one thing you will have to remember, though. Be sure to place a cup under where the coffee pours out so you can avoid a very slippery mess.

Check on Your Dishwasher

Don’t waste your time checking on the dishes when you could simply ask, “Alexa,” or “Google, ask Geneva if the dishes are clean.” You have the ability to keep an eye on how much time is left in the wash cycle through the app as well as get sent a notification when your dishes get done. You can even keep track of how many detergent pods are left! Do you need this feature? No. But will it make your life more convenient? Yes!

Avoid Laundry Time

The less time you’re doing laundry, the better. That’s why the GE WiFi Connect has been such a saviour to those who absolutely despise laundry time. With the app, you can do almost everything in the palm of your hand!

• Monitor cycle status and time remaining
• Extend the dryer cycle
• Receive an alert when your cycle has finished
• Download custom specialty cycles
• Remote start the cycle

Using the GE WiFi Connect with GE Appliances is easy and worth it. You’ll get a little more time added to your day to give a family member a call, work on some art, or even just relax on the sofa with a book. Get connected to get convenience today!

Amanda, Your Appliance Expert