15 January 2009

At home with a range


Somebody asked me what kind of range was in the photos I posted on Monday and since this is turning into the week of the marble kitchen, here goes. The simple answer is that it's a KitchenAid 36" with dual-fuel and steam assist.

KitchenAid Architect Series KDRP767RSS 36


KitchenAid Architect Series KDRP767RSS 36" Pro-Style Dual Fuel Range with 4-15,000 & 2-6,000 BTU Burners, Self-Cleaning True Convection Ovens, Steam Assist & Cl


The range went in the week before Christmas and the counters were finished on December 23. So this means that my client broke in her new range with a big Christmas Eve dinner. She was happy to have a functioning kitchen again, but it was quite a leap of faith to make an important dinner on an unfamiliar appliance. Well, the KitchenAid passed the important dinner test with flying colors. She has the same gift for superlatives that I do and she couldn't say enough good things about this range. 

What makes this range unique is KitchenAid's use of something they call steam assist that works in conjunction with its convection fan to cook foods in a rather unique way. There is an eight-cup water reservoir built into the front of this range and when a user selects a steam setting, measured doses of steam cycle on and off while the oven's in use. Using steam while you're baking or roasting keeps foods like seafood, vegetables and desserts from drying out as they cook. This range has an onboard computer that will talk you through its many uses. So between its convection settings and steam assist, there's very little this range can't do. It even has a setting to proof bread. It even impressed me and I'm so brand loyal to Wolf it's scary.

I'd originally specified a Wolf for this kitchen, but my client had other ideas. At least it's not a Viking I thought. It's not as if she selected this appliance to save a whole lot of money over what I'd suggested. I mean, this KitchenAid sells for $6000, and that puts it in competetition with my beloved Wolf. It was the steam assist that sold her on it and its the steam assist that has her falling in love with the thing. So she's thrilled with her KitchenAid and really, that's the only thing that matters. 



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