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FEBRUA RY 2017 | 27 Appliances S Appliances become increasingly interactive and intuitive by LAURIE JONES Style, technology and attention to the continued reduc- tion of living space are key factors for appliance manu- facturers and suppliers in Canada this year. Tasco has built its reputation in Ontario with pre- mier appliance products and that trend will continue with the introduction of Samsung's Family Hub refrig- erator. Boasting a 21.5-inch LCD touchscreen display, the fridge integrates functions that one would expect to only find on a smartphone and not on a refrigerator door. "Samsung has put cameras on the inside of the fridge, which is unique," says Tasco product manager, Lee Salter. "You can see what's in your fridge anytime and anywhere. It's useful when you're at the store and aren't sure if you need to pick something up or not." The fridge also lets its users buy groceries, stream music, display pictures and search for recipes all right from the fridge door. While the technology is impres- sive, the refrigerator easily becomes the focal point of the kitchen thanks to the versatility of the FlexZone compartment. "Owners can choose whether they want the bottom right door to be a fridge or freezer," says Salter. "This fridge really lets the user personalize it to suit their needs." Edmonds Fine Appliances brought local architects and design professionals to the Vancouver showroom to demonstrate why precise performing appliances are the ideal choice for storing, preparing and cooking Vancouver's most sought-after artisanal ingredients. "Artisanal ingredients such as locally grown produce, small batch ice cream, sustainable seafood and organic meats are coveted for their flavour, freshness and sea- sonal quality, but also come at a slightly higher price at your local market," says Julie Hale, general manager. "Paired with the ideal refrigeration and cooking tools the ingredients do not deteriorate at the same rate, and when prepared with the best methods, preserve their flavour, texture, colour and nutrition." Appliances that achieve this at Edmonds include the Sub-Zero refrigerator, which maintains freshness longer with dual refrigeration. Each refrigerator and freezer area has its own dedicated, sealed system, each with a compressor and an evaporator. Additionally, each unit contains a NASA-based air filtration system that helps scrub the air of natural odours and gasses. Sub-Zero owners report that their fruits and vegeta- bles retain their freshness and vitality at least 20 per- cent longer. Humidity is also important in food preparation and the Miele oven with Moisture Plus helps optimize cooking such as obtaining soft breads with shiny, appe- tizing crusts and perfectly tender roasts. The Personal Touch Michael Gnat, manager at Midnorthern Appliance, says they have been seeing more focus on appliances that are fully integrated, becoming one with the cab- inetry. "There is still a trend for stainless steel, but more companies are getting into flush looking appli- ances that are more built-in." He adds that a lot of European influences are being taken on by North American manufacturers. "An example of this would be cooktops and wall ovens, as opposed to a centre stove," he says. "For a regular stove, there are slide-in ranges with controls at the front so there is no riser in the back. What they are doing is finishing the size of the unit so that when it goes in it looks really clean. There is no overhang on the countertop so it can sit nice and flush with the cab- inets. There are also refrigeration units that are flush with other cabinetry as opposed to sticking out even just a little bit, creating that clean line." Gnat says one of the biggest trends emerging is that North American brands like Whirlpool and GE are finally putting out 24-inch appliances, which is espe- cially important in small condo spaces. For wine lovers, Euro-Line Appliances offers the small, elegant wine cooler called the Liebherr WS 1200. The freestanding unit features an attractive stainless steel cabinet with a glass and stainless steel door that helps wine aficionados keep their bottles at optimum temperatures. Blending nicely into any décor it can be put in the bar, tucked into a corner of a mas- ter bedroom or placed in a guest or family room, or at the cottage. Best in class, this European made cooler can styl- ishly accommodate up to 12, 750-millilitre bottles of wine on three attractive wooden shelves. It features a single temperature zone and a handy storage drawer for cooling chocolates or other items. Adding to the charm of the WS 1200 are distinc- tive LED light columns that are integrated into both sides of the compartment liner. Inside the columns are numerous cool LED lights that ensure uniform light- ing throughout the interior. Specially developed com- pressors installed in the wine cabinets from Liebherr ensure that the wines are stored in a particularly low vibration environment. "I've visited the Liebherr manufacturing facility in Germany a number of times," says Mark Eglington, president of Euro-line Appliances. "Their products are state-of-the-art and this is reflected in the design and quality of the workmanship in their products." Over the years, Fulgor Milano has become an iconic brand that represents excellence in the world of Italian made products. For 2017 they are bringing both style and imported luxury to the culinary game with the Sophia Professional Range. "Sofia is strength, gener- osity, versatility, passion and elegance," says Jeannie Sasaki, director of marketing at Distinctive Appliances. "The Meneghetti family introduced Sophia during a gala event last June. This unit is a semi-professional range that is designed, developed and engineered in Italy. "It is available in 30- and 36-inch models with choices of full gas, induction or dual-fuel options. It delivers a powerful and unforgettable cooking perfor- mance to satisfy even the most demanding gourmand." Sasaki explains that the Sophia range features a cooking timer, meat probe and many customizable set- tings. "Sofia is easy to use thanks to the intuitive con- trol display and easily accessed controls. A telescopic rack, made of long lasting material, allows the chef to effortlessly check on food cooking in the oven." Dacor's all-new Discovery TouchTop Induction Cooktop features a sleek black glass unit combined with signature Dacor technology, timeless esthetics and master craftsmanship to enhance the cooking experience for the passionate home chef. Available in two sizes: 36- and 30-inch widths, both models include five powerful burners – a particularly innovative tech- nical feature in the smaller model. The Samsung Family Hub refrigerator. The Fulgor Milano Sophia Professional Range. The Discovery TouchTop Induction Cooktop. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY TASCO DISTRIBUTORS; DISTINCTIVE APPLIANCES; DACOR APPLIANCES

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