The K&B industry is constantly reinventing itself, with new products, technologies and design to meet the ever-evolving needs of homeowners. Here are a few highlights of innovations developed and introduced by NKBA members for the kitchen over the past year, part of the Year In Review series sponsored by Samsung.

By Dianne M. Pogoda

 
LIEBHERR’S LATEST: Liebherr Appliances launched a slew of fully integrated refrigeration lines, updating its original European-styled units; the 30-inch and 36-inch columns and French Door Monolith Bottom Freezers, and a state-of-the-art concept refrigerator, and its newly branded Pure and Prime lines of integrated refrigerators, which are smaller and more economical than the Monolith line. Visit Liebherr in Booth W3517 at KBIS.

LG, SKS’ INTROS: LG Electronics and its luxury sister brand Signature Kitchen Suite introduced several new technologies and appliance innovations, including SKS’ first 48-inch wide French-door refrigerator with three freezer compartments, a convertible fridge-to-freezer drawer and more. LG launched a top-control dishwasher with QuadWash Pro and Dynamic Heat Dry technologies offering faster drying and a one-hour cycle. LG also redesigned its LG Studio collection with more than a dozen appliances, including a combination double wall oven and 26-cubic-foot side-by-side refrigerator. LG and SKS are in Booths W3045 and W3166 at KBIS.

TRUE’S CLEAR ICEMAKER: True Residential added a 15-inch clear ice machine to its range of full-size and undercounter cooling appliances. The new model improves upon prior iterations with an articulating soft-close hinge, a touch-sensitive capacitive interface, and a 30 percent increase in energy efficiency. Visit True Residential at KBIS, Booth W3601.

TULIP BLOOMS IN U.S.: Tulip Cooking has introduced a modular cooktop system with gas and induction burners for seamless integration into countertops. There are 20 basic configurations, including 1 to 6 burners, and gas and induction may be combined for a custom set-up. Visit Tulip at KBIS, Booth N1766.

HESTAN’S SMART GAS: Hestan showcased breakthrough Smart Gas Technology that automatically regulates temperature to the exact degree for precise gas cooking on its 36” Smart Gas Dual Fuel Range and 36” Smart Gas Rangetop. In Smart Gas cooking, the burner and Hestan Smart Pan, included with all Smart Gas products, work in unison for automatic and exact temperature control, featuring Bluetooth® technology and patented embedded culinary sensors that adjust temperature with the burner’s AccuKnob™ control.

GRO WITH ELECTROLUX: Appliance giant Electrolux presented a future kitchen design concept that aims to help people eat healthier and more sustainably. The modular kitchen system, dubbed “GRO”— Swedish for “to sprout” — is powered by advanced sensors and AI. It’s a “jewel box” appliance, storage and interactive data solution that encourages people to eat less but better meats and explore new, sustainable sources of protein (mostly plant-based) and new recipes and cooking techniques, including the Nordic smoker, part of the brand’s premium line. For more info, go here.

GAGGENAU’S BIG BOY: The Gaggenau Vario Series 400 Downdraft won Interior Design magazine’s Best of Year Award for kitchen appliances. The 400 series was re-engineered and features automatic, sensor-controlled power adjustment sensitive to cooking vapors; a high-efficiency, low noise ventilation system; solid stainless steel control knobs and a 3 mm stainless steel frame.

To see this year’s top bath innovations, click here.