The Best Kitchen Appliance Trends for 2023

After slogging through some recent comparison articles, you probably needed to read something inspiring.

The industry also needs a change after years of supply chain issues and nothing exciting to discuss except for when things will improve.

But 2023 into 2024 is a different ballgame. In this article, you'll learn all about the latest appliance trends. The last trend will show how far the industry has progressed (or perhaps regressed).

Let's get inspired!

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The Best Kitchen Appliance Trends for 2023

Indoor and Outdoor Griddles

Griddles are like the Swiss army knife of cooking. You can cook everything from rice to eggs, meat, fruit, and vegetables. And yes, pancakes and bacon too.

Traeger provides the best outdoor griddle with a good grease collection and wind-resistant design, but the cheaper Blackstone griddle is also excellent.

If it's freezing outside, many ranges now have a fifth burner designated for griddles. The Café's gas range has up to 19,000 BTUs of output under their griddle:

The chef cooked for 75 people on a 24-inch griddle at our company breakfast.

Read More: Blackstone Griddles vs. the Traeger Flatrock Flat Top Grill

Smart Appliances

I used to believe smart features were not all that functional.  Now, my viewpoint has completely shifted as the appliance industry introduces inventive smart features.

For example, in addition to remotely turning on or off an oven and adjusting the temperature using a smartphone app, the latest smart ranges now offer the convenience of built-in cameras inside the oven. This allows you to keep an eye on your cooking from your phone.

I make my daughter meatballs for camp. Instead of asking Alexa how to cook, I can ensure they aren't burnt by watching from my phone.  

You now have recipe tie-ins to help you cook, plus more features are coming for all appliances.

Smart appliances may not be a necessity, but it's becoming more useful.

Learn More: Smart Appliance Buying Guide

Dishwasher Technology

I learned about dishwashers from Doug West, our Maytag rep, 40 years ago in high school.

Dishwashers wash by washing, rinsing, and drying in sequences the industry calls cycles.

Years later, you can buy dishwashers with better wash systems washing in different patterns with different sprays for bottles and silverware.

The drying cycles can dry even plastic by popping it open automatically, letting air in, or using volcanic elements.

You don't even have to spend a fortune on a quiet dishwasher anymore. Here are three of our top picks:

Read More: How to Buy a Dishwasher

Monogram Brass Hood

Why this? Why not!

Brass is so cool; mixing metals adds character and uniqueness to the ubiquitous stainless kitchen.

When I was a kid working at the old Yale on Canal Street, my Dad used to point at the buildings in the Back Bay.

That's when craftsmen built buildings, he would say.0

However, those patinaed spires were once brass. So you will have some maintenance unless you like that aged green look.

Induction Cooking

Induction cooking is the fastest to boil with an instant simmer, and the easiest to clean and vent. It is the most child safe (it is not childproof. You still have the residual heat from the burning hot pan).

Induction cooktops and ranges are more environmentally friendly. I mean your environment.  

You don't have as much heat and gasses in your kitchen. Small note: You still have to vent your kitchen range.

You see more induction ranges like this Bosch 36-inch range:

Or this Thermador 60-inch Pro gas range with induction:

Or this new Wolf 36-inch induction is due out by the end of the year:

You have choices now. Many are good.

One small issue: You must wait for that induction range of one to six months due to popularity and worldwide shortages.

Read these articles before ditching your gas stove:

• 6 Steps to Convert Your Gas Range to Induction
• The Best Induction Ranges

The MEATER

Let's get back to my cooking meatballs for my daughter.

Instead of guessing, I could stick the MEATER wireless probe into the meatball, set it on medium rare, and receive a push notification when done.

This includes removing it from the oven because the meatball is still technically cooking.

You can use their algorithm to cook everything from steak to pork chops.

For $99, it's a great investment. I can't wait to get mine.

New Appliance Finishes and Color

Since the early 1990s, stainless steel has had a death grip on kitchen style. Then again, it matches every kitchen style, so why think about it?

That said, color has become a focal point in our showrooms.

You can choose 1,000 from BlueStar, 52 from La Cornue, 13 from True, and three from Miele, Café, and Fisher & Paykel, with more on the way.

Click the link below to learn how you apply color sensibly.

Read More: Best Alternatives to Stainless Steel for Your Kitchen

Heat Pump Technology

Imagine I pulled up in your house in a 1930s beat-up old car. Now imagine I showed up in a car from the 1990s.

While neither is ideal, the 1990s car is more efficient.

That's the difference between regular drying, first used in the 1930s, and heat pump drying.

Regular dryers are like your hair dryer. They take the air in, heat it with elements and expel it through the back.

Heat pumps store and recirculate air using a compressor and heat exchanger.

Bosch, Miele, Beko, and Samsung have heat pump technology in their compact washers and dryers. The LG WashTower is equipped with LG's heat pump drying technology.

But the next appliance is the most promising.

Read More: Bosch 500 Series vs. Miele Compact Washer and Heat Pump Dryer

GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer & Dryer

This machine may/could/hopefully change the way we do laundry.

The GE UltraFast Combo Washer & Dryer is a 4.8 cubic foot combo washer and heat pump dryer.

You put in the dirty clothes and unload them clean and dry.

I am not a fan of combo washers and dryers because they cannot remove the lint leading to an expensive service call and early death,

The GE UltraFast is designed with a huge double-sided filter next to the air exchanger.  

In our tests, it removed the lint, and the time was reasonable to wash and dry.

Click the links below to learn more:

• GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer & Dryer: Test and Performance Review
• The New GE Profile UltraFast Combo Washer and Dryer PFQ97HSPVDS: Tough Questions for the Creator
• Frequently Asked Questions about the GE Ultrafast Combo Washer & Dryer

Appliance Availability

No longer will you have to worry about waiting months for your appliance to arrive. You can buy almost every appliance and have it delivered within 48 hours except for induction ranges, Bosch dishwashers, Thermador ovens, Sub-Zero refrigerators, and Wolf appliances.

Gone are the days when you had to compromise on your dream of owning a spacious 26 cu. ft. French door refrigerator and settle for a smaller 14 cu. ft. top mount refrigerator simply because it was the only option available among the limited choices offered by seven stores – just like I experienced.

This brings us to the final point: You have control (somewhat).

It's like Friday night pizza and a movie when my daughter can do anything. You have control of the brands to buy and stores to shop.

If you can, wait for a holiday to save 10-35%. You have tons to pick from. Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Tax-Free Weekend, Labor Day, and Black Friday.

Black Friday promotions now extend from Halloween all the way to December, offering a longer window of opportunity for great deals.

However, don't go crazy.

Recessions are when stores close permanently. You don't want your money parked in a liquidation.

Also, the best stores - the really good ones - didn't take advantage of the pandemic to be unreasonable. So find those stores.  

Read reviews of every home center, internet dealer, and local appliance dealer before choosing an appliance store.

Read More: 6 Odd Yet Effective Tips to Choose an Appliance Store

Key Takeaways

Appliances and appliance shopping are not a struggle anymore.

Go out there and be inspired that your kitchen will be different, and you can enjoy cooking and laundry.

Just check reviews first.

By the way, here is what ChatGBT, the popular artificial intelligence chatbot launched by OpenAI, said is cutting edge (yet, it's always two years behind):

• Smart Refrigerators: These refrigerators feature built-in touchscreens, Wi-Fi connectivity, and advanced sensors. They can suggest recipes, manage grocery lists, provide weather updates, and even allow you to see the contents of your fridge remotely.
• Induction Cooktops: Induction cooktops use electromagnetic fields to heat the cookware directly, offering precise temperature control and faster cooking times. They are energy-efficient, safe to use and cool down quickly.
• Steam Ovens: Steam ovens use steam to cook food, providing a healthier alternative to conventional cooking methods. They help retain more nutrients, flavors, and moisture in the food while reducing the need for oils and fats.
• Sous Vide Machines: Sous vide cooking involves vacuum-sealing food in a bag and cooking it in a water bath at a precisely controlled temperature. Sous vide machines automate this process, ensuring consistent and evenly cooked results.
• Built-in Coffee Systems: These systems integrate coffee makers into your kitchen cabinetry, offering convenience and various customization options. They can grind beans, froth milk, brew espresso, cappuccinos, and other specialty coffee drinks.
• Combination Microwave Ovens: These appliances offer versatility by combining the functions of a traditional microwave and a convection oven. They can microwave, bake, roast, grill, and even steam food, providing flexibility for different cooking needs.
• Wi-Fi-Enabled Range Hoods: These range hoods can be controlled remotely via smartphone apps. They feature sensors that automatically adjust fan speed and ventilation based on the kitchen's cooking activity and air quality. 

Additional Resources

Have questions on premium appliances? Get the Yale Appliance Buying Guide with features, specs, and detailed profiles on Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele, Viking, La Cornue, Thermador, and more. Over 1 million people have read a Yale buying guide.

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