 Opulent
Oven
Options
Who could ask
for
anything more?
by Priscilla Kohutek
photography
by Robert French
Life used to be simple. When you wanted to roast a chicken, you turned on the oven, put in the chicken and there it was cooked — no big deal. The oven had a temperature control dial and a timer: that’s it. Well, not quite —food preparation was actually anything but simple. Ovens had their own peculiarities, such as unreliable temperatures and hot or cold spots. Turning out succulent chickens and beautiful, moist cakes took a lot more of what some called expertise and others called guesswork. But even the best of the best couldn’t promise perfection every time.
Well, guess what? These days, just about anyone can cook a delicious meal with the right equipment. Morgan Cheek, sales manager at Stone Appliances on Broadway, says that today’s “smart ovens” turn mediocre cooks into excellent cooks and excellent cooks into professionals.
EDGY COMPETITION
“Smart ovens” are menu-driven appliances, which have so many options and cooking modes that you no longer need recipes for temperatures and times. Just search the touch pad, select the item and touch again. Most of them also have a “favorites” category, where you can store recipes that aren’t included in the main menu.
In fact, most of the mid-range to high-end ovens offer nearly the same features, even though it’s true that each of the different brands has its own personality and operates accordingly. However, in the end, they do much the same thing: cook faster, better and more conveniently than their predecessors. Best of all, they’re user-friendly for today’s techno-savvy consumers.
“If you can use an ATM machine, you can use these products,” says Denise Sanchez, president of HomeWerks. She is referring to HomeWerks’ line of Miele appliances that do just about everything but walk and talk.
So, how do you decide what’s right for your kitchen? According to Cheek, choosing appliances takes time.
“I interview customers about their lifestyles, personal tastes, price points and space availability, so I can lead them to the appropriate products. Another determining factor is the price point of their home. The houses and the appliances should match up," says Cheek.
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