A Look at the Kitchen Latest Stovetops and Ovens

The life of the celebrity chef is pretty stellar. With rock star status, they enjoy travel, glamour, and access to the indulgent ingredients and high-tech toys. After all, you can't do the right job without the right tools. Though you can still whip up your favorite recipes with a basic range, you'll feel like the star of your own show when using cutting edge kitchen appliances.

Ranges�

Either gas or electric cooktops can perform to pro standards. It just depends on what features are more important to you. Gas ranges have a professional kitchen look and generally allow the cook more control over burner heat. Smooth electric cooktops, especially those with electronic controls, are much easier to clean. The addition of downdraft vents and a fifth burner make both styles more user-friendly. New models not only cook better at very high temperatures, but have improved extra-low temp cooking as well. Burner heat cycles to keep long-sitting pots from boiling over. The pot filler continues to gain popularity. A faucet located over the range conveniently fills pasta pots and looks right at home in Tuscan-style kitchens.

Wall Ovens�

Patented Trivection technology dramatically reduces cooking time. The ovens provide the optimal combination of microwaves, convection, and thermal heat speeds cooking without sacrificing quality. Dishes brown evenly and are perfectly moist. Product advances allow microwave combos to do more than just warm leftovers. New models bake, roast, broil, brown, and can also cook and hold, keeping dinner warm until company arrives.

Warming Drawers

Keep a tables worth of plates at the perfect temp. Warming drawers keep moist foods moist and crisp foods crisp, not to mention proofing bread. Controls, which regulate humidity and heat from 90 to 250�, are hidden. Drawer fronts are available in a range of styles to compliment existing cabinets.

Wood Burning Ovens�

Traditional concrete block or brick ovens are residential luxuries, but there's nothing finer for crafting gourmet pizzas or perfect steaks. Gourmet wood burning ovens compliment modern and cottage styles alike.

Hoods�

Both form and function have stepped up. Though stainless steel is still popular, ventilation hoods can also be concealed with design elements. Carved wood to match cabinetry, stucco, even decorated with art glass, help mesh hoods with other design elements. As more cooktops are relocated to center islands, vent hoods multi-task with recessed lighting. Function has improved with baffle filters. These removable plates efficiently collect collects grease and are dishwasher-safe.

Refrigerators�

As with other kitchen appliances, more choices than the industrial look of stainless steel are becoming available. New fridges are flush with the cabinets for a fully integrated appearance. The built-in look is complemented with seamless opaque glass doors or custom doors to match cabinetry. For premium performance and odor control, new refrigerators and freezers come with separate compressors. For fun, some new fridges house flat panel TVs.

The latest appliances don't come cheap, but make home chefs look effortlessly cool. The ability to emulate Emeril and Gordon Ramsay may well be worth the investment.