Winsome Explores Kitchen Technologies at CA Design Center

Two of our Winsome team members, Wendy and Jennifer, recently traveled to the BSH Experience & Design Center as part of Winsome’s ongoing commitment to green building and cutting edge technologies.  Located in Irvine, CA, the Center is designed to “inspire homemakers, designers, builders and home chefs on options for beautiful new kitchen designs” as well as educate them on the quality and performance of the Center’s innovative product lines.

Winsome was introduced to three revolutionary brands: Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau, and then invited to see why the Center declares them “among the most prestigious portfolio of appliances in the industry.”  Wendy and Jennifer got to test the different products in an interactive cooking session where they cooked their own lunches using various Thermador products.  They also performed numerous tests in a test kitchen, comparing results between Thermador, Viking, Wolf and Monogram products.  For example, while melting chocolate on the lowest temperature for a number of hours, Viking and Wolf ended up completely burnt while Monogram was lumpy.  Thermador was the only range that created a beautiful, creamy melted chocolate due to its setting that turns the flame on and off and can be left on for hours.  While cooking burgers on the grill, Thermador burgers were all evenly cooked no matter where they were on the built in skillet, whereas Wolf, Monogram and Viking were well done in the middle of the skillet and still red for the outer burgers.  A similar result regarding uneven heating was found when cooking toast under the broiler, except that Monogram proved to be an equivalent rival for this test.  Rather than uncooked edges and charred centers like Viking and Wolf, both Monogram and Thermador produced an even result over the entire pan of toast.  One other test, time to boil water, ended in a tie between Viking and Thermador.  Though the time frame was the same, Thermador used far fewer BTUs than Viking, harnessing its patented star burner technology for a more efficient result.  It was fascinating for our team to see the innovation in action and the superior differences in performance in an authentic test environment.

Technologies & appliances we found noteworthy:

• Steam Convection Oven: Steam convection cooking prepares dishes that are moist on the inside and crisp on the outside as well as maintains the color and nutritional value of vegetables.
• Induction Cooking: Induction slide-in ranges offer consistent element temperature settings for more precise cooking results. Faster than gas and electric, induction cooktops are easier to clean and more efficient, boiling water 2x as fast as conventional electric cooktops.
• Exclusive Star Burner: The patented Star Burner creates a perimeter 56% longer than a round burner of the same size, allowing for more ports and better flame distribution.  Ranges utilizing this technology have an “ExtraLow feature,” turning the Star Burner on and off to maintain temperatures as low as 100◦.

Wendy and Jennifer left the BSH Experience & Design Center impressed not only with the innovation, but also the level of civic responsibility that has been instilled in this company.  Founded in 1886 by Robert Bosch, BSH’s 130 year identity has been as much about giving and trust as it has been about remarkable technology.  Created as a non-profit with a special ownership structure, nearly all of the profits distributed to shareholders are devoted to humanitarian causes.

If you are interested in learning how you can incorporate these technologies into your next luxury kitchen, please contact us at 503-472-7402.  We have the expertise to turn your kitchen aspirations into reality!