American kitchen appliances

[Catseye3]

@Klaus said in American kitchen appliances:

Why all these way too specific buttons?

Possibly the most famous misquote in American history, attributed to HL Mencken: "Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public."

Have you not noticed some of our food packaging? A box contains an item that needs heating in the oven, and the directions contain a caution to be careful removing the finished item from the oven because it will be HOT. With HOT in all caps AND a wavy line underneath to symbolize that it's, y'know, HOT.

Yessir, that's us.

[Copper]

That is because of the International Button Workers Union.

They control the appliance industry.

[Mik]

Funny, we were just refrigerator shopping today. There is a whole new bevy of bells and whistles that I consider unnecessary.

Bear in mind that I don't even want an ice maker. I've spent several hours helping friends fix theirs. It's just not that difficult to fill up an ice cube tray or keep a jug of cold filtered water in the fridge.

Our problem is that they've all gotten huge and won't fit in the space we have, 35 wide by 68 and 5/8 tall. Plus, I want a bottom freezer and do NOT want French doors.

[blondie]

The stove looks basic enough. The microwave and toaster have too many settings. Perhaps they’re meant for safety, for people with little cooking knowledge? Or travellers who eat fast food on vacation?

@Klaus What do German appliances look like?

I use my stove, oven and a simple electric fry pan. Sometimes a Vitamix blender. I physically feel better avoiding breads, pasta & starchy foods. The toaster is in a bottom cupboard if someone wants toast. I use the microwave to reheat on plates the meals I’ve made.

Is a frozen entree something like a “Hungry Man Dinner”? Or a Lean Cuisine? I know elderly people who buy these as they live alone and don’t eat much. I still cook so I defrost meat the day before I cook it.

[blondie]

@Mik We had all of Covid waiting for our new fridge. Then after the container ship arrived, ours was given to someone else. I forget what we ordered the 2nd time up with because they discontinued it. So the store upgraded us & ours came via Mexico toward the end of Covid. It has French doors with single bottom drawer .. a Frigidaire. Loads of door space & logical shelves. We wanted No water, No ice maker. We don’t miss these things at all. And I never worry about the hardwood floors.

[blondie]

@Mik Ours is counter depth, under 70”H and I think 30”W. I’d have to check the width though.

[George K]

@Mik said in American kitchen appliances:

do NOT want French doors.

Why not?

[blondie]

Ours is this. I don’t mind the doors. https://www.frigidaire.ca/Kitchen/Refrigerators/French-Door-Refrigerators/GRFG2353AF/

[blondie]

We didn’t hook up the water or the ice maker.

[Mik]

@George-K said in American kitchen appliances:

@Mik said in American kitchen appliances:

do NOT want French doors.

Why not?

Three reasons

1. More points of failure for the seal
2. Much less door shelf space
3. Harder to see what’s inside, more hands needed to open. Y

[Horace]

I'm waiting for someone to invent DeLorean style refrigerator doors. Till then I just eat non-perishables.

[Catseye3]

@Horace

Here you go, Horace!

[Horace]

@Catseye3 said in American kitchen appliances:

@Horace

Here you go, Horace!

That’s a staple!

[Axtremus]

Just wait … I fear the day when appliance makers get rid of most buttons and just let “artificial intelligence” make all the decisions for you.