Cooking is in. If you’re among the 72 percent of Americans who cook at home four or more nights per week, you may want to upgrade your kitchen. According to a survey conducted by Peapod and ORC International in 2016, more than a third of Americans planned to cook even more in 2017. Millennials were more than twice as likely as baby boomers to make the New Year’s Resolution to cook more in 2017, at 49 percent compared to 24 percent of baby boomers.
While cooking for friends and family can be accomplished in even the most basic kitchen, cooks who fantasize about competing on Top Chef may long for a professional grade kitchen. Before you jump into a kitchen remodel, you’ll need to review your budget. Recent studies reveal the average amount spent remodeling a large kitchen is $39,000, while the average for a smaller kitchen is $27,000.
Before you despair of every having a professional-looking kitchen, you may want to look at the new Thor Kitchen appliance brand which recently introduced a pro-style, stainless-steel package of appliances that can be purchased for under $5,000.
"Our goal is to bring real pro-style products to more people," said Kyle You, managing director of Thor Kitchen. "Up until this point, pro-style appliances have always had a premium price preventing home chefs from having their dream kitchen. Now, instead of settling for just a pro-style range, you can have a full pro-style kitchen for the same price."
Professional-grade ranges can cost from $4,500 to $7,000, according to Consumer Reports.
Essential elements of professional kitchen
While the Thor Kitchen package doesn’t include cooking lessons that could improve your technique, the affordable appliances will look good and perform the function of a chef’s realm.
The appliance package includes:
- A 30-inch Free-Standing Professional Style Gas Range in stainless-steel that features a convection oven, heavy-duty continuous cast-iron cooking grates, four burners, halogen lighting, automatic reignition and a blue porcelain oven interior. ($1,599 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price)
- A Professional Series Under-Cabinet Range Hood in stainless-steel with an anti-fingerprint finish and includes a three-speed fan touch control and commercial-style stainless-steel baffle filters. ($399 MSRP)
- A 36-inch 4-Door French Door Freestanding Refrigerator in stainless-steel that features counter depth French doors, two freezer drawers, a full-width chiller drawer, an automatic ice maker and high-efficiency LED lighting. Through its Twin Cooling system, dual evaporators separate the refrigerator and freezer zones to prevent moisture and odor transfer, as well as freezer burn. ($1,799 MSRP)
- A 24-inch Professional Series Stainless-Steel Dishwasher that utilizes three spray arms (with a jet sprayer), a steam assist mode to help loosen soils, a soil-sensing “Smart Wash” system to determine the optimum cycle and a multiple filter system to save water and energy. It is also equipped with a water softener system to improve the longevity and maintenance of the unit by deterring calcium buildup. ($699 MSRP)
In addition to the above appliances, you may want a microwave or convection oven. To achieve a truly professional looking kitchen, you may need to upgrade your cabinets, counters and floors. But with a less-expensive appliance package, you’ll have more to spend on those other elements.
To view and order Thor Kitchen packages, click here: http://amzn.to/2A113Kp