Today’s kitchen appliances provide homeowners with ultimate temperature control and professional-quality styling, but it was not long ago that some of the appliances we now rely on were in their most primitive stages. As you begin to shop for new appliances in your kitchen remodel, consider the history of some major kitchen appliances with the facts highlighted below.
The Refrigerator
Early refrigerators lived up to the name of “ice boxes”, since they were little more than coolers with blocks of ice to keep perishables cool. In 1913, the first home refrigerator was introduced, but it was not a self-contained unit. Those did not arrive until 1925, and until the use of Freon became common in 1929, refrigerators posed a big danger for poisoning and explosions due to the toxic gasses used as refrigerants.
The Electric Dishwasher
You may not believe that the first electric dishwasher arrived on the market in 1913, because these appliances did not become common fixtures in most homes until much later. Dishwashers reached full-scale production in 1930, and they became more common throughout the 1960s and 70s as they became more affordable for the average homeowner.
The Range
Stoves have been a part of home kitchens in some capacity for centuries. Coal, wood, and oil powered stoves not only served as essential cooking appliances, but they heated entire homes throughout the winter season. Eventually, gas and electric ranges took over as they became incorporated into ovens. Many modern homes still feature stove and oven combos, which have become much more technologically advanced since the introduction of GE’s self-cleaning oven in 1963. This would mark the beginning of rapid evolution of the microprocessor technologies featured in home appliances.
If you are ready to design the kitchen of your dreams—complete with the latest appliances—call Southwest Kitchen and Bath at (520) 531-9187. We specialize in custom cabinetry and full kitchen renovations around Tucson. Indeed, we will work with you to keep your project moving on-time and on-budget.