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Kitchenware News & Housewares Review Show Daily 8 7 Sunday, March 19, 2017 SHARP INTRODUCES NEW MICROWAVE DRAWER Sharp Electronics Marketing Company of America has announced the rollout of its new Black Stainless Steel Microwave Drawer™ Oven. Sharp's next generation model is the first and only microwave drawer available in black stainless steel in the United States. The model joins the company's line of microwave drawers, all built to maximize design versatility. Sharp's new Black Stainless Steel model is a low-profile design with clean sightlines and a concealed control panel, while the striking and bold black finish is a first for the market. The control panel opens up to a 45-degree angle for easy use, and then folds away. "Our new Sharp Black Stainless Microwave Drawer combines Sharp's industry-leading microwave technology with a stunning design that will make a statement in any dream kitchen," said Jim Sanduski, President of Sharp. "We know that those looking to build a new home or remodel their kitchens are look- ing for options, so we're excited to give them one more when it comes to their microwave oven. We believe it will be the season's 'micro-crave,' providing more versatile options than ever before." The premium Microwave Drawer is a kitchen showstopper that allows for design flexibility and seamless integra- tion. Offering various placement options throughout the kitchen, the Microwave Drawer can be positioned at an accessible height below an island, peninsula, stan- dard cabinetry or installed adjacent to the wall oven. Flexible placement possibili- ties make it easy to lift hot foods, stir dishes and clean the unit with- out hassle. According to the 2016 Houzz Kitchen Trends Survey, 75 per- cent of homeowners surveyed were going with stainless steel for the new appliances in their updated kitchens. With the introduction of the Black Stainless Steel Microwave Drawer, Sharp expects the two finishes combined will shake up 2017 kitchen renovation trends and become a design favorite. "When creating, or recreating the kitchen of your dreams, you should be able to have everything you want – and that includes both abundant counter space and material finishes that compli- ment a wide range of design schemes," said Peter Weedfald, SVP of Sales and Marketing at Sharp. "Stainless steel is a proven favorite, but until now has been limited for appliances. Now available in black, designers and home- owners can further incorpo- rate the timeless black finish." The Easy Touch Automatic Drawer system provides seamless opening and gliding action. The 1.2 cubic feet capaci- ty can accommodate a 4-quart casserole dish or a 20-ounce beverage cup, and the microwave has a 1,000 watt capacity with customizable settings and built-in functions such as reheat, defrost, cook and popcorn settings. The Sharp Black Stainless Microwave Drawer will be available at fine kitchen retailers nationwide. For more information, visit www .sharpusa.com. SINKSHROOM OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES Owners of Juka Innovations Corp. and creators of TubShroom have launched the SinkShroom, a sustainable solution to prevent clogged sink drains. The new prototype comes to life after demand from consumers who saw the difference TubShroom made in keeping their bath drains un-clogged. Husband and wife duo Elena and Serge Karnegie are eager to introduce their next invention, which is now available nationwide. Just like TubShroom, SinkShroom works to capture any and all fallen hair, but this time fits into a standard 1.25-inch sink drain. The tool was designed to rise about half an inch above the drain in order to provide seamless water flow, while preventing hair and other objects from passing through. It is a chemical- free way to keep drains clean and an eco- friendly alternative to harmful liquid drain cleaners. SinkShroom has been tested on all types of hair, proven to work with both human and pet hair. "We were thrilled to find the solution to a prob- lem we know so many people have, including ourselves, and to be able to share it with the world. Our hope is to make peo- ple's lives easier and elim- inate the use of harmful drain solutions and chemi- cals that wear away at pipes," says Elena Karnegie, Co-Founder and Inventor. After successful Kickstarter and IndieGoGo campaigns launched in early 2016, the prototype raised a combined $74,000 and garnered support from over 41 countries. SinkShroom is now available in five different colors: white, blue, green, grey and orange, on Amazon.com for $12.99. It will soon be available at Bed Bath & Beyond, The Home Depot, Ace Hardware stores and other retail locations. For more information about the prod- ucts, visit www.tubshroom.com. CHAR-BROIL LAUNCHES NEW GRILL LINE Char-Broil ® unveils a wide-range of new grills for 2017 set to elevate the outdoor grilling season. Char-Broil hinges on ease of use and convenience for the ulti- mate consumer experience. The Char- Broil Signature™ Grill hinges on the most innovative new grill in the line is the Char-Broil SmartChef ® TRU- Infrared ® Gas Grill, a Wi-Fi-connected grill allowing for state-of-the-art moni- toring and control on smart devices. Completing the list of new grills, the Char-Broil Kamander™ Grill allows consumers to enjoy an outstanding grilling experience. Those looking for an affordable grill that can cook to perfection, the Char- Broil Signature Convective Gas Grill Line is a top-line option. Providing dura- bility, reliability, and high-performance, the grill focuses on cooking performance with the option to have two, three and four burner configurations to meet all needs. Additional amenities include zonal cooking, affording the ability to cook different foods at varying tempera- tures at the same time, and reduced flare ups. The Wi-Fi-connected Char-Broil SmartChef TRU-Infrared Gas Grill is a premium choice. It delivers 'real-time' alerts and monitors the grill so the con- sumer can spend more time with friends and family. Through the Char-Broil SmartChef Gas Grill app, available on iOS 9 and beyond, consumers will be updated on grill and food temperatures, fuel levels, and burners; can control pre- heat settings, receive cleaning alerts and browse a library of controls and manual cooking recipes. For the food-inspired griller, the Char-Broil Kamander Grill is perfect for expanding the grilling palate. The insu- lated double-wall steel construction heats quickly and evenly, sealing in heat and moisture. The convenient and innovative controls maintain temperatures for any type of cooking, from high temperature searing and cooking to low-and-slow smoking. The Kamander Grill can easily maintain temperature for any type of cooking, whether it is grilling, smoking, roasting, or baking. With an innovative air intake, it ensures consumers can easi- ly control temperature and monitor their cooking. "As a pioneer in innovative grills, we want to continue to foster that love of grilling with a generation that is connect- ed and looking for solutions that fit their lifestyle," said Brendan Anderson, Vice President, Marketing and Product Management at Char-Broil. "We take the feedback of our consumers to drive new innovations that provides them with the ultimate grilling experience." For more information, visit www .charbroil.com. ELECTROLUX ACQUIRING ANOVA Electrolux has announced it has agreed to acquire Anova, the U.S.-based provider of the Anova Precision Cooker, a con- nected device for sous vide cooking that enables restaurant-quality results in the home. The acquisition provides a signifi- cant opportunity for profitable growth in this emerging product category. Anova's direct-to-consumer business model and digital focus are also of strong strategic interest to Electrolux. Anova was founded in 2013 and is growing rapidly amid popular acclaim for its innovative product, which was rated best cooking gadget of 2016 by reviewed.com. Net sales in 2016 amounted to around $40 million. The up-front cash consideration in the transaction is $115 million, with an additional amount of up to $135 million, depending on future financial performance. The company has approximately 70 employees and con- tractors globally and is headquartered in San Francisco, California. Sales are pri- marily carried out online – directly to consumer and through major retailers. "Anova's mission – to make it easy for consumers to cook like a pro – is so similar to our own focus on great tasting food that this was quite obviously a per- fect match," said Ola Nilsson, Head of Electrolux Business Area Home Care and Small Domestic Appliances. "It's also a great strategic fit in terms of Anova's approach to online sales and digital mar- keting, and in how they leverage connec- tivity in the products. We have a lot to learn from each other, and look forward to helping Anova take the next steps on their global growth journey while main- taining an agile and innovative culture." The Anova Precision Cooker con- nects to a user's smartphone and offers thousands of recipes to make it easy to cook sous vide – a cooking technique that is well established in gourmet restaurants and growing among consumers. Food is placed in a sealable bag and brought to a precisely controlled temperature in a water bath. The precision cooker is an immersion circulator, which heats and maintains the water at a precise tempera- ture, ensuring great results. "This acquisition offers a valuable stepping stone in our journey to deliver best-in-class consumer experiences through smart, connected appliances. Additionally, Anova's passionate community of food lovers is a great example of the kind of rela- tionship we are building with people around the world," said Jonas Samuelson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Electrolux. To further leverage the benefits of joining forces with Anova, Electrolux Home Care business area intends to open an office in San Francisco, in order to establish an innovation hub for creating meaningful and innovative consumer experiences in the smart home arena. Related opportunities will be made pub- lic at Electrolux on LinkedIn. The acquisition is subject to regula- tory approvals, and is expected to be closed during the first quarter of 2017.