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Small Electrics Can Openers and Knife Shapeners SMALL ELECTRICS www.kitchenwarenews.com n JUNE 2017 n KITCHENWARE NEWS & HOUSEWARES REVIEW 2 1 PicoBrew announced PicoStill, a first-of- its-kind, patent-pending distilling attachment that is compatible with the company 's Pico countertop brewing appliances and Zymatic® professional grade appliance. PicoStill is a device topped with a sleek copper distilling coil that fits over the Pico C Keg and can be used to distill hop oil, water and essential oils. Of course, with proper licenses and permits, the PicoStill can be used to distill spirits as well. It is now offered as an add-on incentive in PicoBrew's hugely successful Pico Model C Kickstarter campaign, which has raised more than $800,000 in just two weeks and is one of the top 10 most successful Food Kickstarter campaigns of all time. Hop oils are typically used by commercial breweries to quickly infuse beers with distinct hops aromas and flavors, a process that is often achieved by 'dry hopping,' which can take up to a week. However, up until now, hop oils have not been available in smaller quantities for producers who brew small batches of beer. PicoStill makes it possible for any brewer to create their own essential hop oils for use in brewing. "Since we got started in 2010, PicoBrew has been inventing technologies to make the several thousand years-old process of beer creation easier for professionals and consumers alike," said Dr. Bill Mitchell, CEO, PicoBrew. "The PicoStill not only empowers small batch brewers to create ingredients like hop oil and essential oils more easily than ever before, but it also gives them the most precise and safest technology to do it with." Licensed and properly permitted craft distillers can also use the PicoStill to produce a wide range of alcohols, including vodka, whiskey, bourbon, moonshine, gin, brandies, schnapps and more. PicoStill operators must act in compliance with their local, state and national laws. As with beer production on PicoBrew devices, compliance with regulation and national and international law is the responsibility of the PicoStill owner. "At 2bar Spirits, we're intrigued by the possibility of using PicoBrew's small batch- size vacuum PicoStill in the same way craft breweries are using PicoBrew's brewing equipment for testing," said Nathan Kaiser, Founder of 2bar Spirits, one of the fastest- growing craft distilleries in Washington. PicoStill features a large infusion chamber that is crucial for essential oil extraction, but it is also helpful for designing flavored spirits. Licensed distilleries will be able to use the still to test out small batches of new spirits and infusions before committing to larger batches. " We built our entire business around differentiation and customization, and we need tools like PicoStill to continue creating and experimenting with exciting flavor profiles for our spirits," said Dave Groom, Co-founder and President, Schnapsleiche Craft Spirits in Woodinville, Washington. "PicoStill allows us to be nimble and quickly test out new products before introducing them to our line." PicoStill allows a distiller to have precision temperature control over the still, allowing for more precision and safety. It employs patent-pending technologies that make the process of distilling safer, including an indirect vacuum heating mechanism and a methanol collection chamber. "This level of precision and safety in distilling has never been available before, and we're excited to offer distillers ultimate control over their cuts using our patent- pending technology," said Jim Mitchell, Chief Science Officer of PicoBrew. PicoStill is available now to Kickstarter backers for $170, or packaged with the Pico Model C for $499. It will retail for $349 when it hits stores later this fall. For more information, visit www.picobrew.com. KN PicoBrew Launches PicoStill SMOOTHTOUCH CAN OPENER Open cans without the struggle with the Hamilton Beach SmoothTouch™ Can Opener. An easy push-down lever makes quick work of removing both pop-top and regular cans. It stands out from the crowd, designed so the blade cuts along the side instead of the top of the can, which minimizes blade contact with food and prevents splashing or seeping. The result is a mess-free, smooth cut that al- lows users to remove the top without worrying about sharp edges. The large er- gonomic lever is easy for all to use and operation requires little grip strength; just hold the lever down until the blade has made a full rotation around the can. Suggested retail price: $34.99 Hamilton Beach 800.851.8900 www.HamiltonBeach.com WEST BEND METALLIC CAN OPENER This slim and extra tall design was made to crack open any and all-sized cans, even the extra-tall ones. With a detachable chrome cutting accessory that's dishwasher safe, cleaning is easy as opening a can. It features automatic shutoff and cord storage in the base, to keep users safe and counters clean of clutter. Also in- cludes a built-in bottle opener and knife sharpener. Suggested retail price: $45.99 WestBend 800.290.1851 customercare@focuspg.com www.westbend.com E5 KNIFE SHARPENER The E5 electric five-stage knife sharpener is the most feature- rich sharpener from Work Sharp Culinary. The system provides an effortless sharpening experience on the home countertop. Sharpen like the professionals do with the flexible abrasive belt technology. Refresh the knife's edge between sharpening with the manual ceramic honing rod. Create a long-lasting, durable edge with the MicroForge technology as well. The work and knowledge of sharpening is built into the unit, giving users more time to focus on what's important: crafting the perfect meal with a sharp knife. Work Sharp Culinary 800.597.6170 www.worksharpculinary.com BARTELLI SOFT EDGE AUTOMATIC ELECTRIC CAN OPENER The Bartelli soft edge automatic electric can opener opens all cans eas- ily with one-button control. It cuts around the side of the can, leaving a soft and safe edge that allows users to reseal the can. Just place the opener on top of the can, press the button and watch the opener do the work. It attaches itself to the top, and goes around 360 degrees. Full warranty and support included. Suggested retail price: $19.99 Bartelli support@bartelliusa.com bartelliusa.com KitchenAid Expands Black Stainless Collection KitchenAid is expanding its popular line of black stainless steel major appliances to include a number of new built-in and f reestanding ranges and ref rigerators. Originally launched in 2015 as the industry's first appliances with a black stainless steel finish, the collection will feature a total of 54 appliance models by the end of the summer, including refrigerators, wall ovens, ventilation hoods, dishwashers, under-counter beverage centers and more. With the upcoming additions, KitchenAid will have one of the most complete offerings of black stainless appliances in the industry. "The feedback we've received on our black stainless finish from consumers, the design community and even professional chefs when we first introduced it has been overwhelmingly positive," says Beth Robinson, Senior Manager of Brand Experience for KitchenAid. "We've made it a top priority to expand our black stainless appliance portfolio to include even more options so that virtually any consumer can have a black stainless suite, regardless of their kitchen layout." New black stainless offerings include six models of slide-in ranges, f reestanding ranges and freestanding double oven ranges. Slide-in and f reestanding ranges are available now and electric and gas double oven ranges will be available in June and August, respectively. Made available in May, new built-in refrigerator options include 48-inch and 42-inch Side-by-Side models and a 36-inch French Door model. For more information, visit www.kitchenaid.com. KN

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