My New Kitchen

After three months of eating in restaurants, the remodeling project my family has been living through is nearly completed. Some work remains in the new great room and dining room, but the kitchen is basically done.

I went a bit overboard with appliances, but some people buy expensive cars, I went with kitchen appliances. I am thrilled by the thought of putting this stuff into action.

48" All gas Wolf range/oven with 6-16,000 Btu burners, infra-red charbroiler, and the two ovens. Over the range is a 1200 CFM Wolf Hood.

30" Thermador Electric Wall Oven. It has about 20 different settings and I may have to take a computer class to utilize all of them.

Built-in Thermador Microwave, Jennaire Dishwasher.

Whirlpool Sidekicks freestanding Refrigerator and Freezer. These are 30" wide and 30" deep.

The low simmer on the Wolf burners should help me become a better sauce maker, the burners and charbroiler should be great for searing and browning (should really seal in the juices, LOL ), the electric oven I plan to utilize significantly as I teach myself to bake breads, pastries, etc.

I have an 8' granite island with a 16" prep sink with disposal, so my friend BBQHopeful and I can work on each side with plenty of room. I plan to order two quality cutting boards for each side of the sink.

I want to become more proficient in all phases of cooking. I plan to do a lot of braising. I've been dreaming of short ribs, and veal and lamb shanks. I hope to become a fixture at the Milwaukee area farmer's markets. Visiting this site has stirred my interest in these venues, unfortunately Wisconsin weather will soon limit my access to them.

I am set on pans aside from a few All Clad stainless pieces I want. I have a decent knife collection, though most need sharpening.

I think this kitchen will be as functional as it is beautiful, and want it to be a place where my daughter and her friends can be comfortable as she grows up. I want it to be a place where she can learn the joys of eating well, and cooking well.

I hope no one minds this long gushing post, but this is a once in a lifetime project in the house my wife and I hope to grow very old in. We'll have to, because it may take a while to pay for it. LOL

Kevin

I like muskies.

Thanks for the replies. Mezzaluna, I think you misunderstood, I'll only be shopping at the Metro Market. I just love to cook, I'm not a professional, though a couple of my friends are. I doubt they'd have me. LOL

I had a Viking cooktop that I absolutely hated. I'm sure I'm going to be happier with the Wolf. Another range brand I learned about after I had ordered the Wolf was Bluestar. Lots of power. Might have gotten that if I would have known.

Kevin

I really am loving it. Burgers, pork chops, shrimp on the charbroiler. Had a couple over for an appetizer party on Saturday. Goat cheese, roasted pepper, and asparagus crostini. Seared some cubes of halibut in my new all clad stainless pan and you'd swear they were deep fried they browned so well. Deep fried some crab and potato balls, etc. New friends and they were quite pleased, I think.

I love the power. Only problem is I'm over cooking things a bit as I get used to the equipment.

My nine year old daughter wants double baked potatoes this weekend, so I think I'm going to have to try a prime rib as a side dish. :D

Sunday I think short ribs. I NEED to braise something.

Kevin

I like muskies.

Gail, you SHOULD write a book. That's a long project to endure. I'm telling you, there are about three hundred thousand ladies posting on the Home and Garden Web kitchen forum that would probably buy it. You would not believe how often people ask in anguish over there, "How will I feed my family?".

Since it was summer, I was going to use the grill a lot, then it was so darn hot in my enclosed porch that I couldn't stand even walking through it. My business that we run out of our basement was keeping us very busy, and it ended up being sandwiches and restaurants. Who would have thought a nine year old would say she was sick of eating out and sick of chicken tenders?

Kevin

I like muskies.

Hey thanks for a few more replies! It's been fun, but hard to get the darn thing organized. Some stuff is still in boxes. We have a business we run out our house, and October was really busy. Thursday should be fun. Going to cook a big bird and there's oven room and burners for all the sides. No more partially heating them in the microwave.

Yeah!

The project is officially completed tomorrow with the installation of a dining room wood floor. Just in time for turkey day.

Chrose. It'll be worth the wait. We had one plan fall through due to problems with the designer and contractor. Had the appliances on hold for a year.

OldSchool. Big is good. We moved some interior walls to create some space and open up a living room and family. Expensive, Ugh.

Kevin

I like ChefTalk

I would love to. I'll do it this weekend after the holiday. The wood floor was just installed in the dining room today, so I'll be the guy getting organized for tomorrow until tomorrow. Table and chairs are in the garage. China is in boxes and needs to be washed. The china cabinet that seems to weigh 5,000 pounds is in the living room.

Can't wait to cook tomorrow, though. :D

Kevin

I like muskies.