Category Archives: Built-in appliances

Elica’s Virtus Oven Line Wins Red Dot Award 2026 for Product Design

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Elica has once again been recognised on the world stage, with the Virtus oven line winning the Red Dot Award 2026 – Product Design in the Kitchen and Household category. The achievement strengthens Elica’s position as one of the most design‑driven brands in the built‑in cooking sector, continuing a trajectory that consistently blends architectural styling with advanced performance.

The Red Dot Award remains one of the most influential international design competitions, judged annually by an independent panel of global experts. Products are evaluated on innovation, aesthetic quality, functionality, and the ability to elevate everyday use through thoughtful design. Winning in the Product Design category signals that the Virtus line not only meets these criteria but stands out among hundreds of global submissions.

Elica’s Virtus ovens reflect the brand’s ongoing commitment to refined materials, intuitive interfaces, and a cohesive design language that aligns with modern kitchen architecture. The Red Dot jury’s recognition highlights the continuity of Elica’s design philosophy — one that prioritises clarity, precision, and a premium user experience.

For Elica, the 2026 award reinforces a long‑term design path that continues to resonate with both consumers and the wider design community, further cementing its role in shaping the future of cooking appliances.

ASKO Brings “Precision Matters” to Life with Immersive Installation at EuroCucina 2026

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ASKO used this year’s EuroCucina to sharpen its design message with a showcase built entirely around its guiding philosophy: “Precision Matters.” The brand delivered this through an immersive, multi‑sensory environment that connected art, engineering, and Scandinavian craftsmanship.

At the centre of the stand was a striking interactive installation developed with Cosmodernism, the art project led by Kamil Czapiga. The piece visualised how pigment responds to controlled heat — a live, evolving demonstration of the accuracy that underpins ASKO’s Celsius oven technology. It offered visitors a rare look at the science behind the brand’s temperature‑led cooking approach.

That theme of meticulous control carried across the wider presentation, including the latest Celsius ovens, the next‑generation Scandinavian Laundry Care 2.0 range, and ASKO’s award‑winning dishwashers and wine climate cabinets. Each product line reinforced the same message: performance shaped by care, and quality defined by detail.

Midea Targets UK Growth as Market Opens New Space

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Midea’s European leadership says the UK is now firmly in its sights — but only because the timing is finally right. 
“We identified the UK and Italy as important markets,” says Larry Yuen. “But timing matters. We wanted the right organisation, products, and service structure before entering. Now we feel ready.”

That readiness comes with selectivity. 
“We are not going to work with everyone,” Yuen adds. “It has to be a two‑way decision. Retailers choose us, and we choose them. We want partners who believe in the brand and want to grow with us. It’s about total margin — balancing volume and profitability so retailers can build a sustainable business.”

Mauro Correia sees a market undergoing rapid change — and opportunity. 
“Some traditional suppliers have had very tough moments in recent years,” he says. “That creates space for companies that can bring innovation and competitiveness at the same time.”

Given Midea’s scale, investment power and long‑term European ambitions, few in the trade would bet against the group converting this momentum into meaningful UK market share. And with a revitalised Teka brand now back under the same roof, the combined offer is broad enough to make many kitchen specialists take a fresh look.

Gaggenau Presents Presence at Milan Design Week 2026

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Gaggenau returned to Milan Design Week with Presence, an immersive architectural installation staged within the iconic Villa Necchi Campiglio. The showcase marks the third chapter in the brand’s ongoing Milan series, following acclaimed editions in 2024 and 2022.

Blending architecture, culture and culinary craft, Presence continues Gaggenau’s exploration of how design can shape sensory experience. Culinary excellence remains central to the brand’s identity, and this year’s edition features a standout collaboration with three‑Michelin‑star chef Tohru Nakamura, whose creations were conceived to complement and elevate the installation’s spatial narrative.

Below is a curated selection of images from the Presence installation at Villa Necchi Campiglio during Milan Design Week 2026.

Samsung’s “Design is an Act of Love” showcase at Milan Design Week 2026

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Samsung’s “Design is an Act of Love” showcase at Milan Design Week 2026 just gave us a glimpse of the next generation of white goods. The 2026 Bespoke AI lineup moves away from clunky appliances toward “invisible” tech that acts like high-end furniture.
Here are the highlights from the White Goods Now team:
1. The Extractor Induction Hob
The overhead range hood is officially a relic. This all-in-one unit features:
Integrated Suction: A powerful vent in the center of the cooktop pulls steam and odors down instantly.
Flex Zone Plus: No fixed rings—place any size pot anywhere on the surface and the AI detects it.
2. Bespoke AI Single 1Door Fridge & Freezer
Perfect for that seamless, built-in kitchen aesthetic:
Zero Clearance Fit: Requires only a 4mm side gap, allowing it to sit perfectly flush with cabinetry.
Auto Open Door: A touch sensor pops the door open for you—ideal for when your hands are full of groceries.
3. SmartThings: The “Brain”
The entire lineup is connected via SmartThings, focusing heavily on AI Energy Mode. The system learns your habits to optimize power usage, running heavy cycles (like the dishwasher) during off-peak hours to slash utility bills.
The Verdict: Samsung is making the kitchen smarter and sleeker. These aren’t just tools; they’re intuitive assistants designed to blend into your home.

Elica Unveils New Induction Line with ID Technology and Matrix UI at Salone del Mobile 2026

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Elica used Salone del Mobile 2026 to debut its latest step forward in cooking innovation: a new generation of induction hobs built around the company’s proprietary ID Technology and the fully in‑house‑designed Matrix UI.

The updated platform brings together flexible cooking zones, refined ergonomics and advanced temperature management to deliver a more powerful, more responsive cooking experience. At the centre is the new Matrix UI, a pixel‑based interface that rethinks how users interact with the hob, offering clearer feedback, smoother control and a more intuitive overall workflow.

With this launch, Elica continues to push its design‑led approach to premium cooking solutions, reinforcing its position as one of Italy’s most forward‑thinking appliance manufacturers.

Elica Opens EuroCucina 2026 with Strong Institutional Support

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Elica kicked off EuroCucina 2026 with heavy footfall and high‑level institutional attention. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited the stand on opening day, meeting President Francesco Casoli and the Board before continuing discussions over a private lunch.

The company thanked national Institutions for recognising the strategic importance of the home appliance sector as it navigates major technological and competitive shifts. The visit also underscored the global value of Italian design, innovation, and industrial resilience.

Elica later welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, Marche Region President Francesco Acquaroli, and other prominent figures from business and government, reinforcing the brand’s central role in Italy’s manufacturing excellence.

Miele EuroCucina

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Miele used Milan Design Week and EuroCucina 2026 to unveil Designed to Move with You — a holistic vision for a flexible, connected and emotionally intelligent kitchen.

Across both the EuroCucina booth and the redesigned Miele Experience Center in Brera, the brand demonstrated how appliances, architecture and user behaviour can work as one.

Key Highlights
– KM 8000 induction hobs + M Sense cookware: smart temperature control with up to three sensors to prevent burning or boiling over. 
– New 14 cm steam drawer: a compact 3‑in‑1 cooking solution when paired with a 45 cm compact oven with microwave. Launching March 2027. 
– CulinaryCoach AI assistant: personalised cooking guidance with direct transfer of settings to connected appliances. 
– Compact Living design study (with Hettich): high‑functionality kitchen solutions for small urban spaces.
Miele’s concept positions the kitchen as a dynamic ecosystem that adapts to modern lifestyles — blending technology, design and space efficiency in new ways

Caple Launches New C7895G Black Gas-on-Glass Hob

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Caple has added the C7895G Black Gas-on-Glass Hob to its lineup, offering a sleek five‑burner design with a 4.2kW triple‑ring burner positioned on the left for easier pan handling. With a 9.65kW total output, it delivers strong performance in a clean, contemporary format—ideal for consumers wanting style and power in one package.