OVER AT LAST

Well, they finally pulled up the protective floor coverings and announced the kitchen re-do "Done!" Can you believe I didn't think this one would take more than a week or two to complete? Silly Rabbit! 

All-in-all, I think it looks quite lovely. However, it's gonna take some time for me to settle in. You see, the real reason Hubby was so gung-ho to do this was simple -- there was new technology to be explored! And, well, you know me and new technology...and massive instruction manuals...and changing old habits...sigh.  And it's not just one instruction manual, it's three!

The most drastic change is going from a radiant stove to one that uses induction, which required all new pans.

I have no idea how it works. All I know is that, instead of the burner itself getting hot and then transferring that heat to the pan and its contents, most of the action takes place in the pan itself --  which results in less residual heat in the burner once it's shut off, and quicker response time when you change a temperature setting. You can bring a big pot of water to boiling in seconds by using the "boost" button, but beware of explosive boil-overs if you try adding oatmeal or pasta while it's on that setting! Like I said, it's gonna take some getting used to. Sure won't miss cleaning the dreaded drip pans though.

The oven is about half the size of my previous one, but other than being "convection" (which I just ignored on my last one, not being a baker) it's pretty basic. So I didn't even look at the manual before trying to brown some focaccia under the broiler the other evening.  Next thing we knew, the beeper was going wild, and the readout was flashing "dr" over and over again. I'm guessing this is the first oven I've ever had where you are not supposed to leave the door ajar when the broiler is in use.

The microwave is also convection, which means, supposedly, that it can double as a second oven when the need arises. I find that hard to fathom. I also find it odd that the turntable is metal, since we've always been told not to place anything containing metal in our microwaves. Go figure. I'm just happy that I have figured out how to reheat stuff. I will worry about the rest when the time comes.

As I mentioned before, the extra storage drawers that were supposed go where the oven used to be had to give up space to the hidden workings of that pop-up vent. Still, one makes a pretty good spot for pot lids and dog bowls...

and the other makes a dandy little tea drawer.

Now if only I had a space to store all these accessories that came with the microwave.

Guess they'll have to sit in one of the bar stools -- at least until I find time to do another purge.