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A pro-style kitchen can be a great addition to the home of anyone who really enjoys cooking and entertaining. Whether you’re an experienced chef who likes to entertain friends and family in your free time or just an ambitious foodie learning how to perfectly flambé a dessert, a pro-style kitchen can give you what you need to create superior meals.

If you’re thinking of remodeling your entire kitchen or just adding a few new appliances, here are a few tips to help you transform your domestic kitchen to a hybrid professional-home space.

Embrace the “prosumer” name
Prosumer is a term that combines “professional” with “consumer.” It’s come out of the popularity of cooking television programs, where consumers have become more adventurous in their cooking and want the appliances to match. Prosumer appliances can refer to anything from full-scale professional tools to higher-end consumer appliances. This can be items like specialty cooktops, dual fuel ranges, increased capacity refrigerators or wall mount ovens.

Appliance manufacturers also began adapting to the trend, HGTV explained, by making professional-grade equipment that would fit inside a traditional kitchen and match the decor. In fact, the prosumer trend has continued to the point where nearly every new kitchen is adopting some aspect of the concept.

“A majority of homes today are adopting at least some of these prosumer characteristics into their kitchen design ideas,” Steve Kleber, former president of the Center for Kitchen & Bath Education and Research, told HGTV. “Indeed, the majority of modern kitchen design trends now originate in the professional restaurant kitchen. When stainless steel now appears on appliances all the way down to entry-level models, it shows how pervasive this trend has become.”

Split your range up
For years, people have turned to ranges for an all-in-one cooking experience – stovetop, oven and broiler. But many pro-style kitchens have more diverse cooking options. Better Homes and Gardens magazine recommended that people install two wall mount ovens and a microwave in addition to their cooktop.

Not only does this give homeowners an easier experience when it comes to holidays with large crowds, but it also helps for everyday cooking. The magazine pointed to the arrangements added versatility that gives people better outcomes when they cook – just like professional chefs. High-powered microwaves, convection ovens, warming drawers and broilers are all popular in this set up, as are conventional ovens.

Separate cooktops can also give homeowners more options, as well. Some people use electric cooktops, which lay flush with the countertop for added preparation space when not in use. Gas stovetops allow homeowners hotter spaces to boil, cook and sauté.

Get the right range hood
After cooktop temperatures increase with professional stovetops and ranges, so too do range hood needs. We always advise homeowners to start by thinking about different ventilation options.

Updraft systems come in a variety of designs, including a traditional hood as well as sleeker styles. They use fans to suck vapor into the system above the stovetops, then the system blows the vapors, smoke and air into ducts and out of the house.

Downdraft systems are usually incorporated into a cooktop and suck vapor directly down and out through ventilation in the cooksurface. Downdraft units are normally fairly short and don’t rise high above the stovetop – not optimal for tall pots.

Regardless of the directional design, the most important factors to consider for a ventilation system include power and noise. The more powerful a system, the more air volume it can handle and the cleaner it’ll keep your air. However, your home isn’t a professional kitchen, so certain hoods will be far too loud. We are always available to help you find the right power, size and type for your home usage.

Think about size
When renovating or redesigning your kitchen to add professional appliances, size is also an important consideration. Most homes were initially designed for traditional home appliances, which were smaller.

“One of the very first issues to consider when planning a pro-style kitchen is size,” Bob Somrak, a board member of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, told DIY Network. “If a consumer wants to install all these pro-style appliances, they’ll need 3 feet of refrigerator space, 3 feet of freezer space and 4 to 5 feet for the commercial-style range. That is 11 feet of space just for these appliances, and they still need room for the cabinets and countertops.” Weight is also a determining factor for some homes. Larger ranges and refrigerators may require additional structural support or insulation protection. It’s always a good idea to “walk the path” and make sure your entry ways and corridors can accommodate the dimensions of the appliances. We’ve arrived to quite a few deliveries where the front door was too narrow for the appliance to fit through.

Although there’s a lot to consider when adding pro-style appliances to your home, you’ll be thrilled when you can finally crank up your range and get that perfect dish made. Pro-style kitchens give home owners added function to make delicious meals as well as a sharp and stylish cookspace.