Floor Care
Dirt Devil
The long-standing vacuum brand went robotic at the International Home + Housewares Show with the Whiskers DSV Robotic Vacuum. This robotic vacuum dusts, sweeps and vacuums hard floors at the touch of a button. It can be used on tile, linoleum and wood flooring. Its sleek design also allows the Whiskers to move under furniture, beds and around obstacles. It’s designed with three automatic and continuous cleaning patterns, and operates at just the touch of a button. dirtdevil.com
Food Storage
Aladdin
The Aladdin Insulated To-Go Food Container is double-wall insulated to keep food hotter longer, yet remains cool to the touch after microwave use. Available in 12- and 24-ounce sizes and in red and green, the container also has see-through lids, and is leak proof and dishwasher safe. The 24-ounce size has an internal divider. “We’re seeing a strong, positive response to the Insulated To-Go Food Containers for multiple reasons,” said Ken Mitchell, vice president of Aladdin for PMI. “One is that consumers today are more aware of what they eat and want to make healthy choices, so there’s a need for smart adult lunch solutions in the market. Our containers are resonating with retailers and consumers as an answer to that need. The second reason is that our products are made not only to functionally perform, they’re designed to make you look and feel good. Consumers care about that difference.” aladdin-pmi.com
Cast-iron Cookware
Gibson Overseas
The newly launched Isaac Mizrahi line from Gibson Overseas includes colored cast iron pieces in unusual shapes, a piece for the M Dot line shown here in mahogany. Other available colors will include teal, lime, orange, black and gun metal. “Consumers haven’t seen shapes quite like this — sculptural and with beaded accents,” said Sal Gabbay, president, Gibson. “The colors are fun and fresh. It’s cookware that starts a conversation and brings joy to entertaining with something a little new and exciting.” The collection is available this fall. gibsonusa.com
Aluminum Cookware
Meyer Corp., U.S.
Offered in three versions, including aluminum, the new KitchenAid Gourmet line features a distinctive soft cushion grip handle, which combines stainless steel with a comfortable and ergonomic silicone design that stays cool during stovetop cooking. The KitchenAid Gourmet Aluminum line adds a pop of color to the cooktop with its translucent exterior finish in a choice of cherry and electric blue.
“We’re expanding KitchenAid cookware to better match the enormous clout that KitchenAid has with consumers,” said Suzanne Murphy, vice president of marketing at Meyer Corp., U.S. “This year, we’re introducing more vibrant colors and technologically driven features in numerous cookware collections that are best in class within their respective price points. Our goal is to offer every consumer, from the beginner cook to the most experienced cook and devoted foodie, the best with KitchenAid cookware.”
With classic, straight sides and tempered glass lids, the aluminum line has even-heating construction and includes a magnetic stainless-steel base for use on all cooktops, including induction. KitchenAid Gourmet Aluminum cookware is available in six open-stock items and two sets in prices ranging from $19.99 for an 8.5-inch skillet to $199.99 for the 11-piece set. meyer.com
Stainless-steel Cookware
Cuisinart
Cuisinart returns to its roots with the French Classic stainless-steel collection. Forty years ago, Cuisinart imported top-quality stainless-steel cookware from France, and now returns to that country for French Classic, which is manufactured there.
The tri-ply line has an aluminum core between solid stainless steel as well as Heat Surround technology, which allows heat to be evenly distributed along the bottom and up the walls of the cookware. In addition, the stay-cool, contoured stainless handles provide a comfortable grip and a thumb rest allows for control. It’s available as open stock from saucepans to skillets, the 10-inch gratin pan with cover shown here, and in a 10-piece set. cuisinart.com
Gadgets
Kuhn Rikon
Kuhn Rikon
The new Kochblume Spill Stopper from Kuhn Rikon prevents boiling liquids from spilling or overflowing onto the stovetop. Made of colorful silicone — in green, purple and red — and heat resistant up to 400 degrees, the Spill Stopper comes in 10- and 12-inch sizes and will fit on top of any pot or pan spanning six to ten inches in diameter.
“The Kochblume Spill Stopper solves an everyday cooking problem, which is why it’s been such a success with retailers and consumers,” said Chelsea Schlunt, managing director of Kuhn Rikon USA. “You don’t have to worry about boiling liquids spilling or overflowing on your stovetop again. It really works, and its innovative design is unlike anything else on the market.” The Spill Stopper can also double as a splatter guard for the microwave. kuhnrikon.com
Kitchen Tool
Mastrad
The new Thermo-Sensor spoon from Mastrad performs double duty in the kitchen: It is both a spoon and a thermometer in one. It can be used as one piece, so chefs can monitor the temperatures of foods while they are being cooked. But the thermometer can also be pulled out of the spoon to be used separately.
“Our customers are constantly in need of multi-functional, versatile and easy to use measuring tools that help them prepare meals in less time and with more precision,” said Mathieu Lion, CEO. “Whether they are looking to prepare a quick delicious meal or just need help in making the same dish more than once, our Thermo-Sensor spoon and cooking thermometer make it more convenient for them to accomplish just that.”
The thermometer reads in both Celsius and Fahrenheit temperatures, has an instant and digital thermometer read and memorizes minimum and maximum temperature from last use. mastrad.us
Cleaning Products
Viatek Consumer Products Group
The company sought to “turn heads” in a different way during the International Home + Housewares Show with the launch of the Clean Spin 360 Duo Mop. This product offers two interchangeable mop heads—one round with thousands of microfiber strands, the other rectangular with a thick microfiber pad. The material traps dirt, dust and liquids without dripping or spreading the mess, then is cleaned and dried by putting it into the Spin Bucket and pumping the foot pedal, which spins the mop head at more than 1,000 revolutions per minute. viatekproducts.com
Personal Care
Wahl Clipper
Known for its grooming products, Wahl Clipper also made a name for itself early on in handheld massagers. During the International Home + Housewares Show, the company launched a number of handheld massagers, including the Heat Therapy Massager, which combines heat with nine interchangeable heads to help increase the blood flow to sore muscles. It also includes variable intensity control and a turbo setting, which allows users to “dial in” during use, according to a company statement. wahl.com
Cutlery
Robert Welch
The Robert Welch Signature cutlery collection introduces Americans to British cutlery design. The forged knives are made of German stainless steel for strength and durability and have a Japanese edge for sharpness. The black plastic handles have a distinctive wave shape to fit comfortably in the hand and minimize fatigue. They are available open stock or in a block configuration, and retail prices range from $33 for a 3-inch paring knife to $90 for a 10-inch chef’s knife. The block features an integrated honing wheel and a magnetic guide in each knife slot to protect the knife edge.
“The Signature knives got a great reception at the Housewares Show in Chicago,” said Mark Follett, vice president, USA. “The Signature knife collection offers a real point of difference, combining British design, German steel and a Japanese style edge, ground to 15 degrees on each side. They look beautiful, feel comfortable in the hand and came in the top 1 percent of all brand knives when tested for sharpness and edge retention. They also hit a great price point for that level of quality and performance.” robertwelch.com
Bakeware
Curtis Stone
Pop Out, the new bakeware line from celebrity chef Curtis Stone, “makes total sense,” the chef told HFN. It took three years to develop, and fuses a durable cold rolled steel frame with flexible silicone cups to make removing baked goods easy.
Available in a loaf pan, a round cake pan and here, a six-hole muffin pan, the line’s thick rolled edges prevent warping and the nonstick coating ensures even browning. It also has large handles so the chef can easily grip the pan without sticking the thumbs of the oven mitts in the pan. The FDA-grade silicone is oven-safe to 500 degrees.
“Making a home-cooked meal can be intimidating to some,” Stone said. “These products solve problems along the way.” curtisstone.com
Small Electrics
West Bend
The brand, now a part of Focus Products Group, is celebrating its 100th year in business with the idea of “creating memories around the table,” as it said in a company statement. One of its most memorable launches at the International Home + Housewares Show is the Jelly Belly Cotton Candy Machine, which makes individual servings of cotton candy. It comes with six cotton-candy cones and takes just minutes to make individual sized servings. The Jelly Belly Cotton Candy Machine is part of West Bend’s partnership with candy maker Jelly Belly. westbend.com
Water Bottle
Cool Gear
Combining the BPA-free material Tritan with cool, trendy graphics, the Tritan Straight Wall water bottles are an easy and fun way to take water on the go. They have a 20-ounce capacity.
“The Tritan Straight Wall bottles have a nice clean design, they’re easy to grip, and the graphic and bumper details are what make it unique from other bottles,” said Donna Roth, CEO. “We have four mainstay colors and graphics, as well as additional customized graphics for specific major retailers. We are always continuing to develop and expand our product lines, and this bottle has generated a lot of positive feedback.”
The bottles have a pull-up sipper cap with finger loop and will be available later this year. Silicone banding is available for the top and bottom as well. coolgearinc.com