Last we checked in with my kitchen renovation, we were wrestling IKEA cabinets and installing them with (ahem) sex bolts. (See all the posts about my kitchen renovation so far here.) Now I'd like to take a step back and talk about a process that should be sexy but is actually fraught with confusion, uncertainty, and a lack of resources: Buying kitchen appliances.

Read on to see how we navigated the overwhelming process of buying appliances, and to see what we picked out. I'll talk about how buying a range top can actually save you money, as well as our one amazing Craigslist find!

Q: I only use one of my stove's burners because whenever I turn on any of the others, they start to smoke or smell like they're burning, which in turn sets off my smoke alarms. I've tried cleaning them, but it doesn't seem to help. Does anyone have a good cleaning method?

Sent by Meredith More

Q: I just moved into a rental apartment. When cooking on the stovetop the heat radiates up onto the refrigerator which sits adjacent to the stove. Is there is a magnetic panel product that I can stick on the side of the 'frig to protect it from heat and save on the inconvenience of a fire.

Sent by Jami More

Who: MK, Italian kitchen design
What We Noticed: I don't think of myself as a minimalist, but this hood and sleek wood island with integrated cooktop literally stopped me in my tracks at EuroCucina. In context it felt serene and quiet, unfussy and very functional. The white almost blends in to the ceiling, and the woods keeps it feeling warm. Nothing here is trying too hard.
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Trend: Gas on glass stovetops
Where We Saw It Electrolux, KitchenAid/Whirlpool, Franke, Smeg
These stovetops were front and center all week at EuroCucina: All the easy cleanup of a glass surface, but the power of a gas stove. These sleek, beautiful, gas on glass cooktops we saw this week combine beauty and functionality in a serious way. I'm curious to know how the glass holds up to dropped pans and knives; does it chip or scratch over time? More

Who: Hacker and Azule
What We Noticed: This red kitchen was one of the last things I saw at EuroCucina, and it stopped me in my tracks. It had modern lines, but was softened by the raised relief pattern on the drawers. And those tiles on the back wall — wow! I discovered they are from a cement (encaustic) tile company in the Netherlands. The kitchen is part of a new line from Hacker called 'Identity,' designed by Claudia Klein Zeggelink. Hard to express how beautiful this whole scene was in person. More photos below... More

Who: Miele
What We Noticed: We've been saying it; here's more proof: Glossy white appliances are the new stainless steel. German appliance-maker Miele put some gorgeous glossy white pieces front and center at EuroCucina. Click through for more photos — including one of the prettiest fridges we've seen in a long time. More

Who: Electrolux
What We Noticed: Electrolux is showing some sweet cooktops, and we'll look at them again soon (hello, gas-on-glass!). Here, a first peek at something more unusual: Modular hobs. The option of installing one (or more) single sleek gas burners, anywhere, opens up some interesting ideas for small or inconveniently-shaped spaces, don't you think? Click through for more photos! More

Q: I just read the recent post about using cast iron on a glass cooktop and all the comments from people who own one and hate it! I'm stuck with electric - no gas in our whole building - and wondering about your top recommendations for electric stoves. Thanks!

Sent by Emily More

Q: I would LOVE to be able to use a cast iron skillet on my glasstop electric Kenmore range. Do I really need to pay attention to the manufacturer's caution that it might damage the cooktop?

Has anyone ignored this warning and had good luck cooking with a cast iron pan on this type of cook top?

I know it would be imperative to be super careful. Any advice?

Sent by Debbie More