While sharing Chef Marcus Samuelsson's cooking advice the other day, we briefly mentioned his new line of "Inspired by Marcus" ranges from BlueStar. One feature of the ranges is so striking that we thought it deserved a post of its own. In fact, it has challenged our assumptions about oven design!
The first thing we noticed about this range, besides its beautiful, sleek color and form, was its double French doors – a common feature in professional kitchens but not often found in the home.
Chef Samuelsson explained that this design makes it easier and safer for the cook. Opening the handle with your left hand, both doors gradually open, and you can use your right hand to move food in and out of the oven. We suddenly had visions of all the times we've dealt with traditional oven doors that threaten to spring shut or burn us as we lean over them, intrude upon valuable floor space in small kitchens, and let out all the heat. The French door design just makes so much sense.
The Inspired by Marcus ranges are also marked by restaurant-quality features like additional BTU power (22,000 and 18,000), which gives homes cooks the ability to cook and sear with high heat. They also include a simmer burner and a French top, griddle, or charbroiler, and come in six colors: Infused Copper, Statuary Bronze, Ginger Spice, Enchanted Silver, Enchanted Sand, and Matte Black.
For more information, visit BlueStar.
Related: Marcus Samuelsson: Cook Through Your History
(Images: BlueStar)
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This is so beautiful, and I love (love!) the doors. They seem especially good for tight-ish spaces. I hate how much room the traditional door takes up as it swings down into the room.
I wish Blue Star products were more affordable.
I love the doors too, but I forsee one possible problem - if you ever want to pull a rack out slightly to better get at a dish, you have to open the doors all the way. Although, I suppose with french doors you could get close enough to just stick your arms in the oven to reach something. Still, that might be a little dangerous.
I love the double doors, they're like the ovens we have at the bakery I work at. It makes it so much easier to clean too, you can actually reach the back! I wish I a) had the money and b) had a kitchen to re-appliance so I would have a reason to get one!
@vintagejenta I always seem to have to open the door on my home oven all the way when trying to get to a dish anyway.
... how do the french doors prevent heat from escaping?
Dream of having a French top!