Princeton, New Jersey, April 2007 – A feast for the eyes… Miele’s new MasterCool™ collection is poised to set a new standard for American food and wine preservation appliances. A recognized leader in European appliance design, Miele will debut its first North American refrigerators, freezers and wine coolers to the trade at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show, May 8-10 in Las Vegas, Nevada and will offer product to consumers later this year. MasterCool™ embodies Miele’s legendary quality and innovation… from its high performance dual-cooling system and intuitive MasterCool™ touch controls to its patented Wi-Fi RemoteVision™ technology that delivers total peace of mind as it protects valuable food and wine investments.

“Our patented MasterCool™ control system beautifully merges accessibility, functionality and design,” states Matthew Kueny, Senior Product Manager for Miele, Inc. “Since most users never know the proper settings to correctly preserve fruits, vegetables and other perishables, the Miele MasterCool™ controls automatically optimize the SmartFresh™ storage drawers by varying the humidity levels and precise temperatures. The controls are conveniently located for all users, regardless of height, and our clear food-driven descriptions (dairy, meat, fruit, etc.) make using them as simple as a touch of a button.” 

“Our research indicated that customers want to be able to see every area of their refrigerator,” continues Kueny. “Our innovative ClearView™ design washes the entire unit in bright, clean light using a sophisticated blend of spot halogens (to highlight items) and an indirect parabolic reflector. These major advances combined with our adjustable Drop and Lock™ shelving system, FullView™ completely extendable drawers and the signature design and styling associated with Miele products makes the MasterCool™ refrigeration line the coolest available.”

MasterCool™ Controls Lock in Freshness

Meat, cheese, produce even seafood, all demand a unique environmental storage condition in order to keep them fresh and flavorful. Milk, for example, is stored perfectly at 40oF, while vegetables require a temperature just above freezing. When it comes to humidity control, meat, fish, dairy and deli last longer in a drier environment than fruits and vegetables. In reality, most homeowners are unfamiliar with how to properly set these levels given the ambiguity of user controls. That’s history. When Miele's MasterCool™ control system is activated, the user is greeted with a food-driven menu system that is easy to view, understand and adjust for each of its four independent cooling zones within the cabinet. This intuitive functionality helps to create and maintain the optimum conditions required for specific food categories so freshness is locked in.

 
Dual Compressor System Keeps Ice and Water Fresh

Icemaker and water/ice dispensing units deliver a truly refreshing drink thanks to Miele’s dual compressor system. All Miele preservation appliances (not only select models) have a dedicated cooling system responsible for each interior compartment guaranteeing the refrigerator and freezer – even if they are housed in a single product like a bottom mount appliance – do not exchange air. This technology eliminates flavor transfer so the salmon stored in the refrigerator doesn’t affect the quality of the ice cubes.

RemoteVision™ Protects Food & Wine Investments

If a family member accidentally left the door ajar to a refrigerator, freezer or wine cooler before leaving for a weekend get-away or if a critical cooling component was to malfunction without detection, the loss and inconvenience would be extensive, especially if storing a valued wine collection or high-quality meats and seafood. With Miele’s innovative RemoteVision™ homeowners will enjoy complete peace of mind, eliminating this anxiety.

Using Miele’s proprietary wireless local area network (WLAN) technology and application software, enabled products will have a 24/7 connection to Miele’s monitoring center. This “virtual link” is established allowing a secured transmission of vital temperature and performance data. If a significant fault occurs, Miele’s client service center will be notified and contact the homeowner or another trusted individual identified on their call roster in order to gain access to the home and fix the problem immediately. By the end of 2008, this technology will be extended to many of Miele’s appliances including dishwashers, ovens, coffee systems, washing machines and tumble dryers. 

ClearView™ Sheds Light Everywhere

Miele’s exclusive ClearView™ lighting system illuminates every nook of the interior cabinet on each level to achieve maximum exposure of all contents. ClearView™ applies uniquely engineered halogen lamps that cascade light from the top and sides of the appliance, eliminating blind or dark areas. Even those items tucked in the rear of a fully stocked refrigerator, concealed by large catering platters or nestled in the storage drawers are in ClearView™.

FullView™ Extends Drawers Completely

FullView™ storage drawers are built from top-quality materials to ensure stability as they fully extend providing an unobstructed view and easy access to contents. FullView™ is a built-in benefit found in all MasterCool™ appliances… refrigerators, freezers and wine coolers.

SmartFresh™ Preserves Foods Longer

SmartFresh™ drawers are customizable to store and preserve food at the perfect temperature and humidity requirements. Users select the drawer location and food type (dairy, meat, vegetables, etc.), from the MasterCool™ menu system and Miele’s signature electronics adjust and maintain the ideal conditions so food is fresher and nutritious longer.

Super Cool Gives Warmed Up Groceries a Boost to the Right Temperature

After stocking either compartment with a significant load of new groceries, including bulky items like fresh poultry or large party platters, engaging Super Cool will override the thermostat and begin cooling the cabinet to a reduced temperature… 35°F in the refrigerator and -22°F in the freezer. Super Cool will continue working to achieve these lowered temperatures for a period of 6 or 52 hours (for the refrigerator and freezer respectively) until it reaches this exact degree or it’s manually disengaged. The result... an accelerated cooling process designed to lock in freshness, taste and texture.

Drop and Lock™ Adjustable Shelves

Adjusting shelves and bins on the door and inside the appliance cabinet is a simple one-handed operation. Miele’s convenient Drop and Lock™ system keeps each unit firmly aligned on its slide-rail framework so an easy “tilt up and slide motion” is all it takes to move the unit higher or lower. Once the desired position is located, simply drop the shelf and watch it automatically lock safely into place.

A floating deli drawer in the refrigertor and unique divider system in the freezer compartment add to the overall flexibility. Both effortlessly glide across shelves or within bins to maximize storage efficiencies.

Stability Hinge™ Eliminates Sagging Doors

Miele products are known the world over for their robust construction. Fully-loaded, with food items on the inside and an elaborate, decorative custom panel on the outside, these hinges are capable of carrying a collective load of over 200 pounds and are tested for over 200,000 door cycles... that’s twice the industry standard! This stamina ensures the door will stay stable, secure and won't sag over time.

TLC Installation System™ is Gentler to Fine Homes

After understanding the challenges installers undertake when securing counter-depth refrigerator or wine cooler units, Miele developed the TLC Installation System™ to make mounting MasterCool™ products a job easy enough for one technician to handle. Key to this system’s success are unique height adjustable rear wheels for smooth steering of the appliance. These high-quality wheels limit possible floor damage and are adjustable for final mounting from the front of the appliance. Additionally, a convenient ladder bracket makes the installation of any panel, stainless steel or custom cabinetry, a snap. The TLC Installation System™: an industry first to save time, labor and costs during the delivery and installation of cooling appliances.

Wine Coolers Precisely Preserve and Protect

Abrupt, or even subtle, changes in storage temperatures can dramatically affect the quality of wine. Miele’s MasterCool™ electronic controls help ensure that temperature fluctuations will not occur. Three unique cooling zones, each with independent controls, are available to store or temper champagne and wine (white or red) at their ideal environmental condition. For instance, the bottom zone can be set to store wine between 45°F - 64°F then be moved up to a tempering zone and held at a prescribed temperature in preparation for the next occasion. White wines and champagnes can be conveniently housed in the third zone, as they require much cooler temperatures.

Regardless of the cooling zone, each bottle is gently cradled on one of 14 shelves made of high-quality acacia wood. Two of these shelves are fixed in place to separate the cooling zones… the rest are FullView™ extendable shelves that make viewing and accessing bottles very easy.

Controlling the humidity level is also important for long-term storage so that corks are kept moist. If wine is kept too long in a room with low humidity, the corks can dry out and will no longer seal the bottles effectively. Miele’s dynamic cooling system ensures an even circulation of air and constant humidity so this problem is alleviated.
 

Illumination of the MasterCool™ wine storage unit is part romance and part functionality. A unique LED system, that doesn’t affect the interior temperature of the cabinet, provides a tastefully display. When the door is opened, the more dramatic ClearView™ halogen based lighting system is activated so one can view everything inside and select the perfect bottle for the occasion.

Modular Design System Offers Maximum Flexibility

MasterCool™ refrigerators, freezers and wine coolers are based on a modular design system allowing for virtually limitless combinations and locations when designing a kitchen environment. Further expanding the options… each appliance can be hinged left or right. These stunning handcrafted appliances are available in stainless steel finish or can be fully integrated behind custom cabinetry.

In the introductory phase, the modular components for the refrigerator and freezer will come in classic 18”, 30” and 36” width dimensions and the wine cooler in a 24” width. Height dimensions include 48”, 54”, 60”, 66” and 72” depending on the product. In door water/ice dispensers are available on the freezer towers and bottom mount freezer configurations are offered.

Retail prices are not yet set.

Long a household name in Germany and throughout Europe, Miele is exploding onto the scene in the United States with its sleek design, superior engineering and unparalleled service. Founded in 1899 on a promise of Immer Besser, a German phrase meaning Forever Better, Miele has distinguished itself in the appliance market with a century-long résumé of major patented innovations.

As the world’s largest family-owned and operated appliance company, Miele is immovably committed to the highest quality, performance and environmental standards. The firm’s innovative heritage, state-of-the-art design and engineering aesthetic have inspired comparison to other German brands synonymous with innovation: Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

Miele’s range of exceptional consumer appliances includes: vacuum cleaners, laundry systems, rotary irons, dishwashers, built-in convection, speed and steam ovens, cooktops, ventilation hoods, refrigeration, wine coolers and coffee systems. In addition, Miele Professional offers commercial cleaning equipment such as laboratory glassware washers, industrial parts cleaning systems, dental disinfectors and commercial wet cleaning systems.

For more information, consumers and design professionals can call 800.843.7231, log on at miele.com or visit one of Miele’s modern product showrooms in Beverly Hills, CA; Boca Raton, FL; Chicago, IL; Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; Princeton, NJ; Wellesley, MA; Salt Lake City, UT; San Francisco, CA; and Seattle, WA. A new showroom will open May 2007 in the Architects and Designers Building (150 East 58th Street) in Manhattan.

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Miele, Inc.

Captions:
Photo1	Miele's bright ClearViewTM lighting system illuminates every nook of the interior cabinet on each level to achieve maximum exposure of all contents Photo: Miele
Photo2	Miele's Super Cool setting accelerates the cooling process... locking in freshness, taste and texture Photo: Miele
Photo 3	Miele's convenient Drop and LockTM system keeps each unit firmly aligned on its slide-rail framework so an easy 'tilt up and slide motion' is all it takes to move the unit higher or lower. Photo: Miele
Photo 4	SmartFreshTM drawers allow you to store and preserve food items at their individual temperature and humidity requirements Photo: Miele
Photo 5	Introducing the new standard for food and wine preservation appliances Photo: Miele

Note to the editor: No royalties if Miele is stated as source