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Kitchen Appliances

The average family spends a lot of time in the kitchen, so the right appliances can not only save time but make the food preparation process a lot more enjoyable. There is a lot available on the market, and the choice can be quite confusing, so we’ve put together some tips on how to choose that perfect appliance.

Design Considerations

There are two general types of kitchen appliances - built in and freestanding. Built in appliances include things such as the stove and dishwasher while freestanding appliances are usually smaller such as a mixer, kettle or juicer. However, the kitchen should be designed to accommodate all types of appliances. For the larger appliances such as the refrigerator, oven and cooktop, they should be well placed within the work triangle (see kitchen design for more information). Smaller appliances can be placed in an appliance cupboard with roller or bi-fold doors if bench space is at a premium.

When choosing appliances, it is important to work out how often you cook, and what you are most likely to cook. For example, if you eat a lot of stirfrys you may require a cooktop with a wok burner. Also, stay realistic. There is no point in spending a lot of money on an appliance with features that you are unlikely to ever use. Set yourself a budget and stick to it. This will see you being much less likely to fall for appliances that feature the latest “tricks”.

Appliances can be matched to the kitchen either through fully or semi-integrating them or alternatively through using complementing finishes such as stainless steel, brushed aluminium, black or traditional white. Many smaller appliances are also coming out in a range of colours such as blue, red, pink and so on. You do not have to buy all of your appliances from one manufacturer, however it is best to if you want a fully matched look.

Fridges and Freezers

Because fridges and freezers can use a lot of energy, it is worth looking for an energy efficient model to save not only the environment but your electricity bills. Look for the number of stars that the appliance has – the more stars the better. Also ensure that you choose the right size for your needs. If you have a large family, one large refrigerator is generally more efficient than two smaller ones. Also, models that have one door above the other are more efficient than side-by-side refrigerators. If you require a lot of freezer space, look for a chest freezer as opposed to an upright one as they lose less cold air.

When selecting your fridge and/or freezer, look for features such as easy to reach and operate temperature controls that are separate for fridge and freezer, adjustable shelving, and a door open alarm.

Dishwashers

When choosing a dishwasher, ensure that you get the correct size for your needs so that you don’t have to wash partial loads, or do more loads than you need. It is also important to get the most water and energy efficient model you can. When looking for a dishwasher, try to find one that has hot and cold water connections, or just a cold connection. If the dishwasher only has a hot water connection, it will heat water through the whole cycle, using much more energy. Also look for economy cycles to save both water and time.

Microwaves

Microwaves now come in a range of styles and features and are no longer used just to reheat and defrost food. New technology has allowed microwaves to come with a range of pre-programmed options that let users cook a whole meal simply by pushing a button. There are also combination microwaves that feature both microwave and electric cooking. Sensor cooking is another recent innovation and it works by the microwave sensing how much steam is in the microwave and adjusting cooking time to suit. New microwaves are available with pull down doors and in different finishes to the traditional white, such as black and stainless steel.

Cooktops

There are a variety of cooktops available on the market. These include:

gas – offers instant heat and allows you to control the heat precisely
electric – cheaper than gas, however elements take longer to heat and adjust
combination – has both electric and gas elements, allowing the advantages of both
induction – uses electromagnetic energy that starts when the pot touches the cooktop. It is energy efficient, safe, and allows rapid temperature adjustments

Cooktops also come with features such as stain-resistant surfaces, wok burners, and integrated features such as having the kitchen sink included.

Ovens

There are several types of ovens and we have outlined the most common below:

gas – uses a raw flame to create heat, meaning that heating the oven is faster and it is easier to maintain high heat levels
electric – still a popular choice with the temperature being easy to maintain. It is also likely that electric ovens will have multiple functions
steam – gaining popularity as it allows the user to adjust humidity and temperature in order to stop food from drying out. It also eliminates the need to use oil or fat
combination – a combination of two types of ovens such as gas or electric combined with steam
fan-forced – uses a fan to circulate heat in the oven, heating the oven faster and more effectively
multi-function – an immensely popular option that combines a fan, oven and griller

Ovens can be freestanding or wall-mounted. Colour-wise, stainless steel is still extremely popular but black is also an option. Look for features such as self-cleaning ability and programmability.

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