The Art of Choosing Kitchen Appliances

 

If you’re renovating your old kitchen or moving into a place which doesn’t have a fully-equipped kitchen, one of the most important things you’ll have to do is choose new kitchen appliances. The first thing most people think of at this moment is that such appliances are the most expensive item in their kitchen budget. Well, it turns out that’s not true since they take up around ten percent of the total budget on average.

Still, some careful and informed decisions need to be made. Apart from the price, you should really consider various features and performance indicators, particularly when it comes to energy efficiency. In terms of design, most people still favor white appliances, while the black and stainless steel ones are growing in popularity. Here are some tips you might find useful when it comes to choosing kitchen appliances.

Oven

There are so many different ovens out there that many people find the choice simply too overwhelming and focus solely on the price. When choosing the right one for you, you have to start from your actual needs, habits and available space. If you don’t have much space, you can opt for a single unit with a cooktop above and an oven below.

On the other hand, if you have a big family and like cooking, you might choose a stove with as many as six or even eight burners and various options for basting, grilling and warming. Modular cooktops are one of the most modern solutions that allow you to combine burners, griddles, steamers and deep-fry units. Basically, your imagination and budget are the only limiting factors.

Refrigerator

Possibly the most important element is the refrigerator since it’s the only appliance in your kitchen that is constantly in use. Again, you need to consider your needs in terms of the refrigerator size. You don’t want to buy a fridge that is not big enough for all the food that needs to be stored. Also, don’t forget the amount of drinks that you need during the summer.

There are still traditional freezer-on-top models with wire shelves, although adjustable glass shelves are now much more popular. Modern refrigerators have a meat keeper with temperature control, an ice-maker and a vegetable crisper with humidity control.

Finally, there are two-part units with the freezer below the refrigerator, or side-by-side units with a water dispenser. With such a wide variety, you’re sure to find the best option for you and your family.

Dishwasher

When it comes to dishwashers, you are spoilt for choice, ranging from small, countertop units to state-of-the-art models. What they all have in common is the fact that they are built to consume much less energy and are much quieter than the older models.

You should definitely look for Energy Star certified devices, such as the new generation of Maytag dishwashers, since they use fewer kilowatt-hours per wash cycle and less water. You can also choose between portable and built-in models, which are hidden behind panels. Naturally, the price varies depending on the quality of the materials used and the number of option, but you can find a good dishwasher in almost every price range.

Sink

They may not seem an important element of the kitchen, but sinks are so much more than providers of hot and cold water. They are made of different materials and feature things such as a water purifier, garbage disposal, etc. In addition, you can choose among sinks of all sizes and shapes, depending on the space available, your taste and budget.

One thing that people often don’t pay attention to when buying a sink is its depth. Namely, you should look for a sink that is at least eight inches deep, although you might even go for a deeper one if you have to wash a lot of stockpots and roasters. In most cases, we’re talking about a single- or double-bowled sink, although there are also three-bowl sinks which feature a small bowl with a garbage disposer located between two larger bowls. In order to prevent accidents, people often top this bowl with a cutting board.

These are just some tips on what you need to consider when buying kitchen appliances. Basically, you have to focus on what you really need and can afford and then look for energy-efficient solutions whose design you find suitable.