Kitchen Encyclopedia: How To choose the best Kitchen Appliances

When you design a new kitchen or remodel an old one, the largest budget in the process is usually buying kitchen appliances. Kitchen appliances are one of the major investments in your house, that is why it is important to choose them with care.

But buying kitchen appliances can be an overwhelming task when you look at all the options, how do you choose?

Here are some tips to guide you through the buying process, this is how you choose the best kitchen appliances.

Ovens

The classic oven-cooktop combination is a classic for a reason, it suits most kitchens in both style and function. Plus, you can find different sizes to suit your space.

Or, if you have a spacious kitchen and are really into cooking you can get a separate oven and cooktop.

This allows for more flexibility in design and cooking, and the possibilities are endless: Double ovens, wall ovens, warming drawers and steam ovens can all potentially find a spot in your kitchen.

Pro tip: when shopping for an oven, spend extra time in the showroom opening and closing the oven doors.

Look at how they seal and ask the salesperson about the differences between seals and springs.

If the oven door does not seal properly it will radiate heat that can make your kitchen unbearable.

Refrigerators

Before you choose a fridge, consider how many times you and your family cook and eat at home.

Larger capacity units may be a necessity for larger families, such as higher end models that offer dual refrigeration as well as energy efficiency.

However, if you have a smaller family, or you just don’t cook a lot, you may prefer an elegant stainless steel or built-in model. Something that caters to your needs without taking up half your kitchen.

Vent hood

People often wonder: Do I really need a vent hood?

And the answer is: If you really cook, then you absolutely need one!

Nonetheless, if you only cook small and simple meals you can easily make do with a small vent.

But, if you have a big family and love cooking for them you need a proper one, something that will truly keep the smoke out of your house.

Pro tip: The hood should be 6 inches wider than the size of the cooktop/range for maximum efficiency.

Dishwasher

Your family’s lifestyle dictates what type of dishwasher you need for your home.

If you will not be using it a lot, look for something small with simplified controls.

On the other hand if you depend on it every day look for something eco-friendly with energy efficiency qualities.

Or, if you live in a small house or have an open floor plan, look noise reduction qualities.

Food processor

A food processor is a kitchen necessity, it enables you to do various things with the same machine such as grate, shred, chop, mince etc. That is why it is one of the most important and versatile kitchen appliances.

When buying a food processor what you should look for is: the number and sizes of blades, and the material of the appliance such as plastic, porcelain or metal.

Most times the machine comes with additional accessories, and these may or may not be useful. So also look for the one that offers the best accessories.

A food processor should be easy to clean and maintain. The best one should come with lids and a wide-feeding tube, along with versatile blades.

Microwave oven

Microwave ovens were essentially used to heat cooked food, but the newer versions can cook, bake and grill.

Consider the oven size and its wattage. Buy one with variable settings and an easy user interface. You can also opt for one with additional functions.

Water purifier

A water purifier is used to Remove impurities and germs from water, making it safe to consume. Different purifiers use different processes of purification.

They come in different shapes and sizes so it is important to measure the space you have before you buy one.

Look for companies that offer a good after sales service as well.