- Top 3 Tips on Planning Your Dream Kitchen
- A Guide To Choosing Kitchen Appliances - Part 2
- A Guide To Choosing Kitchen Appliances
A Guide To Choosing Kitchen Appliances
The two most important appliances in any kitchen are the oven and the fridge/freezer. Without these we'd be lost. Your kitchen is for cooking, and preparing food, and without either one, we'd go hungry pretty quickly. Whether your planning your first kitchen, or you simply need a replacement appliance, our appliance guide is here to help.
Ovens & Cookers
The number one choice you have to make when choosing the right oven, is what fuel you'll be using to cook with. There are three main types that you can choose from:
- Gas
- Electricity
- Combined fuel (Gas & Electricity)
Some swear by gas, whilst others prefer electricity. When it comes to gas based ovens you'll find that they're very energy efficient, environmentally friendly and cook foods quickly. But, these ovens will need to be plumbed into a glass source. Not only the oven, but the rings will be gas powered too. You'll need to think out kitchen placement with this type of cooker, as pipes will need to be fitted and attached to your new oven unit.
Electric ovens are much safer to use, and you don't have to worry so much about placement. You simply plug them in and away you go. If however you go for a combination of fuels (gas & electricity), you'll be able to switch between fuels, and choose which is most suitable to cook with. Again, this will need to be plumbed in, with the addition of an electrical source.
You'll find plenty of varieties that use all three of the fuel types, that come in all different shapes and sizes, and this is the next thing that you need to think about... size. Most ovens and cookers will either be single or double in size, and the amount you cook will determine which size is best suited to you and your household. It's simple the more you cook, the bigger the oven you'll need. So, give this some thought before you buy on-line.
Fridges
Size is again a common issue when it comes to buying fridges. Not only do you have to think about where the fridge is going to go and fit into your kitchen, but you also need to think about how much you'll be putting in it. If you have a large family, then your fringe will need to be larger than average – at around the 12 cubic feet mark. This will ensure that you have plenty of room to keep all of your groceries nice and chilled.
If there is just one or two of you, you could perhaps go for a smaller model – around the 8 – 10 cubic feet mark, that you'll easily be able to fit and integrate into any modern kitchen design. Fridges now come with many additional features such as – wine racks, multiple food and beverage compartments, auto-defrost and ice / water dispensers. These extras often come a with little extra cost, and make a useful addition to any home.
Fridge Freezers
If you're stuck for kitchen space and you simply don't have room for both a fridge and freezer unit, then a fridge freezer could be the answer to all of your problems. These appliances will usually consist of a larger fridge with a smaller freezer unit underneath. Most families find that a fridge freezer provides plenty of space for all of their groceries and frozen goods without taking up any extra room.
Most units are individually adjustable in terms of temperature, allowing you to store your foods at the optimum temperatures. The freezer section will usually consist of 3 or 4 draws, and the fridge will have several shelves along with a salad crisper, as well as other handy compartments and extras.
