A guide to choosing the best kitchen appliances

Thursday, 22 March 2012 5:02 PM

You've bought new cupboards, redone the tiles and painted the walls of your kitchen. However, to really make the room stand out, you'll want to invest in good-quality appliances for the kitchen. So, whatever you're looking for, read our guide on how to pick the right items for you.

Having modern, high-tech appliances can make a kitchen. Not only will they look good and enable newly-decorated rooms to appear their best, but they are intended to be helpful and beneficial to you and your cooking.

Cookers

Picking the right cooker for your home can be quite complicated. The first thing you need to do is consider how much space you have available, so you can know how big a model you can fit in your kitchen.

You can also opt for a freestanding cooker - perfect if you think you might move in a couple of years. Alternatively, you might prefer an in-built cooker if you're planning on renovating your entire kitchen.

Think about whether you'd prefer a gas, electric or dual cooker. This will depend on whether you have a gas supply that can be easily connected to the appliance, as well as your personal preference.

If you have a big family, cook a lot or you want to make your big kitchen look even better, you might like range cookers. These allow you to have more than one oven space, as well as several hobs, which means that cooking for a large group of people is easier than ever.

Dishwashers

Another appliance that many households couldn't live without is the dishwasher, so it is important that you get one that will help you keep your plates and bowls clean as effectively as possible.

As with your cooker, make sure you get a dishwasher that will fit in your kitchen. They are normally available in two different sizes, a slim-line version at 45 cm wide and a full-size one at 60 cm. If you only have a small amount of space, opt for the slimmer model, and you will still be able to enjoy the benefits of clean pots and pans.

You can typically fit nine place settings in a narrow machine, while 12 can be cleaned in the full size variety. If you only have a galley kitchen, choose a tabletop version, which can fit neatly on the top of your counter.

Coffee machines

Coffee machines aren't necessarily an appliance that every home has, but if you're a fan of the beverage, you won't be able to live without the latest coffee-making gadget. However, there are several types of machines available, making choosing one a difficult process.

One option is the percolator, with this cheap kitchen accessory being the easiest way to make coffee quickly - if you don't want instant coffee, that is. They work by heating water in the system on the hob and dripping it through the coffee for a strong flavour.

For those whose coffee has to taste strong, opt for a pump machine. These heat the water up and pump it through the coffee grounds at the right pressure, giving you the perfect espresso or cappuccino (if you add frothy milk) that you desire.

Once you have your ideal kitchen homeware, you'll be able to make the most of this sociable room and show it off to your friends and family all the time.


 

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• cookers
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• dishwashers
,
• kitchen appliances