Choosing Major Kitchen Appliances

Making the right decisions about large ticket kitchen appliances means considering design options, décor, current trends and of course your budget. The major kitchen appliances are; dishwashers, stove or cook top, refrigerator, freezers, and possibly a trash compactor.

Choosing kitchen appliances can be fun, but homeowners should think of their family and lifestyle first. You do not need a designer to choose your kitchen appliances. You should consider what you want for appliances and how they will impact space and traffic patterns in your kitchen. Most kitchen supply centers offer free advice and kitchen layout ideas to help you design your kitchen and choose the right appliance to suit your needs.

Dishwasher:

Dishwashers undergo major changes nearly every year. Over time the loud, clunky, eyesores dishwasher have disappeared. Although inexpensive models are still available, most of these disappointing as the just models don’t do the job. Look for models that are more attractive with modern features such as concealed control panels built into the top of the door and stylized paneling that gives the dishwasher a more pleasant look without standing out. Most of the modern models have quieter motors and stainless steel interiors that help deaden dishwasher noise.

Don’t overlook the possibility of buying more than one dishwasher. The growing trend in kitchen design is layouts that utilize two dishwashers in the kitchens. For larger families or homes that like to entertain, one dishwasher can be cleaning while the other is being filled with new dirty dishes or in a drying mode.

Companies like Kitchen Aid and Fisher have come up with dishwasher drawers, essentially two independent dishwashing drawers that are stacked on top of one another to accommodate single or double drawer loads. If there’s a shortage of storage space for dishware, one drawer can hold dishes while the other washes them. I prefer the LG line as they have a large variety of modern designs and have great reliability in all there appliances.

Homeowners should be on the lookout for energy-efficiency, shorter cycles, and advanced features designed to cut time washing and save energy. Many modern dishwashers hold 40 or more ounces of detergent for automatic release with each load. Jenn-Air’s 3-tiered dishwasher has adjustable racks and a washing arm under each rack which is a great modern dishwasher design feature.

Refrigerators/ Freezers:

Choosing the right refrigerator or refrigerator/freezer combination is a difficult choice. The popular trend is the side by side refrigerator – freezer. Unfortunately most homeowners find these units inadequate as neither the refrigerator nor the freezer is adequate for their needs. The most popular choice in a combination unit is with a drawer freezer on the bottom or a door freezer on the top of the refrigerator section. They tend to be more spacious for most family needs. Having a separate refrigerator and freezer may be a solution that meets your needs but you have to consider the amount of kitchen space they occupy. If you do purchase a separate freezer I recommend the chest type as they use less power overall than upright freezers.

Stoves / Ranges and Cook Tops

We use to have stoves or ranges that now have been replaced by cook tops. Cook tops are fully independent from ovens, which brings more features and flexibility to both. Cook tops are becoming more popular in residential kitchens because they truly cater to the gourmet chef. High-end gas cook tops feature low-level BTU output settings for cooking light sauces or melting butter and chocolate. They provide maximum control for precise cooking. Look for burners with an inner and an outer flame for high precision and consistent heating.

Homeowners can still purchase traditional cooktops and stoves, both electric or gas, that incorporate a cooking surface and ovens. Duel ovens are a very popular choice; one is smaller than the other and uses less energy for baking smaller items. Modern ovens can bake in both convection and radiation modes.

Choosing major kitchen appliances for your home is a difficult task at best, but most kitchen supply centers offer assistance that should not be ignored. Always look for the energy efficient appliance. A professional kitchen decorator is not necessary as you know your budget, how you want the kitchen to look and any advice can be gotten from the kitchen supply center.

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