How to Pick Your Important Kitchen Appliances
Your kitchen appliances are some of the most important equipment in your home. Not only do they significantly impact your daily quality of life (Don’t believe that? Try cooking meals in a toaster oven.), but they also play a major role in your kitchen décor. With the right appliances, cooking and cleaning will be convenient, and your kitchen will look like it was designed by a decorator to the stars.
Kitchen appliances also represent a significant investment, so once you buy one, you will likely be stuck with it for a while. It is important that you make the best choice the first time.
What constitutes the “best” appliance will vary for each person. However, here are a few tips that anyone can use to make the best choices for their important kitchen appliances:
Consider Cost
There are two things that make up the cost of your appliances: The purchase price and the cost of maintaining them. The purchase price is a fairly simple thing to quantify. You can comparison shop to learn if the price you are seeing is a good value or not. However, when comparing prices, it is important to make sure you are comparing “apples to apples.” That means that you should be comparing appliances that are exactly alike. A refrigerator that has additional features like a water and ice dispenser is going to cost a little more than the same model that doesn’t have those features.
The cost of maintaining your appliances mostly comes down to how much energy they consume. When you buy Energy Star appliances, you can see how much energy the appliance consumes and an estimate for how much you will spend on your electricity bill. You’ll even get an estimate of how much you will save compared to non-energy-efficient appliances.
Other appliances should have information on how much wattage they consume, and you can use that to create your own estimates for energy charges.
Know the Requirements
Some kitchen appliances just need to be plugged into an outlet, like your refrigerator. Some need special hookups, like your gas stove or your dishwasher. Before you buy an appliance, you need to know all the requirements for hooking it up and for running it.
Most major appliances won’t need anything that your home doesn’t already have. The primary exceptions will be a dishwasher where you don’t have the plumbing already hooked up or a gas stove where you don’t already have a gas line. You may also need special hookups for a garbage disposal.
Consult with the appropriate contractor to install any hookups you need for appliances that you can’t live without, like a dishwasher.
Measure Your Space
When you live in a small space, you have to make your choices even more carefully. You may not have enough room for a dishwasher. You may not even have enough room for a side-by-side refrigerator and freezer.
No matter how small or large your space is, you will need to measure the area where you want to install the appliance. Otherwise, you may learn that the stove doesn’t fit between the cabinets where you want to put it or that the refrigerator won’t fit under the overhanging cabinet. You’ll then either have to go through the hassle of returning the appliance or making major changes to your kitchen space.
The easiest way to get what you need and avoid all these issues is to simply measure the space where you want to put your appliances and then check the specs on your appliances before you buy.
Check Out the Features
Many appliances include several more features to enhance their functionality. For example, a refrigerator may have anice maker or a crisper with humidity and temperature control. A stove could have a separate warming tray or a self-cleaning feature. A dishwasher could have multiple cycles so you can adjust the wash for the severity of thebuildup on the dishes.
Each of these features provides added value for your appliances. You’ll get more for your money, and you’ll find life in the kitchen to be much easier. Don’t just make your decision on cost. Consider what value each of these features has to you and choose appropriately.
Choose for Design
Appliances come in a wide variety of designs and colors. After you choose the features you need, you can select for design, ensuring that you find something that suits your personal style and enhances the décor in your kitchen.
Have a little fun when you’re choosing the design. Consider trying out some unexpected colors or some retro designs. You want the appliances to suit your style, but you also want them to be unique.
Learn about Extra Services
Many retailers offer extra services when you buy your appliances, such as free delivery or installation. Most people don’t have a big truck to transport their own new appliance purchase, so this comes in really handy. The installation service also ensures that your appliances are hooked up properly – since the job isn’t always as easy as it seems.
Most retailers offer delivery and installation even if the services aren’t free. Consider these costs in the overall cost of purchase to determine if the total is worth it to you.
Check for a Warranty
Most important kitchen appliances represent a major investment. If something breaks down, you could pay a few hundred dollars for a repair and even more for a replacement. By purchasing appliances that come with a warranty, you protect yourself against some of those losses. You’ll be able to keep your appliances for many more years, and you’ll lower your overall maintenance costs.
Choosing your important kitchen appliances is a major decision. Make sure you choose correctly by using these essential guidelines. You’ll get quality appliances that will look great in your kitchen and will make cooking and clean up a breeze. With the right selections, you won’t have to buy another appliance for many more years.