Tag: efficiency

3 Kitchen Appliance Trends You Can Get Excited About

Many sources make the claim that the kitchen is the true heart of any home. This is a broadly true statement if the kitchen is used for cooking, baking and socializing. But, sadly, many people don’t spend much time in their kitchens, and they may be packed with out of date appliances. If the kitchen isn’t an efficient and pleasant place to hang out, can it be the heart of your home? In this article, we will look at three exciting kitchen appliance trends that may inspire you and help you to get more excited about making the most of your kitchen.

  1. Improved Efficiency

If you want to enjoy cooking in your kitchen, it’s a great idea to have efficient appliances. A good kitchen layout, a place to stash your cookware and utensils when they are not in use, and handy central island are all beneficial. But, if you don’t have the right appliances, cooking can be a real chore and a time suck. Investing in smarter and more efficient appliances simply makes good sense if you want to enjoy your kitchen more. Every appliance from a modern range to your refrigerator can be controlled via a handy app on your favorite mobile device these days. Energy efficient appliances are also easier on your bank balance, and you will see a significant drop in your energy bills.

  1. Changing Appliances to Meet New Needs

One of the best things about a modern kitchen is that it’s relatively easy to change your kitchen appliances when you decide on a change. Perhaps you want appliances to match your kitchen remodel decor, or you’re looking for a new style. There are plenty of options to consider, and some outlets offer great deals on premium grade appliances. But, there may be practical reasons why you need to change the appliances in your kitchen. As an example: if you want an area for kids to heat food themselves without adult input, but you lack space for a countertop microwave oven, you could install and over range microwave instead. Another great option is a “French style” oven door that opens from the side rather than the front like a typical oven. These oven doors offer easier access, which is fantastic for people with smaller kitchens or problems bending over to reach into an oven.

  1. Upgraded Cooking

Many top chefs now espouse the benefits of an induction range for precise and efficient cooking. An induction range uses an electromagnetic field to heat a cast iron or special pan to cook your food faster. The actual induction cooktop produces no heat at all, and you can even place your hand there when cooking! Induction cooktops offer a great deal of control over the heat that you can only find with a gas cooktop. Another cool option is counter depth refrigerator that’s easier to access without diving deep into the appliance. Many modern refrigerators now have a full complement of clever storage solutions to efficiently store a wide variety of food safely. This helps the user to stay organized, and if the refrigerator is smart, it can even update you on the contents and suggest grocery items to put on your shopping list.

In the past, many of these features were beyond the reach of most people. But in recent years they have become more affordable, and they offer a great deal of functionality. If you want to get excited about your kitchen again, any or all of these options would be a great place to start.

If you would like to explore the latest trends in kitchen appliances, you can check your options with our online collection. You can also speak to one of our home appliance experts for additional help and guidance.

Should You Choose a Metal or Glass Cooktop?

A cooktop is an integral component of a fully functioning kitchen, but while many people choose their new cooktop based on aesthetics, there are some other factors that need to be considered. There are a number of differences between metal and glass cooktops that are not just cosmetic. So, here we’ll explore these factors to help you choose whether a metal or glass cooktop is the right option for your kitchen.

Initial Price

While price should not be the only consideration, it can be a factor for most homeowners. Generally, metal cooktops are less expensive compared to their glass counterparts. There are other factors such as features, brand, length of warranty and quality that can affect the initial price, but generally, you can expect to pay approximately $100 more for a glass cooktop.

Efficiency

While the initial price might be something you’ve already looked at, you may not have considered the long-term costs. Generally, glass cooktops are more efficient compared to a metal top and coils. If you enjoy cooking frequently, you should consider a glass cooktop, which has a high energy rating as the savings on your energy bills in the months and years to come would more than cover the difference in the initial purchase costs. If you want to ensure maximum efficiency, opt for a cooktop that automatically adjusts your burner to the size of your pan or pot to save even more energy.

Cleaning Ease

No one enjoys trying to scrub baked-on food debris off a cooktop, and this is something you should consider when shopping for a new model. While a smooth glass top may look very easy to clean, you still need to be very careful. If you allow a spill to sit on the glass for a prolonged period, it will become very difficult to remove. Metal cooktops can also be a cleaning challenge, as you need to clean the heating elements and the surrounding surface. This tends to be quite labor intensive, but if a spill does sit for a while, it won’t be as hard to clean as a glass cooktop.

If cleaning is an important consideration for you, you may wish to consider an induction cooktop. Induction uses magnetic energy to heat your cookware, so the surrounding area does not get hot. This makes cleaning spills easy as nothing is baked on to the surface.

Additional Features

If you’re happy with a simple cooktop design, a metal model is likely to provide just what you’re looking for. Apart from the size and type of coil elements, the only additional features are likely to be adjustable burner sizes and rapid heating. On the other hand, glass cooktops tend to offer far more options that can enhance your cooking style. From automatic pan size sensors and touch controls to heat sensors, you can calibrate your cooktop precisely to suit the particular dish you’re preparing.

To ensure that you choose the right cooktop, you need to seriously consider what features are essential in your kitchen. If you’re a serious foodie, it is well worth investing in a more sophisticated cooktop such as an induction model. This type of cooktop allows precision cooking and rapid results. It is also safer, as there is no risk of burns from hot surfaces; the only heat generated is between the cookware and the induction element.

Although aesthetics are important in any kitchen, a cooktop needs to offer maximum practicality. Therefore, it is essential to consider these factors before making a purchase decision.

If you are considering a new cooktop, you can explore your options with this online collection or speak to a home appliance expert for a more specialist service.