What is a kitchen without it’s appliances?   After all, the primary function of a kitchen is for cooking and preparing meals, (unless you’re my mother who once looked at an apartment in NYC and didn’t realize there wasn’t a kitchen!).  Functionally obsolete appliances can turn the joy of cooking into the agony of defeat, they’re also one of the first things a buyer will notice about your kitchen.  A little paint can refresh tired looking wood cabinets but there’s no hiding that harvest gold range!

If your appliances could use an update, here are some tips on how to choose the right cooktop, fridge and more.

Cooktops – Gas, Electric or Induction

   The choice is personal, but the preferences are fierce!  Gas is very popular because there is more control of the temperature settings. With gas  you can turn the heat up or down immediately  & with more precision, as opposed to electric units which adjust more slowly.  When shopping for gas cooktops  ask about BTU’s which is an energy measurement and is short for british thermal units, and variable control which addresses how long you can maintain “simmer” without the flame going out.  Burner grates made of cast iron or metal allow for better heat transfer from the burner to the pan.  Choices for fuel are either natural gas or propane, so  if you are not in an area with gas available, propane is the way to go.

Electric is the most common option – these are flat top models which tend to be the least expensive option and what you will find in most homes.

Induction heat  is a flat cooktop like electric that performs like fast-heating gas stoves and is gaining popularity in todays’ kitchen.  With induction cooking you lose the least amount of heat from burner to pan.   It’s also a time-saver because you can bring a pan of water to boiling faster than you can on a high performing BTU gas range top.

Range Hood 

Any cooktop demands a proper ventilation system that will usher exhaust out of the kitchen. Recirculating fans may take out some of the cooking steam, but they don’t move out any heat.  Exterior blowers and inline blowers provide high-performance ventilation.  Noise levels can vary, if you hear the sound of suction (and not the motor running) this is a good thing.  No one wants to turn on the range hood and think a Cessna is about to land in their kitchen.

Ovens

 Conventional ovens  can be gas or electric (there are even dual energy range options where you have a gas cooktop and an electric oven). Styles vary from an all-in-one  cooktop/oven range to wall mounted double or single oven units. Interior size is an important factor when shopping – you should make sure the Thanksgiving turkey is going to fit!

Convection ovens are often an option within a conventional oven (or sometimes microwave-we’ll get to that later).  They circulate heat with a fan to cook food faster and more evenly and will help you get dinner on the table faster than a traditional oven.  The downside is you don’t get the standard bake/roast/broil settings.

Refrigerators/Freezers

 Freestanding models slide into a space and generally protrude 6 to 7 inches beyond counter depth (a 24 inch depth is standard).  Counter-depth units will look more like built-in units but be careful not to sacrifice form for function.  Check out the interior cubic feet of storage for each unit.

As for configuration, French-door refrigerators (on top) with freezer drawer (on bottom) are very popular.  They allow you to store pizza boxes, sheet cakes, deli trays, etc. that are difficult to fit into a side by side refrigerator. You can also choose the traditional freezer on the top/refrigerator on the bottom or a side-by-side option.

Another consideration is if you want a water/ice in the door dispenser. If you  are focused on water purification, there are units that will accomplish this.  Otherwise the systems simply pass water through a copper pipe in the unit and out your refrigerator door.

Microwaves

Microwaves can consume a lot of counter space.  Microwaves built into the cabinetry are becoming very popular as well as microwave drawers which nestle among base cabinets and are very handy. Built-in microwaves over the range can also act as a venting mechanism.  As mentioned above, there are many models that also have a convection oven cooking feature.

Dishwashers

Traditional dishwashers with doors that pull from the top down are the most popular style and they can be paneled to blend with the cabinetry for a seamless look.  Drawer dishwashers are another trend on the rise because they are easier to load and can be installed at various heights, based on your needs.  Because they can handle smaller loads, they are also more efficient.

This is another appliance where noise levels can vary.  If you want to have a conversation while the dishwasher is running, make sure to check out the decibel level on the spec sheet to see how quietly it will operate.

Finishes

                             Now that you’ve considered your appliances, think about finish.  Stainless steel is still the most popular but now comes in more varieties than the traditional polished finish.  Black stainless has a more muted tone and smudge free has a more brushed appearance. Both eliminate the common “finger prints” complaint when considering stainless steel appliances. Whatever look you prefer, stainless is still the most requested finish among buyers.

Energy Efficiency

Last but certainly not least, consider energy ratings when purchasing appliances.  The higher the rating the more you will save on your electric bill and energy consumption. A factor any home owner will appreciate!

 What time is dinner?

 

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