Which kitchen appliance is right for you?

Your kitchen appliances make up the one of the largest investments in your kitchen upgrade.  If you haven't shopped for new ones in a number of years, it can be a daunting task when you look at all of the options. They need to fulfill your lifestyle and work with the aesthetics of your new kitchen. My top tips: 

Refrigerators: Consider whether you and your family cook and eat from home.  For larger families, larger capacity units will be necessary, as well as the ability for longer preservation of food. Higher end models that offer dual refrigeration, on-door controls, and energy efficiency may be more important for your needs. Those who don’t cook a lot may prefer a snazzy stainless steel or built-in model that looks fantastic. What foods do you store? Do you need door dispensers for water? Is a small drawer unit best for a growing family? Will you need wine storage separately?

Ovens/Stoves: Know how you typically cook. Are you a novice or an experienced cook? Is the energy you use to heat them worthwhile, or is a small counter mounted appliance best for your needs. While convection ovens - versus conventional ovens - use more energy,  expert cooks enjoy the even distribution of heat and can cook food faster and with more control. For a stove or cooktop, there are several options: induction, gas or electric all have their pros and cons. Most beginning cooks appreciate electric for its slow heat up, while experienced cooks prefer induction and ultimately gas stoves for its fast heat up and ability to cook under precise conditions.

Ventilation system: The function of these sytems is to remove heat, moisture and odor from cooking. Range hoods overhead, or down draft systems that are integrated into the counter-top or cooktop are great for unobstructed overhead views. Depending on the size of your stove/cooktop and if you have an integral grill, griddle, burners, and other heating elements, you should select the proper system. Research your favored appliance manufacturer too see what type of ventilation system is recommended for your size kitchen.

Dishwasher: Similarly to your refrigerator, your lifestyle will largely dictate what type of dishwasher will be ideal for your home. Lower end models tend to have simplified controls, while more elaborate ones will have energy efficiency qualities, hidden controls, and noise reduction qualities – especially helpful in small homes or open floor plans. Dishwasher drawers are also available for smaller amounts of dishware and can save water usage when you don’t have large loads to clean.