Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Appliances

The kitchen is one of the most essential parts of the house that should be filled with useful appliances. It is the area where food is prepared, cooked, and as well as stored. When it comes to food preparation, there are several essential kitchen appliances needed to be able to do it effectively. 

Cooking at home gives you a chance to make simple, healthy, and delicious meals. However, most of the time, cooking can be tiring and time-consuming. There are times when the simplicity of cooking can turn into complexity, and it’s not all the time that you end up with delicious meals. But if you have the right kitchen appliances, you can make food preparation a lot better, easier, and more enjoyable. In addition to that, good kitchen appliances can also motivate you to create new recipes for the whole family. 

If you have a new kitchen, or you’re planning to upgrade your kitchen at home and are looking for tips when it comes to appliances, you’re in the right place. Read on as we’re giving you the ultimate guide to kitchen appliances. Check out commercial dishwasher cleaning for more information.

Different Kitchen Sections

Every kitchen has different sections, based on the size, location, and how you plan to use it. Here are some of the different parts of a kitchen:

  • Main Kitchen: This is the area where you cook meals. Some of the appliances found here are refrigerators, ovens, and stoves. 
  • Baking Area: This part is an area where you can prepare bakery items like cakes, cookies, bread, and biscuits.
  • Cooking Area: This is the part of the kitchen where you clean and wash utensils, containers, pots, plates, and other kitchen items. 
  • Prep Area: This part is where you prepare vegetables and other food items. You can sort, cut, and slice the different ingredients here. 
  • Storeroom: This is a place where you store your food and other kitchen items.

Not all kitchens have all these sections. Some kitchens are very simple, and they usually just have the main kitchen and the cooking area, and that’s where they do all the preparations, as well. Therefore, when you buy appliances, make sure that they will match the kitchen style that you have, and of course, will cater to all your needs. You can also read our article about Fixtures and Appliance Considerations When Planning a New Kitchen for more ideas.

Essential Kitchen Appliances

There are many different kitchen appliances that you can find in stores. If you are setting up a new kitchen, it is very important to have the essential appliances first to be able to prepare and cook meals easily. Here are some of the essential kitchen appliances:

Stoves

a kitchen stove

Stoves are the most important kitchen appliances as they are mainly used for cooking. Old models of stoves have an enclosed area where wood and coal were burnt to generate fire and heat to cook food. But today, most stoves run on either gas or electricity. 

A stove is usually made with an incorporated heating device, and you can use it for heating and baking. Modern stoves have multiple burners that range from four to six. You can also find stoves that combine both gas burners and electric burners in one stove. It provides a backup option if you run out of gas or if ever there is a power outage. 

Also, when it comes to stoves, you can choose whether you will get range cookers or oven and cooktop. Range cookers are usually bigger, offering 5 to 9 burners, two separate ovens, a warming drawer, and a grill. However, they are also more expensive. The oven and cooktop, on the other hand, are more flexible in layout. They are also less expensive but may add value to your home as they are built-in. If you need more ideas in choosing stoves, you can check out our article about the different Types of Stoves.

Oven

a heavy-duty oven

Ovens, depending on your cooking preferences and techniques, could turn into the most useful or most underused kitchen appliance. This is because not all home cooks utilize ovens daily. However, if you love slow-cooked meals and roasts, then an oven is a necessity in your kitchen. 

When choosing an oven, it is essential to find one that is big enough for your whole family. Also, make sure that it fits in your kitchen layout. The features and other add-ons of the oven will depend on your needs and preferences. If you need a guide in buying one, you can read our list of Things to Consider When Choosing the Best Oven.

Dishwasher

plates and mug in a dishwasher

After a long day of cooking and cleaning, doing the dishes is quite daunting. This is why investing in a good dishwasher is also essential. A dishwasher can make your life easier. Instead of spending a lot of time washing the dishes, you can instead load a dishwasher to clean your kitchen utensils instantly.

Like with other kitchen appliances, you also need to consider your lifestyle and the quantity that the dishwasher will need to handle when choosing one. There are three sizes of dishwashers, which are full, slimline, and compact. Full dishwashers can handle 120 to 150 items. Slimline dishwashers can work well with 90 to 100 items. Compact dishwashers are perfect for smaller families as they can handle 40 to 60 items. Some dishwashers also offer additional features, such as adjustable shelves, safety locks, and larger spray heads for thorough cleaning. Aside from that, they also come in different styles. You can read our article about the Different Dishwasher Styles to learn more about it.

Refrigerators

a teal refrigerator

Food storage is also very important, and the best way to keep your ingredients and leftovers fresh is by putting them in the refrigerator. The refrigerator is one of the heavily used kitchen appliances. To choose a good refrigerator for your kitchen, you need to consider the space, your spatial requirements, size, cleaning, and of course, your budget. 

Among these, the biggest consideration is the available space. When choosing a new refrigerator, you need to choose whether you want full upright or under-counter units. You also need to think about spatial requirements. Do you store lots of fruits and vegetables, do you buy bottled water, do you need a unit that makes ice? 

When choosing the size of the refrigerator, you also need to consider the size of your family. A bigger family needs to have more refrigeration capacity. Also, try to pay attention to the materials of the refrigerator. High gloss and stainless refrigerators are usually high maintenance. If you are not keen on cleaning, it is better to opt for faux stainless-steel finishes. 

Another factor that you need to consider is the energy efficiency of the unit. If the fridge is energy-efficient, then it will greatly help your bill. Lastly, ensure that you consider your budget when buying a refrigerator. Make sure that you get one that you can afford and will last you many years. 

Microwaves

a white microwave

Microwaves are also essential kitchen appliances. You can use them to reheat food, cook food, make popcorn, and more. It uses radiation to heat molecules within the food. There are also two types of microwaves, which are conventional and convection. 

Conventional microwaves are cost-effective and easy to use. They can accommodate plastic containers. However, they tend to reduce the crispiness and flavor of food and do not have browning capabilities. 

Convection microwaves, on the other hand, are more expensive. But they can function as both a microwave or oven. You can use metal cookware in its convection setting. It is perfect for reheating, cooking, and baking. 

Ventilation System

a range hood

Many people often forget about the ventilation system in the kitchen when it comes to appliances, but this is also essential. Range hoods overhead and downdraft systems that are integrated into the cooktop are good for unobstructed overhead views. Higher ventilation systems are required if you have burners, griddle, an integral grill, and other heating elements. You can also ask your favored appliance manufacture to see what type of ventilation system is perfect for your kitchen. 

Small Essential Appliances

In addition to the main kitchen appliances that you must have, there are also small kitchen appliances that are very useful. These are the kitchen appliances that many homeowners can’t live without.

Juicers

Juicing is a great way to consume large amounts of fruits and vegetables. If you like to drink fresh fruit juices, then buying a juicer is advisable for you. Juicers also come in different kinds, such as citrus juicers, cold press juicers, slow juicers, and more. They have sharp blades that cut through the veggies and fruits for juicing purposes. 

When buying a juicer, you need to choose one that is easy to use and simple to clean up. In addition to that, you also need to think about factors like capacity, speed, and noise efficiency. Philips Juicer is considered one of the best options. Read more here.

Electric Kettle

a stainless electric kettle

An electric kettle is useful when it comes to preparing coffee, tea, and other hot beverages. In addition to that, it can also be used to prepare soup and pasta and to boil a small amount of water for other uses. A user-friendly electric kettle is a great choice. You also need to pick one that has an ergonomic design with a spout for easy pouring without creating a mess. 

Some electric kettle also has a time and temperature control setting so that you can cook different food items. Automatic electric kettles are great as they switch off automatically as soon as the water reaches its boiling point. 

Toaster

a white toaster

A toaster is used in toasting bread slices fast. It uses radiant heat for browning bread slices. There are different types of toasters. Some have multiple slots which can be used in toasting more slices. There are also modern toasters that have adjustable slots, depending on the size of the bread you wish to toast. This is one of the most affordable kitchen appliances that will save you time instead of toasting bread on the pan. 

Food Processor

When cooking a meal, the actual cooking does not take that much time, but the food preparation does. It is quite tiring to chop lots of ingredients before cooking. If you feel the same way, then buying a food processor is the best way to solve this. You can use it for making batters, doughs, and purees. It is also effective in chopping and blending ingredients in just a few minutes. It is an essential kitchen appliance as it can help reduce food preparation time. 

Mixers

a white stand mixer

If you are into baking, then a mixer is a must-have kitchen appliance. Mixers come in different styles. There are hand mixers and as well as stand mixers. Both of them have the same benefits, but stand mixers are more accurate and easier to utilize. Stand mixers have different sizes and come with bowls and other attachments. They also have a strong motor. It is perfect for mixing whipping cream, batter, and more. 

Blenders

healthy foods in a blender

This kitchen appliance can be used for mixing food items, blending, and emulsifying. These are very useful kitchen tools that also come in different kinds, sizes, and power. Immersion blenders, for example, are perfect for those that have limited space in the kitchen and need a multifunctioning tool that is great for whipping and mixing. When you buy a blender, consider one that is easy to clean, multifunctional, and low on maintenance. If you plan on using your blender in the early morning then consider buying a quiet blender to avoid waking up everybody at home!

Coffee Maker

a white coffee maker

A coffee maker is a kitchen must-have for coffee lovers. Getting an electric coffee machine is the best option for those who like coffee and want to have many cups a day. There are coffee makers that you can use to brew various kinds of espresso and latte. There are also programmable models that give you a choice to automatically brew coffee at specific times. With this coffee maker, you can wake up every morning to a freshly brewed coffee. 

Air Fryers

Air fryers are great as they can offer tasty fried meals even with less to no oil. This means that it can also help you enjoy fried meals in a healthier way. There are also different air fryers in the market that you can choose from. Just make sure that the model you choose will be versatile for you and your family’s use. 

Rice Cooker

A rice cooker can cook rice of all kinds effectively. Since it is a digital appliance, you can set in the right measurements and have the rice boiled in the exact amount you need. In addition to that, most rice cookers can also inform their users of the correct amount of rice to avoid wastage. What’s best is that it can function well without your supervision, allowing you to focus on other tasks. 

Conclusion

These are some of the most essential kitchen appliances that you must have. There are still a lot of other kitchen appliances out there, but these are among the most important. When you start with these appliances, you can effectively prepare and cook meals for your whole family. Buying kitchen appliances is indeed an investment. But you also do not need to spend a lot as you can find professional-style, beautiful, and durable kitchen appliances that do not cost that much. 

We hope this guide helped you learn more about kitchen appliances. If you are looking for more information, you can also read the following articles: