Kitchen Appliance Buying Guide

Ovens

The oven is the heart of the kitchen for many home cooks and bakers. With various designs and technologies available, choosing the right oven can significantly enhance your cooking efficiency and style. Here’s what you need to know about the main types of ovens available today.

Types of Ovens

• Built-In Ovens: These ovens are installed into your kitchen cabinetry, offering a sleek and integrated look. You can choose from:
  • Single Ovens: Ideal for smaller kitchens. A wide variety of models and prices to suit all budgets. They usually offer a capacity of around 60–89 litres.
  • Built In Double Ovens: Installed in a column unit and providing two separate cooking cavities, perfect for multitasking or entertaining. One is usually a full oven, while the second is a smaller oven or grill. 
  • Built Under Double Ovens: A compact double oven to be installed under a kitchen worktop.
• Free Standing Cookers: These units combine an oven and hob into a single appliance and are placed directly on the floor, not built into cabinetry. They are easy to install and move and are ideal for renters or those wanting flexibility in kitchen layout.
• Range Cookers: Larger, freestanding appliances that often include two or more ovens, a grill, and multiple hob zones (gas, electric, or induction). Range cookers are perfect for serious home chefs or larger families who need cooking versatility and extra capacity.
• Steam Ovens: Use steam to cook food gently and healthily. They preserve nutrients, moisture, and texture in food. Many high-end steam ovens are available as built-in models or as combination ovens with steam and convection functions.

Key Features to Consider

• Oven Capacity: Measured in litres – larger families may benefit from a 70+ litre capacity or double oven.
• Cooking Modes: Fan-assisted, grill, steam, defrost, pizza setting, and more, depending on the model.
• Cleaning Features: Options include catalytic liners (self-cleaning walls), pyrolytic cleaning (burns off residue), and steam cleaning.
• Smart Controls: Many modern ovens offer Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring, voice control, and recipe integration.
• Energy Efficiency: Look for A or higher energy ratings for long-term cost savings.

When selecting an oven, consider your cooking habits, kitchen layout, and space. Built-in and steam ovens offer a modern, clean look, while freestanding and range cookers provide flexibility and cooking power.

Learn more about the different oven types and functions in our helpful Oven Buying Guide.

Cooker Hoods

Cooker hoods are essential for maintaining clean air in the kitchen by extracting smoke, steam, grease, and odours while cooking. They not only improve air quality but also help prevent moisture damage and lingering smells. Choosing the right cooker hood depends on your kitchen layout, cooking habits, and ventilation setup.

Main Cooker Hood Types

• Chimney Hoods: Mounted to the wall above your hob, chimney hoods come in a range of styles and are powerful enough for heavy-duty cooking.
• Built In Cooker Hoods: Also known as integrated or canopy hoods, these are installed within a cupboard above the hob, offering a discreet look that blends into modern kitchens.
• Island Cooker Hoods: Designed for kitchen islands, these are suspended from the ceiling and make a bold design statement while providing effective extraction from hobs located away from the wall.
• Downdraft Extractors: Installed into the worktop and rise up when in use, downdraft extractors are sleek and space-saving, ideal for minimalist kitchens.
• Ceiling Extractors: Fitted flush into the ceiling above the hob or kitchen island, ceiling extractors are perfect for open-plan kitchens where space and aesthetics are a priority. They offer unobtrusive, powerful performance, especially in modern or minimalist designs.

Ventilation Options

• Ducted Out: Extracts air out of the home through external ducting. This is the most effective method for removing smoke and moisture but requires proper installation and external vent access.
• Recirculating: Filters air through charcoal filters and recirculates it back into the kitchen. Easier to install and suitable for apartments or homes without external venting, though less effective for heavy-duty cooking.

Key Considerations

• Extraction Rate: Measured in m³/hr, this determines how quickly the hood can clear air in your kitchen. A good rule of thumb is 10 times the room volume per hour. Higher extraction rates are needed for large or open-plan spaces.
• Noise Level: Measured in decibels (dB), quieter models operate around 40–60 dB. Consider a quiet model if you have an open-plan kitchen or entertain frequently while cooking.
• Filter Type and Maintenance: Most hoods use metal grease filters (washable in a dishwasher). Recirculating models also require charcoal filters, which need to be replaced regularly for optimum performance.
• Lighting: Many hoods feature LED or halogen lights to illuminate the cooking area. Look for adjustable lighting or dimmable options to enhance ambiance and visibility.
• Smart Controls: Some high-end models offer touch controls, remote operation, automatic sensors, and app connectivity for added convenience and energy efficiency.

From sleek ceiling extractors to classic chimney hoods, there’s a model to suit every kitchen layout and cooking style. Browse our full Cooker Hood Buying Guide for more advice on installation and performance.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers are a valuable addition to any kitchen, offering convenience, hygiene, and efficiency. They use less water than hand washing and ensure your dishes, glasses, and cutlery are cleaned at high temperatures. Today’s models are quieter, smarter, and more space-efficient than ever before, making them suitable for households of all sizes.

Types of Dishwashers

• Freestanding Dishwashers: These are standalone units that can be placed anywhere with access to plumbing. They’re easy to install and move, making them ideal for renters or homes with flexible layouts. Available in standard (60cm) and slimline (45cm) widths.
• Fully Integrated Dishwashers: Designed to be built into your kitchen cabinetry for a seamless look. A furniture door completely covers the front panel, hiding the controls and blending with your kitchen design.
• Semi-Integrated Dishwashers: Similar to integrated models but with visible control panels on the top front of the appliance. They offer a balance between full integration and easy access to settings.
• Slimline Dishwashers: Narrower than standard models (typically 45cm wide), slimline dishwashers are perfect for smaller kitchens or single home owners and couples. They still offer excellent functionality in a compact form.

What to Look For

• Place Settings Capacity: This tells you how many items the dishwasher can hold. A standard dishwasher typically holds 12–16 place settings, while slimline models offer around 9–10. Consider your household size and how often you run the dishwasher.
• Flexible Rack Designs: Adjustable upper baskets, foldable tines, and dedicated cutlery trays make it easier to load large pots, tall glasses, or awkwardly shaped items. Look for flexible interior layouts to maximise space and convenience.
• Quick Wash and Eco Modes: Quick wash cycles clean lightly soiled dishes in as little as 30 minutes, perfect for everyday use. Eco modes use lower temperatures and less water, offering an energy-saving option for regular washing.
• Auto Programmes and Sensors: These detect the level of dirt on your dishes and adjust water usage, temperature, and cycle time automatically for optimal cleaning results.
• Delay Start: Lets you schedule the dishwasher to run at off-peak hours, saving on energy costs and fitting around your routine.

Whether you choose a freestanding, integrated, or slimline model, today’s dishwashers offer advanced technology, quiet performance, and efficient cleaning. Our complete Dishwasher Buying Guide can help you choose the right dishwasher for you.

Wine Coolers

Wine coolers are the perfect addition to any kitchen or entertaining space for those who enjoy collecting or serving wine. These specialised appliances provide the ideal storage conditions to preserve the flavour, aroma, and integrity of your wine, ensuring each bottle is enjoyed at its best. Whether you're a casual drinker or a connoisseur, there's a wine cooler to suit your style and space.

Types of Wine Coolers

• Freestanding Wine Coolers: These offer flexibility in placement and are available in a wide range of sizes, from compact 12-bottle units to large capacity models. They’re ideal for placing in dining rooms, under counters, or open-plan living spaces.
• Integrated Coolers: Designed to fit flush into your cabinetry, these wine coolers are perfect for modern kitchens where seamless design is a priority. Available in under-counter, in column or full-height formats, they provide elegant storage with minimal visual impact.
• Countertop Integrated Wine Coolers (Carysil Sommelier / Kaelo): These innovative coolers are built directly into your kitchen or bar countertop and keep an open bottle perfectly chilled at serving temperature. The Kaelo Carysil Sommelier coolers use dry cooling technology to maintain wine between 5°C and 8°C with no ice, water, or mess—perfect for social settings and stylish presentation.

Wine Cooler Buying Tips

• Capacity (Number of Bottles): Consider how many bottles you typically store. Coolers range from compact 7–12 bottle models to large 50+ bottle units. Make sure the shelving supports your preferred bottle shapes (standard 750ml, champagne, magnums, etc.).
• Single or Dual Temperature Zones: A single-zone cooler maintains one consistent temperature, ideal for those who store one wine type, red or white. Dual-zone models let you set different temperatures for different compartments, allowing proper storage for both red and white wines in one unit.
• UV Protection and Anti-Vibration Features: UV-resistant glass doors protect wine from light damage that can affect flavour and ageing. Anti-vibration compressors or shelving prevent bottle movement, which helps preserve sediment stability and wine quality over time.

Whether you want a built-in display for your wine collection or a smart way to serve a perfectly chilled bottle at the table, today’s wine coolers combine function with design.

Explore more in our Wine Cooler Buying Guide.

Laundry Appliances

Laundry appliances are essential for day-to-day convenience. Whether you're furnishing a new utility space or upgrading your current setup, there are various options to suit both space and lifestyle. From freestanding to built-in models, today’s laundry appliances are designed to be more energy-efficient, quieter, and smarter than ever before.

Washing Machines

• Freestanding Washing Machines: These models are the most common and offer the most flexibility in placement. They come in various drum sizes (typically 7kg–12kg) and are easy to install without needing to integrate into cabinetry.
• Built-In Washing Machines: Designed to be installed behind a kitchen or utility cabinet door, these machines are ideal for those who want a seamless, minimalist look. Built-in models typically have slightly smaller capacities but offer the same range of wash programs and performance features as freestanding ones.

Tumble Dryers

• Freestanding Tumble Dryers: Available in vented, condenser, and heat pump options, these can be placed anywhere with proper ventilation or drainage. They are ideal if space is not an issue and you want easier access for maintenance.
• Built-In Tumble Dryers: These integrate into kitchen or utility cabinetry, creating a flush finish. They are perfect for compact spaces or design-focused homes, though often come with slightly smaller drum capacities.

Washer-Dryers

• Freestanding Washer-Dryers: Combine both washing and drying in a single appliance, ideal for those with limited space. They’re practical but may have smaller drying capacities than dedicated tumble dryers.
• Built-In Washer-Dryers: Offer the same functionality with a concealed design. These units save space and are perfect for modern kitchens or small utility rooms where keeping the appliance hidden is preferred.

Useful Features to Look For

• Drum Capacity: Measured in kilograms, this determines how much laundry you can wash or dry in one cycle. Choose larger capacities (9kg–12kg) for families, or smaller sizes (6kg–8kg) for couples or singles.
• Spin Speed: Higher spin speeds (up to 1600 RPM) remove more water, reducing drying time. Adjustable settings allow you to tailor the spin cycle to fabric type.
• Wash Programs: Look for machines with specialised cycles such as Eco, Quick Wash, Delicates, Sportswear, and Allergy Care to protect both your clothes and energy bills.
• Sensor Drying: Available in many tumble dryers and washer-dryers, this technology detects moisture levels and stops the cycle when clothes are dry—helping to save energy and prevent over-drying.
• Smart Features: Wi-Fi-enabled machines let you control cycles remotely, monitor energy usage, and receive maintenance alerts. Some models even suggest the best program based on the load.
• Delay Start: Useful for planning washes around your schedule, or taking advantage of off-peak energy tariffs.

Our full Laundry Buying Guide is a useful read, providing advice on capacity, spin speeds, and more.

Choosing kitchen appliances involves balancing function, style, space, and budget. Start by assessing your cooking habits and lifestyle needs, then compare appliance types and features.

Whether you're remodeling or replacing one item at a time, using this guide will help you make smart, informed decisions for a well-equipped and efficient kitchen. 

As well providing an excellent knowledgeable and friendly service, Appliance House also offer various deals on our kitchen appliances: