The two main home cooking appliances are cookers and microwaves (90% of homes have a microwave).
One decision that has a huge bearing on the finished look of your kitchen is whether you go for built-in or freestanding cooking appliances. You can take the latter with you when you move on, but prospective buyers may be put out that they have to buy new stuff as soon as they move in.
Cooking appliances - cookers
Choosing a cooker with today's technological advancements is more than a mere practicality, it's a lifestyle choice. Did you know that some manufacturers even run courses demonstrating how their top-end cooking appliances work and how best to use them?
You need to consider location, heat source and combination of the cooker. These will be influenced by cost, space, mobility, experience, cooking style and fuel availability.
Built-in ovens can be more subtle in appearance and will usually need to be purchased as part of a whole new kitchen rather than a separate cooking appliance. They will often have a double front capacity for cooking different foods at different temperatures and sometimes an additional grill.
Range style cookers are now extremely popular and can provide a fantastic focal point in the kitchen. They can have an extra hob for griddle capacity and extra oven space. There are loads of style options - the look is now moving away from traditional farmhouse style and more towards modern stainless steel.
Higher priced ovens can come with a range of functions that assist the cooking process. Features include:
fan heat, top heat, intensive bake, fan grill and automatic roasting
a speciality hob with a wok burner for Eastern cuisine
a barbeque grill
a self cleaning function
domion rings - flip up off the work surface leaving it free for other use
multifunctional oven with a steam function - modern pressure cooker
self diagnosis on the oven - like having your car MOT!
What fuel for cookers?
Gas - double gas ovens that build into tall oven-housing cabinets have been around for some years but the 'slot in' under worktop double gas oven is a real innovation. It is neatly finished off with a plinth spanning across neighbouring cupboards for a modern fully-fitted look.
Electric - electric ovens have seen the most technological progress with fans, forced air, variable heat from above or below and even microwave or steam functions.
Cooking appliances - hobs
Cooking hobs are a style point in modern kitchens and are now available in colours and stainless steel with varying designs. Wide versions, multi-fuels (electric and gas) and five or six rings offer flexibility but consider their use before buying.
Traditionally, gas hobs have been popular as they give more control and quicker heating than electricity. Personally, if given the choice, I would always go with gas. However, electric hobs have improved.
Using halogen light as a rapid heat source, new style induction hobs are extremely quick. When magnetic pans are placed on a surface, a field is created which instantly produces heat. They are fast at getting up to boiling point and also extremely safe cooking appliances as the heat is only activated upon the creation of the magnetic field - perfect for families. Gas has responded to this development with lotus shape burners for a better heat spread.
Cooking appliance top tips
If you are left-handed, go for front rather than right-hand side controls
If you cook for a large family, more than four rings will be useful
Young children? Then pay a little extra for a hob guard
In the case of gas, consider automatic re-ignition or cut off devices
Can move a pan from hob to sink without crossing a walk through
Surround the hob by worktop, giving safe space to rest a hot pan
If more than one cook in your house position the hob away from oven
Ovens must be wired to a fused switch, not plugged in
Cooker hoods and extractor fans are essential to keep the air clear
Kitchens must be well-ventilated to draw out odours - legal requirement
Whatever cooking appliances you choose there is a huge range now on the market and something to fit all cooking appliance budget and style desires.