subject: How to Pick the Right Appliances for the Kitchen [print this page] How to Pick the Right Appliances for the Kitchen
Among the most significant one-time household expenses are kitchen appliances, and rightly so, since they are certainly an essential part of the day to day lifestyle. It is important to take the right decision towards buying these appliances, since they last a long time, and are also quite expensive.
The first and most important step before going to purchase any kind of kitchen appliance is to know the present requirements. For instance, if one is looking for a new stove in the market for a family size of close to 6-8 members, it's better to go for a model that has six burners instead of four, as it would not only give more options for cooking simultaneously, but also save unnecessary expenditure in the future. Similarly, in case of a dishwasher, it's better to go for a larger capacity, i.e., three racks instead of the standard two, than face the situation of buying another dishwasher to satiate the growing needs. It's best to spend a little extra on the appliance in order to be at ease for many years to come.
The next step is to decide whether or not the size of appliance that has been selected will fit in to the available space. More often than not, it so happens that homeowners buy appliances with mammoth capacities, only to find that there is no place in their homes where they can install the same. It's best to first accurately measure the dimensions of the kitchen, or at least the space occupied by the appliance one wants to replace/purchase new, so that there are not nasty surprises after the purchase.
The third point is the most important one for many people, i.e., cost. Generally, the bigger the appliance, the more expensive it would be, although there is an exception to this rule in terms of the number of features. The more advanced technology that is used in the manufacturing of an appliance, the more expensive it would be. However, the one major factor that prevents homeowners from going for cheaper models by lesser-known brands is the fact that they do not last for very long, and are more expensive in the long run. Also, while comparing prices between two options for the same product, it's best to ask for the installation and delivery charges, as this might give a whole new twist to the picture.
Warranties are another part pertaining which one needs to be very alert before taking the final decision. Essentially, the main factor is deciding whether one should go for a more expensive product that has extended warranty, compared to another one that is cheaper. The simple rule of thumb to follow in this regard is that in case is that in case the kitchen is subject to frequent and rigorous use, it's better to go for warranty, as the chances of damage are considerably higher compared to a kitchen with regular usage.
And lastly, in case the kitchen appliance being purchased is very expensive, it's better to go for the brand that offers financing options.
