Choosing the best kitchen appliances – experts share their secrets

As the heart of the home, the kitchen is where the whole family congregates, it is used to entertain guests, do homework and to de-brief together at the end of the day. 

Deciding which appliances work best for your kitchen, your family and your lifestyle can be a challenge. However, carefully consider these expert kitchen appliance tips and you can create a kitchen that you will love for years to come.

• See: Best coffee makers – the top coffee machines for every blend

How to choose kitchen appliances

Kitchen company Magnet’s experts share their top tips on how to incorporate those perfect, family-friendly appliances into your kitchen design – and what not to be without.

1. How to choose a coffee machine

Is there anything better than the aroma of freshly brewed coffee? Imagine that scent filling the kitchen, every morning. The experience of enjoying an expertly crafted coffee is no longer limited to your local café and if you have decided to incorporate a coffee machine into your kitchen, it’s important to choose the right one for your lifestyle. When making the decision, it’s useful to compare all the different features and functionalities for the types of coffee machines available.

Remember that even within coffee machine categories, the features of your chosen machine could vary between brands and models. Integrated styles are a great choice as they blend seamlessly into your kitchen and free up valuable worktop space. With an integrated machine, not only will it look the part, but you can make barista quality coffee at home, at the touch of a button.

See: Small kitchen ideas – to turn your compact kitchen into a smart, organized space

2. How to choose a wine cooler

Any keen host will know that the kitchen is the best backdrop for games' nights, dinner parties and casual catchups with friends. Wine coolers will not only make entertaining easier by keeping your bottles at optimum temperature and offering a kitchen storage idea that frees up fridge space for nibbles and canapés, but will seriously impress guests with their sleek styles, too. 

Whether you’re a budding sommelier or simply enjoy a glass over dinner, wine is truly one of life’s little luxuries and a cooler has the potential to transform your kitchen design into something spectacular.

3. How to choose an oven

As one of the most essential appliances in the kitchen, it’s important that your oven meets the requirements of your family. There is a lot to consider when choosing a new oven, from fuel source and size, to style and placement; efficient functionality is often at the top of the priority list. 

However, there is no need to compromise on style. Particularly for bigger households, mealtimes can be a little testing, so consider making cooking easier by investing in a sleek double oven. It’ll help when the kids call for a separate menu to the grownups, or if tackling multiple courses when entertaining guests.

4. How to choose a fridge freezer

The first step in buying a new fridge or freezer is thinking about your lifestyle. Do you need a large fridge to store fresh produce and your family’s weekly shop? Or would you prefer plenty of freezer space to store batch-cooked dishes and leftovers? 

Do you want a separate fridge and freezer or an integrated fridge-freezer model? Whatever your needs, we recommend noting down what you currently use your fridge-freezer for to ensure you choose a model that meets your requirements. From here, you can then consider the fun parts like style, colour and any additional features such as quick chill technology or water dispensers.

5. How to choose a cooker hood

If you’re choosing a cooker hood for the first time, you might be surprised by how much thought they require. The first and most practical consideration is the venting type; extraction or recirculation? Extraction is the most popular choice and works by removing odours, steam and smoke and filtering the air before extracting it outside.

However, extractor hoods generally need to be mounted to an external wall to accommodate the ventilation mechanics. If your design requires more flexibility, recirculation hoods can be fitted anywhere in the kitchen and work by cleaning the air before distributing it back into the space. Recirculation models are innovative appliances that use filtration technology and the cleansing properties of charcoal to do their jobs, so you may hear them referred to as carbon cooker hoods too.