WASHING MACHINES
All machines are graded from 'A' to 'E' for Wash performance, Energy efficiency and Spin efficiency with "A-Grade" being the best in each area. For the best of the best - look out for "AAA-Grade" models.
Wash performance - An "A Grade" in Wash performance is awarded to machines which give the best wash results and prove to be the most efficient at removing stubborn stains.
Energy Efficiency - An "A Grade" Energy Efficient machine will save you money by using less water and electricity. Spin efficiency - Machines given an "A Grade" for spin efficiency will reduce drying time by extracting more water from your wash than other machines.
The greater a washing machine's drum capacity the more washing you can do at any one time. Large capacity machines are useful for washing bulky items like duvets or bath towels but you should also be aware that washing smaller loads in a large drum would reduce creasing and make ironing easier.
The higher a machines spin speed the faster water is extracted from your wash. This is an especially useful consideration for those who do a lot of washing as faster spin speeds mean less drying time.
If your wash regularly includes delicate items such as fine cottons or silks, you may wish to consider a machine with 'variable spin speed' as this feature allows you to select a lower spin speed to better protect your garments.
1000rpm 90 mins**
1200rpm 80 mins**
1600rpm+ 70 mins**
*All figures are based on a typical washing machine using a standard 5kg cotton wash load
**To dry in a vented tumble dryer
All washing machines include a number of programs and special features to help you get the most from your machine. The following are a few of the most useful to look out for: -
Economy wash - reduces running costs by using less water, electricity and detergent
Silk wash - washes at a lower temperature to protect delicate garments Light load/Mini load/ Half load - ideal when you only want to wash a small number of items.
Hand wash - a gentle program to let you wash clothes marked "hand wash only" in your machine
WASHER / DRYERS
Washer dryers combine the features from washing machines and tumble dryers in one machine, but are the same size as a conventional washer, so are ideal if space is an important consideration.
All washer dryers feature a condenser type dryer so there's no need for venting or emptying water bottles.
INTEGRATED WASHING MACHINES AND WASHER / DRYERS
Washing machines are also available as integrated or semi-integrated.
An integrated washing machine fits neatly in to your kitchen, with the door covered by a panel that matches your kitchen cupboards. When closed, the washing machine is completely hidden and looks like just another kitchen unit.
A semi-integrated washing machine is exactly the same but the control panel is visible over the top of the décor panel.
All other programs and functions are the same for integrated or freestanding appliances. You will require a housing unit for an integrated or semi integrated appliance.
TUMBLE DRYERS
Tumble dryers have a range of load capacity’s much like washing machines.
The greater the drum capacity the more washing you can do at any one time. Large capacity machines are useful for drying bulky items like duvets or bath towels but you should also be aware that drying smaller loads in a large drum would reduce creasing and make ironing easier.
When purchasing a new tumble dryer, consideration will have to be given to the space you have available.
There are three types of tumble dryer :
Vented
Vented tumble dryers work by expelling the hot, damp air from your wash through a hose that can be fixed to a permanent vent in an outside wall or simply hung out of a window during operation. Not all vents are in the same position, make sure you choose a dryer with the vent in the correct position for your space. Some dryers have 2 or 3 vent positions and others only have one, these can be at the front, rear or side.
Condenser
Condenser tumble dryers work by turning steam created by drying clothes into water which is collected in a water reservoir that requires regular emptying. The reservoirs are always at the front of the appliance at the top or bottom.
Compact
Compact tumble dryers work the same as vented but are smaller and can sit on a worktop if space is minimal.
There are a number of different functions to consider when buying a dryer.
Uni-directional means that the drum rotates in only one direction.
Reverse action means that the drum rotates in both directions, this helps untangle clothes and prevent creases, making ironing easier.
Sensor drying tumble dryers automatically cut off the heat when the load has reached the level of dryness that you have selected and therefore save you time and money by not over drying your clothes and cutting down on your electricity bill.
DISHWASHERS
All machines are graded from 'A' to 'E' for Wash performance, Energy efficiency and Drying performance with "A-Grade" being the best in each area. For the best of the best - look out for "AAA-Grade" models.
Wash performance - An "A Grade" in Wash performance is awarded to machines which give the best wash results and prove to be the most efficient at removing stubborn stains.
Energy Efficiency - An "A Grade" Energy efficient machine will save you money by using less water and electricity.
Drying performance – An "A Grade" Drying performance is awarded to machines that leave the least water on your dishes at the end of the cycle.
There are a number of different functions on a dishwasher that will save you time and money.
Quick wash - for lightly soiled dishes.
Economy Wash - uses the minimum amount of water and washes the dishes quickly.
Intensive Wash Program - to shift really stubborn burnt on food and grease. Ideal for pots and pans.
Glassware - an extra delicate wash to ensure glasses are not damaged and come out sparkling clean.
Half load – A cycle that only uses half the amount of water when the dishwasher is only half full. This eliminates smells from dishes left in the dishwasher while your waiting for enough crockery to fill it.
1. Delay Timer - lets you set your dishwasher to come on when it suits you or to take advantage of low cost late night electricity charges. Some timers can be set as far as 24 hours in advance.
2. Adjustable baskets - allow for larger items like pots and pans to be accommodated and thoroughly cleaned.
3. Self cleaning filters - take away waste and purify water.
4. Sensor Dishwashers - are intelligent top end machines that automatically adjust the wash program to best suit your load and ensure perfect results every time.
Today’s dishwashers are much quieter than their early counterparts and the sound in measured in decibels. 42dB is a very quiet machine.
Dishwashers come in 3 sizes.
60cm (full size) which holds 12 place settings, suitable for a full family.
50cm (slim line) which holds 9 place settings, suitable for 2 or 3 people or when space is minimal.
Table top which holds 4 place settings, this is the smallest of the dishwasher family and as the name suggests sits on your worktop.
INTEGRATED DISHWASHERS
Dishwashers are also available as integrated or semi-integrated. An integrated dishwasher fits neatly in to your kitchen, with the door covered by a panel that matches your kitchen cupboards. When closed, the dishwasher is completely hidden and looks like just another kitchen unit.
A semi-integrated dishwasher is exactly the same but the control panel is visible over the top of the décor panel.
All other programs and functions are the same for integrated or freestanding appliances. You will require a housing unit for an integrated or semi integrated appliance.
FRIDGE FREEZERS
When choosing a fridge freezer one of the first things you should consider is the space that it will take up in your kitchen.
Fridge freezers are available in 4 standard widths (50cm, 55cm, 60cm and 70cm) and various heights
All fridge freezers are rated from 'A' to 'G' for Energy Efficiency with 'A-grade' appliances being the best. A Grade appliances can make a large difference to your electricity bill, some as much as £46 per year compared to older and G Grade appliances.
Helpful hints for choosing your fridge freezer Frost Free – This means the fridge/freezer completely defrosts itself automatically
Auto-Defrost – This prevents ice build up inside the fridge part.
Fridge freezers have different sizes fridge and freezer parts, therefore if you buy more fresh produce you can choose a model with more fridge space.
Storage capacity is measured in cubic feet (cu ft). Some stores measure the gross capacity, this is the capacity available if all shelves and drawers were removed. The nett capacity is the actual storage capacity once all drawers and shelves are in place, therefore giving a much more accurate view.
Separate Fridges and Freezers have the same features as Fridge Freezers and are also available in a wide variety of sizes to suite all needs.
Fridge Freezers, Fridges and Freezers are all available as integrated appliances. An integrated appliance fits neatly in to your kitchen, with the door covered by a panel that matches your kitchen cupboards. When closed, the appliance is completely hidden and looks like just another kitchen unit. You will require a housing unit for an integrated appliance.
AMERICAN STYLE AND SIDE-BY-SIDE FOOD CENTRES.
These models are much larger that standard fridge freezers and you must be sure that such a large appliance will fit in the space you have available.
Most American and Side By Side Food Centres have ice and water dispensers, this is what attracts most people. You must be aware that appliances with ice and water dispensers will require plumbing into your water supply, therefore then need to be placed within 1 metre of a cold fill water connector, such as that of a washing machine.
Other attributes of American Style and Side By Side Food Centres are the same as standard Fridge Freezers.
COOKERS AND OVENS
Cookers are freestanding units and ovens are built into housing units. You must first decide which type you require.
Freestanding – Stands free on the floor, comes complete with oven, grill and hob.
Built In Double – A double or twin cavity oven that requires an eye-level housing unit.
Built Under Double – A double or twin cavity oven that requires an under-work-top housing unit.
Built In Single – A single oven with combined grill that requires a housing unit but can be placed at eye-level or under-work-top.
With all built in ovens a separate hob unit must be purchased. You can choose from a gas or electric hob with any fuel type oven.
Cookers come in 3 standard widths (50cm, 55cm or 60cm), and sometimes have a "high level grill" which means that the grill is at eye level.
There are 4 choices of fuel types.
Electric – All electric appliance
Gas – All gas appliance
LPG – Liquid Petroleum Gas appliance
Dual Fuel – Electric oven and grill with gas hob part.
Once you are sure of what type of appliance you want and what fuel type there are a number of different factors to consider.
Fan oven – Distribute heat more evenly around the oven cavity.
Automatic Programmer or Minute Minder – Automatic programmers allow the user to set a start and stop cooking time. Minute minders only allow the user to set the stop time.
Self-Cleaning Liners – Mean the oven interior has specially designed interior covers to cut cleaning times.
Double Oven - Means that both oven cavities can be used as ovens as well as the top oven being used as a grill.
Double Cavity – Means that the larger bottom cavity is used as an oven and the top cavity is a grill only.
Single Oven – means that the cooker has only one cavity which can be used as a grill or an oven but both can not be used simultaneously.
RANGE COOKERS
Range cookers have the same functions and fuel types as freestanding cookers but are larger (80cm, 90cm, 100cm, 110cm and 120cm).
Some range cookers have more oven space than standard freestanding cookers and always have more hob zones.