Kitchen Appliances - Range Hoods Review, Features and Information

Range Hoods are the standard feature in modern households. They are important to remove grease and unpleasant smells / odors from the kitchen.

They come in variety of shapes, sizes and above all - prices. Again, we look at features you need for a fair price.

Today kitchen range hoods should have:

• Automatic self cleaning mechanism
• Non-stick internal housing
• Blowers
• Process of residue being liquefied
• Minimum of 3 varying speeds
• Quiet (5.5 sones)
• Operate at 695 CFM

Range hood should cover your cooking area. Generally 90cm-length range hood will satisfy most households.

Be aware that more than 3 speeds are not needed. Also, extras such as stainless steel may hit your budget.

The above specifications will fully satisfy your needs. The price range for above range hood specification should be between $480 - $620

Kitchen Appliances - Ranges Review, Features and Information

Kitchen ranges come in two types of fuel - electric ranges and gas ranges. There is of course a third type: the combination of electric and gas kitchen range.

Both electric and gas ranges do a pretty good job in boiling, simmering, baking and broiling. The differences come in gadgets, ergonomics and comfort.

Be aware that the main choice of the range depends on fuel source. Electricity is more expensive per kilo joules than gas.

However, electricity is safer and more convenient. The features to look:

• Amount of burners (we recommend 5 but 4 will do just fine)
• Convection oven (unless you do not need it or you have it separately)
• Self-cleaning feature (we discuss it further later on)
• Warm and ready drawer (new feature in modern kitchen appliances)
• Warranty (1 year warranty is simply ridiculous - for this appliance you need 2-5)

With electric ranges easy to use keypad and total range lockout are significant. Self cleaning feature is important for both type of kitchen ranges.

Please note, that modern cleaning features do not always perform as advertised. Conventional heating and removing sticky residue is still relatively reliable.

Prices for the above +/-$850-$900 but you can get bargains ($750 probably). Brands maybe significant as material and workmanship matters here.

Popular brands: GE, Kenmore, Jenn-Air, Frigidaire, KitchenAid, Whirlpool.

Kitchen Appliances - Cooktops Review, Features and Information

Kitchen cooktops are often reviewed with kitchen ranges. You can buy them separately or as a set with the convection oven.

Generally, you should have minimum of 4 burners (gas or electric). Electric cooktops are easy to clean, look elegant and convenient. However, the running cost of gas cooktops is cheaper.

Majority of people is right handed. This means that knobs should be situated to the right.

Knobs should be tightly integrated with the base for easy cleaning. Otherwise, cleaning maintenance becomes problematic.

Ask for scratch resistant cooktop. Anything else will fade and will look ugly after a while.

As for gas cooktops' accessories my favourite are continuous grates. You can actually put them into dishwasher.

The temperature control should be fine and adjustable from simmering to hot boiling points. Timer should be a standard.

For good but not a fancy 4 burner cooktop try to bargain $900 or less. Good brands for those prices are: Kenmore, Maytag, Asco and Chef.

Kitchen Appliances - Dishwashers Review, Features and Information

Dishwashers, same as fridges are large kitchen appliances. This means that capacity / size is important.

Recently there is a serious tendency to sell stainless steel kitchen appliances. They do look good but this does not make them reliable and durable.

If you have extra $300-$400 to spare for metallic look then stainless steel is for you. But in essence you need:

• a proper size
• low noise
• multiple control option
• high energy efficiency
• reliability

Low noise is available in most modern dishwashers. Control options should include your basic needs (pre-wash, pots, heavy, normal and fast).

Many dishwashers come with the soil sensor, which allows using just enough amount of water. These of course are over $1200 mark kitchen appliances.

Generally, for a good brand and reliable dishwasher with basic features you should aim at $600-$700. This of course excludes stainless steel look and high tech sensor system.

Westinghouse, Kenmore, Bosch and Whirlpool are good brands to offer above features.

Kitchen Appliances - Electric Ovens Review, Features and Information

Electric Ovens can be purchased separately or as a combo in the form of kitchen ranges. If you like to bake, roast or grill you should purchase oven separately.

They offer a good reliability, long term performance and superior baking, grilling and broiling ability.

We recommend single convection wall ovens. They offer features for even serious bakers but are also affordable.

Good oven should be able to properly roast, bake, grill, broil and have a self-cleaning feature. Three racks are desirable in ovens but two are sufficient.

Frigidaire kitchen ovens are reliable and offer very good value for money. For less then $1500 you can get top quality oven with very good performance.

Self-cleaning feature comes as a standard in good ovens. It allows heating the oven to break grease residue and collect it.

Some ovens come with rotisseries. This is a good feature and should be considered when purchasing convection electric oven.

Please note that if you want above features with stylish designs then you may be expected to go over $2000. Other known brands include GE, Maytag (this one offers good reliability with ovens), Thermador, Electrolux, Viking, Kenmore and Whirlpool.