Kitchen Appliance Buying Guide
New space-aged appliances have the American kitchen looking more and more like the bridge of a science-fiction spaceship. High tech innovations, upgrades to energy efficiency, sleek style enhancements and lowering prices all make new kitchen appliances appealing to a number of different types of consumers.
Home owners: Revitalizing your kitchen doesn't necessarily require an expensive, full-scale remodeling project. Upgrading individual kitchen appliances can help refresh the style of the entire room while also enhancing your cooking experience. Obtaining financing on individual appliances is also easier than getting a home equity line of credit or other loan for a full-on remodeling project.
Sellers: In a slower housing market, making cost-conscious home improvements increases the likelihood of selling at or near your asking price. Which appliance is oldest or showing its age the most? Are there any common appliances that your kitchen lacks, such as a dishwasher? By focusing your spending on one major item of need, your home just might appeal to a wider range of buyers.
Buyers: When considering two otherwise comparable homes, typically the one with new kitchen appliances and furnishings will carry the higher asking price. You can certainly choose the newer kitchen, but you will essentially be paying part or all of the cost of that remodel, a remodel that may include stylistic touches you don't care for and furnishings or appliances that are now available at cheaper market prices. As an alternative, buyers should consider the possibility of buying an older kitchen and upgrading some or all of the kitchen appliances with brand new models. Whether you're looking to upgrade one appliance or re-do a whole kitchen's worth of equipment, this buying guide will serve as an excellent primer.
Dishwashers
Of all kitchen appliances, dishwashers take more than their fair share of abuse. A new replacement dishwasher is welcome upgrade for almost any kitchen. If you are currently sink-and-sponging all of your dishes clean, you'll find that a new dishwasher is time-saving and environmentally friendly (modern dishwashers use less water to clean dishes than hand-washing).
Style/Capacity: Dishwashers come in a number of different alignments and capacities. The right dishwasher for your kitchen will depend on the space you have available, the load needs for your household and the individual style of your kitchen.
- 24" Built-In - The most common installation, the 24" fits under a kitchen counter and has space for 10-16 place settings. Washers in this size have the widest range of features, options and prices.
- Compact 18" Built-In - These smaller-capacity models are ideal for smaller kitchens or households with 1 to 2 occupants. The smaller capacity results in more efficient loads.
- Portable - Portable dishwashers connect to the kitchen faucet, and can be stored out of the way when not in use. Available in both 18" and 24" configurations, they have the benefits of standard dishwashers with portable flexibility.
- Two-Drawer Washers - Two-drawer setups allow for increased efficiency and flexibility. Each drawer can be operated separately, or they can be run simultaneously. The ability to run two different cycles at once allows for fle, while single-drawer usage allows for increased efficiency when washing smaller loads.
Energy efficiency: The overall efficiency of dishwashers has been greatly improved over the last decade. New dishwashers use less energy and water, saving you money in the long run. Models with the ENERGY STAR label exceed federal energy standards by 25% or more. 
Stationary vs. adjustable racks: While most dishwashers have preset rack spaces, those with adjustable configurations allow provide greater flexibility when loading large or irregularly shaped dishes.
Delayed start: Many models allow you to set a delay on the load start time. By running the dishwasher during off-peak hours, you can take advantage of cheaper utility periods. Such units also allow you to maintain a quieter kitchen during the day.
Noise insulation: More insulation around the tub will reduce dishwasher noise, so check for units with thicker insulation.
Built-in food disposers: Many newer models feature food disposers that grind up food particles and flush them out with waste water, preventing food specks from being re-deposited on your dishes.
Cleaning Capabilities: Wash arms with smaller spray holes provide more scrubbing power. In addition, many dishwashers are equipped with multiple tiers and washer arms to better dislodge caked-on food.
Cycle types: in addition to regular wash cycles, many dishwashers allow specialty cycles designed to tackle specific dishes such as pots and pans, crystal, and fine china.
Finish and style: Dishwashers now come in a wide variety of materials, colors and finishes to better match your kitchen décor. Some unites come with fitted wood paneling to perfectly match your cabinetry, while others accommodate fully customizable front panels for an even more unique look.
Ranges and Ovens
Today's range and oven combinations help can help everyone from the novice cook to the amateur chef create amazing meals in shorter times and with easier cleanup. When shopping for ranges and ovens, you should consider the size and design of your kitchen, the types of foods you most commonly cook, and the kinds of features that could make food preparation in your home easier.
Installation Type: Three basic styles of ranges are available. The range that best suits your kitchen will depend both on the kitchen design and the space/location available for the range unit itself.
- Freestanding - Ranges with finished sides and a backsplash. Electric freestanding units typically have controls located on the backsplash, while gas models will have the controls located on the front.
- Slide-in - These ranges have a built-in look with no backsplash, and controls located in front.
- Drop-in - Drop-in models also blend seamlessly with the existing cabinetry, and may require custom cabinet modification for a tight fit.
Power Source: Aside from some exotic specialty models, most range and oven combo units fall into one of three power sources:
- Natural Gas - Gas ranges provide a wide range of cooking power and precise cooktop heat controls.
- Electricity - Electric ranges are energy efficient, and electric ovens are known for even, high quality cooking.
- Dual-Fuel - These models feature a gas cooktop with electric oven. Such units require a higher initial investment, but combine the heating power of gas cooktops with the even cooking of electric ovens.
Cooking Surface: Both gas and electric range tops are available in a variety of cooking surfaces, including:
- Coil - A common burner type in electric ranges that provides economical heat.
- Ceramic-glass cook tops- Use radiant heat and are available in electric and some high-end gas ranges.
- Open Burner - Common standard amongst gas ranges.
- Sealed burner - An advanced gas range cooktop, sealed burners with upswept surfaces make cleaning easy.
Electric Range Features:
- Energy efficient burners with selectable sizes.
- Warming zones to keep food hot and fresh
- "Hot surface" safety indicator lights
Gas Range Features:
- Simmer and high-output burners
- Pilotless ignition
- Re-igniting burners
- Dedicated griddle space
Ventilation options: Most ranges come equipped with standard overhead or "hood" ventilation, but some units utilize downdraft exhaust, eliminating the need for overhead ventilation equipment.
Oven Heating Type: New innovative heating systems have dramatically changed the cooking options available to consumers.
- Conventional - Operating on either electricity or gas, conventional ovens feature one heating element for baking and roasting, and another for broiling.
- Convection/European Convection - In addition to the standard bake and broil elements in the oven, a third heating element is located in the back of the oven near the fan.
- Trivection - These ovens combine conventional, convection and microwave heating to create optimum cooking results in minimal time.
Oven Features: Some of the most popular oven features available today include
- Self cleaning cycle.
- Adjustable oven racks
- Electronic controls and "auto-off" functionality.
- Large display windows and strong interior lights
- Warming drawers to keep food hot and fresh.
Refrigerators
Usually the largest appliance in the kitchen, the refrigerator plays a central role in day to day cooking and kitchen use. Finding the right model for your household is a matter of evaluating space needs, style preferences and desired functionality.
Capacity/Size: Full-size refrigerators come in a wide variety of capacities. Large, family-sized units can feature upwards of 26 cubic feet of space. Two people generally need eight to ten cubic feet of fresh food storage. For each additional member of the household, add an extra foot to foot and a half of storage space
Configuration: Several different refrigerator designs are available, each of which offer their own advantages.
- Top Mount -The freezer compartment is on top with the refrigerator located below. This is the most common design, and provides a spacious interior.
- Bottom Mount - The freezer compartment is located underneath the refrigerator, often in a slide-out drawer. Commonly-used fridge items are easier to access without bending down. The refrigerator compartment may use either a single door or French door design.
- Side by Side - The refrigerator and freezer compartments are adjacent. Both frozen and refrigerated foods are within easy reach, but the design may not accommodate larger items such as frozen pizzas or turkeys.
- Compact Models - Scaled-down versions designed to fit into tight spaces or underneath counters. Though they have smaller capacities, they are ideal for dorm rooms, basements, offices or family rooms
Energy efficiency: Refrigerator units manufactured in the last few years are vastly more efficient than older models. Energy-efficient models help reduce utility bills. Models with electronic controls and digital displays make setting precise temperatures even easier, and many refrigerators feature advanced temperature regulation systems.
Adjustable shelves: The adjustability of shelving varies from model to model. Some allow you to move shelves up or down without being removed, while others provide the flexibility to adjust both the height and depth of any shelf.
Icemakers/ water dispensers: Icemakers have become a common feature, and the best are those that are integral to the door, leaving more space in the main freezer compartment for food. Many water dispensers also incorporate a water filtration unit.
Individual storage bins/crispers controls: Many fridges now allow you to customize the humidity and temperature settings for each storage and crisper bin, ideal for those who purchase a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables.
Reversible doors: Refrigerators with reversible doors allow customization for right-or-left handed access. These can also be useful for kitchens where the fridge area is tight against a wall or cabinet.
Style and finish: Ideally your refrigerator will be with you for many years, so it is important to pick a style that will match your kitchen design and compliment your changing tastes. Stainless-steel finishes are very popular, albeit slightly more expensive. Black, white, and bisque are the most common refrigerator colors, and trim kits are available that can make a freestanding unit appear more like a built-in model.
Microwave Ovens
If you use your microwave for more than just preheating or thawing, it might be time to upgrade your current model. Today's latest versions come with a wide variety of settings and features that can let you cook entire meals in mere minutes.
Size: Microwaves now come in a variety of sizes and power levels. Choose a size that best fits both your counter/cabinet space and the sizes of cookware that you typically use in the microwave.
- Compact - 18" wide x 12" high x 14" deep (less than .8 cubic feet capacity), 500-800 watts power;
- Midsize - 20" wide x 12" high x 14"deep (.8 - 1.2 cubic feet capacity), 800-1000 watts power;
- Large/full-size - are 20" wide x 12" high x 20" deep (.8 - 1.2 cubic feet capacity), over 1000 watts power
Built-in microwave spaces: Over-the range models are full size ovens designed to be placed above the stovetop, including a vent feature. These microwaves free up counter space and place the microwave at a convenient eye level. If your kitchen features a built-in microwave area for, make sure to accurately measure the space when comparing models, including some buffer room.
Convection: New combination microwave/convection ovens let you cook in either microwave only, convection only, or combination convection/microwave mode. The convection feature crisps and browns foods in ways that microwave cooking alone cannot.
Turntable: Turntables rotate food for more even cooking, and can be removed for easy cleanup.
Noise: If possible, test out the noise output of several models. Some powerful models can be fairly loud.
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