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Jargon Buster
Simplifying all that appliance terminology to help you choose the right appliances!
Oven Cleaning Methods
Pyrolytic Cleaning
Is Pyrolytic Cleaning Worth It?
The most popular cleaning system of all. This system uses extremely high temperatures to safely burn away any grease stains and splatters. Once this process has been done and its cooled down you simply wipe the ash away using a damp cloth. And voila, just like new!
Catalytic Liners
Are Catalytic Oven Liners Any Good?
These liners absorb and oxidise grease at high temperatures, so you can have your oven cleaned whilst you’re cooking! They are not always on every wall of the oven so just double check the specifications when you are doing your appliance research.
Enamel Liners
What is Enamel Oven Coating?
The smooth coating on enamel liners prevents food and grease from sticking to the interior of your oven, making it incredibly easy to just wipe down with a damp cloth. Nice, easy and completely hassle free! The way cleaning your oven should be.
Oven Options
Built-in Single Ovens
What Is a Built-in Single Oven?
These ovens can be built underneath the work surface or in a tall housing unit with corresponding compact appliances such as a combination microwave, coffee machine or steam oven. Some models offer cleaning systems such as catalytic liners or pyrolytic self cleaning as mentioned above.
Built-in Double Ovens
What Is a Built-in Double Oven?
Designed to be built into a tall housing unit, most models offer a large main oven and a smaller secondary oven. Looking for an electric double oven? Most brands have a selection of models ranging from a basic fan oven with conventional top oven to multifunction main ovens with electronic controls.
Built-under Ovens
Can Built-in Ovens be Built Under?
If you don’t have the room for a built in double oven in a tall housing but you want the flexibility of two ovens, a built under double oven fits neatly under your worktop with your kitchen plinth running underneath. Some models offer multifunction main ovens, electronic temperature controls and catalytic liners.
Oven Cooking Options
Multifunction Ovens
What Does a Multifunction Oven Mean?
Multifunctional ovens have many programmes for you to choose from, putting the oven to work! You simply select the programme which best suits the meal you’re cooking and let the oven give you perfect results every time.
Fan Ovens
Are Fan Ovens Better?
Fan ovens are powered by fans. These fans help distribute heat across the whole cavity meaning your food will be cooked evenly throughout every time you cook, no matter where it is positioned inside the oven.
Steam Ovens
Are Steam Ovens Worth It?
Steam cooking is an ideal method due to its health benefits and preservation of food. Steam ovens use hot air and steam to lock in moisture, flavour and nutrients. Full and part steam models are available.
Sous Vide Ovens
Is Sous Vide Really that Good?
Sous Vide cooking uses vacuum sealed bags which slow oxidation, preserving flavour. The temperature is controlled and maintained within a half degree producing incredible flavours and results you can continue to recreate.
Microwave Cooking Options
Microwaves Suitable for Wall Units
Can a Microwave be Used in a Cupboard?
This type of microwave is designed with space saving in mind as they fit into a 30cm deep wall unit taking up very little space, so perfect for smaller, more confined kitchens. These models are generally basic microwaves but some models also feature a quartz grill for browning. Wall unit models are generally available in two width options, 50cm and 60cm wide depending on your requirements but capacity on both can be quite limited due to the shallow depth of the product.
Microwaves Suitable for Tall Housing Units
Can a Microwave Sit Above an Oven?
These models are suitable for a full depth tall housing unit and will often be fitted above a built in single oven at eye level. Some models feature a quartz grill element for browning and because these are slightly deeper than a wall unit model they usually have around 20% more internal capacity. This type of microwave however, is not suitable for fitting horizontally in a bank of appliances due to them being just 38cm high, so this may be something you wish to consider before purchasing.
Microwaves with Combination Ovens
Are Combination Microwave Ovens Any Good?
Combination microwaves are perfect for fitting above a matching oven in a tall housing unit for extra cooking space. As these are usually 45cm tall there is much more internal capacity and many models offer multiple cooking functions including fan oven, conventional and grill settings. When combined with a 14cm warming drawer these models sit perfectly side by side in a gallery scenario with ovens and other compact appliances, adding that perfect touch to your kitchen design.
Dishwashing Options
Place Settings
What Are Dishwasher Place Settings?
Place settings within a dishwasher means the capacity of your dishwasher and how many settings it is designed to hold comfortably, enabling a thorough and efficient clean. For example 12 place settings, means you can fit 12 dinner plates, 12 soup bowls, 12 tea cups & saucers, 12 dessert plates, 12 tumblers and 12 individual knives, forks, soup spoons, dessert spoons and tea spoons. The higher the place setting the more you can fit in.
Cutlery or Basket Tray
Are Dishwasher Cutlery Trays Any Good?
Dishwasher cutlery baskets are typically designed to sit on the bottom tray of your dishwasher. They normally have several sections for you to fill with cutlery. They do however take up a fair bit of room in your tray which limits the space for plates. Cutlery trays normally sit at the very top of the dishwasher allowing you to lay out your cutlery individually without compromising on your crockery space. You can buy models with flexible trays too.
Noise Levels
What Is the Best Decibel Level for a Dishwasher?
Dishwasher noise levels are rated in decibels, the lower the decibel number the quieter the dishwasher will be. Although a difference of just a few decibels may not seem to be much, a dishwasher that is just one decibel more is actually 30 percent louder. And a dishwasher that is four decibels more is surprisingly twice as loud! So, the higher the decibel doesn’t mean a quieter machine as you would expect, in fact, quite the opposite.
Extraction Options
Ducting Out
Do Cooker Hoods Need Ducting?
A ducted hood traps fats in grease filters and then removes steam odours from your kitchen and directs them outside. If you’ve ever walked past a neighbour’s house and thought mmm that smells good, it’s probably because their cooker hood has been ducted out. If you plan to duct out your cooker hood, its always better to have it as close as you possibly can to an outside wall. If you’re having an island or ceiling hood, consider the joists because the ducting needs to run in the same direction.
Recirculation
What Is a Recirculating Extractor Fan?
A hood in recirculation mode will recycle air back into your kitchen after trapping fats in grease filters and absorbing odours in charcoal filters. Charcoal filters need to be replaced regularly to maintain your cooker hood performance. Measure the correct height from your hob to your hood as cooker hoods come in a variety of heights and widths, triple check the measurements you require, as some cooker hoods will have external motors which require extra space in your units.
Extraction Rate
How Do You Calculate Extraction Rate?
It is important to think about what rate of extraction you require for your kitchen. You will want to make sure your new hood can easily ventilate your whole kitchen. Measure the height, depth and width of your kitchen in metres. Do a little bit of maths! Multiply all these numbers together to find out the volume of your kitchen (height x width x depth= volume). Once you have your kitchen volume, times this number by 10 to find the rate of extraction (volume x 10 = rate of extraction (m³/h).
Tumble Dryer Options
Heat Pump Tumble Dryers
Are Heat Pump Tumble Dryers Any Good?
Heat pump technology helps conserve energy. While conventional tumble dryers release hot air used to dry clothes, heat pump dryers conserve and reuse it. Heat pump tumble dryers are much better for the environment and cheaper to run, they take 50% longer to dry your clothes but heat pump technology uses almost half of the energy used by conventional models.
Vented Tumble Dryers
Are Vented Tumble Dryers Better?
Vented tumble dryers remove moisture from your clothes and expel the moisture outside of your home via a vent. They come with a long hose attached to help you vent it outside, but you may need to install it if you want to vent the moisture out through a wall. These types of tumble dryers aren’t particularly energy efficient and will typically come with C and B energy ratings.
Condenser Tumble Dryers
What Is a Tumble Dryer Condenser?
Condenser dryers remove moisture from your clothes and store it in a removable tank. This kind of dryer is perfect if you can’t vent the moisture outside of your house using a hose. You will however need to empty the tank after every drying cycle. Many models come with some great features including anti-vibration, wrinkle-free and AllergyPlus simply to name a few.
Condenser Drainage Kits
Do You Have to Empty a Condenser Dryer?
A condenser drain kit enables you to empty water from your condenser dryer, by directly draining it into a sink, U-bend or drain. This eliminates the need to empty the water collection tank at the end of each cycle. This will naturally limit where the dryer can be installed in your kitchen though as it will need to be within a short reach of your preferred drainage option.
Integrated Refrigeration Options
Built-in Refrigeration (In-Column)
What Is an In-Column Fridge?
Integrated in column refrigeration is designed to sit inside a 60cm tall housing unit, usually concealed behind doors to match the rest of your kitchen. You can pair an integrated full height larder fridge with a matching in column freezer for maximum storage capacity or simply go for a combined two door fridge freezer in a single cabinet. Integrated in column wine cabinets are also designed for tall housing units, some have the option of a stainless steel door panel or a bespoke wooden door to match the rest of your cabinets.
Built-under Refrigeration (Under-Counter)
Are All Under-Counter Fridges the Same Size?
Integrated built under refrigerators and freezers are designed to be installed beneath your work surface with a matching wooden door on the front. These models don’t require a cabinet, they simply sit on the floor in a 60cm gap between two units with your kitchen plinth running across the base. Built under wine cabinets are a great showcase for your favourite tipple, these are available in 15cm, 30cm and 60cm widths depending on the space available in your kitchen and they come in various colours to suit your design.
Sink & Tap Options
Inset Sinks
What Is an Inset Sink?
Inset sinks are a classic method of installation which involves your sink being installed from above into a pre-prepared hole in your worktop. This gives you a wide range of sink shapes, sizes and styles to choose from, so no matter what your preference is you can be sure to find an inset style sink to suit your kitchen.
Undermount Sinks
What Is an Undermount Sink?
Undermount sinks are particularly pleasing when combined with granite, wood or solid surface worktops, as they allow for smooth, uninterrupted surfaces. Fitted underneath the work surface, it gives an flawless, edgeless finish that is easy to clean and perfectly integrated and ideal for a seamless finish.
Belfast Sinks
Are Belfast Sinks Practical?
Belfast sinks are a traditional style sink designed to minimise spillages and overflow. Hard wearing and available in a variety of durable materials, Belfast style sinks are designed to be fitted under your worktop, giving you an edgeless finish that is easy to clean and perfectly integrated into your kitchen environment.
Water Tanks
Are Under-Sink Water Heaters Any Good?
Water tanks are available with both 3-in-1 and 4-in-1 taps. Designed to sit behind your plinth under the cabinetry or under your sink, these tanks are discreet and suitable for almost every kitchen, unlike a kettle they only use what is required, heating water silently and delivering boiling water instantly.