10 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Buying Any Kitchen Appliance
Consider these important queries and you might just make life easier for yourself in the kitchen
T Stanley
30 September 2014
When you’re on the hunt for a new appliance it’s easy to get swayed by specials, advertisements and the shiniest model in the showroom. By pondering these key questions and doing some basic research, you could well save yourself the inconvenience and expense of a purchase that doesn’t fit your needs.
1. What’s the cost?
The advertised price may not tell the whole story if delivery and installation are required. Ask the salesperson for a specific breakdown of all the costs you will face and enquire about the possibility of picking up the item yourself from the manufacturer or distributor’s warehouse if possible, in order to reduce your outlay.
The advertised price may not tell the whole story if delivery and installation are required. Ask the salesperson for a specific breakdown of all the costs you will face and enquire about the possibility of picking up the item yourself from the manufacturer or distributor’s warehouse if possible, in order to reduce your outlay.
2. What kind of maintenance will it need?
Some appliances may require professional servicing whereas others may need domestic maintenance in order to maintain proper function. Ask the salesperson and/or read the instruction manual to find out what servicing will be needed and how often, and use that information to work out any time you’ll need to set aside for the maintenance and any ongoing costs you’ll face.
Some appliances may require professional servicing whereas others may need domestic maintenance in order to maintain proper function. Ask the salesperson and/or read the instruction manual to find out what servicing will be needed and how often, and use that information to work out any time you’ll need to set aside for the maintenance and any ongoing costs you’ll face.
3. Can I get it cheaper elsewhere?
With fierce competition between websites and bricks and mortar stores, you may be able to drive down your preferred seller’s price in order to match a competitor. If you’re visiting a shop, take along some proof of a lower price elsewhere; a newspaper advertisement from a discount outlet or a printout of an Australian seller’s web page can assist.
With fierce competition between websites and bricks and mortar stores, you may be able to drive down your preferred seller’s price in order to match a competitor. If you’re visiting a shop, take along some proof of a lower price elsewhere; a newspaper advertisement from a discount outlet or a printout of an Australian seller’s web page can assist.
4. How big is it?
Take a tape measure with you and jot down the exact dimensions of the appliance to work out if it will fit in the area you want it be installed or stored.
Take a tape measure with you and jot down the exact dimensions of the appliance to work out if it will fit in the area you want it be installed or stored.
5. What about warranty?
You may need to fill out a form and submit it to the manufacturer in order to validate your warranty. Certain consumer protections apply regardless of specified warranties or any refund/exchange conditions you may be given by a store, so contact the Consumer Affairs body in your state or territory for further details.
You may need to fill out a form and submit it to the manufacturer in order to validate your warranty. Certain consumer protections apply regardless of specified warranties or any refund/exchange conditions you may be given by a store, so contact the Consumer Affairs body in your state or territory for further details.
6. Does it have all the features I need, or any I can do without?
While it’s important to ascertain whether the item you’re after has all the features you desire, such as child-safe or adjustable functions, there’s no point in paying for fancier attributes you simply won’t use. A cheaper model of the same appliance could the perfect one for you.
While it’s important to ascertain whether the item you’re after has all the features you desire, such as child-safe or adjustable functions, there’s no point in paying for fancier attributes you simply won’t use. A cheaper model of the same appliance could the perfect one for you.
7. What does it weigh?
Heavy portable items such as blenders, coffee machines, mixers and juicers might not be as easy to grab and lift from cupboards as you think. If an appliance is too heavy or awkward to be brought out without fuss it may need to take up benchtop storage space, unless your cupboards are set up to accommodate it with a specially modified cabinet such as this thoughtful design.
Heavy portable items such as blenders, coffee machines, mixers and juicers might not be as easy to grab and lift from cupboards as you think. If an appliance is too heavy or awkward to be brought out without fuss it may need to take up benchtop storage space, unless your cupboards are set up to accommodate it with a specially modified cabinet such as this thoughtful design.
8. How noisy is it?
It’s one thing to view an item on display but quite another to see and hear it in action. Ask the salesperson about the noise level and request to listen to the item plugged in and switched on, if possible. Additionally, ask your friends and relatives if they have used a similar model and how loud they have found it.
It’s one thing to view an item on display but quite another to see and hear it in action. Ask the salesperson about the noise level and request to listen to the item plugged in and switched on, if possible. Additionally, ask your friends and relatives if they have used a similar model and how loud they have found it.
9. Is it energy efficient?
Certain appliances such as fridges, freezers and dishwashers are sold labelled with a government star rating scheme which you can use to ascertain how much its operation might affect your energy or water bill, based on average household use.
Certain appliances such as fridges, freezers and dishwashers are sold labelled with a government star rating scheme which you can use to ascertain how much its operation might affect your energy or water bill, based on average household use.
10. How easy is it to clean?
Ask the salesperson or read an online instruction manual to determine how much time you’ll have to spend cleaning the product, including removing fingerprint marks, and the strength and expense of any special products required to do so.
MORE
How to Make Coloured Appliances Work in Your Kitchen
Hidden Agenda: 15 Cleverly Concealed Kitchen Storage Spaces
Kitchen Charisma: 10 Ways to Give Yours a Lift
10 Ways to Max Space in Your Tiny Kitchen
Ask the salesperson or read an online instruction manual to determine how much time you’ll have to spend cleaning the product, including removing fingerprint marks, and the strength and expense of any special products required to do so.
MORE
How to Make Coloured Appliances Work in Your Kitchen
Hidden Agenda: 15 Cleverly Concealed Kitchen Storage Spaces
Kitchen Charisma: 10 Ways to Give Yours a Lift
10 Ways to Max Space in Your Tiny Kitchen
Related Stories
Kitchen Guides
10 Key Kitchen Dimensions You Need to Know
Here are key kitchen dimensions that will help you design like a pro
Full Story
More Room Guides
35 Serene Puja Room Designs
Take a leaf out of these elegantly designed, beautiful prayer rooms on Houzz
Full Story
Decorating Guides
What Are the Benefits of Hiring an Interior Designer?
From furnishing working drawings to beautifying the home, find out how an interior designer plays multifunctional roles
Full Story
More Room Guides
Turn One Room Into Two With These Genius Ideas
Carve out an extra room within your home with these fab room-splitting tips and tricks
Full Story
Bedroom Guides
What Are the Ideal Wardrobe Measurements?
Here are dimensions for different types of wardrobe designs that ensure maximum functionality and storage
Full Story
Architecture
These Indian Homes Know How To Combat Harsh Climate
See how these homes by SPASM, Kumar Moorthy & Associates and JPLUSDARCHITECTS mitigate the ramifications of harsh climate ahead of time
Full Story
Architecture
How to Find an Architect That's Right for You
Make the construction and renovation of your home a pleasant and memorable journey by selecting the right architect
Full Story
Bathroom Guides
Step-by-Step: A Guide to Renovating Your Bathroom
Planning to renovate your bathroom? Learn about the different stages involved in the remodelling process
Full Story
Living Rooms
30 Best Sofa Designs
This guide gives a rundown of sofa types that will leave you spoilt for choices
Full Story
Small Spaces
7 Stylish Ways to Dry Your Laundry In a Small Apartment
Has your drying rack become a perpetual eyesore in your home? These dapper laundry drying solutions have you covered
Full Story
10 pieces of good professional advices! I watched interestnig tips for antique design here http://blogkitchens.com/
Y'all might like it too!
nice article to read, it adds up more knowledge on me when I will be purchasing appliances in the future...I also read a good article in connection abt this by considering only 2 issues when spending money to buy appliance... you may alsoo check the link as well..
https://www.shorisuperstore.com/blogs/news/118248837-2-main-considerations-prior-to-home-appliance-investment
good info