There’s no doubt about it, you may have heard this phrase a dozen-and-one-times before, but the kitchen is still among the most essential rooms in any home. It’s where you prepare your daily treats, healthy meals, and perhaps even invent your own unique recipes. However, your ingredients need to be cleaned, chopped up, and prepared just right before you get that perfect meal. Anything perishable needs to be kept fresh to avoid those frequent trips to the grocery. The dishes also need to be kept clean to avoid attracting unwanted nuisances and agents of disease while keeping your kitchen looking presentable smelling fresh. Trash and leftovers also need to be handled well. To achieve all this, it takes investing in the right kitchen appliances. Also, equipping your kitchen with the right appliances will help you save time, increase convenience and boost functionality in your cooking space while making food preparation easier and much more enjoyable.
But of course, there’s a wide range of kitchen appliances out there, some of which are not frequently used and you can even do without them. It all depends on your lifestyle, but some of them are highly important to have. For some enlightenment, here are 8 kitchen appliances worth investing in.
1. Stove/Range
A range or stove is something you don’t want to lack in your kitchen. It’s one of the most convenient appliances when it comes to cooking. Most modern ranges incorporate various cooking technologies, including electricity and gas, as well as induction. Some ranges also come with a baking compartment or an oven as well, which is actually cheaper than buying a cooktop and an oven separately. A high-quality range will surely add to the value of your home. It’s a wise investment.
2. Electric Smoker
This is another appliance that you won’t regret having in your kitchen. It comes in handy when you need to make some juicy meat, smoked sausages or hotdogs, and literally, any type of food that needs smoking, of course without all the smoke that traditional charcoal or wood fuel smokers produce. With this appliance, you also say goodbye to the hassles involved in making fire, and you don’t even have to keep monitoring the fire to avoid burning your meat or smoking your home down.
Nonetheless, not all electric smokers are the same, and choosing the best one for you can be a bit daunting. Ted from electricsmokerguy.com says that when buying an electric smoker, it is important to consider a few things, including size, performance, smoker features, brand, energy efficiency, and pricing, among others. With some research and reading reviews on the best electric smokers on the market, however, choosing the best one for you shouldn’t be rocket science.
3. Dishwasher
Nothing beats the frustration of having dishes all over your kitchen sink, and you have to wash them by hand. It may cost you a bit, but investing in a dishwasher is the best thing you can do for your kitchen. The benefits of having a dishwasher are numerous. In addition to making it easier and more fun to clean your utensils, a dishwasher helps to keep your kitchen sink organized and free of clutter. It also saves time and water, not to mention your effort. It even cleans your dishes better.
4. Refrigerator
You definitely need a refrigerator in your kitchen to keep your food, ingredients, and groceries fresh for longer. On top of this, a fridge prevents food wastage. It also adds convenience, since you can prepare your meals in larger amounts in advance, to save the time you spend cooking. With a fridge, you can also keep your water and beverages cool, which makes them more refreshing especially during hotter days. What’s more, it also provides additional storage for your food and kitchen ingredients whose shelf-life needs to be extended. There are many refrigerator options to choose from, including wall-mounted and freestanding options that you can choose from, based on your specific needs and factors such as space, energy efficiency, control features, pricing, and so forth. Fridge prices also vary from one brand to the other.
5. Microwave
What food goes cold, it loses a great degree of flavor. As a matter of fact, cold meals aren’t the healthiest. Many people suffer from digestive issues such as heartburn and flatulence from consuming food while cold. To prevent all these, a microwave is a worthy appliance to have in your kitchen. Just put your cold food in a dish or drink in a cup and place it in the microwave. It will be warm or hot the way you want it in a matter of seconds to a minute. As you can tell from the name, a microwave works by emitting microwaves which once they come into contact with your food, they cause rapid vibrations that result in what is known as friction heat. This is what heats up your food.
6. Toaster
Having a toaster in your kitchen comes with several perks. If you enjoy toasted bread, this appliance gives you just the eating experience you need in minutes. A good example is the pop-up toaster, which is quick, efficient, and allows you to toast your bread just the way you like it.
7. Blender
A blender is another worthy addition to your kitchen. It allows you to make healthy beverages such as milkshakes, smoothies, vegetable cocktails, and juices from the comfort of your kitchen. It is one of the most inexpensive kitchen appliances that will allow you to adopt a healthy diet routine.
8. Water Heater
From cooking to preparing ingredients, and making a hot beverage, there are many instances where hot water is required in the kitchen. With an electric water heater, kettle or jug, you don’t have to use your cooking pots and stove every time you need warm or hot water. The appliance can even get you boiled water in a matter of seconds.
In summary, having the right appliances in your kitchen will go a long way in saving you time and money. Some will even contribute to increasing your home’s value, especially the permanently fixed or wall-mounted versions. The list may not be comprehensive, but the above are just a few kitchen appliances that are worth spending your money on.