Whether you’re good enough to be on Master Chef - or you can barely boil an egg - we’ve got plenty of advice on choosing the right kitchen appliance. Use the drop-down menu on the left to get some handy tips.

Cooking

Sometimes size does matter – what size oven do you need? The largest size in a single oven is about 80 litres capacity. If you have a large family, or love to entertain, then you might want to consider an even bigger format. Double ovens allow you to cook at two different temperatures or functions (e.g cook a roast and a delicate soufflé at the same time) and they either feature an additional half-sized oven or a second full-sized one. The extra half oven is an economic option for grilling or baking small dishes while the full-sized double oven is the choice of serious entertainers.

Choosing an oven: how do you like to cook? Your choice of oven or stove may depend on your budget but also needs to reflect the type of cook you are. A basic “bake & grill” oven may be sufficient if you don’t cook often or for rental properties however a multi-function oven is needed if you are, or aspire to be, a more accomplished cook. Multi-function ovens can range from three to thirteen or more baking functions – the different functions can make your baking better but not if your too confused or intimidated to use them. Let us help you choose wisely.

Get the low-down on the latest induction cooktops They say once you’ve used an induction cooktop, you’ll never look back! Induction hobs work by creating an electro-magnetic field with the base of your cooking pot. It will work on any pot with a ferrous metal base – you can test this by seeing if a magnet will stick to the pot. Induction technology combines the easy cleaning of advantage of ceramic cooktops with the speed and responsiveness of gas hobs and has greater control as a bonus. The speed is impressive - water can be brought to the boil in half the time of traditional cooktops. It is also safer, because it creates heat in the bottom of the pot so the rest of cooking surface and your kitchen remain cooler.

Cooking with gas v electricity: the pros & cons When it comes to cooktops, a ceramic electric hob is space-saving and easy to clean; but you’ll need to take care with the surface. Gas hobs offer instant and responsive heat, and most have a dedicated wok burner. The downside to gas is they can be difficult to keep at a very low simmer and can get messy with trivets to clean around. Induction cooktops (see below) can offer the best of both worlds.

Ovens

Sometimes size does matter – what size oven do you need? The largest size in a single oven is about 80 litres capacity. If you have a large family, or love to entertain, then you might want to consider an even bigger format. Double ovens allow you to cook at two different temperatures or functions (e.g cook a roast and a delicate soufflé at the same time) and they either feature an additional half-sized oven or a second full-sized one. The extra half oven is an economic option for grilling or baking small dishes while the full-sized double oven is the choice of serious entertainers.

Cooktops

Cooking with gas v electricity: the pros & cons When it comes to cooktops, a ceramic electric hob is space-saving and easy to clean; but you’ll need to take care with the surface. Gas hobs offer instant and responsive heat, and most have a dedicated wok burner. The downside to gas is they can be difficult to keep at a very low simmer and can get messy with trivets to clean around. Induction cooktops (see below) can offer the best of both worlds.

Get the low-down on the latest induction cooktops They say once you’ve used an induction cooktop, you’ll never look back! Induction hobs work by creating an electro-magnetic field with the base of your cooking pot. It will work on any pot with a ferrous metal base – you can test this by seeing if a magnet will stick to the pot. Induction technology combines the easy cleaning of advantage of ceramic cooktops with the speed and responsiveness of gas hobs and has greater control as a bonus. The speed is impressive - water can be brought to the boil in half the time of traditional cooktops. It is also safer, because it creates heat in the bottom of the pot so the rest of cooking surface and your kitchen remain cooler.

Rangehoods

Choosing a rangehood for your kitchen style You’ll find a choice of rangehood models at your 100% Appliances store - from simple entry-level models, to super-stylish designer versions that will complement the look of your kitchen.

That really sucks! A guide to extraction rates for rangehoods As a rough guide, a good starting point is 400 cubic metres/hour. You may need more powerful extraction, depending on your kitchen needs. Some models come with a useful ‘boost’ function – so you can ramp up the power for a short burst of intensive cooking (e.g for the billow of steam when you add liquid to a pan) before automatically returning to the pre-boost level.

Where does it go? How ducting works for your rangehood Your rangehood should ideally be ducted outside. If you can’t duct outside, say because your kitchen has no external walls, then you can choose the reticulation mode that’s available on most models although we recommend you opt for carbon filters as an accessory to better clean the air.

Refrigeration

The first step to choosing a new fridge – get your measuring tape out! Most kitchens are built with a dedicated space for the fridge. So the first step is to get a measuring tape and see how much room you have (i.e the height, width and depth of the space). Unless you’re prepared to re-do your cabinetry, you’ll need to choose a fridge that fits your existing space. 100% Appliances has a wide range of models available – of all shapes & sizes!

The pros and cons: top mount, bottom mount, or side-by-side fridges When you’re choosing a combined fridge/freezer, you can choose one with a freezer mounted at the top, at the bottom or on one side. Models with a top-mounted freezer are generally a little more energy efficient while those with a bottom-mounted freezer are more ergonomic since we tend to go to the fridge more often than the freezer. Side-by-side models are a larger format, 90cm wide or more, and provide plenty of storage space. The fridge compartment tends to feature a range of handy drawers and shelves and let you store the most often used items in easy reach. The freezer capacity tends to be more than a typical fridge/freezer but has quite narrow shelves and large families may still need more room.

Options for Bigger families & Entertainers Some people want a super-sized fridge and freezer for their kitchen rather than chasing to a chest freezer all the time. While there are some extra-large side-by-side models of around 700 litres capacity, another option lies in a matching pair of fridge and vertical freezer. These paired units allow you to get closer to a 50:50 mix in your fridge and freezer storage and give loads of storage space.

All the bells & whistles: ice and water makers for your fridge Side-by-side models are very popular and their ice and water makers are particularly appealing. With a constant supply of ice, you’ll never have to worry about refilling those ice-cube trays again! The filtered water is also great for encouraging healthy drinking habits in kids, and keeping hydrated during the day. If you don’t have room for a side-by-side model, there are now smaller format fridge/freezers that offer automatic ice and/or filtered water through the door so ask in store if one of these may suit your home.

Where have all the butter conditioners gone?! Have you noticed that fridges don’t come with butter conditioners anymore? No it wasn’t a margarine conspiracy, the manufacturers had to remove them to meet strict government minimum performance standards. Butter conditioners wasted too much energy - when you think about it, they were a mini-heater in your fridge!

Freezers

Options for Bigger families & Entertainers Some people want a super-sized fridge and freezer for their kitchen rather than chasing to a chest freezer all the time. While there are some extra-large side-by-side models of around 700 litres capacity, another option lies in a matching pair of fridge and vertical freezer. These paired units allow you to get closer to a 50:50 mix in your fridge and freezer storage and give loads of storage space.

Refrigerators

The first step to choosing a new fridge – get your measuring tape out! Most kitchens are built with a dedicated space for the fridge. So the first step is to get a measuring tape and see how much room you have (i.e the height, width and depth of the space). Unless you’re prepared to re-do your cabinetry, you’ll need to choose a fridge that fits your existing space. 100% Appliances has a wide range of models available – of all shapes & sizes!

All the bells & whistles: ice and water makers for your fridge Side-by-side models are very popular and their ice and water makers are particularly appealing. With a constant supply of ice, you’ll never have to worry about refilling those ice-cube trays again! The filtered water is also great for encouraging healthy drinking habits in kids, and keeping hydrated during the day. If you don’t have room for a side-by-side model, there are now smaller format fridge/freezers that offer automatic ice and/or filtered water through the door so ask in store if one of these may suit your home.

The pros and cons: top mount, bottom mount, or side-by-side fridges When you’re choosing a combined fridge/freezer, you can choose one with a freezer mounted at the top, at the bottom or on one side. Models with a top-mounted freezer are generally a little more energy efficient while those with a bottom-mounted freezer are more ergonomic since we tend to go to the fridge more often than the freezer. Side-by-side models are a larger format, 90cm wide or more, and provide plenty of storage space. The fridge compartment tends to feature a range of handy drawers and shelves and let you store the most often used items in easy reach. The freezer capacity tends to be more than a typical fridge/freezer but has quite narrow shelves and large families may still need more room.

Dishwasher & Waste Disposers

Choosing a dishwasher: a quick guide to size The standard size dishwasher is 600mm wide x 600mm deep, and standard bench height. 100% Appliances also stock narrower models that are 45cm wide for smaller kitchens; as well as single dishdrawers and bench top models that are great for studio apartments or kitchenettes.

Dishwasher decisions: standard format or dish drawer? This is a personal preference. The advantages of a double dishdrawer are that you can wash two loads on separate cycles (e.g stemware and pots) or you can start loading one while the other runs its cycle. Standard format models are easier to install and may have more flexible basket layouts. The choice is yours.

Test-drive our dishwashers in-store! At 100% Appliances, we’re happy for you to get hands-on if it helps you find the right appliance. With a dishwasher, it’s important that it will fit your favourite dinner set, bowls, platters or stemware. So bring a few of your plates and glasses into the store, and try stacking them in different models. Trust us, this can avoid a lot of frustration when it you get it home!

‘Hey, keep the noise down..’ The decibel ratings of a dishwasher. You want to keep your dishwasher as quiet as possible - especially if your kitchen is near the living or bedroom areas. The operating noise level will be specified in a decibel rating for each model. As a guide, 47 decibels is average; 45 or lower is better.

Waste Disposers

‘Waste not, want not’: tips on choosing a waste disposer unit If you have a large family, or will use your disposal unit a lot, make sure you opt for a heavy-duty model. It’s important what the grinder blade is made of. Lightly galvanised steel will wear out quicker than stainless steel. Some of the more expensive models come with “sound deadening” – but all waste disposers make noise!

Dishwashers

Choosing a dishwasher: a quick guide to size The standard size dishwasher is 600mm wide x 600mm deep, and standard bench height. Ask in-store about new "tall" models that still fit under-bench but give extra height. 100% Appliances also stock narrow models that are 45cm wide for smaller kitchens; as well as single dishdrawers and bench top models that are great for studio apartments or kitchenettes.

Dishwasher decisions: standard format or dish drawer? This is a personal preference. The advantages of a double dishdrawer are that you can wash two loads on separate cycles (e.g stemware and pots) or you can start loading one while the other runs its cycle. Standard format models are easier to install and may have more flexible basket layouts. The choice is yours.

Come in-store and try out our dishwashers for size. At 100% Appliances, we’re happy for you to get hands-on if it helps you find the right appliance. With a dishwasher, it’s important that it will fit your favourite dinner set, bowls, platters or stemware. So bring a few of your plates and glasses into the store, and try stacking them in different models. Trust us, this can avoid a lot of frustration when it you get it home!

‘Hey, keep the noise down..’ The decibel ratings of a dishwasher. You want to keep your dishwasher as quiet as possible - especially if your kitchen is near the living or bedroom areas. The operating noise level will be specified in a decibel rating for each model. As a guide, 47 decibels is average; 45 or lower is better.