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.

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.