Essential Kitchen Appliance Must-Haves For Every Kitchen | More Kitchens

Published: 6 March 2023

While the kitchen is the heart of the home, it is the kitchen appliances that pump life through it.

They are an important part of creating a functional, efficient, and stylish kitchen as well as being a differentiator in how enjoyable your cooking experience is. And whether you’re a beginner cook or an experienced chef, having the right tools make all the difference.

Kitchen appliances are a necessity no matter what set-up you have. Whether you have a grand space with an island or a small space to work with, it’s those appliances that will make your space tick.

Previously, our team has written about the smart appliances that are on the rise, increasing in popularity for their ability to make our lives easier and more efficient. It provides a look into the kitchens of the future and how they can become technology-led.

However, if you’re just starting out in the world of kitchen appliances or you’re looking to upgrade your current setup, here are the essential kitchen appliance must-haves for every kitchen - split into three sections: cooking, cleaning, and utensils.

As a result, there’s a lot to cover so below we have covered 10 kitchen appliances that we consider are must-haves for the kitchen:

• Fridge
• Freezer
• Oven
• Stove
• Toaster
• Kettle
• Sink
• Washing machine
• Air fryer
• Dishwasher

We delve into all of those appliances - and more - in greater detail. But first up, we focus on the essential cooking appliances…

Cooking Essentials

Cooking is the primary use of most kitchens in the home and it has come a long way over the years, thanks to technology.

Below, we have taken a look at the essential items you’re going to need to deliver the best cooking experience:

Fridge/ Freezer

The fridge/freezer is an essential kitchen appliance that has become a staple in most households. Not only does it help keep food fresh for longer, but it also provides convenience and comfort when it comes to food storage and preparation.

With the option of having it either free-standing or built-in to the kitchen, Its primary function is to keep our food fresh for long periods of time. The modern fridge/freezer is one of the biggest appliances on this list, often coming with significant amounts of space in order to store large quantities of food and drink and keep it cool.

Oven/Stove

Like the fridge/freezer, the oven and stove have been a staple of kitchens for a number of years now.

Whether you’re baking, roasting vegetables, or grilling meats, having a reliable and versatile oven is essential. Compared to the microwave, air fryer, and slow cooker, ovens have a much larger capacity to cook more dishes at once with minimal effort. Like the fridge/freezer, it can also be built-in into the kitchen space, while more modern versions come with the option of self-cleaning.

If you’re looking for an upgrade, you may want to invest in a double oven or a cooktop. Gas and electric stoves are both popular options.

Microwave

In the name of energy efficiency, we’re bringing the microwave near the top of this list.

Microwaves have become essential for their convenience. Day-to-day life is busy and the microwave provides the perfect solution for cooking meals quickly, heating up leftovers, or preparing frozen food. Combination microwave ovens are also more common, allowing homeowners to have an all-in-one cooker.

As part of our energy efficiency blog, we suggested that microwaves are the most efficient way to cook, especially compared to the oven. We said: “microwaves use far less energy (no more than 1,500 watts) while the heat it emits is for the food itself, rather than additional energy being wasted to heat the air around it.”

So if you’re looking to reduce your energy bills and reduce energy consumption, the microwave is a must.

Toaster

Another cooking appliance to this list but one not to be dismissed for the role it plays in the kitchen.

Like the oven, the toaster has been a staple in our kitchens for a long time and is predominantly popular for the role it plays in toasting bread and other delicious snacks in a quick, easy, and affordable way - without the need for a stove.

Toasters also stand out for being incredibly energy efficient and use only a fraction of energy when being used. Most newer models now also have a setting that will automatically shut off the toaster when your food is done, so you won't have to worry about leaving it on.

Kettle

In the UK, particularly Yorkshire, we love a brew. For that reason, you’re not going to find many kitchens where a kettle is not present.

Simple yet effective, the kettle is useful for its ability to heat up water quickly in order to make hot drinks and cook food like pasta and vegetables. Because of that, though, it does mean that the kettle is also ranked as one of the hardest-working appliances in the kitchen.

Statistics show that the average UK household boils the kettle 1,500 times per year, according to Money.co.uk. Even at the estimated 1p per minute, it takes to boil (the average boiling point is 4 minutes), those pennies soon rack up.

As a result, we’re seeing more and more homeowners make the switch to hot taps as a more energy-efficient alternative.

Cooking Appliance Desirables

Instant Water Tap

Following on from the kettle, it would be remiss of us not to include instant water taps which are growing in popularity and increasingly becoming more desirable.

An instant water tap provides an easy and convenient way to access hot and cold water. It also makes it much easier to quickly fill pots, kettles, and other containers. The instant water tap also helps save energy as users can get hot or cold water instantly without having to wait for the water to heat up or cool down.

On average, instant water taps use 50% less energy than a kettle, which Brits are guilty of overfilling before each use - ensuring you’re also going to cut down on water wastage.

Air Fryer

Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen appliances in recent years for their versatility and ability to provide a healthier alternative to traditional deep drying.

With very little oil needed, it circulates hot air around the food - very much in the same way a microwave does - to produce delicious fried food with a fraction of the fat and calories. They can also be used to grill, bake, and roast, meaning they are capable of cooking a variety of dishes.

In terms of energy efficiency, air fryers save far more energy than most cooking appliances. Because of their ability to circulate air and not rely on the need for oil. As a result, far less electricity is needed and owners save 75% more energy.

Brits love their coffee and rather than just pour hot water over granules to fulfil that urge, we’re turning more and more to coffee machines to provide great cups of coffee with a touch of style and convenience, whether you’re after a traditional espresso or a modern pod machine.

While it may be another appliance, modern coffee machines come with a touch of style and class to any kitchen décor.

Water Purifier

For those that are safety conscious about tap water, buying a water purifier will be a priority. Water purifiers have grown in popularity for their ability to filter out contaminants from our drinking water, such as lead, chlorine and other impurities. Beyond that, using purified water means cooking is much safer, too.

Juicer

Who doesn’t love a glass of fresh juice in the morning with their breakfast? For that reason, juicers are considered a desirable kitchen appliance to make fresh juice from a variety of fruits and vegetables, providing a great source of vitamins and minerals and can provide a nutritious boost to your diet.

Rice Cooker

Did you know that approximately 88% of UK households purchase rice each year? With such a huge presence in our diet, it is no surprise that rice cookers have also become increasingly desirable. Cooking large quantities of rice has never been easier, while many models now have a variety of different settings to cook grains, oats, wheat, and barley.

Blender

For many families across the UK, blenders are indispensable. Creating purees, butter and sauces, breaking down large portions for young children, and creating unique blends for both meals and drinks in seconds make these tiny, but high-powered, machines a necessity in the kitchen.

Pressure Cooker

Only searches for pressure cookers have increased over the last 12 months, generating approximately 63,000 queries per month, according to Google. Pressure cookers have grown in popularity for being able to cook food quickly and at much higher temperatures than the other cooking methods included in this article. The result of that is food that is packed full of flavour but is also nutritious. Like the air fryer and slow cooker, pressure cookers are also incredibly energy efficient.

Cleaning

We’ve covered cooking so now let’s focus on cleaning. In this section, we cover the four must-have kitchen appliances to make your life as easy as possible when it comes to washing up.

Sink

While dishwashers have become a preference for many families when it comes to cleaning up the dishes, there are simply some things a sink can do that makes it an absolute essential.

While its primary function is for washing dishes, the sink can be used for prepping food, like fruit and vegetables, and cleaning up other messes. The sink is an effective sanitation point and can be used to keep countertops clean and dishes and cookware in pristine condition.

The only downside is washing dishes in the sink, for many is seen as a chore.

Dishwasher

The primary choice for dish cleaning for a number of reasons, investing in a dishwasher means you eliminate the need for hand-washing dishes.

On top of that, it acts as a storage compartment for those dishes while they are being washed, creating a picture of organisation within the kitchen.

So, the next question, is which is more energy and water usage efficient? Data from Which? in 2022 found that the most water-efficient full-sized dishwasher uses almost 10 times less water to wash the same amount of dishes as hand washing them.

And as dishwashers wash more in a single wash, using less water (and hence having less to heat up), they could be more energy-efficient too.

Washing Machine

From dishes to clothes, the washing machine is one of the most essential kitchen appliances in any home… solely for the purpose of keeping our clothes and linen fresh.

They are an indispensable convenience. Without it, you would have to wash each piece of clothing by hand, which is not only incredibly time-consuming but also boring. While they’re a big investment, washing machines make taking care of laundry more efficient while it keeps clothes last longer, look better, and smell fresher.

In terms of efficiency, there is a wide spectrum. Washing machine wattages cover a huge range, from under 300 watts per hour for the most efficient models to over 1,500.

It is worth pointing out that your washing machine's age is a big factor because modern washing machines are overall more efficient than older models.

Tumble Dryer

We have covered washing clothes, now let’s talk about drying them.

When it comes to convenience, the tumble dryer means you don’t have to have clothes hanging on airers in the living room for a prolonged period of time, meaning you save both on time but

The tumble dryer is a must-have kitchen appliance for any modern household. Tumble dryers are an efficient and convenient way to dry clothes, bedding, and other fabrics quickly. They can save time, energy, and money while helping to keep your home looking neat and tidy.

Tumble dryers are also great for reducing energy costs. They use much less energy to run than a traditional clothesline does, so you can save money on your utility bills. Tumble dryers are also more efficient, as they are able to dry clothes more quickly than other methods.

Heat Pump Tumble Dryer

In the name of energy efficiency, we couldn’t forget to include a special mention of heat pump tumble dryers. These are much more efficient than standard models. It uses a closed-loop system to circulate warm air around the machine, which helps to retain heat and moisture, meaning that your clothes dry faster and more thoroughly at lower temperatures with less energy wasted. It’s estimated that heat pump models save up to 60% in energy consumption compared to their standard opposite.

Utsensils

Last, but by no means least, let’s look at utensils. There are so many we could go through here but we have condensed our list down to a top 20 must-have kitchen utensils that will help maximise your cooking experience.

In no particular order, they are:

1. Knives
2. Cutting board
3. Measuring cups and spoons
4. Spatula
5. Whisk
6. Can opener
7. Soup ladle
8. Wooden spoons
9. Colander
10. Peeler
11. Tongs
12. Pot holders
13. Mixing bowls
14. Grill pan
15. Skillet
16. Saucepan
17. Roasting pan
18. Baking dish
19. Grater
20. Blender

Can We Help You Give Your Kitchen A New Look In 2023

While we have spoken a lot about all the essential kitchen appliances you need to bring your kitchen to life, we specialise in designing and fitting a kitchen that you can be proud of.

If giving your kitchen a revamp is on your agenda and you need help, then get in touch with us. We take care of everything from kitchen design right through to getting it fully fitted. You can book a free design appointment with us today.

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