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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

Tamara M Stanley
Tamara M StanleySeptember 29, 2014
Tamara is a Houzz contributor, feature writer, editor and researcher for lifestyle, renovating and decorating publications. She can often be found surrounded by decorating magazines, ripping out pages for her dream home mood boards.
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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.
The Cross Interior Design
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.
Trish Namm, Allied ASID - Kent Kitchen Works
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.
Michael Fullen Design Group
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.
Superior Woodcraft, Inc.
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.
Chipper Hatter Architectural Photographer
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.
Woodecor Ltd
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.
Dura Supreme Cabinetry
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.
RW Anderson Homes
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.
Croma Design Inc.
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.
Glenvale Kitchens
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.

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