Frequently asked appliance questions – answered!

March 8th, 2013

Appliance Talk

Got an appliance question? Well darling, you have come to the right place.

Here, in no particular order, are some of our most frequently asked questions. And remember, if you need to speak to an appliance expert, you can contact us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week: 1300 000 500!

What size fridge should I buy?

Here is a loose guide to choosing the right size fridge for your household:

Before you buy, make sure to measure the fridge cavity space in your kitchen, taking into consideration the room needed for the doors to open. Fridges produce heat, so you will need to include allow enough room for ventilation. A good rule of thumb for ventilation space is 2cm of either side of the fridge, and 3cm on top and at the back.

You should also measure the doorways and halls leading towards your kitchen to make sure the delivery men can deliver it!

What type of cooktop should I buy: gas, electric or induction?

Different types of cooktop provide different advantages:

Electric

Easy to use and easy to maintain, electric is the cheapest of the lot. If you’re after a no-nonsense cooktop that does the job and won’t break the bank, electric is perfect.

Gas

Before you purchase a gas cooktop, make sure there is a natural gas connection in your home. (Sometimes you can get a licensed plumber to convert a gas cooktop to an LPG connection, but you will need a special conversation kit).

Gas is great because it’s powerful, and because you can instantly adjust the heat levels. (It’s also fantastic if you do a lot of wok cooking). However gas cooktops are not quite as easy to clean as electric or induction, and the open flame can potentially present a safety hazard.

Induction

Induction cooktops are smooth and flat – making them extremely easy to wipe clean. They are also incredibly fast and efficient – induction is the most energy efficient type of cooktop you can buy.

Induction cooktops work by using electromagnetic energy, which reacts when it comes into contact with stainless steel or iron. Thus the heat is generated within the pot itself, which is not only extremely safe, it’s also incredibly fast and precise.

The downside is you can only use stainless steel or iron cookware with an induction cooktop. And if you want to cook with a wok, you will need to buy a special induction wok adapter:

What is a convection microwave?

A convection microwave is just like a normal microwave, except you can also use it to bake, roast and grill. So essentially, it’s like combining the features of a microwave with the cooking versatility of a fan-forced oven. So you can reheat and defrost just like you would in your ordinary microwave, but you can also grill cheese, roast meat, or even bake a cake.

These nifty appliances are a great choice if you rent your home, or if you have a small kitchen (and don’t have room for both a microwave and an oven).

I’m buying a dishwasher. What does ‘place settings’ mean?

The ‘place setting’ measurement of a dishwasher refers to all the plates, glasses, and cutlery a person would use in a three course meal. Therefore a 12 place setting dishwasher could theoretically wash all the crockery used at a 12 person dinner party (excluding the pots and pans).

If you want to know what size dishwasher to buy, you can use the following as a guide:

Please make sure you measure the available space in your kitchen before you buy a dishwasher, as not all dishwashers are the same size.

Read more in our blog: What type of dishwasher should I buy? Dishwasher buying guide.

Should I buy a front load or a top load washing machine?

This question was recently addressed in our article: Front load vs top load washing machines: which is better?

In a nutshell, top loaders are good if you have a bad back, because you don’t have to bend down to load the machine. However front loaders are gentler on your clothes, and they’re also much more water and energy efficient.

What is a condenser dryer?

Vented clothes dryers work by blowing hot air on your clothes. This produces moist air, which is then either vented out the front of the dryer, or directly out the window via a venting duct.

Condenser dryers work by extracting moisture from your clothes and then draining it away as condensed water. Some condenser dryers collect this water in a container (which needs to be emptied from time to time), and some include a drainage hose.

A condenser dryer is a good choice if you have a poorly ventilated laundry space.

FYI – the dryer used in washer dryer combos is a condenser dryer. Now you know!

Which vacuum should I buy?

When choosing a vacuum, there are three main things to consider:

Size

The larger the vacuum, the more storage space it will inhabit. Additionally, you will need to consider the weight of the vacuum.

If a small vacuum is what you need, have a look at Appliances Online‘s range of barrel vacuums and handheld vacuums.

Noise

Parents of small children in particular will want to look for a quiet vacuum cleaner. Look for vacuums with sound insulation, or a silence setting. And you should also read the customer reviews of the vacuum you’re planning to purchase to see what others are saying.

Filtration

If you suffer from allergies or asthma, look for a vacuum with a HEPA filter. The filter function of a vacuum will help to remove impurities from the air, including dust mines and smoke particles.

What is a dehumidifier?

A dehumidifier is an appliance that removes moisture from the air. They are great for damp houses that are prone to mildew, and they can also be placed in a bathroom to prevent mould from growing on the walls. If you live in a tropical climate, or if you suffer from allergies, a dehumidifier is a smart investment.

Read more in our article: Five problems a dehumidifier can solve.

How do I clean my BBQ?

To maintain your barbeque, make sure you clean it after every use. Some people believe in pouring a can of beer over the still-hot plate and scraping off the grime with a metal spatula. However you can also use vinegar (warning, it could get smelly!) or water with a little bit of vinegar added.

Please see our article: How to clean a BBQ, and keep it clean for more information.

What size air conditioner do I need?

Especially in the summer months, this is one of our most frequently-asked questions.

First of all, you’ll need to get a tape measure out (sorry), and figure out how large your room is. Once you’ve got the dimensions down, you’ll need to multiply them (remember high school maths?) to figure out how large the room is in square metres.

As a general rule, you will need 1-1.5 kilowatts of cooling capacity for every 10 square metre of space.

But please bear in mind that other factors such as windows, doors, insulation and climate will all make an impact. For more information, please read our guide: What size air conditioner do I need?

Got any more questions?

Let us know! Our Australia-based customer support team is here to help you all day, every day!

Just give us a call: 1300 000 500.