No matter whether you are designing an entirely new kitchen or updating an existing space, selecting appliances that reflect your individual style can make a space truly personalized and your own.

Start by setting a budget and creating a vision for your project, this will ensure that any appliances chosen are suitable to both the style of kitchen you are renovating as well as functional needs.

Refrigerator

Refrigerators are an indispensable part of modern kitchens. We rely on them to keep our food fresh, helping ensure healthy diets. But how exactly does a refrigerator function?

Refrigerator refrigerant begins life as a mist-like vapor that passes through a compressor before becoming compressed and compressed further to become hot, high-pressure gas. As it moves along a tube on the back of the fridge, its heat dissipates into kitchen air which is cooler than its hot precursor gas.

Refrigeration relies on heat transference between foodstuffs to stay cold. This process also enables you to access milk quickly without opening the main door for refrigeration purposes. In our new series Appliance Science, we’ll explore this science in-depth!

Cooker

A cooker is an electrical or gas-powered appliance used for food preparation. This distinction separates it from being called a cook, which refers to individuals responsible for this task. British English uses “cooker” for any kind of fruit that would only taste delicious after being cooked; and often refers to anything not suitable for raw consumption but would make an appealing snack when prepared properly in the form of meals. These two words can often be confused, making it important for one to know the distinctions between them both.

Dishwasher

A dishwasher is an indispensable kitchen appliance that utilizes spray arms and hot water to efficiently and quickly wash dishes more thoroughly than traditional manual methods. Dishwashers vary in size and features, with key factors for selecting one being unit capacity (how many dishes it can hold), specialty cycles such as rinse-and-hold and quick wash options, energy usage considerations and any special programs such as rinse and hold or quick wash modes, energy use (kWh per load) etc.

Some dishwasher models provide WiFi connectivity so you can manage them from your smartphone, enabling you to start cycles, lock controls, check remaining time and receive alerts regarding its status such as low detergent or detected leaks.

Newer dishwashers may include smart features, such as soil sensors that detect how dirty your dishes are and adjust the wash cycle accordingly. They may also come equipped with slim third racks designed specifically for large items; bottle jets for deep-cleaning baby bottles and water bottles; as well as adjustable dividers to fit oversize utensils and cookware.

Coffee Machine

A coffee machine is an indispensable appliance in many homes. It works by heating water to produce fresh, hot coffee for you to enjoy in an instantaneous cup. Plus, it allows you to customize it further with milk and flavor enhancement for an enhanced experience!

Heating water passes through an aluminum tube that periodically floods coarse coffee grounds located inside the lid of the coffee maker, so they saturate repeatedly with heated water and slowly extrudes. Some models offer up to twelve cups per batch brewing capacity – perfect for families and households that consume lots of coffee!

Other coffee machines provide an easy, hands-off experience by letting you choose from a list of beverage types and selecting your preferred type from their menu, then dispensing pre-texturized milk into its own carafe for storage.

Nicole (he/she) is the Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances & Tools Lab since 2019. A trained chef with experience as product tester in test kitchens for small appliances, food products and kitchen tool products; Nicole leads content and testing at this lab.