Top Must-Have Kitchen Appliances
In our fast-paced, hectic lifestyles, finding time to cook healthy meals can be a real challenge. Many of us are constantly on the go, juggling work, family, and various commitments. This is where the importance of kitchen appliances truly shines. These appliances not only help save time by improving cooking efficiency but also make it easier for you to experiment with different recipes and cooking preferences.
Before we take you through our Kitchen appliance recommendations, here is a short Kitchen appliance buying guide that will help you make the right buying decisions.
Things to keep in mind before buying your kitchen appliances
Here are a few things that you must consider before buying cooking tools and appliances for your home:
Space: Before you buy a kitchen appliance, consider the shelf and storage space in your kitchen to ensure comfortable handling and maintenance.
Power and Capacity – Consumers often tend to overlook the power and capacity of the appliance. Thoroughly consider the appliance’s power (often denoted in wattage) and its capacity, which depends on the size of your household and how frequently you will be using the appliance.
Budget and features: It is important to strike a balance between your budget and the additional features you need. Always prioritize safety features on your home appliances and resist the temptation for features that you’d rarely use.
Easy maintenance – A good appliance should be easy to clean and durable. Some budget options can be initially cheaper but may require frequent component replacements. Check for kitchen appliance reviews to be sure of their longevity.
Brand and warranty – A well-established brand with a good reputation is often a safer choice. Reputed brands generally offer decent warranties and after-sales support. Some of the best home appliance brands in India include Bajaj, Havells, Philips, Lifelong, Flipkart, and Orpat.
Top Kitchen Appliances to consider
If you are looking to reinvent your cooking style, these are some of the must-have kitchen appliances to consider:
BAJAJ Gx8 GX8 750 W Mixer Grinder
Mixer grinders are essential cooking appliances in all Indian kitchens. This one from Bajaj offers 750W grinding power and comes with a copper-coiled motor with a rated speed of up to 20,000 RPM. The grinder has a shockproof body and also comes with proper cable management. It includes three jars with 304-grade stainless steel blades and benefits from Teraflow technology that uses flow breakers to ensure even and smooth grinding.
Havells Mixwell 500 Mixer Grinder
This mixer grinder has an elegant design and comes with three stainless steel jars to serve versatile grinding needs – a 1 L grinding jar, a 1.5 L liquidising jar, and a 0.5 L chutney jar. Its 500W motor should make it suitable for light to moderate grinding needs. Havells includes an overload protector to ensure the safety of the motor and claims a motor speed of up to 21000 RPM. The wide mouth of jars makes them easier to clean and maintain.
PHILIPS HD9216/43 Air Fryer
The air fryer has become a kitchen essential in India due to its ability to prepare crispy, healthy dishes with minimal oil while retaining the rich flavours of traditional Indian cuisine. This Philips Air fryer uses rapid air technology that circulates hot air to evenly cook dishes. The 4.1 L capacity makes it suitable for medium to large-sized families. Its non-stick coated drawer and the food basket can be washed in a dishwasher, thus making it easy to maintain.
USHA FP 3811_ 1000 W Food Processor
This food processor from Usha comes with a powerful 1000 W motor which makes it suitable for heavy-duty cooking needs. You can use it to make dough, batters, purees, chutneys, smoothies, juices, and more. It comes with several jars with stainless steel blades that can be used for chopping, shredding, and slicing fruits and vegetables. True to its versatile nature it also includes a centrifugal juicer that can be used to make refreshing juices and smoothies.
Butterfly Rapid Kettle 1.5 Litre
The Butterfly Rapid Kettle 1.5 Litre offers a versatile solution for those who love both hot and cold beverages. You can use it to conveniently prepare hot drinks or even a bowl of piping hot soup. The kettle boasts a rust-proof, high-quality stainless steel body that can endure high temperatures, while its compact and lightweight design ensures easy portability. The kettle offers several useful features like fast boiling, a shock-proof body, and a cool touch handle
Flipkart SmartBuy CFXB18 Electric Rice Cooker
Electric rice cookers make it extremely easy to cook rice, a staple in Indian meals. This rice cooker from Flipkart is built from iron, aluminium, and plastic, and has a stainless steel lid, all of which makes it durable. You can also use the Keep Warm function to keep the rice warm hours after it is cooked. This rice cooker has a 1.4 L capacity which makes it suitable for small and medium-sized families.
BAJAJ 410536 300 W Hand Blender with Bowl
Hand blenders are a versatile tool in Indian kitchens and can be used for effortlessly blending, pureing, and churning various ingredients. Their compact design and ease of use make them handy for preparing a wide range of Indian dishes. This blender from Bajaj has a 300W motor and thus can be conveniently used for light and moderate kitchen needs. It also comes with a chopper attachment with stainless steel blades that can be used for swiftly chopping vegetables.
Pigeon Brio+ Induction Cooktop
Induction cooktops offer precise temperature control and can simplify preparing the diverse array of Indian dishes that require specific heat levels and timing. Good quality options, like this Pigeon Brio+, include a number of safety features like automatic shut-off, anti-skit feet and cool-touch surface, which is a huge benefit, especially in households with children and the elderly. It features a 2100 W element and a 1.25 m long cord for convenient use. It is also easy to clean and includes a number of Indian cooking presets.
How to maintain your kitchen appliances
Regular cleaning – The most important factor in maintaining your kitchen appliances is to keep them clean. Thoroughly wipe with a cloth after use as dirt and food residue can build up over time and cause the appliance to malfunction or can reduce its efficiency.
Read the manual – Every appliance has different maintenance needs. Read instructions related to proper maintenance of your appliance in the manual. Some appliances may require periodic replacement of components like blades or filters, and some may require periodic service by trained technicians.
Avoid Overloading – Avoid overloading appliances while cooking. If you notice your appliance becoming excessively hot, power it off and allow it sufficient time to cool down.
Unplug when not in use – When appliances are not in use for an extended period, consider unplugging them to save energy and reduce the risk of electrical issues.
To sum it up, the right appliances are indispensable kitchen allies in our modern, fast-paced lives. They not only save us precious time but also empower us to explore and experiment with a variety of cooking styles. It is important to make informed choices when investing in these tools. Prioritizing factors like space, power, budget, and maintenance can help ensure that you choose the right appliances for your kitchen that enhance your cooking experience.
Investing in durable, high-quality appliances from reputable brands can save you money and hassle in the long run. Also, maintaining your kitchen appliances with regular cleaning and following manufacturer recommendations will increase their longevity.