One thing that will change in the future though is the ease of checking just how much energy we use when heating, cooking and washing. By 2020 the UK Government wants every house to be installed with a ‘Smart meter’.

Not only do these show us just how much electric we are using at any given time, but also allows us to use appliances when the fuel is cheapest. The great thing about the Smart Meters is they give the chance to recognise which are the kitchen apliances that soak up most of the gas or electric when using them, allowing us to be more frugal in the future, and help the environment and lower our home energy bills.

In summertime when we barely use the gas for heating expect for water, it will soon become very obvious how much it costs to use the oven to cook a roast or to do a few loads in the washing machine.

Part of the Electrolux group of companies, together they are recognised as the largest manufacturer of white goods in the World. This famous brand has a unique blend of quality and performance, and has a following of loyal customers due to their ability to deliver reliable products. AEG offer models from each corner of the kitchen, including washers, dryers, integrated appliances and a good selection of refrigeration units.

Baumatic Kitchen Appliances

Over the previous decade Baumatic have established themselves as a major player in the UK appliance market. Through a design flair and style offensive this Italian based brand have won over the hearts of many. The range on offer gives people the chance to buy modern appliances at competitive prices. The cooker hoods and dishwashers are big sellers for them, and they currently promote over 250 models in their latest brochure. The warranty periods are now extended to at least 2 years for both parts and labour.

Bosch Kitchen Appliances

There are not many people who will haven’t heard of this iconic badge, Bosch are a huge manufacturer of many domestic appliances, namely home appliances. Most of us will have owned or had use of a Bosch washing machine or tumble dryer at some stage of our lives; they are known to be fantastic in the grade of materials, the energy ratings and also their longevity. Two years guarantee on every product, a major service network and a sturdy feel make Bosch appliances a favourite.

De Dietrich Kitchen Appliances

As a specialist producer of built in appliances, De Dietrich have almost revolutionised the way induction and pyrolytic cooking is offered in stores and online. They have made these newest of technologies available by pioneering the function and then making them available to the mass market. De Dietrich offer a great selection of touch control hobs and self cleaning ovens, many of which come with a 5 years warranty.

Electrolux Kitchen Appliances

As a lower priced option within the AEG-Electrolux range, you still have a large choice and many more freestanding options with Electrolux branded goods. Appealing more to the bulk of UK customers, you will find a vast array of fridge freezers, washer dryers and good value ovens and hobs. This company offers a great website that gives an insight into their products and the way the work, also giving key information about how they can make your life easier with the features they offer.

Fagor Kitchen Appliances

Relatively new to Britain but massive on the continent, Fagor are part of one of the largest manufacturers of kitchen appliances. You will find they offer all the features you could possibly want, their built in cookers and hobs have an excellent standard specification and won’t cost the Earth! Some double ovens and induction cookers are offered with free extended warranties, and even free pan sets. The majority of Fagor units are built in but they also offer a standalone choice.

Hotpoint Kitchen Appliances

The most recognised marque when it comes to kitchen equipment, Hotpoint (previously Hotpoint Ariston) are the number one in this country for most types of appliances. The main reasons are the breadth of choice and the accessible pricing structure. In a variety of colours you can find a fridge, freezer, or now even American fridge freezer from Hotpoint. They have one of the best ranges of washing and drying appliances, including integrated and freestanding. Their dishwashers offer a solution for every home, with fully integrated and slim line dishwashers too. You can pick and choose from the brochure an oven, hob and hood to match your tastes, with many different designs and features to suit your needs.

Indesit Kitchen Appliances

The founding company of Hotpoint and the parent company name is Indesit, and these budget appliances are on every high street in every major appliance shop. As an Italian brand they started by offering cheaper versions of the everyday appliances we need, like cookers and refrigerators. As time has passed they are a very large company in Europe, with still the same ethics of mass producing affordable white goods. White fridges and slot in cookers are their specialty.

Miele Kitchen Appliances

Recognised as the best quality mainstream brand, Miele are superb quality and have a flawless reputation. Stunning designs on cooking appliances, bullet proof reliability for their laundry and dish-washing appliances, Miele are German through and through in source and their design nature. These products push the boundaries of what we wouldn’t have considered possible in the past, especially with their selection of electric and gas hobs, and the complementing extraction units. The best sellers for Miele are the washing machines, which have an endless number of useable features and also have lengthy guarantees to back up the considerable price tags.

Neff Kitchen Appliances

For anyone serious about their home cooking then Neff could be the right option for you. The marketing department for Neff pushes this series of appliances as the “perfect partner”, mainly because they offer so much assistance in making them work for their loyal consumers. The technology incorporated into the ovens is something they are very proud of, and Neff even offer a cooking school to let you get the best from the ability of the cooker. Part of the BSH Group of companies, they offer German quality and represent excellent value.

Siemens Kitchen Appliances

For anyone who has an eye for style and contemporary design then Siemens offer a highly desirable option. You can find sleek looks, blended elegance and also all the modern conveniences required from home kitchen appliances. Again part of the BSH group, Siemens offers mainly stainless steel and black cooking, washing and refrigeration appliances, also many different types of dishwasher appliances. Steam ovens are more popular now and Siemens have a full size or compact steam cooker to buy today. Benefit from an excellent after sales back up.

Smeg Kitchen Appliances

Famed for the FAB fridge freezers, Smeg are an Italian company who are present in many countries. Their Italian flair and cutting edge design makes Smeg popular with those wanting a certain look in their house. Smeg sell many range cookers in England, Scotland and Wales. They have dozens on offer in various widths and fuel types, and are considered to offer a lot of metal for the money you will spend. The US style 50’s fridge freezers are very well known, and come in all sort of abstract colours like orange, yellow, pink and striped. Currently Smeg have over 300 kitchen appliances in their line-up.

Whirlpool Kitchen Appliances

The most common place to see a Whirlpool logo will undoubtedly be on a refrigeration unit, whether it is a 60cm tall larder fridge, a chest freezer or an American fridge freezer. Until Samsung and LG came along, Whirlpool had this side of the market sewn up, selling over half of all the American style side by sides online. Whirlpool also offers a complete solution for built in kitchen appliances, like coffee machines, gas hobs, chimney hoods and microwaves.

Zanussi Kitchen Appliances

Once famously advertised as “The appliance of science”, Zanussi are a household name and one of the bigger producers available in stores are on the web. Most of the new build apartments and houses being built could well be fitted with Zanussi appliances, as they offer a good standard of reliable units at a suitably low cost to the end user. Buy kitchen appliances from Zanussi and you will almost certainly get the results you want, due to the fact they have an ever increasing number of standard features like safety related, automatic programmes and other handy tools.

BDI631
60 cm Fully Integrated Full Height Electronic Dishwasher
12 place settings

5 programmes: normal, intensive, economy, rapid, rinse
5 temperatures: 40°C,45°C,47°C,60°C,70°C
Water consumption (normal programme): 16 l/cycle
Noise level: 53 dB
Residual drying
Concealed heating element
Self-cleaning stainless steel micro-filter
Anti-leak device
Anti-flood device
Height adjustable upper basket
Collapsible plate racks
Adjustable feet

Energy efficiency class: A
Washing performance class: A
Drying performance class: A

Capacity 8kg / 17.5lbs
Spin speed 1600-400
Consumption rates
60°C Cotton Ecos & wash plus
Time 205 mins
Energy 1.20 kWh
Water 56 litres

Extra large drum up to 8kg with SoftSurge™ system
Power Wash 60
Super Quick 15
LED display with programme status by icon, remaining time, spin speed and temperature selection
Variable temperature
Reload function
15 ‘Clothes Care’ programmes
Maximum spin speed 1600
Express Wash system with up to 40% faster programme times
Time delay 1 – 24 hours and time remaining
Mixed Load programme for all types of fabrics and colours
Handwash programme for wool
Reduced Ironing option
Wash Plus system for A-class wash performance
Delicates Silk programme
Dark Wash programme
Sensitive programme
Sports Wash programme
Spin speed selector with rinse hold option
Safeguard monitoring system adjusts load distribution and programme settings to protect clothes
The large porthole with 165° opening door makes loading and unloading exceptionally easy
Cold fill with performance enhancer to assist with stain removal
Aqua Plus option for best rinsing results

The models are sized differently, the Smeg FAB28 having one door with a freezer compartment inside. The Smeg FAB30 has a top freezer and large fridge underneath, and the bigger Smeg FAB32 has a bottom freezer and fridge above.

In the US in the 1950’s the typical design of a refrigerator was a curved finish, pastel colours and a large capacity. Design and shape was as important as it is nowadays, and the look of the this American fridge has been popular ever since. During the 1970’s and 80’s this kind of style was not so popular in the UK but it has since made a huge comback. The Smeg FAB is the best selling model for this well known Italian brand, and Smeg recently used this success to launch a newer smaller model to complement the line up.

Keeping the same materials and aestethics, recent additions to the Smeg FAB choice includes similarly designed Smeg gas fires, Smeg dishwashers and Smeg washing machines. The washers have a large rounded front door which doubles up as a storage compartment for the detergents and powders you use for laundry.