Glossary

COOKERS
Gas: NG or LPG.
The main advantage with cooking with gas that is that the food retains moisture during the cooking process. Also food can be cooked simultaneously at different temperatures.

Duel Fuel
These cookers use gas to power burners and electric to power the bottom ovens. It is ideal choice for those who like to have the convenience of a gas hob and the consistency an electric cooker.

ELECTRIC
Conventional Ovens:
The hottest area of conventional ovens is at the top. The advantage of conventional cooking is that food can be cooked simultaneously at different temperatures.

Fan Ovens:
Hot air is distributed evenly and quickly by a fan motor surrounded by an element at the back of the oven.

Multifunction ovens
This option offers flexibility. You can choose to use a conventional cooking option, fan or separate grilling option. Some of the top models have specialist options for bread or even pizza baking.

Double ovens
Double ovens can either be free standing or built in.
This option gives you space to cook more dishes at the same time. For example, you may need to bake and grill two different dishes at the same time, or keep the plates warm in the top oven while the Sunday roast is cooking in the main lower oven!
Normally the top cavity is a conventional oven with a grill function and the bottom oven is a fan or multifunction oven.

Rangecookers
For the serious cooks out there or those who want to make a big statement in their kitchen. There is a huge choice of traditional or modern styles. Usually feature side by side twin ovens. Depending of the width (80-150cm) Rangecookers have 5-6 burners. All fuel types are available, all gas, all electric or duel fuel.

Built-in and Built- under ovens
These appliances are designed to be integrated into fitted kitchen units, offering a neat and tidy look to your kitchen. They come either in a single oven or double oven option. These can either be fitted under the work surface or eye level.

Hobs
Fuels options: Gas, Electric solid plates, ceramic and induction
Variable widths: 60, 70, 90cm
Number burners varies from four to six burners

Ceramic v Induction Hob
Ceramic hobs use tightly coiled elements that reach temperature in a little as 3 seconds, whereas an induction hob only heats the surface of the pan. Another practical difference is that any pan can be used on a ceramic hob whereas an induction hob requires compatible pans that are iron based. Please refer to the manufactures' guidelines when it comes to choosing the correct cookware.


The main advantages of induction hobs are:
· Similar response to gas hobs without the danger of a naked flame
· less danger of being burnt
· very economical to use



Cooking Programmes and features
Self cleaning
Some ovens offer self cleaning functions to soften stains or deposits. They use water or steam often known as "Aqua cleanse" or "Steam clean" by some manufactures such as Neff or Hotpoint. If used regularly, it can be highly effective.

Stay clean catalytic liners
These are fitted on the sides, back and roof of the oven. These save time by self cleaning at temperatures of 200c or higher.

Pyrolytic cleaning
This option heats up the oven to a very high temperature which burns of the food deposits to ash. Used once a month can make life a little easier.



Cooker Hoods
Cooker hoods are essential part of the kitchen. They remove odours and keep the room ventilated. Also they can be seen as a design feature of a kitchen.

Integrated Hoods
These come in 60cm width. These can be integrated behind a pull out cupboard. These can either be
Re-circulated or vented outside.

Standard Visor hoods
60cm hoods that can either be vented or re-circulated using carbon filters.

Chimney hoods
Varies in width 60, 70, 90,100cm width
These hoods come with a telescopic chimney. Also colours vary from stainless steel, black or white. Designer curved glass hoods are also available for a more modern looking kitchen.

Island Hoods
These hoods are design to go over an island unit in a kitchen and usually 90 0r 100cm width.

Laundry
Washing machines
Please note that most washing machines are cold feed and do not require a hot water connection.

The main features to consider when choosing a washing machine are:

Energy efficiency, Wash performance and Spin performance.
Washing machines are rated A++ to G according to their energy efficiency with A++ being the most efficient and cheapest to run.
The best washing machines achieve A wash performance efficiency and A spin performance (AAA rating). Some washing detergents recommend washing at 30c to save energy.

Spin speed
Spin speed is measured in RPM (revolutions per minute). The faster the spin speed, the more water will be extracted from the wash load and less drying time needed. Each 200 rpm increase in spin speed could reduce drying time by 10 minutes.

Wash load
Load can vary from 5kg up to 10kg.
The larger the load, the fewer washes will be needed which will save time and energy. Larger capacity machines 7/8kg can wash more bulky items such as curtains or duvets.

Woollen wash
A special programme which is used to take care of machine washable woollens.

Easy iron
Reduces creasing and ironing time

Hand wash
A gentle programme that takes extra care of delicate items

Delay start
This delays the start of the programme. Ideal for those who use cheap electricity at night or to suit your daily schedule.

Extra rinse/super rinse
Adds extra rinse for those extra soiled items and also to help those with sensitive skin.

Time saver/Quick wash
Time saver reduces wash programmes. In some cases reduces the wash time up to 40% off normal. The Quick wash option provides a 30 minute quick wash.

Half load
Reduces the amount of water used for a small load. Saving time, energy and money!

Fuzzy logic
Many washing machines today use sensors to detect the load size and automatically adjust the amount of water they require per wash. These models tend to achieve the highest levels of performance and efficiency.

Washer-dryers
This option combines a washing machine with a drying programme. This product is a great space saving option and a product of convenience. Normally, the drying capacity is half the wash load. For example a 5kg wash load washer-dryer could take a 2.5 kg drying load.


Tumble dryers

Vented tumble dryers
Hot and damp air is removed from your laundry through a flexible vent hose that takes it outside. It can be permanently vented outside or the vent hose can be temporarily hung out of a window.

Condenser tumble dryers
Condenser dryers need no venting as the steam from the laundry is condensed into a tank, with a light indicating when it is full. The advantage is that a condenser can be placed anywhere and no external vent is needed.

Sensor tumble dryers
Some dryers have sensor drying programmes. These detect the level of moisture in the drum thus reducing the drying time.

Sensor programmes are:
Iron dry: Clothes are left slightly damp making ironing easier
Cupboard dry: Dry enough for clothes to be folded and stored in a cupboard
Extra dry: Dry enough to wear.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers come in two widths 45cm and 60cm

Benefits of a Dishwasher
There are many benefits of owning a dishwasher. If you have never had a dishwasher before you will soon see the benefits. Below is a list of some of the benefits of owning a dishwasher.

Timesaving
The average household spends up to 500 hours a year washing dishes. That's more than a two week holiday in Spain!

Performance
Dishwashers have a choice of programmes and wash temperatures to ensure and ‘A' cleaning performance.

Cleaning
‘A' graded performance dishwashers give the best results.

Energy
A Energy rated dishwashers save you money and time by using less water and electricity.

Drying
A drying leaves your pots and pans as dry as possible

Programmes
Most dishwashers have these basic programmes:
· 70c intensive programme-

· 65c standard/universal programme

· 60c economy programme

· Quick wash

· Delay start: This delays the start of the programme. Ideal for those who use cheap electricity at night or to suit your daily schedule.



Single door refrigeration

Size
The 3 standard widths of upright fridges and freezers are 50cm, 55cm and 60cm. Heights vary from 84cm to 180cm.

Energy efficiency
The energy consumption of refrigeration appliances is rated from A++ to G

Storage capacity
The Storage capacity of most fridges or freezers is measured in either litres or cubic feet.

Glass shelves
Easy to keep clean and normally made from safety glass. Prevents spillages reaching others parts of the fridge.

Dairy compartment
Usually found on the door. It may have a cover to prevent odours.

Salad draw
Keeps salads and vegetables fresher for longer.

Freezer compartments
Some fridges have freezer compartments and are * rated.
1*rated: Temps low enough to store food for one week.
4* rated: Temps low enough to store food for 3 months
There are also ice only compartments with no star rating.


Fridge freezers

Size
Widths vary from 50cm, 55cm, 60cm. Heights vary from 120cm up t0 180cm

Features to consider when looking for a fridge-freezer:

Frost free (Total No Frost system)
A system that reduces the frost by keeping the air ventilated. You will never have to defrost your Fridge-freezer again.

Half and Half
When the fridge section is the same proportion as the freezer section.

Wine racks
Some models come with wine racks, ideal for storing your best wines.

Shopping function
Top models have a function that gets your shopping to correct temperature.

Sabbath setting
Some specialist manufactures offer this setting.

Ice and water dispensers
These normally come with the larger side by side US style fridge freezers. A water supply is needed for these fridge-freezers. They either have in-line water filters or built-in water filters depending on the model and manufacturer.