How to choose small appliances for cooking?

Kitchen appliances play an important role in everyday life, making cooking faster, more convenient and more enjoyable. Choosing the right kitchen tools and appliances can be a challenge, especially when there are so many different options. In this guide, we'll look at how to choose the perfect appliances for your kitchen, focusing on blenders, fryers, grills, coffee machines, multicookers, kettles, cookware and utensils.

Blenders

A blender is a multifunctional tool that can be used to make smoothies, soups and sauces. It can chop and blend ingredients to a liquid consistency, making cooking easier and faster.

Power and speed settings

When choosing a blender, it is important to pay attention to its power and speed settings. More powerful blenders can process harder ingredients such as ice and nuts. Different speed settings allow you to adapt the blending process to your specific needs. Blenders typically have a power of between 300 and 1500 watts, and more powerful models are better able to process harder products.

Volume and material

The volume and material of the blender are important factors. Choose a blender with a volume that meets your family's needs. Glass containers are more resistant to scratches and odours, while plastic containers are lighter and cheaper. For larger families or frequent use, blenders with a larger capacity, such as 1.5 to 2 litres, are more suitable.

Toasters

Heating settings and functions

When choosing a toaster, pay attention to its heating settings and additional functions. Some toasters offer several toasting levels, defrost and reheat functions and the ability to toast slices of bread evenly on both sides.

Size and design

The size and design of the toaster are important factors, especially if space is limited in the kitchen. Choose the model that suits your needs, from simple two-slice toasters to larger four-slice models. Stainless steel or coloured designs can add aesthetic value to your kitchen.

Juicers

Press type and capacity

When choosing a juicer, pay attention to its type and capacity. Centrifugal, slow and citrus juicers are available. Slow juicers provide higher juice quality and less oxidation, while centrifugal juicers are faster and easier to use. The more powerful presses can handle harder fruits and vegetables.

Ease of cleaning and additional features

Ease of cleaning is also an important aspect of the juicer. Choose a model with removable and dishwasher-safe parts. Some juicers also offer additional features such as different press modes.

Fryers / Grills

Fryers and grills are great helpers for cooking delicious food with a minimum of oil. They are perfect for healthy cooking, preserving the flavour and texture of the food.

Performance and features

When choosing a deep fryer or grill, pay attention to its performance and features. Electric fryers and grills often come with temperature control functions, timers and different cooking modes. Modern fryers also offer air frying functions that allow you to cook with very little oil, while grills often have different modes such as grilling, frying and even smoking.

Ease of cleaning

Ease of cleaning is also an important aspect. Choose a model with removable and dishwasher-safe parts for easy and quick cleaning. Some fryers have special features to make cleaning the grease and oil easier.

Coffee machines

Types of coffee and type of machine

When choosing a coffee machine, consider the types of coffee you want to make. There are espresso machines, drip machines, capsule machines and fully automatic machines. Each type has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, espresso machines provide an intense and rich coffee flavour, while capsule machines are quick and easy to use, but the cost of capsules can be relatively high.

Additional features

Some coffee machines offer additional features such as a milk frother, integrated grinder and programmable settings. Machines with an integrated grinder ensure freshly ground coffee every time, while models with a milk frother allow you to make a variety of coffee drinks such as lattes or cappuccinos.

Waffle pans

Performance and temperature control

When choosing a waffle maker, pay attention to its performance and temperature control options. Some pans offer adjustable temperatures that allow you to adjust the cooking time and crispiness of your waffles. Pans with rapid heat-up and even heat distribution ensure evenly cooked waffles.

Ease of cleaning and design

Ease of cleaning is an important aspect when choosing a waffle pan. Models with removable and non-stick plates make cleaning easier. Also, pay attention to the design of the pan so that it is easy to use and store.

Multicooker

A multicooker is a multifunctional appliance that can replace several other kitchen tools. It allows you to make soups, stews, steam vegetables, bake bread and much more.

Functionality and programmability

When choosing a multicooker, pay attention to its functionality and programmability. Some models offer different cooking modes, timers and temperature control options. Programmable models allow you to set the cooking time and temperature, which is particularly useful for busy people.

Volume and material

The volume and material of a multicooker are important factors. Choose the right boiler with the right volume to meet your family's needs. The inner vessel can be made of stainless steel or coated with a non-stick material. Stainless steel cookware is more durable and longer lasting, while the non-stick coating makes cleaning easier.

 Kettles 

Power and capacity 

When choosing a kettle, pay attention to its power and capacity. A higher capacity means faster boiling, while a larger capacity is useful for larger families or frequent use. Capacities usually range from 1500 to 3000 watts.

Material and design

The material and design of kettles are also important aspects. Stainless steel kettles are durable and easy to clean, while glass kettles allow you to keep an eye on the boiling process. Ceramic kettles offer an elegant look and excellent thermal insulation.

Water filters (Jugs)

Water filter pitchers are a great way to ensure clean and healthy drinking water at home. They remove impurities such as chlorine, iron and other residues, improving the taste and quality of the water.

Filter type and capacity

When choosing a water filter jug, pay attention to the type and capacity of the filter. There are different types of filters, such as activated carbon, ion exchange resin and membrane filters. Activated carbon filters are popular because they effectively remove chlorine taste and odour. Capacity is important to ensure enough filtered water for your family's needs.

Design and size

The design and size of the jug are also important factors. Choose a jug that fits comfortably in the door of your refrigerator and is easy to handle.

Food processors

A food processor is a multifunctional appliance that can greatly facilitate various cooking processes. It can cut, chop, mix, grind and even knead dough, making it an indispensable helper in the kitchen.

Power and functions

When choosing a food processor, pay attention to its power and the functions it offers. More powerful food processors can process harder products such as nuts and meat. Different attachments and accessories allow you to adapt the food processor to different tasks such as grating, chopping and kneading dough.

Volume and material

The volume and material of the food processor are important factors that influence its practicality. Choose a model with a bowl large enough to handle the required amount of food. Stainless steel or BPA-free plastic containers are durable and easy to clean.

Kitchen scales

Accuracy and units of measurement

When choosing a kitchen scale, pay attention to its accuracy and the available units of measurement. The best scales offer accurate weighing down to the gram or even tenths of a gram, as well as the possibility to switch between different units of measurement (grams, ounces, millilitres).

Design and additional functions

The design of the scales and additional features such as the tare function (zero setting), larger display and automatic switch-off can make them more convenient to use. Choose a model with an easy-to-clean surface and a stable base to ensure accurate weighing.

Closing words

When choosing small appliances for cooking in your kitchen, it is important to consider your personal needs, cooking habits and budget. Quality appliances and tools can make cooking much easier, more enjoyable and more efficient. By investing time and money in the right appliances, you can create a functional and comfortable kitchen that meets all your requirements.