Choosing kitchen appliances

Go green
Before you invest in any new appliances, have you thought about how you'll be disposing of your old ones first? Waste electrical equipment is one of the fastest growing types of waste in Europe – in fact UK households throw away around 1m tonnes of it every year. So dispose of any electrical items carefully and safely. If your old appliances are still in good working order, donated them to a re-use charity such as Freecycle or The Furniture Reuse Network. Alternatively, ask the retailer when you're buying your new goods if they have a collection service for old items. Your local council will have a waste and recycling centre where you can safely dispose of your items too. For a small fee, they may even pick up from your home.

You can also do your bit to be greener when it comes to buying your new appliances. Look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo on items which guarantees that the product you're buying meets strict criteria on energy efficiency. For example, for fridges, the Energy Saving Trust only endorses those items that are A+ which are more energy efficient than A rated products and the washing machines on their scheme must be AAA – that's A for energy, A for wash quality and A for spin.

Fridge freezers
Obviously a fridge's capacity will be high on your list of prerequisites but generally, the bigger the fridge outside, the more space within. But it's well worth looking out for the following features which will help you avoid unnecessary food wastage: fridges with one thermostat for both the fridge and the freezer will be cheaper but it's worth investing in a dual-control model which allows you to switch the fridge off but leave the freezer running while you're on holiday. You can also leave the fridge on and preserve your food while you defrost the freezer section.

Other handy features to look out for include a fast freeze option which freezes fresh food rapidly so it retains its texture and nutrients; a frost free function which avoids ice build up in a freezer; and a high temperature warning that lets you know if food isn't cold enough and therefore will become a health hazard. Finally, check the freezer star rating which lets you know how long the appliance can store frozen food for, the highest being 4 stars, meaning you can store food for up to 12 months in some cases.

Washing machines
Before you buy a washing machine, check its energy rating – A is the most energy efficient and G uses the most energy during a 60-degree wash. Capacity is also important, particularly if you have a big family and you'll be washing large loads. A 6kg drum should be large enough for most households.

Another great feature is a higher spin speed such as 1600 or 1800 rpm as your clothes will be drier, meaning less time on the drying rack or the line. It's also good to have a variable spin speed so you can spin delicate items such as woollens at lower speeds. If you have kids, look for a washing machine with a child lock that stops inquisitive little hands interfering with the programme once it has started. Other handy features include an extra wide door that makes the machine easier to load; a detergent compartment that you can remove easily to clean; and easy access to the filter as it has to be cleaned regularly.

Dishwashers
Again, depending on whether or not you have a large family, the capacity of a dishwasher is important. If you live alone, you might prefer a slimline or compact model as a full size dishwasher has space for around 12 to 15 place settings.

Before you buy, find out if you're connected to the mains water supply. If you're not, you might not have enough water pressure for the dishwasher to be effective. A plumber can install a pump for you, should that be the case. Find out if a model has indicator lights that warn you when the salt or rinse aid needs refilling. Other things to look out for are anti-flood devices which automatically stop the machine flooding should there be a problem; hidden controls along the top of the door which give a more sleek appearance; and baskets that you can adjust to different levels so you can be more flexible about what you wash.

Freestanding cookers
The best combination is a freestanding cooker with a gas hob and an electric oven. Gas conducts heat well around the bottom of your pans while an electric oven offers greater control over the temperature.

If you regularly like to entertain and love cooking, then you should consider a wider cooker or a range style that has more room for different pans on the hob. If this is the case, then you'd also find a double oven really useful as it can cook different dishes at different temperatures, but at the same time. Other features which make life easier include non-tip shelves that you can pull safely out of the oven instead of having to reach gingerly inside for a dish; automatic ignition that lights a burner automatically when the knob is pushed instead of having to use a separate ignition switch; a timer that turns the oven off when a dish is done; and a catalytic liner that burns and breaks down food spills so your oven walls are easier to clean.

Bear in mind that as of June 2008, Gas Safe Register registered plumbers won't be able to fit your cooker if it doesn't feature a flame recognition device. This shuts off the gas supply should the flame blow out.