Kitchen Deals -> Cook's Tools

Ease of cleaning is well worth considering at the outset. Stay clean liners resist dirt build-up but pyrolitic cleaning is the ultimate. It burns off all baked-on debris at 500°C so that all you have to do is sweep out the resulting ash. Look out for ovens with a steam cleaning facility, too, and remember that some ovens have removable inner doors that are easy to clean.

When shopping for a new washer, look for a front loading (horizontal-axis) machine. This machine may cost more to buy but uses about a third of the energy and less water than a top-loading machine. With a front loader, you'll also save more on clothes drying, because they remove more water from your clothes during the spin cycle. Look for the Energy Star label.

The three-way tap delivers hot and cold water independently or mixed just like a normal kitchen mixer. For purified water in some cases, the centre lever or handle on the tap body is selected, and cold water is diverted to the purification unit which is fitted neatly away under the sink. After purification, the water is channelled through its own waterway inside the tap to deliver purified water at the point-of-use. Alternatives to this delivery system are also available.