Kitchen Deals -> Kitchen furnishing

Choose a dishwasher with sturdy compression springs in the door. Also look for tough, lightweight nylon or graphite racks with cushioned tips that protect glassware and cookware. Weimer recommends choosing a model with a rack design that provides the largest, most flexible interior space and is configured for your belongings, including odd-shaped pieces.

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.

Rather than cause accidental heat-damage, prevent such damage in the first place:

• Always use a heat protection pad or trivet (with rubber feet) for hot cookware, or leave cookware to cool on the hob first. Never put hot pans, particularly cast iron. Such heat can damage any surface!
• If you must put a hot pan on the base of a sink use a protective sink mat, sponge, or cloth beneath. It is best to leave the utensil to cool slightly first, or put a few inches of cool water in the sink before the pan.
• Avoid pouring boiling liquids directly into sinks without turning on the cold tap as well.