Kitchen Deals -> Kitchen tools

Added features such as ice making and drinks dispensers can all add to the appeal of certain models. Ice making is an option on many American style fridge-freezers, sometimes available without opening the door, as are cold water dispensers. Zoned models offer several storage areas, all at different temperatures, designed to keep a variety of foods fresh for longer. Most manufacturers now offer adjustable shelf heights and storage units which simplify food storage.

The EnergyGuide label on new refrigerators will tell you how much electricity in kilowatt-hours (kWh) a particular model uses in one year. The smaller the number, the less energy the refrigerator uses and the less it will cost you to operate. In addition to the EnergyGuide label, don't forget to look for the Energy Star label. A new refrigerator with an Energy Star label will save you between $35 and $70 a year compared to the models designed 15 years ago. This adds up to between $525 and $1,050 during the average 15-year life of the unit.

Food waste disposers remove waste quickly without the use of knives or blades. The food waste is ground down into fine particles and is then flushed away through the normal waste pipe system. This process can also aid recycling as the waste is transformed into a soil conditioner once at the treatment plant.