Kitchen Deals -> Kitchen 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.

Dual-flow mixers provide independent hot, cold or mixed water after leaving the end of the spout. They can be deck-mounted on the sink or pillar/bridge-mounted for a more traditional look. Alternatively, choose a monobloc tap, which is a single-hole fitting that usually has two handles for hot and cold water supply.

Energy efficiency is of paramount importance, not only to save money on electricity bills but also to help reduce power station emissions that contribute to global warming. Look for brands with low energy consumption (energy efficiency ratings will be displayed in the showroom). Levels are now as low as 1.3kW/hr on some slimline models largely because of reduced water consumption. A delay timer can help take advantage of cheap overnight electricity.