Whether you're fed up with your kitchen, or maybe it’s come to the end of its life – make sure you take the time to plan every aspect of your new kitchen to ensure it works for you, your family and your lifestyle.

You may find that some parts of your kitchen work really well, but really think about the aspects that you find inconvenient when you're cooking. We all know how frustrating it is be to have all your pots and pans crash out every time you open a cupboard door!

If you really like your kitchen design and layout, you may simply need to freshen up the paint and maybe change the unit doors to give it an entirely new feel.

Kitchen layouts

If you do find your kitchen layout annoyingly inconvenient, then you may have to invest in a completely new kitchen. Think about your cooking habits and ask yourself a few simple questions, such as:

Where is most convenient to prepare meals?

This will be where you'll need the biggest worktop space and easy access to chopping boards and knives, pots and pans, plates and probably your cooker and fridge!

Which aspects of the kitchen do you want close by each other?

For example if you're having a dishwasher you might want it right near the sink so you don't have to carry dirty pots across the kitchen, or maybe you want your fridge next to your work surface for easy food prep.

Do you want a kitchen-diner?

If you want a table for dinner parties, remember to consider things such as the lighting, that way you can dim the lights over the messy kitchen while you entertain your guests around a brightly lit table!

Do you have lots of kitchen gadgets?

If so you'll want to consider how much storage space you can afford to dedicate to them – you won't want them all on your kitchen side taking up valuable space so perhaps an appliance garage would be a good solution for you.

Taking all of this into consideration before you decide on a style or layout is essential for ensuring your kitchen will satisfy your day-to-day uses and of course, that everything will function properly – making sure you have the space for everything you want, and things like plug sockets are in the right positions.

Kitchen budget

What you want and what you can afford may be two very different things, and depending on how big a renovation you plan on undertaking – you can spend as much or as little as you like.

Make sure you don't overlook the cost of tradesmen, so if you're going to need a plumber or electrician make a few phone calls to get a general idea of the cost you should expect for the work you require. And remember, unless you're a skilled DIY enthusiast, you'll probably have to pay for installation too.

It's also a good idea to take your budget and skim 10% off to save in case of emergencies! So if you hit a pipe during installation or you need get a wall re-plastered, you'll have the funds ready so your installation isn't held up.

Money saving tips

If you do have a tight budget, don't worry there are a lot of things you can do to modernise your kitchen without replacing the entire thing!

• A quick lick of paint will instantly refresh a dull, tired looking kitchen. You could even try adding a splash of colour to really brighten it up and make a real statement.
• Create a distinctive splash back using tiles or sheet materials, to make a new and interesting feature in your old kitchen.
• If your work surfaces, cupboard doors and drawer fronts are looking a little tatty and worn out, you can simply and affordably replace them. You can buy cheap worktops from DIY superstores from as little as £60 and there are many companies dedicated to providing cheap replacement cupboard doors and drawers online.
• If you have a little more to spend, consider changing your lighting– spotlights can really brighten up a small, dull kitchen, whereas if you're having a dining area, separate lights above the table will create a more intimate feel.

Appliances

If you are happy with your kitchen layout and design but you want to modernise the appliances, there are a whole range that you can choose from to replace them with more attractive or eco-friendly models.

Scour the market – don't just get your appliances from the same place you get your new kitchen as it is likely you will be paying over the odds. You're often able to find the same, or very similar, online for much cheaper – contact Long Eaton Appliance Centre to find out more about the wide range of kitchen appliances they have available and find out which features will suit your kitchen and lifestyle the most.

What to consider?

There are so many different types of oven available it's essential that you have a good idea of what you need before you start looking. So work out the factors you need to match your oven to before you buy:

• How many people will you be cooking for? Is it just you and your partner or do you have a big family or lots of friends to cook for?
• How big is your kitchen? Do you have the space for a range cooker, or will you need a space saving built-in oven?
• Are you a traditional cook, or a modern chef that prefers lots of gadgets and culinary experiments?

There are plenty of different styles and types of oven to complement your cooking style, but regardless of how you answer these questions, there's a few choices you’ll still have to make:

Gas Ovens

Gas ovens offer a powerful, fast and responsive heat that preheats quickly and allows immediate control over temperature. Many traditional cooks prefer gas ovens, but remember that if you choose gas, you'll need a Gas Safe registered engineer to install it for you.

Electric Ovens

Electric ovens generally offer a gentler heat, which takes a little longer to heat up and respond to temperature changes, but are great for cooking quickly and evenly, especially if you choose a fan assisted oven.

Dual Fuel Cookers

Dual fuel cookers offer the best of both worlds, so you get the power and flexibility of a responsive gas hob, combined with a fast and efficient electric oven.

Range Cookers with Double Ovens

There's a huge choice of range cookers including gas, electric and dual fuel, so you can chose which you prefer, and then you can decide how many burners you need and which accessories would benefit you and your cooking style.

There's also a range of different oven compartments, usually at least two but maybe more, which allow you better flexibility with cooking and baking. There's usually one fan assisted oven and one conventional oven, but depending on the model and your budget, you can find any combination you like!

Built-in Ovens

If you have a small kitchen, or you want a modern, seamless finish, consider having a built-in oven integrated into the design. Whether you just want it to be slotted into a cupboard to save space or you'd like it hidden away behind a cupboard door, there's a huge range of integrated ovens that will make the best use of your available space.

Whichever type of oven you decide on, modern or conventional, built-in or freestanding, gas or electric, simply contact the experts at The Long Eaton Appliance Company for some professional advice. Our team will assist you with finding the ideal oven in our extensive selection and will ensure that you find an oven that will suit your lifestyle and your budget!

With such a variety of functions and types to choose from, it can be difficult to know which hob and features to choose to enhance your cooking experience, so have a look through our simple guide to help discover what suits your cooking style...

Conventional Gas Hobs

Gas hobs are the most traditional way to cook over an open flame. They are hugely popular, thanks in large part to their instant responsiveness and the high speed cooking they offer, although this isn't to say that you can't choose a gentle flame for simmering or slow warming. The flame is easily controlled and visible, so you will know exactly how powerful your chosen heat is, which is why many chefs refuse to cook on anything else!

Usually, a gas hob will have 4 rings, 1 small/economy burners, 2 medium sized rings for general cooking and one larger/rapid burner ideal for fast cooking, larger pans and boiling water quickly. If you choose a gas hob, one of the things to look for is chunky pan supports top give your pans more stability.

Electric Induction Hobs

Induction hobs are renowned for being the most energy efficient available. They use electromagnets in the cooking zones so they only heat up when you place the right sized, stainless steel, flat based pan on them. The magnetic characteristics used to create heat mean only the actual rings get warm, and the heat is transferred straight to the pan, so no energy is wasted. It also means they heat up, cook and cool down quickly for a more efficient cooking experience.

One of the other major draws for induction hobs is that they are very easy to wipe clean, and, because they don't get too hot, they won’t burn food that falls on them during cooking. But remember, you may have to replace your pans to ensure you have pans that are the right size for the burners and the right material to react with the magnetic hob!

Electric Ceramic Hob

There's a ceramic hob for all budgets, ranging from the affordable radiant heat hobs that are simply coiled metal elements under glass that heat up, to the more expensive halogen hobs that contain a bulb, a tungsten element and halogen gas under a glass cooking surface. There's also a middle ground with a semi halogen, radiant hob, so the choice is yours!

These glass ceramic hobs often come with timers, sensors and touch controls, depending on the model you choose, so you can tailor your cooking experience to suit your cooking style and requirements.

Other Features

There are a whole host of other things to consider, which will depend greatly on your lifestyle and cooking habits, such as:

Child Locks – these allow you to set a temperature and lock it, which then stops little fingers fiddling with the controls and accidently putting the heat up or down!

Residual Heat Indicators – these can be essential for ceramic hobs that may stay warm for a while after they are turned off, as they will hopefully remind you not to touch the hot plates!

Timers – depending on the model you choose, you can get simple timers which sound after a certain amount of time to remind you to attend to your cooking, or you can get more advanced timers that will turn off the hob after a certain amount of time.

Wok Burners – these larger rings with hefty pan supports are ideal for supporting large woks and providing the intense heat needed to cook crunchy stir-fries!

Griddles – if you like the idea of healthy griddle cooking, make sure you choose a hob with compatible burners - many even come with removable griddles for your convenience.

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At a time when we are all being encouraged to save water, seemingly small tasks, such as only boiling the amount of water you need in a kettle, turning the tap off when you are brushing your teeth and efficiently loading your dishwasher, are small contributions which the professionals say could make a huge difference.

The subject of efficient dishwasher use is a recurring one when it comes to being ‘green’ and saving water. Having found to already be more energy efficient than traditional hand-washing, the emphasis is now on reducing the amount of times you actually use your dishwasher.

Households are being asked to use their dishwashers resourcefully, only operating them when they contain a full load. This is an attempt to reduce the number of cycles and, therefore, reduce the amount of water used.

Efficiently loading a dishwasher can also save you time and reduce your energy consumption, cutting your household bills. Other benefits can include reducing limescale prevalence and extending the life of your dishwasher.

So, as you can see, efficiently and correctly stacking your dishwasher can enhance your green credentials, keep you in line with new government suggestions on water usage, save you money and lengthen your dishwasher’s life-span. So how do you do it…?

• Scrape leftover food off your plates before putting them into the dishwasher. Food debris and burnt on food can clog up the dishwasher, blocking spray arms and chocking internal filters.
• Place larger, heavier items in the lower basket. Plates, bowls and anything that requires a stronger wash should be put on the lower rack. Not only does this ensure that your dishwasher basket wheels last longer, but the water pressure in a dishwasher varies between racks, and items requiring a stronger wash should be placed at the bottom.
• Place glassware, mugs and plastic containers on the top rack. The top rack of a dishwasher is designed for cups and mugs – placing them anywhere else could put them at risk of breaking. Also, as it is generally hotter at the bottom of the dishwasher, even dishwasher-safe plastic containers could melt there, so make you sure you place them at the top.
• Place cutlery in the designated cutlery basket. Place knives, forks and spoons in the cutlery basket, ensuring they do not cover each other. Be careful of long pieces of cutlery though as these can block the spray arm and should instead be placed on the upper rack.
• Never turn the dishwasher on and then go to bed. This is a recommendation from most fire safety experts as if there is a leak or technical fault with your dishwasher you will not be aware of it. Instead, turn it on straight after dinner so it has finished running before you go to bed.

Most modern dishwashers have an array of energy saving features, which could not only reduce your carbon footprint but also save you money by running more efficiently. The Long Eaton Appliance Company are the specialists in energy efficient appliances, so if your dishwasher has come to the end of its life, or you want to upgrade to a more modern appliance – simply contact our team for professional advice.

Paying for a professional engineer can be costly, but there are a few simple things you can do to improve the function and efficiency of your freezer yourself…

• 1 – Keep it Free. The placement of your freezer can have a massive impact on its ability to function! Make sure, wherever it is, it is cool and dry and that there is plenty of space around it for the condensation coils to function properly, allowing effective ventilation. It’s also vital it is kept away from heat sources (this includes dishwashers, washing machines and ovens!) as an increase in external heat causes your freezer to work harder to maintain the correct temperature inside. This not only wastes energy and shortens the life of your freezer, but can also have a harmful effect on your environment!
• 2 – Keep it Full. Everytime you open your freezer, the cold air escapes and your freezer has to re-cool this air to maintain the correct temperature. The best way to avoid this waste of energy (and money) is to keep your freezer well stocked, so there is less space for air. The frozen products help to maintain the temperature and mean there is less air to re-cool everytime you open the door. You can even use bottles of frozen water or polystyrene packaging chips to take up extra space if your stocks run low.
• 3 – Keep it Sealed. The tighter the seals on your freezer, the less chance that cold air will escape, and warm air will enter. The best way to check your seals are tight is to try and slide a piece of paper between the seals – if it fits through it’s too loose and needs replacing! This will mean your freezer isn't constantly working to cool the air that is leaking in from the baggy seals.
• 4 – Keep it Clean. Keeping the condenser coils free from dust and dirt will allow them to function more effectively, as will keeping the build-up of ice to a minimum. Whenever the ice around the inside edges of your freezer reaches about half a centimetre thick, it should really be defrosted to reduce how hard your freezer has to work and increase its efficiency. *Remember the more often your freezer is opened, the quicker the frost will build up!
• 5 – Keep it Controlled. Controlling the temperature of your freezer is essential, so place a thermometer inside and check its results regularly. Especially with older freezers it is likely that your freezer will struggle to maintain a consistent, correct temperature, and if it’s too cold your freezer is wasting energy. Not only that, but if it’s too warm, your food may not be safe to eat!

Long Eaton Appliance Company

If you suspect your freezer is wasting energy, not working as well as it should be, or even if it is not keeping your food at the right temperature – consider upgrading to a more efficient model. The team at the Long Eaton Appliance Company are always on hand to recommend the perfect new freezer to suit your requirements – and save you money!

A fridge is a staple appliance in any kitchen - keeping food cool, fresh and tasty – so it’s essential that when you choose a new fridge, you find the one most suited to your kitchen habits and lifestyle.

This quick guide is aimed at ensuring you get the best options and features for your kitchen and your budget – remember the cheapest appliance, may not be the most cost effective long term. Begin by asking yourself a few simple questions.

Where do you want your fridge to live?

If you only have a small kitchen or a flat with limited space, look for a smaller solution. You don’t have to compromise on features, and a smaller fridge is likely to be more energy efficient, lowering your running costs. Try looking for a standard size fridge that should fit snugly under your worktops, or a compact size fridge that can be used as a drinks chiller or for additional storage.

If you have more space, consider the storage benefits of a tall fridge, or even an American style fridge freezer for that touch of luxury.

What are your shopping habits?

Do you usually buy more fresh food than frozen, or do you find yourself freezing lots of food so it doesn’t go off? If you find you freeze very little, a small freezer compartment in your fridge may be more than enough to store your food, and will use less energy than having two separate appliances.

If you definitely prefer fresher food, and buy lots of salad and vegetables, it’s more likely that a freezer compartment will take up valuable space in your fridge, so perhaps a separate smaller freezer would be more useful for you.

How important are the aesthetics of your fridge?

Depending on your style and your budget, you should be able to find a fridge that complements your kitchen design as well as your requirements.

You might prefer the sleek stainless steel appearance of a modern fridge, but beware of mucky fingerprints, especially if you have little ones. If you’re going for a traditional looking kitchen, you could consider hiding your appliances away, by integrating them with a cupboard door. Or perhaps you want the chic retro look of a 1950s style Smeg fridge – but be prepared to pay a little more!

The most cost effective option is still the plain white fridges offered by most manufacturers, but this doesn’t mean you get a budget appliance. It can still have a great energy rating and a huge choice of features.

What features do you want?

Depending on your lifestyle and how you use your fridge, there are many different features you should consider before you settle on one make or model –you don’t want to get it home and realise you don’t have an egg rack, when you really wanted one.

Consider the door depth – if you family gets through a lot of milk, you’ll want deeper door shelves to hold bigger bottles. Adjustable shelving is also an option you might want so you can fit everything in easily.

Features such as a wine rack can be really handy if you drink a lot of wine, but can just get in the way if you don’t. This is the same for automatic ice dispensers – if you don’t use very much ice, then you might prefer the extra space inside your fridge that the ice maker would take up.

Consider your energy costs…

Sussing out the energy costs and benefits of your fridge is an essential consideration. Original energy efficiency gradings used to range from A to G, but as people have become more eco-friendly, manufacturers have responded to the need for energy efficient appliances and now most fridges offer A+ or A++ rating. These ratings are subject to standardised tests and monitored by Trading Standards so you can rely on them for a true assessment.

Don’t be guided by price – usually more expensive fridges have lower running costs, because they have more energy saving features, such as enhanced insulation and eco or holiday modes to lower your energy costs, so they could actually save you money long term.

Whichever fridge you choose, you can be sure the range at the Long Eaton Appliance Company will have the perfect fridge to suit your lifestyle, your kitchen and your budget. Have a look through the range online, give us a call for more information or advice – or simply pop into our showroom and have a look around.

Our buyers guide is a good place to start…

Stainless Steel Sinks

Stainless steel sinks are one of the most affordable options, and this combined with their durability, makes them extremely popular in all types of kitchens – both commercial and domestic. They are extremely easy to keep clean, and very hardy, so you can be sure they are resistant to most cleaning products as well as heat from hot pans!

The steel colour makes them easy to match to your other kitchen accessories and fittings and, if you’re concerned they are easy to scratch, you can choose a linen finish, which is more scratch resistant.

Ceramic Sinks

Ceramic sinks are renowned for being tough and robust, but they do need you to be careful as crashing pots and pans can chip the surface! Saying that, they are a very popular and an aesthetically pleasing option, especially in traditionally styled kitchens.

Available in a range of sizes and styles, whether you want a large farmhouse sink or a small sink and drainer, the huge range of ceramic sinks available means there is something to suit every colour theme and all types of fittings.

Granite Composite Sinks

Composite sinks are manufactured from powdered granite and resin so you can be sure of an extremely hardwearing and durable sink. It’s inherently scratch resistant, chip resistant and heat resistant so can cope with hot pans straight from the stove.

Granite sinks are available in a range of colours to complement any theme, and can be fitted flush to your work surface top, or under-mounted for a sleek finish.

Under-Mounted Sinks vs. Flush Fitting Sinks

Under-mounted sinks sit below the work surface, for a sleek and minimalistic finish, usually used in more modern kitchen designs, with granite or slate work surfaces. Flush fitting sinks are perfectly in line with the counter edge, and are the most popular and conventional choice. They suit stainless steel sinks and are easy to fit to almost any surface.

Whichever you chose, check with the manufacturer’s details or the retailer that your style of sink can be mounted the way you want.

Getting the right taps…

This may not seem like a big decision, but trust us – it is! If you don’t get the right taps that are easy to use and suit your cooking style, they can quickly become a hindrance in your kitchen.

Single lever taps for example, are ideal it you want to be able to control water flow, and temperature with one hand. Otherwise you’ll have to stop what you’re doing, to adjust your taps, which can be very inconvenient if you’re a busy cook!

But many people still prefer the traditional appearance and function of a two lever tap, with different control levers for hot and cold. You could even chose to have crosshead taps, with are difficult to work with greasy hands, but are aesthetically pleasing with conventional sink styles.

You can even invest in an extractable spray tap, which are usually on a pull-out hose and renowned for their practicality thanks to the trigger action that allows you to rinse pots, vegetables and wash your hands quickly!

Whichever type of taps you chose, whether you want a swivel tap to swing out of the way easily, a fixed tap to avoid drips, or a curved or right angled tap to suit your kitchen style– always check the cleaning instructions, so you don’t damage the finish with an abrasive detergent, and always check the water pressure, as some taps, many extractable spray taps included, will only work if you have a high water pressure.

The team at the Long Eaton Appliance Company are always available to answer your questions, talk you through the best options and make you sure you get the perfect sink and taps that are both practical and stylish!

Extractors are essential for removing the unwanted side effects of cooking, such as lingering food smells, grease and steam that could cause condensation and grime to develop and, over time, ruin your decoration. The extractor fan will draw in all the ‘dirty’ air and pass it through a grease filter, usually constructed from metal meshing for easy cleaning. Then, depending on whether it is mounted on an outside or inside wall, it will duct straight outside, or be recirculated via internal ducting through a vent back into your kitchen.

The type of extractor and cooker hood you have will be reliant on the layout of kitchen. There are six main types, each with different benefits and drawbacks…

The Chimney Hood

If you’re looking for a cooker hood that is both functional and attractive, a chimney hood is ideal! They make a dramatic and stylish statement in your kitchen whilst having the power to clear all the unwanted side effects of cooking. Usually they are wall mounted, so you must check that you have enough height to accommodate the chimney breast section, although many styles are easily adjustable and certain styles have been designed especially for island cookers. We advise that you always get an extractor that is at least the same width as your oven hob, but if you have space restrictions you can have one smaller than your hob - it will just be less effective.

Integrated Cooker Hood

An integrated cooker hood is wall mounted, built into the units above the hob, and won’t spoil the aesthetics of your kitchen as it looks like just another cupboard - until you pull it out to use it. Integrated hoods are one of the most popular types and can be fitted into almost any kitchen, although they are usually about 60cm wide, so best to check the width of your cupboards before ordering one.

Conventional Cooker Hood

Conventional cooker hoods used to be one of the most popular types, and are still installed in many kitchens today. They fit neatly to the wall under your cupboard units, but are usually wider than conventional cupboards so will protrude slightly. Although conventional hoods are usually the cheaper option, they unfortunately aren’t as efficient or powerful, and are not as attractive as some of the newer designs available.

Canopy Cooker Hoods

Canopy cooker hoods, or motor units, are designed to fit neatly inside a canopy or chimney breast style cupboard unit above your hob. They must be wall mounted, but are discreet and fit flawlessly into any kitchen design. But because they are only available in set sizes which are usually bigger than normal kitchen units, and the range is fairly limited, it’s essential that you check the size of your unit first.

Telescopic Cooker Hoods

Telescopic cooker hoods are increasing in popularity thanks in large part to their versatility. Not only that, but they are one of the most discreet styles and simply fit into the unit above your hob, and slide out when they’re needed.

Whenever you have a wall mounted extractor fan, it’s likely that you’re going to lose valuable cupboard space. But when fitted as part of a new kitchen, we can install great space saving and storage solutions to compensate. Whatever your requirements, we can help you find the perfect cooker hood and extractor to keep your kitchen clean, fresh and free from stale smells.

Types and Sizes

Before choosing which range cooker to buy there are few things you need to decide on, the first being the size of your range cooker. With a huge variety of quality manufacturers to choose from, including Belling, Rangemaster, AGA, Britannia and Stoves, you can be sure that there’s a range cooker somewhere that will fit in the space in your kitchen.

Most types range from 80cm to 150cm, but you must also consider getting it into your kitchen and manoeuvring it into position, as well as the amount of space you need to keep around it to avoid potential hazards. And don’t forget to check which way and how far the doors open, so you don’t end up with an oven you can’t get into!

Accessories

One of the biggest benefits of having a range cooker is the wide array of cooking options you can choose from. Larger range cookers usually comprise of at least two ovens and six hob burners, as well as a grill, but depending on the make and model there are usually a whole range of extras you can choose from, such as:

• Slow cooker
• Storage drawer
• Fan oven
• Wok burner
• Fish burner
• Rotisseries
• Hot plates
• Griddle

Fuel types

There are many aesthetic styles to choose from, from sleek, stainless steel contemporary range cookers to traditional, cream, farmhouse style range cookers. Another important consideration is the type of fuel you choose for your range cooker. Usually range cookers are dual fuel so you get the best of both worlds with easily controlled electrical and fan ovens and a gas hob for consistent, high temperatures.

There is also the option for fully gas fueled cookers and full electrical cookers with hot plate hobs, so even if you don’t have a gas supply in your kitchen, you can still have a beautiful and functional range cooker.

Installation

Installing a range cooker can be a little more complex than a standard cooker. Not only are there different fuel connections to consider, but also the specific spacing requirements to avoid overheating and fire hazards. As such, we always recommend that you have your range cooker professionally installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer.

Still not sure which type of range cooker would be best for you? The Long Eaton Appliance Company has a huge variety, including Ceramic, Induction, Gas and Dual Fuel cookers, and a knowledgeable team who will be happy to offer you impartial advice to help you find your ideal range cooker, from a quality and trusted manufacturer.