What are the essential appliances in a modern kitchen?

Sunita Vellapally Sunita Vellapally
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With the numerous appliances available in the market, it can be confusing to decide on the must-have ones for your kitchen, especially if you don’t have a lot of space. While most kitchen appliances help to simplify work, some are so useful that you can’t do without them. In today’s ideabook, we present a list of essential appliances that every modern kitchen must have.

1. A food processor

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You might wonder whether you really need one in your kitchen, especially if you have a small family and don’t have to chop or grate large quantities. However, once you use a food processor, you will be sold on the benefits. No longer will you have to worry about cooking for a big party as the food processor will make things easier than you ever imagined! Whether it’s for kneading dough or cutting vegetables, the food processor will make you more efficient in the kitchen.

2. A blender

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Whether it’s a countertop blender or a handheld immersion-style one, this is another indispensable gadget in an Indian kitchen. From simplifying the process of making soups and sauces to grinding spice pastes for traditional Indian dishes, you can’t do without one, and it doesn’t occupy much space in the kitchen, especially if you opt for the handheld model!

Get inspired by these space efficient kitchens for small houses.

3. Electric mixer

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You might wonder whether you need an electric mixer if you have a food processor. However, if you love to bake, then this is an appliance worth investing in as it can whip up large quantities of batter in a jiffy. Even if you aren’t big on baking, you should consider getting a hand mixer for whipping cream or even getting your egg-whites fluffy for an omelette. It will take away the pain of whisking things by hand.

4. Pressure cooker

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In an Indian kitchen, where one needs to cook lentils, meat or rice, the pressure cooker is an essential as it shortens cooking time. Without it, you would have to spend hours over the stove stirring until a dish is cooked. With a pressure cooker, all you need to do is put the lid on and wait for a certain number of whistles. Nowadays, you also get electric pressure cookers, which allow you to set a timer.

5. Electric kettle

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In earlier times, electric kettles were considered unnecessary as one could always boil water on the stove. However, it is worth getting for your kitchen as it is not only functional but also helps to save on energy. An electric kettle boils water faster than if you heat it on a gas stove, and it uses less energy. If your family loves to have several cups of tea or coffee in a day, the electric kettle is a must-have for the kitchen.

6. Refrigerator

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Perhaps, the refrigerator is the most useful appliance in any kitchen as it not only helps to keep food fresh, but also prevents wastage as you can store cooked food until the next meal instead of throwing it out. Refrigerators come in several sizes, so you can find one even for the smallest kitchen. Before you buy one, consider the amount of food that you will store in it daily as this will help you to estimate the capacity that is most suitable for your family. Besides this, consider the features that you need. For instance, a side-by-side refrigerator might be best in the kitchen of a large family, that requires more freezer space. Some homeowners might like refrigerators with adjustable shelves that allow vessels of varied heights to be stored in it.

Additionally, you should look at the star rating of the refrigerator to ensure that it is energy efficient. In general, the higher the star rating, the better the energy saving.

You can consult a professional kitchen planner to choose the right refrigerator for your kitchen.

7. Water purifier

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Gone are the days when one had the time to boil water on the stove and wait for it to cool before bottling it for drinking. Nowadays, with busy lifestyles, installing a water purifier is a more convenient alternative as you can get potable water in a matter of minutes. Water purifiers come in several types. If you choose one with reverse osmosis, be aware that a lot of waste water will be flushed out, so your kitchen needs to have a provision for collecting the water and reusing it. Besides this, you will find water purifiers with different types of technology. Check on the size of the unit and whether it can fit into the designated space in your kitchen. It’s also advisable to choose a model that requires minimal maintenance.

8. Microwave

A microwave oven presents an efficient way of reheating food that you have stored in the refrigerator, saving you the trouble of transferring it to cookware for heating on the stove. Microwaves come in varied wattages. Some models also have a convection feature that lets you bake in them. Before you decide on the perfect one for your kitchen consider the space where it will stand and the power wattage as this will affect the energy consumption in your kitchen.

9. Coffee maker

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For those who love coffee and like to have several cups of it in a day, an electric coffee maker is a must-have in the kitchen. The best models some with the option of making varied types of coffee such as espresso and latte. If you are a coffee connoisseur who likes to give your guests a taste of the exotic brews, don’t skimp on a coffee maker for your home.

10. Toaster

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While some might argue that a toaster is not an essential appliance in the kitchen as you can toast bread on a griddle pan on the gas stove, an electric toaster is far more convenient as you just need to pop the slices into the appliance and let it do the work. It’s perfect for a quick breakfast when you are in a hurry, or for an easy-to-make snack. Toasters come in two-slice and four-slice options. Choose a model depending upon the needs of your family.

11. Rice cooker

Rice cookers aren’t indispensable like refrigerators, but they provide a convenience in the kitchen as all you need to do is place the rice and the water in the appliance and let it cook, allowing you to multitask. Modern rice cookers come with attachments that enable them to double up as steamers, so you can also use them to steam vegetables and momos, even when you run out of gas.

12. Dishwasher

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Not everyone feels the need for a dishwasher in the kitchen, especially if they have someone to wash the dishes. However, a dishwasher is a useful appliance not only from the point of hygiene but also because it serves as a backup for the days your helper doesn’t come in to work. The dishwasher needs an electrical connection as well as inlet and outlet pipes, so unlike some of the other countertop gadgets, you will need to earmark a place for it when you are designing your kitchen.  

Consult an interior designer or kitchen planner to help with providing space for a dishwasher in your kitchen.

These are the essential appliances commonly used in Indian kitchens. Besides this, depending upon the type of dishes you cook, or your family prefers, other appliances such as electric grinders, sandwich makers and grills are worth considering for your kitchen.

Get tips on how to maintain your home appliances.

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