The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Kitchen Appliances

How to Choose the Right Appliances for Your Kitchen Renovation Project
As with every successful renovation, setting a budget for your kitchen renovation project, right from the start, is very important. This, along with getting detailed quotes for your kitchen renovation, will allow you to determine what the best way for you to allocate your budget is. Is your budget sufficient to cover the bare minimum or do you have some room to splurge? If you have a little extra in your budget, consider what you’d like to spend that extra budget on.
 
Are appliances important to you? Are you dealing with any pain points with your current appliance package? Is your fridge big enough to fit that Costco haul? How frequently do you use your microwave? Are there any pieces you could do without?
 
Inflation hasn’t been to kind to consumers, especially when it comes to kitchen appliances as prices have risen drastically since pre-pandemic days. Like any good investment, it’s important to take the time to decide what is the best option for, and once you’ve made your purchase, to care for and maintain you appliances to get the longest life out of them.
 
Typical appliances for a kitchen remodel include:
  1. Fridge
  2. Range (or a combination of wall oven and cook top)
  3. Dishwasher
  4. Over-the-range (or a combination of microwave and hood fan)
 
Typically, we recommend choosing all your appliances from the same brand and same series to create a cohesive look and feel in your new kitchen. However, for one reason and another you may be inclined to mix and match models or even brands. Typically, this occurs if you have two or more specific appliances in mind, from different brands, or a certain appliances, for instance, your dishwasher may be very important you and you wish to allocate a bigger budget to that and go for a higher end brand or model, versus the rest of your appliances. In any case, the right thing to do is determine what your budget is going to be first.
 
As of June 2023, a typical condo kitchen renovation, excluding supply, delivery and installation of appliances starts at $35,000, with larger kitchens being closer to the $45,000 mark. This includes all aspects of your new kitchen, from cabinetry to countertops, backsplashes, flooring, sink, faucet, lighting, etc. Now bearing this in mind, you can start thinking about your appliances and how much you can allocate to upgrading them.
 
For instance, if you have a $50,000 kitchen renovation budget, and you’re renovating a condo bathroom that will cost under $40,000, then you can safely allocate $10,000 to appliances. Bear in mind that this is not equivalent to the sticker price online or from a retailer. Your kitchen renovation contractor will need to ensure that your kitchen is ready to receive your new appliances, cover costs for shipping, disposal, environmental fees, parts, installation costs, etc.
 
Now with your appliance budget decided, the question is, what is the best way to research and decide which appliances to buy? Here are 5 tips to help you select the best appliance package for your kitchen;
1. Consider your budget
 
2. Consider the options and features that you and your family will use and value the most
 
3. Take measurements and know the limitations of the space
 
4. Visit showrooms and keep an eye out for deals like cyber Monday, black Friday, and package deals. The longer you look and plan, the more likely you will be to come across a great deal
 
5. Read blogs and reviews from other people who have been through this recently and speak to your kitchen renovation contractor for additional advice on which brands or models to choose and which ones to avoid
 

Kitchen Appliance Packages

Appliances will be the most, if not, the second most expensive part of your kitchen renovation project. Hence, once you’ve set your appliance budget, it’s time to research some options in various price points. Here are a few different brands to look into, if you fall within one of the following budgets:
 
 

≤ $8,000

This is considered the budget appliance range. That being said, you can score some fantastic deals in the sub-$8000 category. Frigidaire, GE and Whirlpool all have great entry level packages, with a stainless steel finish, and a great warranty program.
 
 

≤ $15,000

Up one level, you get access to KitchenAid, Maytag and Bosch that come in at the $12,000-$15,000 range. You can also look into higher tier specs from GE and Whirlpool in the sub-$15,000 category. This is the sweet spot as far as appliances go, as this range offers the most number of options to suit your individual and family needs.
 
white kitchen with commercial fridge and appliances
High end kitchen renovation, gas stove top and marble counters

$20,000+

Now we’re cooking! Wolf, Thermador and Miele are the top brand options for a high end kitchens. These names have built a reputation for being leaders in their class for design, functionality and long lasting items. Sleek design and modern functionality are combined with superior building techniques for these brands that have established themselves as industry leaders. Luxury, design, and innovation are pillars that these high end brands use to distinguish themselves from the rest.
 
You can also go for the top tier, from other brands such as Bosch, Kitchen Aid, GE, or Whirpool. Alternatively, at this price range, you may opt for smart appliances, which allow you to connect through wifi to your appliances, to control your appliances remotely, or order your groceries from the display on your fridge right to your doorstep.
 
Considering whether you need a gas stove versus electric, how much cooking you normally do and the look you want are some key questions to ask before you purchase an appliance package. Smart appliances are making their way into kitchens too, fridges can sense when you’re running low on milk, guided cooking apps can sync with your cooktop and you can share with friends and family how recipes are going live! It all comes down to priorities, your family’s needs and what you want to get out of your kitchen space.
 
Basic appliance packages still come in white, but almost all have the stainless steel option available for slightly more. We recommend the stainless steel look for a timeless kitchen that you’ll be proud of for years to come. The colours of the other features in your kitchen can be used to guide and match the colour of your appliances.
 
Deciding on the layout for your new kitchen is probably the best place to start, when choosing your appliances. This will give you an idea about the size and types of kitchen appliances you should look into. Let’s look into various considerations when choosing appliances for your kitchen:
 

Refrigerators

There are a few things to consider when looking for your new fridge:
 
How much space do you need?
 
What type of doors would work best with your kitchen layout?
 
Do you want a fridge/freezer combo or a separate smaller freezer in the kitchen itself because you have a larger one elsewhere?
 
Is an undercounter fridge an option for you? (we typically recommend this if you don’t cook or use your kitchen often)
 
Freezers above the fridge are typically better for energy consumption. Ice dispensers and other useful additions are what separates the high end appliances from the rest.
The addition of a stylish fan/rangehood is functional and provides aesthetic value

Cooking Appliances

The basic electrical coil is outdated and not recommended. For a small upgrade you can get the easy to clean and stylish glass top.
 
In terms of power, if you’re serious about cooking and will use the kitchen to make meals regularly, then you should be looking for something with power of 9200 BTU (British thermal units) and up. Cast iron burners will allow for a better transfer of heat. In our opinion it is worth shopping around for your range fan, it is responsible for removing heat and steam/smoke from your kitchen, it’s not only very functional but can also make or break the look of your kitchen, there are hundreds of options and spending time choosing the right one will make a difference in the overall aesthetics of your kitchen.
 
Induction burners are rising in popularity for ease and speed. Keep in mind your pots need to be compatible with this style of cooktop.
Digital controls over traditional knobs start to appear as we move up the price range also.
 
A popular addition to your kitchen can be a tap that sit’s in the backsplash of the stove so you have easy water access for making stocks and boiling pasta. These additions can help personalize your kitchen and turn it from functional to something you love.
 

Dishwashers

Dishwashers are, for the most part, all about the same size and come with similar functionalities. When choosing the dishwasher, consider one that blends well with the rest of your kitchen appliances, unless you have specific needs such as a unique wash cycle, a third tray, a two door dishwasher or another uncommon feature.
 
 

Hood Vents

Ventilation is essential for maintaining good air quality in your home. Let’s be honest, cooking is fun but smoking your home, not so much!
 
When choosing a hood vent, ensuring good coverage over the range is important. In other words, your hood vent width should be equal or greater than that of your range or cook top. Hood’s strength is also extremely important, and typical rule of thumb is to allow for 1 CFM for every 100 BTU of power in your cooking appliances.
 
We hope this guide has helped you in understanding where to start and what to consider when choosing kitchen appliances for your renovation project. If you need any more help, or have any appliance related questions you can reach out to us by email at info@quayconstruction.ca or by phone at (778) 697-9924.
www.quayconstruction.ca
info@quayconstruction.ca
(778) 697-9924

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