Q: Which oven heats up the cavity the fastest out of Gas and Electric?

A: Gas. But our new range of electric oven have improved with faster heat up and cool down.

Q: What should you consider before going out to purchase a new appliance?

A: Buying a new appliance is a high involvement purchase, or at least it should be. An appliance is often part of our lives for a long time and to make the wrong purchase can lead to a long period of disappointment. Not many of us can afford to go and buy another appliance to replace a poor purchase.

Firstly it is important to have a clear understanding of what you are replacing:

• What do you have now?
• What do you like and dislike about it?
• What are your space restrictions?

Then there are normal purchase considerations:

• What your budget is and whether finance is required.
• What you would like to get if you can afford it.

Q: What questions should you ask when visiting a showroom?

A: Sales people in quality appliance retailers will assist greatly in making sure that the right purchase is made. Remember that it’s in their interest for you to make the right purchase. Your satisfaction is important to them.

Give a clear outline of what you are looking for, know the features you absolutely must have in the appliance. Be open to suggestions from the sales people. They have good product knowledge and will know what products best match what you require. They will also know about new products and features you may be unaware of.

When you are interested in a particular model there are some questions that you should ask:

• What is the warranty? This can vary between brands.
• What is the country of origin? While it may not always be important it can be an indication of quality. Quality brands will always display the country of origin very clearly.
• Who is the original manufacturer? Not all sales people will know the answer but there is a lot of badging in the appliance industry. The same product may be presented under a number of brands and sometimes there are big variations in pricing. The data plates are usually the same or very similar.

Q: What should you look for in a good cooktop, oven and rangehood?

A: The cooking appliance decision is a big one. We use them every day to create meals for our families. They can add value to our homes. The right appliance can provide years of rewarding service but the wrong appliance can lead to frustration and years of disappointment.

So, to make the right choice, you should consider:

• Size – how much space do you have? Know the exact dimensions. Is it for a new kitchen or a replacement for an existing appliance? Freestanding cooker or built in? They both have merits. There is no incorrect decision other than what is right or wrong for you.
• Gas or electric - Gas is cheaper, faster and better for the environment - but check that the gas is connected with your energy provider first. Or, do you have the right electric connection? Rewiring a home can be expensive. Have this knowledge before making the purchase. Electricity is simple and easy and the new induction cooktops are fast and efficient.
• Cooking - What do you cook? Mainly roasts? They will cook best in gas. Mainly pastries? They will cook best in electric ovens but everything will cook properly in gas and electric when the ovens are used correctly.
• Style - What finish and style will match your kitchen? Check the materials used in the legs, the trivets and inside the oven.

Other tips and things to think about include:

• Dishes - When looking at ovens, take your baking dish - does it fit?
• Do you need a powerful rangehood for stir frying?
• What type of grill is there? Most are electric and inside the oven.
• How easy is it to clean? Full glass inner doors with removable glass are a great feature and easier to clean. Does the oven have removable side racks?
• What size cooktop do you need?

There are plenty of features available, ask for a rundown of:

• Multifunction ovens
• Bi Energy
• Pyrolytic cleaning
• Catalytic cleaning
• Steam ovens
• Convection microwave