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Kitchen Appliances: Buying Guide for Malaysian Kitchen

It’s no secret that the kitchen is one of the most important spaces in any Malaysian home.

But with so many different brands, models, and features on the market, it can be tough to buy kitchen appliances.

That’s why we’ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you choose the best kitchen appliances for your home. We’ll cover everything from primary appliances like hoods and hobs to secondary appliances like ovens and dishwashers.

Let’s dive in.

Primary Appliances

Hoods

A good quality hood is essential in any kitchen, as it helps to remove smoke, steam, and odours from the air.

When choosing a hood, you’ll need to consider the size of your kitchen and the type of cooking you do. For example, if you have a small kitchen or do a lot of wok cooking, you’ll need a more powerful hood to effectively remove fumes and smells.

Another factor you should consider is the 2 common extraction models:

Ducting Model: Ducting out is the most effective method of extraction. Ideally, the cooker hood should be sited on an outside wall, or an outside wall can be reached thru ducting.

Recirculation Model: Odours are extracted and filtered, and then purified air is returned to the kitchen area. The kit comprises a carbon filter and all components needed to ensure that odours free air is returned to the kitchen. To regular maintain performance, the carbon filter should be replaced on a regular basis.

Hobs

There are many different types of hobs available on the market, from gas and electric to induction and ceramic.

Gas hobs: The most common type of hob in Malaysia. They are great for most types of cooking and easy to control.

The beautiful thing about gas hobs is that they offer a traditional taste “wok hei”, especially for Asian cuisine.

Ceramic hobs: Easy to clean. Ceramic hobs are suitable to use for any pot but heating will be slower. They usually come with a child lock.

Induction hobs: Energy-efficient and offer quick, even heating. However, induction hobs can be more expensive than other types of hobs. They are only suitable for stainless steel pots. The heating is faster. They also come with a child lock.

Refrigerators

A good quality refrigerator is essential for any kitchen, as it helps to keep your food fresh and your drinks cold.

When choosing a refrigerator, you’ll need to consider the size of your kitchen and the amount of space you have available. You’ll also need to decide whether you want a top or bottom-mounted freezer, as this can affect the overall capacity of the fridge.

Water Filters

Although the Malaysian authority states that tap water is clean and safe, most Malaysian households would benefit from investing in a water filter to reduce the impurities in water.

Condominium/small family: We recommend a countertop filter that can be easily installed under your kitchen sink. If you have more budget, consider water dispensers which also provide hot water.

Landed house/big family: We recommend installing an outdoor water filter that connects to your water system as it filters all the tap water for the entire house.

Washing Machine

A washing machine is undoubtedly essential for every Malaysian household who is having a busy work life. This is particularly true after the pandemic, the frequency of changing and washing clothes became higher than before.

When choosing a washing machine, you’ll need to consider the size of your kitchen and the amount of space you have available. You’ll also need to decide whether you want a top or front-loading washer, as this can affect the overall capacity of the machine.

For those who also want a dryer but don’t have much space, having a front loader washer and dryer can be the most space-saving way as they can easily be installed under counters or on top of each other.

Secondary Appliances

We define “Secondary Appliances” as those that are “not a must-have but will definitely improve your lifestyle”.

If you have the budget and space, we highly recommend these appliances:

Ovens

An oven is a great addition to any kitchen, as it allows you to cook food more evenly and at higher temperatures than a stovetop.

When choosing an oven, you’ll need to consider the size of your kitchen and the type of cooking you do. For example, if you have a small kitchen or only ever cook for yourself, you might want to choose a microwave oven that doesn’t take up too much space.

Wine Chillers

A wine chiller is a great way to keep your favourite wines at the perfect temperature.

When choosing a wine chiller, you’ll need to consider the size of your collection. For example, if you have a large collection of red wines, you’ll need a bigger wine chiller that can accommodate this.

Coffee Machines

A good quality coffee machine is essential for any kitchen, as it allows you to make delicious hot drinks quickly and easily.

When choosing a coffee machine, you’ll need to consider the type of coffee you like to drink and the features you want. For example, if you’re only interested in making espresso, you might want to choose a machine that has a built-in grinder.

Dishwashers

Dishwashers are a great addition to any kitchen, as they help to keep your dishes clean and your kitchen tidy. More importantly, it protects your hand by reducing direct contact with dishwashing chemicals!

When choosing a dishwasher, you’ll need to consider the size of your kitchen and the amount of space you have available. You’ll also need to decide whether you want a top or bottom-mounted dishwasher.

Buying Kitchen Appliances: 11 Factors to Consider

1) Kitchen Size

Kitchen size can be a very important factor to consider! It’s important to take measurements of both the width and length of your counter space before heading out to shop for appliances.

If your kitchen size is limited, you may want to consider prioritizing the primary appliance items that you need and then work out what secondary items may be useful for your family.

Alternatively, you could consider downsizing your items. Wine chillers, for example, can vary from smaller sizes for 30 bottles to larger sizes like 190 bottles.

2) The Type of Cooking

The type of cooking you do can also be a very important factor to consider! This is because different appliances are better suited for different types of cooking.

For example, if you love baking, investing in a good oven would be a great idea. However, if you hardly bake and only use the oven to heat up food, a convection or microwave oven may be more suited to your preferences.

3) Budget

You want to make sure you have set and stick to a budget for your appliances! After all, you don’t want to overspend on an appliance that you might not even use that often. It’s important to set a realistic budget for yourself before heading out to shop for appliances.

You’ll also want to make sure that you’re getting a good deal on the appliance. It’s important to compare prices from different stores before making your purchase.

You’ll also want to factor any maintenance or repair fees into your budget for your appliance. For example, some water filter brands may tie you with a maintenance contract for some time. To save cost, we recommend water filters which allow you to easily change the cartridges yourself.

This may seem like a very large budget and it can feel overwhelming! However, most appliance stores offer easy payment plans which can help to spread out the cost over time. Many of these are 0% interest so you can take advantage of them if you have a limited budget.

4) Appliance Size

Appliance size will be important in figuring out whether you can fit it in your kitchen or not! After all, you don’t want to end up with an appliance that’s too big or too small for your space.

It’s important to take measurements of both the width and length of your counter space before heading out to shop for appliances.

5) Features

The features offered by the appliance can also be a very important factor to consider!

This is because different appliances offer different features, and you’ll want to make sure that the appliance you’re interested in has the features that you need.

For example, if you’re looking for an oven that can self-clean, make sure to check for that feature before making your purchase.

6) Warranty

Understanding the different warranties for appliances is important in making decisions on which appliance to purchase! This is because you’ll want to make sure that your appliance is covered in case anything goes wrong with it.

It’s important to check the length of the warranty and what it covers before making your purchase.

7) Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is also an important factor to consider! This is because you’ll want to make sure that your appliance isn’t going to run up your energy bill. It’s important to check the energy efficiency rating of the appliance before making your purchase.

8) Brand

The brand of the appliance is something to keep in mind when shopping for appliances. This is because you’ll want to make sure that you’re getting a quality product. It’s important to do some research on the different appliance brands before making your purchase.

9) Aesthetics

You’ll want to keep the theme of your kitchen the same and this is why you want to make sure you consider the aesthetics of the kitchen in deciding to buy an appliance. This is because you’ll want to make sure that the appliance goes with the rest of your kitchen.

It’s important to think about the color, style, and overall look of the appliance before purchasing.

10) Maintenance and Repair Costs

The maintenance and repair costs of the appliance are something to keep in mind when shopping for appliances. This is because you’ll want to make sure that you can afford to maintain and repair the appliance if something goes wrong with it. It’s essential to research the maintenance and repair costs of the appliance before making your purchase.

11) Installation Cost

The installation cost of the appliance is something to keep in mind when shopping for appliances.

This is because you’ll want to make sure that you can afford to install the appliance properly. It’s important to research the installation cost of the appliance before making your purchase.

FAQs

1. What are the most important factors to consider when buying kitchen appliances?

Some of the most important factors to consider when buying kitchen appliances include size, features, warranty, energy efficiency, brand, aesthetics, maintenance, and repair costs, and installation cost.

2. How much do kitchen appliances typically cost in Malaysia?

The cost of kitchen appliances in Malaysia varies depending on the type and brand of appliance. However, you can expect to pay anywhere from RM500 to RM5000 for most appliances.

3. What is the warranty period for kitchen appliances in Malaysia?

The warranty period for kitchen appliances in Malaysia varies depending on the brand and type of appliance. However, most warranties last for 1 to 2 years.

4. How do I care for and maintain my kitchen appliances?

The care and maintenance of kitchen appliances vary depending on the type and brand of appliance. However, most appliances can be cleaned with a mild soap and water solution. It’s also important to regularly check for signs of wear and tear and to keep the appliance well-ventilated.