Shopping for major kitchen appliances doesn’t have to be a huge headache. From cooktops to fridges and dishwashers, remove the stress with these simple tips on what to look for when you buy kitchen appliances. Buying major appliances for a new kitchen can be delightful or daunting, depending on your approach. We talked with appliance retailer David Wootton for the lowdown on choosing those appliance biggies.

Gas or electric is the first consideration when buying a cooktop. "These days, the majority of cooktops are gas," David explains. It’s cheaper to stick with the type you have, as changing from one to the other will add several hundred dollars to the cost. Size is another decision. A standard 60 centimetre cooktop will usually have four burners, but larger sizes can boast up to six. Obviously you’ll need adequate bench space for larger cooktops and a bigger rangehood to match, and both will cost more than the standard sizes (choosing smaller will save money generally when shopping for major kitchen appliances).

The biggest consideration when you buy appliances such as refrigerators, is size – their depths and widths vary greatly. Arm yourself with measurements and ponder your options: freezer on top, freezer on bottom, side by side or the popular French door style, which has two wide fridge doors on top and a freezer drawer below.Prioritise fridge-versus-freezer function when deciding on the configuration; if you don’t want to be bending down, then a side-by-side design might be your best choice. Then there’s colour. While stainless steel is more popular than white, it can be more expensive.

As with your cooktop, the first decision is electric or gas. Most ovens are electric, and can be conventional (with top and bottom elements and no fan), fan forced (with an element at the back and a fan to circulate the heat) or multi-function (with top, bottom and back elements, plus a fan, allowing you to switch between functions). Available oven sizes (width) are 60 centimetres (standard), 70 centimetres and 90 centimetres. There’s a significant price difference between sizes, but unlike fridges, white and stainless steel ovens are comparable in price. Also, the bigger the oven, the less energy efficient it is – and the same goes for most major kitchen appliances.

Lay-out and quality are the main factors to consider when choosing a dishwasher. "Because they have moving parts and use water, they are more susceptible to breakdown," David explains. "Buy the best quality you can afford. Expensive models also have lower running costs due to more energy-efficient drying methods." Dishwashers are generally a standard 60 centimetres wide and are rated for energy and water efficiency. Look at practical features like whether the top basket will hold wine glasses, and whether the lower racks will accommodate big pots and pans.

A final tip from David is to ensure you work to a budget and spend more on the appliance you’ll use the most.

To weigh up the pros and cons yourself, find a kitchen appliance retailer in your area: