GCSE Food and Nutrition Kitchen Equipment

Learning Objectives To understand the factors to consider when choosing kitchen equipment To understand the safety factors when using electrical equipment

Kitchen Equipment Large pieces of kitchen equipment are expensive and are frequently used, so it is important to carry out careful research before buying them. Useful information for consumer can be found in Which? reports and in magazines such as Good Housekeeping.

Microwave Oven Types available: Microwave Combination Factors to consider: Size of family Space available in kitchen Digital/Manual controls Power output 500-1000 watts Required uses: defrosting, re-heating (the higher the power the shorter the cooking time)

Cookers Types available: Free-standing Built-in oven and separate hob Combination e.g gas hob – electric oven Aga

Cookers – Factors to Consider The amount of cooking in the household The size of the family Budget to spend on a cooker Space available Type and cost of fuel: gas, electric or solid fuel Features required: self clean, eye-level grill, halogen hob Safety labels CE Mark – European Union

Refrigerators and Freezers Fridge with ice-box Fridge/Freezer Built -in Larder Fridge Chest Freezer

Refrigerators Factors to consider when buying a refrigerator Size of family will affect capacity Additional features: ice-maker, wine rack, automatic defrost Appearance – colour and style Budget Running costs – check the energy rating on the label

Freezers Factors to consider when buying a freezer: Similar to the refrigerator and… Style: upright with drawers or chest Type of food you are likely to freeze home-made or commercially frozen Space available: chest freezer will take up more space Running costs: chest freezers are slightly cheaper - Why?

Food processors, mixes and blenders Consider: How much preparation of fresh ingredients is done Required functions – chopping, mixing, making dough, liquidising soup Storage space available Additional attachments Ease of cleaning Cost and energy rating

Safety factors when using electrical equipment Do not plug electrical in with wet hands Make sure flexes and wiring are not frayed or worn Use oven gloves when removing hot pans and dishes from cookers Take care when washing sharp blades or slicing discs from food processors Keep all equipment clean and free from grease and food particles in order to prevent food poisoning Electrical equipment should carry a safety label

These labels can be found on electrical items indicating CE mark – European Union British Standards Institute Kitemark These labels can be found on electrical items indicating Quality and Safety

Energy Rating The European Union (EU) energy rating label, now found on all white goods, tells you the appliances exact energy consumption (kWh) and its energy efficiency rating. The EU energy label rates products from A++, (the most efficient) to G (the least efficient). It also tells you the volume of fresh and frozen food which would be important factor for a large family.