1. GCSE Food and Nutrition
Kitchen Equipment

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

3. 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.

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

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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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.