Buying Guides

The StaxAppliances team knows it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to select an appliance for your home, this is why we have put together some important information to consider before you buy! Check out our different buying guides below.

Cooktops Buying Guide

The StaxAppliances team knows it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to select an appliance for your home, this is why we have put together some important information to consider before you buy!

Consider this

Measure up! Space is very important, from very small 310mm wide domino sizes to the large 1000mm wide cooktops, the standard size is 600mm wide with 4 burners. Electric or Gas connections available.

Types

Gas Cooktops – have faster heating times, optional surfaces such as stainless steel or glass, optional WOK burner models available.

Electric Cooktops

Solid Elements – are generally less expensive than the rest, easy to clean but are slower to heat up the elements.

Ceramic Cooktops – use heating elements underneath glass surfaces, are very easy to clean, look good, some have visible knobs or touch control models are available.

Induction Cooktops – use magnetic fields to generate heat when it makes contact with the pot or pan. Note that special cookware is required. These have very fast heating times, are very energy efficient and are safe as it only heats up when it makes contact with your pot or pan.

Dishwashers Buying Guide

The StaxAppliances team knows it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to select an appliance for your home, this is why we have put together some important information to consider before you buy!

Consider this

Size – usually 600mm wide 820-860mm high and 600mm deep but for more compact spaces you have the option of a slim 450mm wide or single dishdraws. Always measure up your existing dishwasher if replacing it or measure up the cabinet space available?

Place Setting – 9, 12, 14? Basically the higher the number the more plates it will wash, regardless always keep the dishwasher full before you wash!

Program options – delay start and half load options are programs you must have as these will save you on water and energy bills

Water & energy – look for the water and energy rating labels! The more stars the more efficient the dishwasher is going to be

Safety – anti-flood protection and child locks are good features to have!

Types

Built-in – as the name states the dishwasher is built-in under your kitchen bench, usually with the side and top panels removed so it fits securely within the cabinetry.

Freestanding – come with the sides and top and it is not fixed within the cabinetry so you are able to easily move the dishwasher if you are planning to move in the future.

Dishdrawer – with the options of a single or double drawer, it is the most convenient type for loading dishes and avoid bending over

Semi Integrated – are built-in dishwashers that come with the visible control panel and the rest is a door panel to match your kitchen cabinetry. Installations by a cabinet maker can be pricey but these look great in your kitchen

Fully Integrated – are also built-in dishwashers with hidden controls so the whole door panel can integrate with your kitchen, make it look like it is not even there. Installations by a cabinet maker can be pricey but these look great in your kitchen

Dryers Buying Guide

The StaxAppliances team knows it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to select an appliance for your home, this is why we have put together some important information to consider before you buy!

Consider this

Important – check if your clothes can be tumble dried, many can’t!

Measure up your space, installation required and Venting options available with the different types of dryers.

A larger size dryer with smaller loads is always recommended as it will dry your clothes faster with less creases.

Types

Vented Dryer

These pump humid air into your laundry so location is very important if ducting is not available. Place near a window if possible and remember that most include a wall bracket kit. Carefully read installation instructions. Appropriate ventilation space is required.

Condenser dryer

These remove the moisture from the air and drains it out. Some use a water container which needs to be emptied after each load or some are drained out automatically via the drain hose.

They come in larger sizes 6Kg + so it is recommended for larger families or apartments with no adequate ventilation.

Heat Pump Dryers

The more energy efficient of them all, it is basically a condenser dryer but re-uses the heat when removing moisture. This process uses less energy and are up to 6 stars energy rating. They can be pricey but make up in the long run in energy bills.

Fridges & Freezers Buying Guide

Consider this

Size (capacity in Litres)

  • 1-2 people 150-300 Litres
  • 3-4 people 300-500 Litres
  • 5 + 500 Litres or more

Clearance

Recommended to leave 20-30mm left and right side and about 50mm behind the fridge or freezer, also consider enough clearance at delivery – doors, stairs, etc

Door Opening

Stand in front of the fridge/freezer, generally the hinge is on the right and handle on the left but if you want the opposite some manufacturers offer the Left hinge option with the handle on the right.

Frost Free

Frost free fridges or freezer use fans to circulate the air and do not accumulate ice. The opposite is the manual defrosting which involves turning off the appliance to let it defrost.
 

Water & Ice Dispensers

You will require an authorised plumber to install the water connection. It is ideal to have the water taps close to the fridge’s location but extensions can be made, consult with your installer. Alternatively we also supply “non-plumbed” fridges with water dispensers which simply carry a container behind the door for easy chilling and refilling.

Type

Top Mount – refers to fridges with the freezer on top and fridge on the bottom, generally less freezer capacity and less expensive than Bottom Mounts.

Bottom Mount – refers to fridges with freezer on the bottom and fridge on top, generally more freezer capacity so it makes ideal to store more food for longer.
Bar Fridges – small and compact, single door and can come with a manual defrost freezer compartment, perfect for small apartments or as a second fridge next to the BBQ to store some cold beers.

Side by Side – 4 or more in your family, get this one! Fridge on one side and freezer on the other. You can store more food, more veggies for longer, large capacities and handy features like water & ice dispenser, alarm and temperature control.

French Door – also referred to as 3 or 4 door fridges, generally the top 2 are the fridge compartments and the bottom one or two which are drop downs or pull out doors are freezers, Ideal for big families, entertainers and businesses.

Chest Freezers – or the good old tucker box are freezer only with a lid that opens up. It can store large amounts of food so you can buy in bulk and save money but remember these have to be manually defrosted which means turning it off and draining the water.

Vertical Fridges – or upright fridges are single door fridges only with shelves or draws compartments.

Vertical Freezers – or upright freezers are single door freezers only with shelves or draws compartments. Some are frost free but some would have to be manually defrosted.

Wine Chillers – for the wine enthusiast you can now store your beloved wine. Most feature how many bottles it can store, adjustable temperature control, telescopic rails and two separate zones for temperature isolation.

Ovens & Stoves Buying Guide

The StaxAppliances team knows it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to select an appliance for your home, this is why we have put together some important information to consider before you buy!

Consider this

Electric or Gas?

Nowadays both types of oven and stoves offer the latest technologies so for features to suit your cooking styles. Remember that an authorised electrician is required to install your electric oven/stove and an authorised plumber/electrician is required to install your gas appliance to your existing gas mains.

Built-in – involves mounting your appliance into your kitchen cabinetry, proper installation is required, sizes and measurements are very important, consult with your installer. Almost all ovens are inbuilt except for the Upright/freestanding stoves.

Fan Forced – the heating element built around the fan located in the rear panel spreads the heat more evenly around the oven, usually distributes the heated air more evenly than fan assisted ovens.

Fan Assisted – uses a fan only located in the rear panel and top, bottom or both heating elements in the oven to spread the heat evenly around the oven

Pyrolytic – makes cleaning the oven a breeze! This function heats up the ovens to very high temperatures to burn food residue, once completed wipe away!

Catalytic – makes cleaning easy! Uses catalytic liners fixed around the oven, this material catches food spills when the oven reaches 200 degrees Celsius or more and burns it, removing it from the oven.

Types

Single Ovens – usually with built in grills on top or bottom, consider your cooking style for the oven’s functions like grill, bake, defrost.

Single/Separate grill – usually taller with a separate grill compartment for multitask cooking

Double Ovens – 2 separate ovens, some with the same capacity but others with a smaller second oven, ideal for large family gatherings, dinner parties and the entertainers. Consider space for installation

Upright Stoves - or freestanding ovens do not have to be fitted into kitchen cabinets and come with the cooktop on top. Sizes range from 500mm-1200mm wide and optional gas/gas or gas/electric configuration.

Rangehoods Buying Guide

The StaxAppliances team knows it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to select an appliance for your home, this is why we have put together some important information to consider before you buy!

Consider this

Ducting – most models can be installed so the odours sucked are ducted out of the house. If you don’t have ducting available or simply the space then you can opt for Recirculating

Recirculating – mostly used with fixed and retractable rangehoods, this option sucks the odours through filters and puts it back in your kitchen. Note that these filters need replacing depending on the use.

Size – usually 600mm-900mm but should always cover your cooking area. Always measure your available space and read through installation instructions.

Suction – measured in m3/hr. and basically the higher the number the more it extracts

Noise – measured in dBA decibel rating between 30-65 dBA – standard is 60 dBA

Lights – some come with one and some with two lights, these can be Incandescent, Fluorescent, Halogen or LED which use the least energy.

Filters – all rangehoods will include these mesh filters which are the rectangular shaped pieces placed underneath the rangehood. Charcoal filters are optional accessories and are very useful as they can get rid of stronger odours.

Types

Fixed – most popular type as these are inexpensive and cover more cooking areas.

Retractable (Slide out) – these operate the fan and lights when you pull out the slide section manually. They cover less cooking area but look better in your kitchen

Canopy – these offer the better performance of them all as these cover a large area and also offer more powerful suction. Installations costs are usually dearer as the air needs to be ducted to the outside of the house

Washing Machines Buying Guide

The StaxAppliances team knows it can be a bit overwhelming when trying to select an appliance for your home, this is why we have put together some important information to consider before you buy!

Consider this

Front or top loader?

Many of the brands we supply offer handy features whether you choose a top or front loader, the way clothes are washed is different where front loaders tumble clothes over and over makes them more gentle on your clothes. Top loaders on the other hand use an agitator, that component in the middle of the drum which turn the clothes around and around, these generally wash quicker but are a bit tougher on the clothes.

Narrow it down by ticking the boxes that suit you!

Front loaders

  • Usually more water and energy efficient
  • Gentle on clothes
  • Higher spins so less drying times
  • Use less detergent
  • More washing programs
  • Smaller than top loaders
  • Stackable (you can get a matching dryer with an optional kit to place it on top)

Top loaders

  • Quick washing times
  • Larger capacities
  • Generally less expensive than front loaders
  • Light for easier transportation
  • Able to stop cycles to add more load

Water & energy – look for the water and energy rating labels! The more stars the more efficient the your washing machine is going to be

Size (load capacity) – always plan for the future, get a bigger size if you plan to have a family!

  • 1-2 people get 4.5Kg – 5.5Kg washer
  • 3-4 people get 5.5Kg – 8.0Kg washer
  • 4 + people get 8Kg – 10Kg washer

Hot/Cold water connections

If you tend to use warmer washing cycles, make sure you get a washer with both hot and cold water connections as it uses hot water from your water heater. Cold only washing machines use a heating element to heat up the water for warmer cycles, resulting in more energy use.

Spin speeds

Measured in RPM (revolutions per minute) and generally between 800-1800RPM, the higher the RPM the more water is squeezed out from your clothes so it results in lesser drying times. Note that gentle cycles use lower RPM as part of the program.

Other Types

Washer/Dryers

Perfect for tight spaces and apartments, the convenience of having a washer and dryer in one is an excellent choice for your laundry!

Important to remember is that a 7.5Kg/4Kg washer/dryer will not dry a 7.5Kg load capacity, it will only dry 4Kg! keep this in mind if you are planning to do a lot of drying. For example if you want to do a full wash & dry cycle, you can only load about 3-4 Kg – always read the manufacturer’s recommendations!

The dryer component is not a vented dryer so it won’t push humid air out into your laundry. It is actually a condenser dryer so it will remove the moisture from the air and drains it out via the drain hose.

Twin Tub Washers

2 tubs, one washes the clothes and the other spins the clothes dry, you have to manually place them in the different tubs once cycles finish. They tend to be more water efficient as some models allow you to reuse the water for more than one load of washing!