While washers and dryers have become a must-have for any modern household, they are one of the toughest appliances to shop for. That of course includes multiple reasons. Which brands to go for, what the perfect type of washer and dryer for my home is, what is the right size for my need, and whether to go for a washer and dryer combo: these are questions that commonly surface, and before you decide to zero in on one, read on so that you make an informed choice.
Types
The first thing to decide while buying a low cost washer and dryer is the type of washer and dryer you need. Types of washers and dryers commonly available include top load washers, front load washers, electric and gas dryers, and combination washer and dryers. These models differ in design, utility and capacity. For example, if space-crunch is one of the issues you have to deal with, then you should go for an option in the form of stackable washer and dryers.
Height, Width, Depth
Second is the question of size: height, width and depth. These will of course depend on the load of washing that you would need to do per day or per week as well as the number of people using it and availability of space. Washer and dryers commonly range from 3.4 cu. ft. to 9.2 cu. ft. or even larger. Anything in between this range is more than enough for a normal household of four to six.
Brand
Like everything else, brands offering washer and dryers differ in design, range, price and not all are the same. Although, a brand of choice is entirely based on reliability, some brands stand out in the manufacturing of certain appliances more than others. Similarly, when it comes to washer and dryers, brands such as Ariston, Asko, Bosch, Electrolux, Fisher & Paykel, LG, Miele, Samsung, Hoover, Simpson, Westinghouse and Whirlpool offer the best product at the right price.
Features
Not all low cost washer and dryers have the same features. While some offer great features such as sensor-controlled suds detection, extra rinse options, delayed start options, precision dispense options, and eco-friendly options; others have to be monitored more closely in person. Moreover, washers and dryers differ greatly in speed: some offer “fast cycles” while with others you might have to wait a while longer. If time is always of the essence for you, and you want your machine to take care of your laundry, go for one with a delayed start option and a fast cycle, but that is sure to burn a bigger hole in your pocket!
Combo (or not)
Combining washing and drying in one appliance surely sounds like the perfect laundry appliance, but in some cases it is too good to be true. Low cost washer and dryers that come as a single appliance often cannot match up to the performance of two separate appliances. Moreover, the price of a combo washer cum dryer is almost the same as buying them separately. However, a combo is highly desirable under certain circumstances. For example, they are the perfect solution to the problem of space-crunch. And although, it is more time-consuming, one can manually always perform the two functions separately. This in turn yields the same level of satisfaction.
Price
The price of washer and dryers differ due to a variety of reasons. Prices differ from brand to brand, but also because of the features offered, the size of the washer and dryer, the type (front load, or top load, or combo) and design. Most mid-range, low cost washer and dryers are packed with the fast cycle feature, can take a load ranging between 90 to 120ltrs, and come with a sleek design and eco-friendly system.
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What to look for in a studio apartment
Read moreStudio apartments are different in many ways, when you compare them with other types of properties. One of the main advantages of taking up a studio apartment is that they are cheap. Thus, looking for a roommate just to save rent is not the first thing that will come to your mind, before moving in.
You would think after living in a one bedroom or with your parents in the suburbs, before graduating school, adjusting into a studio apartment will be a major task. But it is not that difficult as it looks, in fact moving into a studio apartment which suits your needs and for that purpose meets your budget is not such a big transition after all.
Here are some of the reason why you should prefer a studio apartment, over a one bedroom.
Space: Compared to decent one bedroom apartments, studios will have a lot more vertical space which can be a bit confusing at first to adjust to. But you can use most of this space to create shelves and cabinets, utilizing the height instead. Granted there will be limited horizontal space, but it won’t make much of a difference if you can get used to the fact that you might have a larger than normal ceiling limit which actually sound kind of cool.
Downsizing: When you are transitioning from a big space to a studio apartment, you might find it tricky to adjust all the extra stuff. The solution is to pile most of the things into the newly closet space designed to make the most of the ceiling height. This will ensure you don’t make the small studio look cluttered and cramped beyond comfort.
Look for the essentials: Moving into a studio apartment doesn’t necessarily mean that you give up your stove and cooking appliances, just because space is an issue. Look for an apartment which can still fit the essentials like a gas stove, cooking countertops, even a dishwasher for that matter. It all depends on the design of the apartment and the fact that how smartly can you use the space to make most of the layout as is.
All the above points will help you to look for a studio apartment which still feels like a one bedroom. The main point is you should not under any circumstance compromise on the living space, after everything is said and done.
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Things to consider when choosing blenders and blender parts
Read moreYou must have a brief understanding of blender parts before purchasing the right blender. While power consumption and capacity vary over a wide range of blenders available, several other factors should be considered while picking a blender from the pool of potential options. Here are some parameters which will help you choose the best from the sea of blender options.
Capacity
Like any other equipment, blenders and blender parts vary in capacity. This home appliance ranges from small-size to big ones that can produce several liters of blend in a single go. Blenders with different capacities also vary in the size of blender parts. Check your requirement before picking up a blender of a specific capacity.Blade
Another thing that you need to consider in all your potential blender options is the availability of blender parts. Although blender parts like blades are available in a range of materials, these are often made of stainless steel. Blades made of stainless steel are apt to blend a wide range of food items. These can be used for preparing various blends of smoothies and crushed ice. Additionally, blender blades must be strong and big enough to resist and withstand the pressure generated during the blending process.Extra features
Always look for additional features like speed, patterns of blending when purchasing a blender. The panel for controlling these options is most often found at the base of the blender. Some exquisite blenders come with additional blender parts to perform other functions like grinding, chopping and, mixing.Blender base
Another important factor that you need to consider is the blender base. This part can be made of a variety of materials, ranging from plastic to metal. Contemporary blenders come with an intuitive LED display. You can control the speed of the blender using the control panel given at the base.Power
Apart from the quality of blender parts, another important parameter which is required by the blender is power. Blenders come in different ranges of power, ranging from 350 Watts to 600 Watts. Typically, a blender of 500 Watts can perform all types of blending operations.Follow these tips while choosing the blenders and blender parts to find the product most suitable for your use.