Whether you’re looking into a new combination microwave or you’ve been eyeing a brand new retro refrigerator, fall is the best time to upgrade your appliances. Ovens with air fryers, smart appliances, and small appliances like 3-in-1 toaster ovens are huge this year, and when you upgrade in the fall you’ll have the entire winter to get busy in the kitchen. New appliances have features that can help stretch your grocery budget, too.
Here’s a look at a few must-have appliances for this fall, and why you’ll want to upgrade.
Fall rebates for appliances
Have you ever checked out the appliance rebates in your area? Where I live, BC Hydro provides homeowners with a rebate on new appliance purchases. Most appliance rebates are for Energy Star appliances and include washers, dryers, dishwashers, and refrigerators. Before shopping, be sure to check your local power company to see if they provide rebates for Energy Star and other appliances.
Major appliance upgrades
With the rising cost of groceries and a growing family, there are two major appliances I would put at the top of my upgrade list for the fall: a refrigerator and a range. Fall and winter are all about cooking, and having a new refrigerator and new range makes food storage more efficient and gives you an appliance that can cook in more ways than just baking or boiling.
Choose a smart refrigerator
When it comes to the latest refrigerators, one size does not fit all. There are a lot of different types of refrigerators in various sizes and styles from which you can choose.
French door, full door, and door-in-door refrigerators are still at the top of the popularity lists this year, but shoppers are also looking for features that help keep food fresh for longer. Features like Max Cool will drop your fridge temperature a few degrees to immediately chill your groceries.
There are also smart refrigerators that have built-in cameras and a companion app. This type of fridge can save you money on your groceries by letting you take a look inside your refrigerator from wherever you are. When you know what’s inside, you won’t buy doubles of items like ketchup, mayo, or things like sandwich meat. The built-in LCD also lets you order groceries right from the door, so you can save money on gas by avoiding those quick trips to the store.
Upgrade to an air fry range
Upgrading your range to one of the latest models is a great idea when the weather gets chilly. There are a few features on the latest ranges you’ll want to check out if your goal is to cook at home more often.
Dual-fuel and double ranges are popular because it offers you a gas range and dual-door electric oven so you can cook two different meals at two different temperatures, all at the same time. With two ovens you can bake a pie and roast a turkey simultaneously, or you can just push a button and operate your oven as a single.
If you want a range that will give you more versatility when cooking, an oven with air fry is a great choice. Air frying is a method of cooking that uses little to no oil, but food like chicken strips, French fries, and other ‘fast food’ favourites come out crispy and delicious. With Air Fry, you’ll be able to cook food you would normally only order from take out, and that will save you on your monthly grocery bill.
Upgrading a set of major appliances
Sometimes when you upgrade one appliance, you really want to upgrade them all. If, after you’ve picked out a new refrigerator or range, you decide you’re in the market for a complete upgrade, be sure to take a look for appliance packages that include refrigerators, ranges, dishwashers, washers, and dryers.
Choosing new small appliances
In my kitchen, I divide my small appliances into those that are necessities and those that can take on more than one task. You’ll want to keep that in mind when deciding which small appliances to add and which to upgrade.
Must-have small appliances
Small appliances like toasters, blenders, and microwaves have come a long way over the past few years. Depending on what you cook and eat on a daily basis, you may want to invest in higher-end models so they can take on a few tasks at once.
Golden brown toast is a tap away
If your toaster is burning more bread than it’s toasting, you may want to take a look at the latest toasters. With LCDs, stainless steel bodies, and smart features, you can quickly toast from frozen, reheat, toast bagels, and more. If you want a toaster that can do more, you can choose one of the latest toaster ovens. Some give you options to toast, bake, roast, and Air Fry, all in one compact appliance.
Make your daily smoothie at home
Saving money on your daily smoothie is a lot easier when you have a blender that can crush anything you put in the container. You can make any type of smoothie and take it with you after your workout by choosing a personal blender or a high-powered blender.
The latest models can crush ice, nuts, frozen fruit, and can even make soup. They’re easy to use and they’re easy to clean too.
Microwaves that can bake, too
You’d be forgiven if you thought a microwave just reheats your food. The latest countertop microwaves include options that can Air Fry or have convection bake options. Some models have technology built-in that senses moisture and knows exactly how long your food needs to cook, and that can save you from overcooking and using excess power.
Specialty appliances worth the upgrade
Some small appliances aren’t used every day, but they are go-tos whether you’re cooking for a busy family or you’re a solo chef.
Deep fryers
Deep fryers and air fryers might not be the first things you think about when it’s time to upgrade your appliances, but they’re definitely worth it. You can make everything from crispy French fries to juicy chicken strips, ‘deep fried’ pickles, and more. They’re convenient because you can have pub food at home, they’re fun to whip out and make a big feast for a crowd, and if choose one of the latest air fryers, you’ll be able to have crispy chips while saving on calories and fat, too. You can choose air fry as an option on your range or have a standalone air fryer. If you’d like to have the option to use oil, a deep fryer is a quick and efficient way to cook all of your fried favourites.
Indoor grills
When you get a craving for BBQ in the middle of the winter, having an indoor grill means you don’t have to spend money on takeout (or brave the snow and cold!) With indoor grills, you can easily grill burgers, chicken, ribs, and vegetables, all without leaving home or ordering out.
Pressure cooker
A pressure cooker is fast becoming a kitchen staple in many homes. If you’ve never tried one, this is the fall you need to bring home an Instant Pot.
You can make perfect hard-boiled eggs, and yogurt, or cook entire roast beef in just over an hour. With a slow cooker, stew, soup, and pressure settings, everything you make in the Instant Pot will be done to perfection and cooked in half the time. The best part? You can set up a family dinner in the morning and it will be ready for you to eat when you get home.
Fall appliances you need to try this fall
Maybe you want to add one of the latest large food processors or a new Belgian waffle maker for cold winter Saturday breakfasts? There are so many ways you can upgrade your appliances, and I’ve only scratched the surface of the different models and the latest options.
Take a look at everything available on Best Buy right now, and get ready to save money on groceries and enjoy cooking this fall and winter.
