Source: Internet, TEKNOPOLIS Store

We’ve already looked at how we can use clever tricks to keep our home clean and our kitchen organized. Now it’s time to talk about something just as important—choosing household appliances. In the third part of the series “That’s How Grandma Did It! Small Practical Tips,” I’ll help you navigate the many options on the market. We’ll look at how to choose a coffee maker, refrigerator, air conditioner, and other essential appliances so you can make a smart and practical investment for your home.

Coffee maker.

If you’ve decided to buy a coffee machine, the most important thing is to first determine what kind you need: for espresso (standard, automatic, or professional), for black coffee (standard or with 3–4 bar pressure), and there are also combination models. Espresso machines make the strongest coffee. Their prices range from 100 to 500 BGN. The most important criteria for choosing such a machine are:

• pressure—at least 15 bar
• crema disc—for a denser coffee with a richer crema
• steam, hot water, etc.

A capsule coffee attachment and a cup warmer are considered additional extras. For more discerning customers, we offer automatic coffee machines that operate on the same principle as standard coffee machines but are pre-loaded, saving you time and effort. Additional features include: a display, a system for adjusting coffee strength and grind size, cup warming, an attachment for lattes and cappuccinos, and more. Their prices range from 700 to 2,000+ BGN. Schwarz machines are for those who prefer weaker coffee. With these, you can choose between models with or without pressure. Additional features: on/off timer, warming plate, coffee strength adjustment system, and more. Professional machines are designed for cafes—with one or two groups and a central water supply. The wide range of coffee machines offers a huge selection of models for every coffee connoisseur.

Air conditioner.

One of the most important pieces of advice we can give is not to skimp on cost when buying an air conditioner, because in most cases, a cheap purchase ends up being expensive.

First, determine the square footage of the room where you want to install the air conditioner, and tell the sales consultant at the store so they can guide you toward the right unit. The best air conditioner manufacturers are still the Japanese. Their prices are significantly higher than those of their Chinese counterparts, but the quality speaks for itself. The most important things to look for when buying an air conditioner:

First, make sure the air conditioner is an inverter model

Check the operating temperature range, because most Chinese air conditioners stop working below -10 degrees

Check the coefficient of performance (COP); you can identify a good air conditioner precisely by this coefficient. If the COP is below 4.00, first, it won’t be energy-efficient, and second, it won’t have enough power, but keep in mind that the larger the air conditioner, the lower its COP will be

Check the noise emission specifications; good air conditioners operate at noise levels up to 30 dB

If you’re buying a used air conditioner, choose one with the original remote control, because with a universal remote, you won’t be able to use all of the unit’s features.

Summary: An air conditioner should be a long-term investment, so don’t compromise—go with a Japanese brand, keeping in mind that whichever brand you choose, you can’t go wrong. Osaka isn’t Japanese! LG is North Korean, and Panasonic isn’t Japanese either—Panasonic’s Japanese name is National!

Hair dryer.

When choosing a hair dryer, power is important. It helps you achieve quick results. If you plan to style your hair in different ways, choose a model with a diffuser for volume or a straightening attachment. In addition, some models feature a turbo button and a cool air setting. Innovations such as ionization, an AC motor for long-lasting performance, a ceramic heating element, and more are also worth considering. The lineup includes travel (foldable), standard, and semi-professional models.

Refrigerator.

One of the most important things to check when choosing a refrigerator is its size. It’s a good idea to know in advance how much space you’ve set aside for a refrigerator in your kitchen, because you may find that the appliance you like and purchase doesn’t actually fit there.

Last but not least, a low price shouldn’t be the primary factor in your decision; rather, it should be the energy efficiency class—that is, how energy-efficient the appliance is.

Sewing machine.

If you’ve decided to buy a sewing machine, first pay attention to the number of functions supported by the model you like. The more, the better. Depending on the model, there are between 7 and 100+ functions. These are a combination of standard and decorative stitches. In higher-end models, additional features include automatic threading, an electronic display, preset program settings, attachments for “difficult” fabrics, as well as an overlock-type attachment, an attachment for easier handling of bulky fabrics, and more. Last but not least, the warranty period and the manufacturer are important factors.

Iron.

One of the most important things to consider when choosing an iron is the coating on its soleplate. This determines how easy it is to use; other important criteria include power and steam output. These features make ironing even easier, especially on “difficult” fabrics. It’s a good idea to ask whether a particular model includes innovations such as: an anti-drip system, an anti-scale system, automatic shut-off, ionized steam, etc. The range includes travel (compact) models, standard models, models with steam generators, and more.

Now that we’ve looked at how to choose the appliances listed above, the list is far from exhaustive. In this post, we’ll continue to add helpful tips for choosing various home appliances and items. Stay tuned for new additions to the list that will help you make the best choices for your home. This post remains open to more ideas and suggestions!