The Best Kitchen Appliances For Preparing Homemade Meals

Part 1: Enjoying Convenient Meals At Home

While eating out with friends and family has traditionally been a popular pastime, recent events have resulted in Malaysians spending the bulk of their time at home. This has led to an increase in meal preparation from home as well as the need for well-equipped kitchens.

Some essential cooking appliances include gas and electric stoves, as well as electric and microwave ovens, amongst others. These appliances go a long way to making meal preparation a convenient and tasty affair, particularly for Malaysians juggling both working from home and looking after their families. They also help to reduce excess costs spent on food delivery, as well as facilitate the preparation of a wide variety of dishes (healthier options too), keeping home menus exciting while saving preparation time through a variety of nifty and innovative features.

Modern home appliances often come with numerous smart features to make cooking a breeze. They include rice cookers that feature automatic presets for cooking fluffier rice in a shorter time, to coffee machines that automatically prepare freshly brewed coffee every morning to your personal preference. Quality appliances are also able to withstand constant use throughout the years, while also helping to make after-meal cleanups an easy affair.

Quality cooking appliances also promote holistic health for family members. Cooking from home allows you to control the amount of salt, sugar, and oil that you put into your meals, as well as substitute processed food with healthy vegetables and protein sources, making it ideal for health-conscious Malaysians or those with health conditions. Home cooked food also provides a rallying point for the family to come together during mealtimes or preparing ingredients together, improving both mental health and wellbeing.

For customers seeking additional coverage for their newly purchased kitchen appliances, Harvey Norman’s Product Care covers all parts, labour, and fees for UNLIMITED repairs, with our authorised repairers ensuring that your appliance functions at optimal condition. To further guide your purchases, you can get in touch with our Cooking Specialists, who are well-versed in our products and are able to make recommendations to fit your needs. Read on to learn more about various kitchen appliances and their features, as well as what to consider for your cooking needs.

Part 2: Heavy Duty Kitchen Appliances

In this section, we will cover more about heavy-duty kitchen appliances that are the cornerstone of Malaysian kitchens, such as cooking stoves and hoods, as well as ovens.

2.1 Cooking Stoves & Hoods

Cooking stoves are one of the most essential kitchen appliances in the preparation of numerous home cooked dishes. They come in both gas and electric stove designs, each with their own strengths. Gas stoves form the majority of stoves present in Malaysian households, and utilise either LPG cylinders or piped gas for cooking. Most stove setups feature a variety of burner types and sizes designed to accommodate various sizes of pots and pans, as well as varying in heat intensity to facilitate stir-fry cooking or for simple heating and boiling of soupy dishes.

Gas stoves offer superior heat control and quick preparation times, due to the use of an easily adjustable flame. In addition, they complement iron woks and spatulas, allowing for the much sought-after ‘wok hei’ aroma to be present in one’s dishes. Modern gas stoves have various safety and convenient features, such as an integrated electric ignition to allow for easy lighting of burners, to flame failure devices which automatically stop gas flow if the flame has been extinguished, preventing the buildup of gas which can lead to dangerous consequences. Some models also feature automatic timer controls to cut off gas supply after a fixed period of time, which proves useful for busy chefs preparing multiple types of dishes at once.

Electric stoves are another popular option in modern Malaysian home kitchens, due to their sleek aesthetics and ease of maintenance. They often come in smooth glass flat top designs that facilitate greater ease of cleaning after cooking, and utilise electricity to heat up coils that are either exposed or embedded inside the cooking surface. They also feature digital touch controls for easy and intuitive control, and distinct cooking zones to place cookware of different sizes.

One major advantage of electric stoves is their enhanced safety, doing away with the risk of being exposed to a naked flame and causing accidental burns, making them ideal for households with both elderly and young children. They also come with safety features such as automatically turning off heat in the event of spilling liquids onto the surface, or when detecting an empty cooking zone after a period of time has elapsed.

Two popular types of electric stoves are ceramic cooktops and induction cooktops. Ceramic cooktops contain coiled metal elements mounted under tempered ceramic glass, which transfer heat to the ceramic surface through thermal conduction. They are popular for their affordability and sleek aesthetics, and can even be used as additional counter space for preparing ingredients when not in use.

Induction cooktops use magnetic fields and electric currents to heat up cookware. They offer faster heating and superior temperature control and energy efficiency, making them a popular option for Malaysian homeowners with a higher budget. Another advantage that induction cooktops have is that they only create heat when the proper cookware is on the burner, avoiding burns if you accidentally place your palm on the cooking surface. They are also invaluable for families with young children, avoiding accidental scalding and injury and providing both safety and peace of mind. For more information on specific cookware that can be used on your induction cooktop, you can check in with our friendly and experienced Cooking Specialists.

Cooking hoods play a complementary role to both gas and electric stoves. They remove pungent cooking odours, grease, and warm moisture from your kitchen space, allowing you to cook in extended comfort and make it easier to clean up your kitchen after cooking. They also help to protect your kitchen appliances and surfaces from extended heat and damage, saving on maintenance costs and keeping your kitchen in good condition.

There are two main types of kitchen hoods used in most home kitchens, which are extractor and recirculation hoods. Extractor hoods redirect kitchen air outside of your home through powerful fans and ducting. They are highly effective at removing odours, but require professional help for duct installation and are generally recommended for households who frequently cook large volumes of food. Recirculation hoods push kitchen air through filters that absorb unpleasant odours before reintroducing it back into the kitchen. Most recirculation hoods feature grease and charcoal filters that require occasional replacement, and are generally cheaper and less of a hassle to install.

Cooking hoods come in a variety of sleek and modern styles to suit modern Malaysian households. Some types include island hoods which are designed to be suspended over a kitchen island, or wall-mounted in the case of chimney hoods. They are made from polished stainless steel, and feature a wide section at the bottom while connected to a chimney to remove odours and fumes. They feature built-in fans with adjustable speed settings, as well as LED lighting to help illuminate your cooking space.

Take a look at our video guide to help guide your decision when purchasing a gas, electric stove, or cooking hood for your kitchen.

2.2 Ovens

Alongside cooking stoves, ovens are another essential appliance in every Malaysian home kitchen. They come in various models such as electric ovens and microwave ovens, and are essential in heating and preparing a variety of piping hot meals to delight family and friends. Electric ovens comprise the majority of ovens in home kitchens, due to their versatility and ease of use. There are a wide range of models to choose from, such as conventional, convection, and combination ovens, to name a few.

Conventional electric ovens utilise a heating element to heat up the air inside the oven to cook food. They are the most affordable option for Malaysian homeowners, and are ideal for families who prefer to cook simple meals. Convection ovens build upon this design by incorporating an inbuilt fan and exhaust system that circulates hot air evenly around the interior, facilitating heat distribution and reducing moisture to prepare crispy and juicy food. Many models also offer a third heating element for faster cooking times, making convection ovens a versatile option for roasting meats and baking breads and pastries.

Combination electric ovens get their name from their ability to combine dry heat from circulated air, much like convection ovens, with the addition of a steam function to provide added moisture. This allows dishes to remain moist for prolonged periods, facilitating additional preparation methods such as poaching, broiling, and steaming. Combination ovens are a great do-it-all choice for homeowners who prepare a wide variety of cuisines and dishes. There are also other types of electric ovens, such as pyrolytic ovens which utilise very high temperatures to burn off baked-on residue for easier cleaning, as well as toaster ovens which offer compact and energy-efficient heating and toasting.

Many electric ovens incorporate smart features as well. Some of these features include the ability to connect to your home’s wireless network, allowing you to preheat your oven as well as adjust settings and timers remotely from your smartphone. You can also have cooking notifications and recipes sent to your phone, as well as voice control activation and various presets for commonly prepared meals, making meal preparation more convenient than ever before.

In addition to electric ovens, many Malaysian homes also have microwave ovens. They are ideal for thawing frozen food for quick and convenient meals, or reheating additional portions from a previous meal. Microwave ovens take up less space compared to regular ovens, and are ideal for smaller kitchens and households or as a supplement to one’s main oven. 

Grill microwave ovens feature the addition of a specialised grill plate and grilling modes, allowing for the preparation of grilled meats and vegetables which are healthy and tasty. There are also convection models available, which function similarly to a regular convection oven and provide additional utility and versatility for meal preparation.

Just like electric ovens, many microwave ovens also feature smart technologies such as wireless network connectivity, remote control via smartphone, as well as automatic and customised quick settings. They also feature intuitive touchscreen interfaces for ease of use, and various sensors to allow you to monitor your food throughout the cooking process.

You can watch our handy microwave oven buying guide to help guide your next oven purchase for your kitchen.

Part 3: Small Kitchen Appliances

From rice cookers to coffee machines and blenders, there are a myriad of kitchen appliances that help improve convenience and quality of life. Read on to learn more about their features and utility.

3.1 Rice Cookers

Rice is a staple part of Malaysians’ diets, so it is no surprise that rice cookers are a must-have appliance in every Malaysian household. While rice cookers have been around for decades, modern models incorporate features such as non-stick coating, multiple cooking modes, as well as automatic warming and shut-off features to save electricity while keeping rice fluffy and warm for convenient eating.

Conventional rice cookers are affordable and simple to use, utilising an electrical plate underneath the inner cooking pan to heat up and prepare fresh rice. They usually include a reheat function for quick and easy meal preparation, as well as a non-stick pan for ease of cleaning. Homeowners looking for additional features and versatility can consider other types of cookers, such as induction and multifunction cookers.

Induction rice cookers utilise an electrical current that creates a magnetic field to heat up the cooking pan, making them more responsive to temperature changes and allow users to make instantaneous and precise adjustments. They also consume less electricity and offer higher efficiency due to their induction heating, leading to greater savings on utility bills.

Multifunction rice cookers, as their name suggests, are cookers that can prepare a variety of dishes besides rice. They offer pressure cooking to speed up cooking times while keeping your food moist, as well as searing and steaming functions. They allow you to prepare dishes such as braised vegetables, beef briskets, and fluffy cakes, making them a highly versatile addition to any Malaysian home kitchen and complementing the functions of a convection-based electric or microwave oven.

Most modern rice cookers incorporate smart technology for greater convenience. They include pre-programmed settings for a variety of rice-based dishes such as porridge, sushi rice, and risotto, as well as other types of rice such as brown rice and quinoa. They also automatically measure the weight of rice and pick the appropriate cooking program, allowing users to focus on other cooking tasks at hand. Lastly, they can also connect to your wireless network and be controlled from your smartphone, present recipes for easy menu preparation, feature touchscreens for easy usage and preparation, as well as voice activation for hands-free preparation. 

3.2 Coffee Machines

For many Malaysians, coffee forms an essential part of their morning routine and helps to start their day right. With the increasing need of having to work from home, coffee machines are growing in popularity. They prepare a wide variety of hot beverages on demand, such as coffee, latte, espresso, hot chocolate, and steamed milk; delivering superior quality compared to freeze-dried or instant coffee mixes. They also do away with the need to frequently purchase coffee from boutique cafes, allowing you to enjoy quality coffee from the comfort of your home while saving on expenses.

There are numerous types of coffee machines, each with their own unique functions and purposes. Some types include drip coffee makers, espresso machines, and capsule coffee machines.

Drip coffee machines are a classic option that have been around for many decades. Like their name suggests, they run hot water through coffee grounds, which passes through filter papers before dripping into a waiting coffee pot. They are affordable and easy to use, preparing large volumes of coffee at once for the entire family, and are ideal for those who enjoy lighter tasting and fuss-free coffee. Modern smart models allow you to prepare coffee in advance, allowing you to wake up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee, WiFi control that allows you to adjust settings from your smartphone, as well as a heated plate to keep your pot of coffee warm.

Often seen at boutique coffee shops, espresso coffee machines require a little more involvement to enjoy your coffee. They pump water at high pressure before boiling and running it through a filter with coffee grounds to produce piping hot espresso. Some models also feature a steam wand to release steam and froth milk effectively, adding texture to help make a good cup of cappuccino or latte. Despite requiring manual action, espresso machines remain the go to for aspiring baristas and coffee connoisseurs seeking to prepare and enjoy a perfect cup of coffee.

Capsule coffee machines are the ultimate in convenience and hassle-free coffee preparation. It works similarly to an espresso machine, with the main exception being that the machine fully handles all aspects of preparation. A capsule containing pre-ground coffee is inserted into the machine, before it quickly and efficiently prepares a single brew of coffee. Users can enjoy a huge variety of hot beverages by purchasing different types of capsules,

and smart models include features such as an automatic cleaning cycle as well as wireless connectivity to schedule and customise your brew.

3.3 Blenders 

Taking care of our health is particularly important during this period, and many of us want additional control and awareness of what goes into our food. Blenders help to facilitate this through liquefying fruits and soft foods into healthy and nutritious juices and smoothies. They come in various models, sizes, and functions, be it crushing ice for a refreshing mid-day drink, or blending vegetables together for an all-natural, additive-free juice. They also offer an alternative for children who are picky eaters to receive sufficient nutrition through vegetable and fruit juices, helping them to grow up healthily. Some of the most common blenders for homes include hand blenders, countertop blenders, as well as portable blenders.

Hand blenders, also known as immersion blenders, have an inbuilt electric motor that drives cutting blades at the end of the blender. They are lightweight and portable, and are designed to be immersed into the blended food to purée or emulsify the mixture. Hand blenders feature easy cleaning after use, as well as a rubber grip to provide added stability. They are ideal for users who require occasional blending, such as preparing homemade yoghurts, smoothies, sauces, as well as evenly mixing creamy soups. They are also ideal for space-constrained kitchens, with their compact build facilitating easy storage after use.

Countertop blenders are versatile appliances that are ideal in performing heavy-duty work such as crushing ice and preparing large volumes of blended drinks, in addition to mixing, emulsifying, and puréeing. They utilise a sharp blade to blend ingredients within a sturdy container, and offer multiple speed settings best suited to the task at hand. They are ideal for Malaysian families who find themselves frequently making a variety of iced drinks, ranging from blended smoothies to refreshing cocktails.

Portable blenders are a recent innovation, featuring a clear glass tube that contains the motor in the base. They do not have to be plugged into an electrical outlet to function unlike hand and countertop blenders, relying instead on rechargeable batteries that are charged via a USB cable. They are great for making smoothies and protein shakes after a workout, or preparing instant baby food such as oatmeal or vegetable juice on the go.

Part 4: Conclusion

Quality kitchen appliances such as electric stoves and rice cookers make food preparation at home a convenient affair. Not only do they provide a wide variety of cooking methods to keep menus engaging and tasty, they also help facilitate convenience through a variety of smart innovations. It is important to spend time to understand your individual household needs before committing to a purchase, and Harvey Norman’s Cooking Specialists stand ready to help you answer your product-related queries.

For customers who want greater reassurance for their latest product purchases, Harvey Norman’s Product Care covers all parts, labour, and fees for UNLIMITED repairs. We offer flexible coverage for up to 4 additional years on top of the existing manufacturer’s warranty. Not only that, for purchases over RM1,400 that have had 2 qualified repairs, if it requires a 3rd repair, you have the option to request for a completely new replacement. Visit our website to see our full range of kitchen appliances today.