Home Appliances right at your home

Home appliance is a term which is used to describe electrical/ mechanical products used for help with household functions such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, personal grooming, and home comfort.

 Home appliances are typically classified into two main categories:

A)      Small Appliances

B)      Major Appliances

 According to wikipedia, small appliance refers to class of appliances that are semi-portable or are used on tabletops, countertops and other platforms. These appliances are often taken out when needed and stored away when not in use.  Some example of small home appliances are – coffee makers, blenders, juicers, rice cookers, food processors, mixers, toasters, toaster ovens (which  are all kitchen appliances); vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners (which are cleaning appliances); steam irons, garment steamers, clothes shavers (which are laundry appliances); hair dryers, hair strengtheners, curling irons, electric toothbrushes, electric men’s shavers, ladies personal shavers & epilators, hair clippers (which are all personal care appliances); electric fans, space heaters, humidifiers, and dehumidifiers (which are all home comfort appliances).   

 Major Appliance are defined are fixtures that are not easily moved.  These appliances are large and wired into an electrical supply or permanently plugged into a household electrical outlet.  Major appliances usually remain in place when a property is purchased or sold.  The kitchen stove, range hood, microwave oven, refrigerator, dish washer, washing machine, and dryer are the most common examples of major appliances.

 There are now some appliances which have traditionally been considered major appliances, but may also be classified as small appliances.  These include portable air conditioners, portable washing machines, and portable dish washers.

 In today’s e-world, there are many websites, forums, and other online resources available at the click of a mouse. In addition, there are manufacturer’s websites, and many retailers have websites that show the makes and models that they carry. Since small appliances are more easily shipped from a retailer to a consumer, they are often sold on through online stores. 

 However, consumers should be aware that the voltage for home appliances differs in different parts of the world, so an appliance purchased in Europe or Asia will not work in North America.  The United States and Canada use 120 volt small appliances, while most other countries use 220 volts.

 There are numerous brands of both small and major appliances, each with different models with varying features. It is a good idea to do some research prior to purchasing a home appliance.