1385824263Home Essentials

Unbiased Expert Advice. Always.

Powered by the UK’s largest consumer organisation

We’ve tested both large and small household appliances so that you can invest in the best for your home

Most

coMprehensive

guide

over 125 models

tested

Home essentials

whichrightchoice.com02 I right choice guide

This guide is just a taste of the expert advice and inspiring ideas Right Choice has to offer you. Just imagine spending thousands on a new washing machine or air conditioner, only to find that it’s fiddly to use, noisy or uses up too much electricity.

With our expert testing and advice, avoid expensive mistakes and zoom straight in on the Right Choices – whether you’re looking to buy a small or large domestic appliance. We put all products through our rigorous and unique tests, to identify Right Choice models and let you buy only the best. And when you have decided which product is right for you, we’ll help you with advice, hints and tips to get the most out of your purchase.

Right Choice is a completely independent monthly magazine. We accept no advertising and carry no commercial content from providers of goods or services, either directly or indirectly. We’re backed by Which? in the UK and funded by consumers and for consumers, so we can tell it like it is and give you the facts, both good and bad. That’s why Which?, and now Right Choice in India, has for over 50 years helped you, the consumer, make better choices.

Live easy with Right Choice home appliances

Dear Reader,

We continue our exclusive series of guides to cater to every aspect of buying advice that you may

need. This one focuses on household appliances which often may not be seen or heard but take up a lot of our household budgets – and can take a similar amount off our workloads.

Whether you want a microwave or a washing machine that works quickly and efficiently, or an air conditioner or refrigerator that will help keep electricity bills down, our tests cover everything you need to know before you buy a product for your home.

Our research team does the hard work to help make your choice an easy one. As well as covering everything you need to know about large appliances in the first section of this guide, the second part focuses on the appliances that play a supporting role in our households. High-performing hand blenders, mixer-grinders, food processors, induction hobs, water purifiers and irons are just some of the unsung heroes that can make the daily grind that little bit easier.

This guide will help you find the right model for your needs – whether you’re looking at the top end of the market or want something cheap and functional.

Our recommendations are independent and unbiased. These Right Choices, awarded after our extensive and independent scientific testing, will help you select the right choice for you.

I do hope you find it useful.

paul Antony smitheditor

household guide

whichrightchoice.com right choice guide I 03

contents

04 Planning your kitchenHow to get the kitchen you’ve always wanted by planning well

08 RefrigeratorsEnergy-efficient refrigerators that reduce your electricity bill

10 Washing machinesGet super-clean clothes with these top-loading washing machines

14 Convection microwaves Reheat, cook, bake – these appliances can do it all and do it well

16 Split air conditionersThey cool well, are energy-efficient and produce minimal sound

20 Food processorsSave time, money and effort in the kitchen with these appliances

22 Mixer-grinders Our reviews guide you to the best indispensible mixie

24 Hand blendersBlitz smoothies, lassi or juice easily and within seconds

26 JuicersQuickly juice any fruit or veggie you want, to make yummy drinks

28 Induction hobsThese make for quick, hassle-free cooking – and are safe too

30 Sandwich makersBig brands may not be necessary to make a perfect sandwich

32 Water purifiersGet the purest water at the best price with a Right Choice

34 IronsMake ironing less of a chore by picking a model that performs well

35 CookwareRight Choice cookware is long-lasting and ensures even cooking

36 Taking care of your appliancesLearn to maintain appliances the right way so that they last longer

04

08

22

34

28

The first thing you need to decide when

planning a kitchen is whether you

want to update your current kitchen

or start totally afresh. Look at what you

already have, what you like and don’t like,

and what you want to remove or keep. If the

kitchen layout works for you, change it only

if there is a real benefit – for example, if it

increases the value of your home.

If you want an entirely new kitchen,

think about the layout and how you use your

current kitchen. For example, where will you

want most worktop space? What elements

do you want to be close to each other, such

as the fridge and cooking station? Do you

use it for dinner parties? Do you have a lot

of gadgets to accommodate? This will help

ensure that your day-to-day needs will not

get overlooked in the planning process. You

then need to look at the constraints in your

kitchen, such as size and the positions of

doors, windows and sockets.

Start your kitchen plan by mapping

out your current kitchen layout (or empty

kitchen if you plan to start from scratch)

on graph paper. Highlight where the

electric sockets are, how these return

to the fuse box and where the plumbing

and waste pipes are. In addition to this,

add windows and any other restrictions,

such as a chimney breast and doorway,

then mark which kitchen walls are external

or internal.

Expert advice on where to start, how to plan your kitchen layout and more

whichrightchoice.com whichrightchoice.com right choice guide I 0504 I right choice guide

in the kitchen

If your budget is tight and you don’t need an entire new kitchen, there are simple changes you can make that will transform your current kitchen without the cost:n Paint Refreshing your walls or kitchen

doors with a lick of paint is less expensive than replacing the whole kitchen, and a great way to add colour.

n Create a feature wall Use colourful or patterned wallpaper (specially designed for kitchens), tiles, or a distinctive splashback to add character to your kitchen.

n Update worktops and doors Buying new kitchen unit doors, drawer fronts and worktops will refresh your kitchen

but at a fraction of the price of an entirely new one.

n Lighting Lights, especially small ones, can change the feel of your kitchen. Spotlights add a modern touch, while pendant lights bring a country element.

n Flooring If your floor is old, replacing it can lift your kitchen.

Kitchen design ideas

Planning your kitchen

The first thing you need to decide when

planning a kitchen is whether you

want to update your current kitchen

or start totally afresh. Look at what you

already have, what you like and don’t like,

and what you want to remove or keep. If the

kitchen layout works for you, change it only

if there is a real benefit – for example, if it

increases the value of your home.

If you want an entirely new kitchen,

think about the layout and how you use your

current kitchen. For example, where will you

want most worktop space? What elements

do you want to be close to each other, such

as the fridge and cooking station? Do you

use it for dinner parties? Do you have a lot

of gadgets to accommodate? This will help

ensure that your day-to-day needs will not

get overlooked in the planning process. You

then need to look at the constraints in your

kitchen, such as size and the positions of

doors, windows and sockets.

Start your kitchen plan by mapping

out your current kitchen layout (or empty

kitchen if you plan to start from scratch)

on graph paper. Highlight where the

electric sockets are, how these return

to the fuse box and where the plumbing

and waste pipes are. In addition to this,

add windows and any other restrictions,

such as a chimney breast and doorway,

then mark which kitchen walls are external

or internal.

Expert advice on where to start, how to plan your kitchen layout and more

whichrightchoice.com whichrightchoice.com right choice guide I 0504 I right choice guide

in the kitchen

If your budget is tight and you don’t need an entire new kitchen, there are simple changes you can make that will transform your current kitchen without the cost:n Paint Refreshing your walls or kitchen

doors with a lick of paint is less expensive than replacing the whole kitchen, and a great way to add colour.

n Create a feature wall Use colourful or patterned wallpaper (specially designed for kitchens), tiles, or a distinctive splashback to add character to your kitchen.

n Update worktops and doors Buying new kitchen unit doors, drawer fronts and worktops will refresh your kitchen

but at a fraction of the price of an entirely new one.

n Lighting Lights, especially small ones, can change the feel of your kitchen. Spotlights add a modern touch, while pendant lights bring a country element.

n Flooring If your floor is old, replacing it can lift your kitchen.

Kitchen design ideas

Planning your kitchen


in the kitchen

LigHtingThere are two main types of lighting:

functional and decorative. Popular fixtures

for functional lighting are fluorescent

strips, as they consume less energy than

incandescent bulbs. For decorative fixtures,

you can opt for ornamental glass, pewter

(metal) and satin nickel lighting fixtures,

which will give your kitchen some old-world

charm. To light up an island, you can use

fluorescent lighting fixtures or recessed

lights above it. Use halogen or fluorescent

lights under cabinets to illuminate

countertops where you prepare food.

FLooRingWhen buying tiles for your kitchen floor,

make sure they are water resistant and

non-porous (easy to clean and maintain),

as spills are unavoidable. The tiles will

also need to be strong enough to bear the

weight of dropped pots and pans. Glazed

tiles aren’t ideal for a kitchen, as they tend

to get slippery when wet. Vitrified tiles are

popular in Indian kitchens, as they are hardy

and scratch-resistant. They are processed

to make them non-porous, stain-resistant

and tough. Wood flooring, although more

expensive, has also recently started to gain

popularity in India. There is a wide variety

to choose from to suit your needs and

tastes. Wood flooring is easy to maintain

and clean, and the best ones are extremely

durable, which means they could work

out quite economical in the long run. They

are recyclable, too, making them a good

ecological choice.

CounteRtopsSee that countertops against a wall don’t

exceed a width of 65cm, or they will be hard

to reach across and clean. Granite is elegant

but expensive. You can set a hot pan on

granite without leaving a mark. Marble is

heat-resistant, but it’s nearly impossible to

remove stains from it. Engineered stone,

new to India, is resistant to stains, scratches

and heat. Again, it is an expensive option.

Laminate countertops are cheap, come in a

variety of designs and colours and are easy

to clean. However, laminate scratches and

burns, and repairing it is next to impossible.

Wood and steel countertops are other

expensive options.

pLumbingIt is advisable to hire a professional

plumber for your kitchen. Make sure you

install a good, free-flowing drainage system

or you will have to plunge your sink every

time you wash utensils. If you have a

dishwasher, tell your plumber to provide

you with an outlet to drain the dirty water.

What to look forOur advice on things to look out for when planning a kitchen


Modular kitchens are perfect for modern apartments where people do not have the luxury of big spaces. Practical modular fittings solve the obvious problem of storage space without taking up too much usable room.

A modular kitchen is composed of different cabinets that fit together in various combinations, making effective use of limited space. These designs are extremely flexible; you can choose between floor cabinets or wall cabinets as well as a combination of both types, depending on your requirements.

A modular kitchen includes cabinets, countertops, appliances such as a refrigerator, chimney, built-in oven, dishwasher and hob as well as a sink and other hardware. Modular kitchen accessories can add functionality to the kitchen.

Modular kitchen fittings are available in all hardware stores and your local carpenter can install them.

Non-branded modular kitchens of around 150 sq ft cost from `2 lakh and up, while branded ones can cost about twice as much.

modular kitchens

Also, if possible, place your dishwasher

close to the sink, and the sink near existing

plumbing lines.

CabinetsCabinets above your refrigerator and the

cooking range are useful only to store

items that you use infrequently. So, if space

permits, make sure most of your cabinets

are at eye level, over the counters. Also,

make sure your upper cabinets are fastened

securely to the walls, especially if you are

going to be storing heavy items in them.

For your pots and pans, use a cabinet with

a wide drawer base, rather than the usual

door, and make sure it’s within reach. If you

can, include a plate rack and small spice

drawers in one of the cabinets. Concealing

these will give you more countertop space.

KitCHen gaDgets anD eLeCtRiCsWork out how many sockets you’ll need

at work-surface level. Most people have a

kettle, refrigerator and microwave in regular

use, so it’s good to think about placing these

somewhere easy to access. Other kitchen

gadgets to consider are food processors,

mixer-grinders, juicers and hand blenders.

KitCHen stoRageKey to the design of your kitchen are

your storage requirements. Asses your

needs – what you have to store away and

how much storage space you will therefore

need. Consider also what you want to be on

display or hidden away.

Think about the different types of

storage available: kitchen islands, open

shelves, pull-out units, corner storage racks,

hooks, freestanding units such as dressers,

floor-to-ceiling cupboards, plate racks and

wine racks (built in or freestanding). Once

you have the dimensions of your kitchen,

you can then determine what types of

storage will fit where and how these will best

serve your needs.

KitCHen buDgetNext, consider how much you have to

spend – remembering to set aside at least

10% for emergencies – and then see what

you can get for your money.

On average, people spend around

`5 lakh on a new kitchen. It’s important to

consider all the costs such as installation,

appliances, plumbing and electrics.


Refrigerators may look similar on

the outside, but our tests reveal

there’s more to these big cool

boxes than meets the eye.

Practically all brands promote

their latest fridges by claiming new

or cutting-edge technologies. When we

test refrigerators, we look behind the

doors and beyond the manufacturers’

claims. Accessories like wine racks

and boxed-off compartments may look

appealing, but they can also affect the

space available for keeping food and

drinks cool.

But the real differences come

down to energy use. A cheap model

may seem like a bargain, but running

costs over time could mean you end up

paying more.

The SJ-K31S-SL from Sharp is the

cheapest refrigerator to feature in

our table, but guzzles so much energy

that it can also be quite an expensive

refrigerator to run.

Both our Right Choice models

aced their performance tests, scoring

impressive four and five stars for

keeping the food fresh by maintaining

the right temperature in each separate

compartment and rapid, even cooling.

They are also energy-efficient, with

running costs between `2,500-3,500

per annum, compared with over `4,500

some models can add to your energy bill

each year.

RefrigeratorsA refrigerator with poor energy efficiency can leave you with high electricity bills

Running costs of cheap models might be more

Big appliances


RigHtCHoiCe

This Right Choice was a top-scorer for its superb cooling speed, evenness of cooling and maintaining storage temperatures and energy efficiency. The appliance cools speedily and evenly when switched on – the fridge reached its target temperature in a little over two hours and the freezer in just over an hour and a half. Once cool, the central (fresh food) section and the freezer maintain the optimum temperature for foods stored there, even when the room is a hot

76% Whirlpool NEo iC255 TCG4, `21,650

43°C. However, while the temperature in the chiller (the topmost tray of the fridge) should ideally stay between 2 and 4°C, it varied from -6 to 8°C in our tests. The refrigerator is easy to use. Though it has the smallest capacity of the Right Choices, it has adjustable compartments and provides an extra eight litres over its stated net capacity. All shelves and racks are sturdy, easily accessible and well lit by an LED bulb.

n pros Fast, even cooling, energy efficientn cons Temperature fluctuations in chiller

Right Choices

USING THE TABLE The more stars, the better. Right Choices are highlighted in red SPECIFICATION Price (`) Guide prices as on November 1, 2013 Dimensions (cm) Measurements are rounded up to next centimetre, including hinges and with door closed. They don’t include space required for ventilation Rated storage volume As given by the manufacturer on the energy label of the fridge Measured storage volume Our measurement of usable

space in the refrigeratorTEST PERFORMANCE Cooling speed How fast the fridge and freezer cool down from 43°C to 5°C and from 43°C to -13°C respectively Storage temperature Shows if the refrigerator is cool enough to keep your food fresh Evenness How uniform the temperature is across different parts of the fresh food section Ease of use A subset of overall convenience Noise and vibration Analysis of the noise and vibration produced by the

compressor Annual running cost Estimated based on average energy cost in Mumbai in December 2012SCORE This ignores price and is based on:Cooling speed of refrigerator .............................................30%Energy use according to size.............................................. 25%Storage temperature ..............................................................20%Evenness ........................................................................................10%Overall convenience ................................................................10%Noise and vibration .....................................................................5%

test score (%)

Annual

running cost (`)

noise & vibration

ease of use

evenness

storage

temperature

cooling speed

Measured storage

volume (litres)

rated storage

volume (litres)

Measured

dimensions

(hxwxd)(cm)

price (`)

specificAtion test perforMAnce

BrAnd

1 Whirlpool Neo IC255 TCG4 21,650 151x57x60 219 227 ««««« ««««« ««««« ««« ««« 3,348 76

2 sAMsung RT2735 24,900 148x59x65 226 229 «««« ««««« «««« «« ««« 2,646 74

3 shArp SJ-K31S-SL 22,290 149x55x59 227 238 ««« ««««« ««« «« «««« 4,623 53

test And rAtings

RigHtCHoiCe

This Samsung is quick to cool to uniform, optimum temperatures. The compressor is softly audible while functioning but doesn’t cause any vibrations in the appliance. It brings down the fridge’s temperature in under two hours. Like the fridge, the freezer is also faster than average to cool. After the initial cooling, all parts of the RT2735 remain around the optimum temperature for foods stored there. Measured storage capacity is similar to that of the top-scoring Right

74% SamSuNG rT2735, `24,900

Choice, but the space is compartmentalised very differently. While there is no separate chiller tray in the top part of the fridge, there are two in the bottom that are covered by ventilated vegetable baskets. Access to these bins is fairly easy, though they might bump against the bottle racks on the door if you attempt to pull them out completely. The user manual has detailed instructions to help you adjust the shelves.

n pros Excellent overall performancen cons No covered chiller tray for dairy

Big appliances

From curry spills and chocolate milk to grease, the clothes that

go into your wash come with all kinds of stains – and only a

good washing machine will be able to cope with every single

one of them. In this round-up of top-loading washing machines, we

find out which ones are the best at taking that load off your back to

keep your clothes sparkly clean.

Of the 10 top-loaders we tested, three of them had excellent

scores of above 75%, and have been named Right Choices.

These models performed extremely well in all our tests and

represent the cream of the crop. There are two other models

here that are worth considering; had it not been for their poor

score in a single category, these washing machines could have made

the Right Choice cut.

WHat We DiDOur lab tests assessed more than just wash performance; we also

looked at how well the washing machines got rid of the detergent

from your clothes, along with how well they dried them after the

wash. In addition, we judged how efficient these machines are when

it comes to water and energy use.

Many of the tested washing machines have useful features, such

as the ability to restart automatically after a power outage.

Some of them even have sensors to figure out how much

detergent you’ve used and how heavy your clothes are to come up

with the most appropriate settings to wash your clothes.

All these new and additional features are designed to take the

hassle out of doing your laundry – but whether you really need these

add-ons would depend on your personal preferences.

Washing machinesA Right Choice top-loading washing machine ensures a clean and efficient wash


Big appliances

Right Choices

Our testing champ in this round-up was the LG T72CMG22P, which came top of the class in several testing categories. In fact, along with the Whirlpool Stainwash, it was the most energy-efficient washing machine on test. With a mid-sized 6.2kg drum, this LG model is available in ‘cool grey’ or ‘marine blue’. Features Some of the model’s special features include a ‘turbodrum’ feature, where the drum rotates in the opposite direction to the ‘pulsator’. This should improve the agitation of your laundry and produce a more effective wash. It also has an ‘air dry’ mode, which LG claims will dry

clothes better by sending bursts of air through the drum as it rotates. It does lack features in comparison with the other tested LG model, the LG T7222PFFC. For example, it adds an extra rinse cycle if the machine’s ‘fuzzy logic’ judges it necessary. The LG T7222PFFC, instead, adds more rinsing time to the existing cycles. We also found the control panel display a bit small to use comfortably.

This model scored three or more stars in most of our tests, doing especially well in stain removal. With a capacity of 6.5kg, it comes in colour combinations of wine-chrome or grey-chrome. Features The machine comes with a cleaner-looking display than some of the other machines and – given how cluttered many washing machine control panels are – that is a considerable achievement. The manufacturer has also sought to make the machine user-friendly with huge figures of ‘one’, ‘two’ and ‘three’ outlining the order in which buttons should be pressed to operate the machine.

However, the display doesn’t look like it will stand the test of time, with its flimsy plastic cover. The buttons also feel like bubbles of air when you press them and, since they don’t give much feedback, you don’t really know if you’ve clicked a button or not. It comes with an in-built 1,450W water heater which is uncommon, though there are several issues to consider when using hot water for your wash (see p13).

This LG performed well in all our categories, doing especially well when it comes to rinsing detergent out of clothes. With a 6.2kg-capacity drum, the model is available in colour schemes of free-silver or wine-red. Features One of the prominent differences between this and the other LG model on test, the LG T72CMG22P, is the fact that it has separate inlets for cold and hot water. It may not make much of a difference to many – but, if you have a separate hot water supply, this is something you could take advantage of. The availability of hot water allows the machine to mix it with cold

water and wash your clothes at the temperature you desire.

This LG model comes with an ‘i-sensor’ which determines how much detergent you’ve put in and the water’s temperature and hardness to come up with the best program to clean your clothes. One shortcoming of the ‘i-sensor’ is that it supposedly works better with powder detergents than liquid ones.

n pros Excellent at removing stainsn cons ‘Extra rinse’ uses a lot of water

n pros Well-organised displayn cons Buttons are not very responsive

n pros Really good at rinsingn cons Favours powder detergents

80% lG T72CmG22p, `18,290

77% Whirlpool Whitemagic 1-2-3 nxt 653h, `21,125

76% lG T7222pFFC, `20,090

RigHtCHoiCe

RigHtCHoiCe

RigHtCHoiCe


Big appliances

12 13

whichrightchoice.com right choice guide I 1312 I right choice guide whichrightchoice.com

Big appliances

Worth Considering

Living up to its name, the Stainwash provides an excellent wash – tackling the toughest marks with ease in our tests. It was also the most energy-efficient model on test, which is why we’ve given it a mention in the ‘Worth Considering’ category. This 7.2kg model is available in colour schemes of ‘frosted grey’ and ‘roseberry diva’. It is certainly one of the best-looking machines here, with an almost space-age look to it. One of the few issues is that the window for the lid is really dark. If the point of having a glass lid is to enable users to see how their washing’s doing, having a lid that is difficult to see through defeats the purpose.

Features Several of its features are similar to those of the Whirlpool WhiteMagic. It has an in-built 1,450W water heater, a comparable water re-use function and buttons that give you little feedback when pressed. It comes with around 25 separate washing programs and so offers an incredible level of customisation, and as long as you aren’t intimidated by that level of complexity, it could actually help you with your washing.

This machine was the fourth-best machine in our testing when it comes to overall performance and, if it was just a little more water-efficient, could have even been a Right Choice. Apart from that it got four or five stars in most of our other testing categories. It is available in one colour combination – a white body with a ‘Caribbean blue’ lid.Features This Samsung has a function similar to the water re-use function of the Whirlpool models, where water from a rinse is saved for another wash. It also has an ‘air turbo’ drying mode where the clothes get dried better through bursts of air

that come through the drum walls. It has no facility to memorise your favourite settings, but your last settings will be stored – a useful feature if you tend to repeat the same wash programs.

The control panel has a very complex design with lots of indicators and buttons which may make things easier or overwhelming for you, depending on how inclined you are to learn all the functionality involved.

n pros Energy-efficientn cons Glass lid too dark to see through

n pros Good at re-using watern cons Complicated control panel

74% Whirlpool STaiNWaSh, `24,350

73% SamSuNG Wa82BSlEC, `16,170

When testing washing machines, we use the programme recommended by the manufacturer – which is usually ‘fuzzy logic’. Where this mode was not available, ‘normal’ or a similar mode was used. Water temperature was kept at 28±2°C and 65g of detergent was used. Stain removal was tested by placing strips of cloth stained with chocolate milk, curry, red wine and carbon. After washing, our experts measured how

much of each stain was removed. To find out how well the rinsing cycle got rid of detergent, the water from our washing test was drained and the alkalinity tested. We also looked at how well the spinning stage took water out of the clothes by measuring the amount of water remaining in the laundry. Besides this, we also measured the energy and water used, noise levels and ease of use.

HOW WE TEST

12 13


Big appliances

USING THE TABLEThe more the stars, the better. Right Choice models are highlighted in red. SPECIFICATION Price Guide price as of November 1, 2013 Capacity The washing capacity given by the manufacturer Size Dimensions in cm (hxwxd)TEST PERFORMANCE Soil removal How well different types of stains are removed Rinsing How much detergent is removed from the water in the rinse cycle

Spinning How effectively water is removed from the clothes Overall performance A measure formed from combining scores in the soil removal, rinsing and spinning categories Energy & water consumption Energy and water consumed during the whole wash with respect to the capacity of the washing machine Noise level A measure of the maximum noise level recorded during the whole wash Ease of use Formed by combining the scores in several subjective

categories such as the clarity of the instruction manual, the ease of using the control panel and how comfortable it is to load and unload clothes.SCORE This ignores price and is based on:Overall performance ................................................................. 50%Energy & water consumption ................................................30%Noise level ........................................................................................10%Ease of use .......................................................................................10%

test score (%)

ease of use

noise level

energy & water

consumption

overall performance

spinning

rinsing

soil removal

size (hxwxd) (cm)

capacity (kg)

price (`)

specificAtion test perforMAnce

test And rAtings

BrAnd

1 lg T72CMG22P 18,290 6.2 84x54x54 ««««« ««««« «««« «««« ««««« «««« ««««« 80

2 Whirlpool Whitemagic 1-2-3 nxt 653h 21,125 6.5 91x54x56 ««««« ««« ««« «««« «««« «««« ««««« 77

3 lg T7222PFFC 20,090 6.2 84x54x54 «««« ««««« «««« «««« ««««« ««««« ««««« 76

4 Whirlpool Stainwash 24,350 7.2 103x54x56 ««««« ««« ««« «««« ««««« ««« ««««« 74

5 sAMsung WA82BSLEC 16,170 6.2 94x54x56 «««« ««««« ««« «««« ««« ««««« ««««« 73

6 sAMsung WA85BSOEH 17,880 6.2 90x52x56 «««« ««««« ««« «««« «««« ««««« ««««« 73

7 pAnAsonic NA-F62B3 16,490 6.2 93x53x53 «««« ««««« ««««« «««« «««« ««««« ««««« 72

8 electrolux Elita ET58EGGL 14,490 5.8 85x50x50 ««« ««««« ««« «««« «««« ««««« ««««« 70

9 croMA Craw 1105 13,000 6 92x54x54 ««««« ««««« «««« ««««« «« «««« ««««« 66

10 videocon VT55A11 11,990 5.5 88x56x88 ««« ««««« «««« «««« ««« ««««« ««««« 62

Some newer washing machines now come with in-built water heaters. You may not pay much attention to the water temperature when washing clothes, but at higher temperatures water becomes a better solvent, which means that the stains will dissolve quicker and better. This is why a warm or hot water wash is usually more effective. And for substances like oils that don’t dissolve or otherwise mix in water, hot water helps melt them. This allows the detergent’s molecules to do their job properly, binding to stains quickly before being washed away. But there are things to watch out for when using hot water washes. n Hot water could set some protein-

based stains, such as blood. If your clothes happen to have those kinds of stain, you may want to wash them separately.

n Also, fabrics such as cotton, wool and linen shrink in hot water, so use warm water instead of hot.

n One issue that we’ve seen with the models featuring built-in water heaters is that they only give generic labels, such as warm or hot, without giving the actual temperature. This means you can’t select the actual temperature of your water.

n When you heat water for your washes, energy gets used up which in turn will bump up your electricity bills. It is said that modern detergent formulations are only marginally less effective in cold water than in warm water. However, without conducting an independent test on this claim in Indian conditions, nothing can be said for certain.

n There is a stronger consensus, though, over the idea that towels or blankets should be washed in hot water. This is because germs can be killed more easily in water that is at a higher temperature than normal.

should you wash your clothes at a higher temperature?

Once used purely to heat up

food, today’s microwaves are

taking on more and more

functions traditionally reserved for

ovens. With the right model you can

save time and effort in the kitchen,

avoiding lengthy pre-heating and

using automatic programmes that

calculate timings and do the thinking

for you.

On top of microwave cooking, the

latest models also allow ‘convection

cooking’, which should produce

results similar to those you’d expect

from an oven. A good convection

microwave will bake a cake that is

soft, moist and fluffy on the inside

with a crispy, golden brown surface.

Most convection microwaves we see

heat food evenly and are excellent

at ‘microwaving’. But many struggle

when it comes to convection, and the

four lowest scorers got our poorest

one-star rating for convection cooking.

Convection microwaves

From heating to cooking to baking, here’s how to buy the right one for your meals

14 15


Big appliances

Right Choices

If you want a microwave that will take on pretty much any cooking task, this is the one to go for. It has the ‘world’s first charcoal lighting heater’, which uses a charcoal filament for natural ‘barbecued’ flavours. This LG also boasts a 201-strong auto cook menu, including 132 Indian items and an ‘Indian Bread Basket’

This is our cheapest Right Choice convection microwave and one of the cheapest we’ve tested, so if you want great cooking results across the board – without breaking the bank – it’s an excellent option. Convection cooking produces crispy golden edges without drying out or burning your food, and liquids are

75% lG mJ3281BCG, `27,790

69% SamSung ce104VD-B, `13,390

range for naan and paratha. It heats quickly and convection results are great: you’ll get crisp, brown edges and soft centres when you bake. A step-by-step guide on the display walks you through different recipe stages – a nice touch if you’re cooking a complicated dish.

heated evenly. It’s slow and managed a rise of just around 55°C in 100 seconds in our tests, while the fastest we see manage 57°C rise in 80 seconds. 41 auto-cook programmes are provided, including 10 Indian dishes, but this is one of the nosiest microwaves we’ve tested.

n pros Lots of functions, great resultsn cons Expensive

n pros Cheap, good all-roundern cons Noisy in operation

RigHtCHoiCe

RigHtCHoiCe

USING THE TABLEThe more stars, the better. Right Choices are highlighted in red.SPECIFICATION Price (`) This is a guide price as of November 1, 2013 Stated power This refers to the maximum power, as stated by the microwave's manufacturer Warranty The number of years’ cover provided as standard by the manufacturer, at no additional cost

TEST PERFORMANCE Evenness of heating The evenness and consistency of temperatures when heating liquids Heating beverages The temperature rise of liquids when heated on recommended settings, and the time taken to get there Microwave heating Considers the temperature rise, the time taken and the consistency of temperature when heating liquids on the recommended settings Convection cooking How well the microwave oven baked a cake

on recommended settings. Results provided are the average taken from three test runs Ease of use How easy the microwave is to use and clean Noise The volume and pitch of the noiseSCORE This ignores price and is based on:Microwave heating...................................................................40%Convection cooking ................................................................30%Ease of use .................................................................................. 25%Noise .................................................................................................5%

test score (%)

noise

ease of use

convection cooking

Microwave heating

heating beverages

evenness of heating

Warranty (years)

stated power (W)

price (`)

specificAtion test perforMAncetest And rAtings

BrAnd

1 lg MJ3281BCG 27,790 900 1 ««««« «««« «««« «««« «««« «««« 75

2 sAMsung CE104VD-B 13,390 900 1 ««««« ««« «««« «««« «««« « 68

3 lg MC 2841SPS 14,090 900 1 ««««« ««««« ««««« «« «««« «««« 62

4 Morphy richArds MWO 30 CGR 14,995 NA 2 ««««« «««« «««« «« «««« «««« 56

5 godrej GME 30 CR1 BIM 16,800 NA 3 ««««« «««« «««« «« «««« «« 56

6 pAnAsonic NN-CD671M 14,290 900 NA ««««« ««« «««« «« «««« « 53

7 ifB 30SC3 16,600 NA 1 ««««« «««« «««« « ««« «««« 46

14 15


You can’t beat coming back to a

cool, comfortable home after a

hot day out – and the latest air

conditioners allow you to personalise

the cooling settings. Timers automatically

switch the unit on before you’re home to

make sure your room is just the way you

want it the moment you step through

the door.

On top of that, the latest models are also

smart enough to know when you’re not in

the room and adjust the air temperature

accordingly.

If anything, it is clear that today’s

models are nothing like the air conditioners

you may have grown up with. But while

these features may be nice to have, the

Split air conditionersA good split air conditioner isn’t just great at cooling but is energy-efficient and

quiet, too. Find out which of the seven we tested are worthy of a place in your home

most important thing to consider when

buying an AC is how well it will cool your

room. We have tested seven 1.5 ton split air

conditioners and reveal which are best for

getting the job done.

WHat maKes a RigHt CHoiCe?All the air conditioners that made the Right

Choice cut scored over 77% in our tests,

meaning they performed well across the

board. The reason just four of the seven

models tested received the Right Choice

label is that the rest fell short in more than

one category.

But almost all of them cool your room

well, have average or above-average scores

when it comes to removing humidity from

the room and are energy-efficient while

they work.

neW ‘tuRbo testing’A new addition to the way we test air

conditioners is the ‘turbo test’, in which

we check how well an air conditioner cools

your room when it’s set to its most powerful

mode. Pleasingly, almost all of the models

had good results when it came to this test.

?


Big appliances

Right Choices

The Panasonic TC18PKY air conditioner scored high when it came to cooling capacity (the rate at which heat is removed from a room). And even better, this unit was respectably efficient while doing this. While it may consume as much power as the others, it will be quicker to cool your room to the desired temperature.Features The Panasonic model has certain frills which make it all the more appealing. It has an ‘econavi mono sensor’ which detects human activity (or lack thereof) in the room and decreases or increases the temperature accordingly. All of which means more savings for you on your electricity bill. Its filters purify the air by getting rid of various germs and allergens that might compromise your health. Also, its design allows air to be sent

The Blue Star 5HW18ZBW is a great all-rounder. It was at least close to the top in almost every category. Its average performance in our energy efficiency test may have just stopped it from coming top in our rankings – but wasn’t enough to stop it from being a Right Choice. Features In terms of useful features, this air conditioner has an ‘I feel’ mode, which cools the room to a target set by the temperature previously sensed in the room. Another feature is that if there’s a power outage, when the power comes back the unit will switch to the previous settings. There is also an LCD display on the front panel of the indoor unit, with indicators that let you know if the air conditioner is experiencing errors or the filter needs cleaning. On the downside, this air conditioner cannot direct

One of our top three models in this round-up, the LG LSA5MR5M air conditioner gets almost everything right. It did well in the cooling, energy efficiency and turbo tests and was above average at dehumidifying the air. While it is by no means noisy, it’s also not the quietest model; otherwise this LG put in a solid performance across the board. Features The LG LSA5MR5M has special modes such as a monsoon comfort mode, so if you happen to be living in a place with a very humid monsoon, this mode will regulate the temperature and humidity of your room periodically to keep you comfortable even when it’s damp outside. Using your air conditioner in this mode could even lead to energy savings over using it in the ‘dry’ mode. The commitment to

n pros Excellent and energy-efficient coolingn cons No remote-controlled horizontal swing

n pros Excellent all-round performancen cons No silent mode

n pros Well-thought-out operating modesn cons Noisier than other models

80% paNaSoNiC TC18pKY, `43,990

80% BluE STar 5hW18ZBW, `42,600

78% lG lSa5mr5m, `41,990

RigHtCHoiCe

RigHtCHoiCe

RigHtCHoiCe

with greater power across larger rooms, though keep in mind that larger rooms also need air conditioners with a higher tonnage for effective cooling.

airflow from side to side (it only goes up and down) and it does not have a silent mode of operation to quieten it down when you are sleeping.

being energy-efficient is also evident from the ‘e-saver’ mode, which allows the air conditioner to level off after reaching a certain temperature.


18 19


Big appliances

A top or above average scorer in almost every category, the only area in which the Hitachi 518ITDA fell short in our tests is that of energy efficiency. It’s more environmentally friendly than other models, though, as it uses the refrigerant R410A in place of the more commonly-used R22. Features The Hitachi 518ITDA air conditioner has an auto-climate technology feature which, if switched on, makes use of the temperature and humidity information for around 100 Indian cities. After recognising which city you are in, this Hitachi sets an appropriate temperature and fan speed, then adjusts it throughout the day. It also has a timer feature which means the air conditioner can be set to cool the room to a specific temperature at a certain time. The unit will switch on an hour

n pros Intelligent features built inn cons Could be more energy-efficient

78% hiTaChi 518iTDa, `49,100

before the set time and, after making an assessment, only turns the cooling on for as long as is necessary to get the room to the temperature you want.

RigHtCHoiCe

We use industry-standard testing equipment to scrutinise each air conditioner in our tests. We check how much power is supplied by a unit to cool the room, the power consumed, how efficient a unit is and how much humidity is taken out of the room by using a balanced ambient calorimeter.

The calorimeter is a complex structure comprising two rooms that simulate indoor and outdoor environments, with monitoring equipment attached to provide the measurements we need.

To see how noisy a unit is, we combined objective measurements with the subjective assessments of testers, who stood two metres away from the machine and rated the noisiness of the air conditioners.

A new addition this time was the turbo test, in which we looked at how well each model could cool a room in half an hour’s time – which is the way many use their air conditioners at home. For this we used the turbo, supercool or function most similar in concept; if there wasn’t one, we set the air conditioner unit to cool at its most powerful setting. After that, using the balanced ambient calorimeter

structure mentioned earlier, we checked the temperature and humidity levels and took readings again after half an hour to check for differences.

The cooling capacity supplied and the power consumed by the air conditioners during that half hour also formed part of our calculations.

HOW WE TEST

18 19


USING THE TABLEThe more stars, the better. Right Choice models are highlighted in red. SPECIFICATION Price Guide prices as of July 19, 2013 Size Dimensions (hxwxd) of indoor and outdoor units in cmTEST PERFORMANCE Cooling capacity The rate at which heat is removed from a room Power

consumption The power used by the unit to run EER Ratio of the cooling capacity to power consumption Dehumidification capacity Rate at which humidity is removed from the air Noise A measure formed from putting together objective and subjective assessments of noise levels at both the lowest and highest settings of the AC Turbo test Combines scores for cooling, dehumidification, power consumed

and degrees in temperature reduced during the first 30 minutes of unit’s operation at its highest setting SCORE This ignores price and is based on:Cooling capacity .........................................................................25%Energy Efficiency Ratio .............................................................25%Dehumidification capacity ..................................................... 20%Noise ................................................................................................15%Turbo tests ......................................................................................15%

test score (%)

turbo test

noise

dehumidification

capacity

energy efficiency

ratio (eer)

power consumption

cooling capacity

size (hxwxd) (cm)

of outdoor unit

size (hxwxd) (cm)

of indoor unit

price (`)

specificAtion test perforMAncetest And rAtings

BrAnd

1 pAnAsonic TC18PKY 43,990 31x107x23 70x94x40 ««««« «««« 3.4 «««« ««««« «««« 80

2 Blue stAr 5HW18ZBW 42,600 33x93x20 68x93x38 ««««« «««« 3.3 ««««« «««« «««« 80

3 lg LSA5MR5M 41,990 31x109x21 56x86x34 ««««« «««« 3.5 «««« ««« ««««« 78

4 hitAchi 518ITDA 49,100 26x79x34 60x86x34 ««««« «««« 3.3 ««««« «««« «««« 78

5 lloyd LS19A5L (WHITE) 35,490 32x108x23 55x84x55 ««««« «««« 3.4 ««««« «« ««««« 76

6 sAMsung AR18FC5UAEBX 36,800 22x106x32 64x93x36 «««« «««« 3.3 «««« «««« ««« 69

7 MitsuBishi Mr Slim G18VC 45,300 33x109x24 56x87x34 ««««« «««« 3.4 «« ««««« «««« 65

If you’re not in the market for a new air

conditioner, or aren’t sure whether you need

an upgrade, here are some tips that will

help you get the most out of the model you

already have.

n If you want cleaner air, the filter present

in the air conditioner will help to purify

the air pumped out. However, dirt – and

possibly mould – tends to build up on

the filter and can affect the quality of the

air. You can avoid this by cleaning the

filter regularly (but no more than once a

month), which is a relatively simple task.

It typically involves running water over

the filter or simply wiping it down.

n Apart from cleaning the filter, keeping

the inside of the unit dry will also help

to prevent the growth of mould. Some

units have auto-clean modes for this but

if yours doesn’t, keep the fan running for

at least 15 minutes after you turn off the

cooling. This will get rid of any moisture

the mould could possibly grow in.

n One problem with older units was that it

would get really cold at night because you

set the temperature way too low as you

went to bed. You might have had to get

up in the middle of the night to switch it

off. Newer units are likely to have a sleep

mode, which regulates the temperature at

night and even automatically increases it,

ensuring your sleep is comfortable.

n Instead of using the turbo feature after

you get back from work to cool the room

down rapidly, an alternative is to use the

timer feature. Doing this will make sure

the unit is switched on for a while before

you’ve reached home. This way you get

the effect you want the moment you enter

the house, rather than 30 minutes later.

n If you experience dampness in the

room, resist the temptation to turn on

the cooling first; it will only worsen

the problem and the moisture will take

longer to clear up. Some air conditioners

have humidity control features that

automatically set an appropriate

temperature and get rid of the moisture

in the air for you. But if your air

conditioners doesn’t, you can achieve a

similar effect by running it in dry mode

first and then putting it into cooling

mode only once it starts feeling a little

less clammy inside.

getting more out of your aC

Documents

1385824263Home Essentials