The Complete Kitchen Appliance Glossary

When you’re shopping for kitchen appliances – particularly for the first time – you’ll encounter all kinds of different technical terms. Making sense of them all (and working out which appliances are right for you) can be tough, which is why we’ve decided to put together a comprehensive glossary of kitchen appliance terminology.

From fridge freezers to ovens, from hobs to microwaves, the following guide explains a wide variety of crucial terms you should know before you kit out your kitchen for the first time. We’ve explained each one in simple, straightforward terms, making it easy for you to get up to speed quickly and get your head around the often-confusing world of kitchen appliances.

If you still have any questions or would like to learn more about any one of our products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the Cookology team.

Our guide to kitchen appliance terminology

American-Style Fridge Freezer

A large, spacious fridge freezer, typically with a double-door (or quadruple-door) design and features like a water dispenser. American-style fridge freezers are significantly larger than their traditional European counterparts, making them ideal for large families.

Beverage Cooler

Not to be confused with a mini fridge, beverage coolers operate at a slightly higher temperature, making them ideal for storing everything from wine to fruit juice. They often feature a glass door too, allowing you to see what’s inside.

Built-In Appliances

Otherwise known as integrated appliances, built-in models are those that have been designed from the outset to be integrated into a kitchen unit (and sometimes concealed from view when not in use). Instead of standing directly on your kitchen floor, built-in appliances are mounted into your kitchen cupboards and sit above the floor.

Build-Under Appliances

Any appliance that slots beneath your kitchen counter. Built-under appliances sit on the floor of your kitchen but are compact enough to sit underneath your worktop, giving your kitchen a neat, uncluttered look.

Chest Freezers

A type of freezer that opens from the top. Instead of featuring a front-opening door, the top of a chest freezer is hinged to allow items to be quickly and easily stored inside. Chest freezers typically have a higher capacity than regular freestanding freezers, but are more tricky to keep organised as they don’t have shelves built-in.

Ceramic Hob

A type of electric hob with a smooth, ceramic cooking surface. Although ceramic hobs are a little less powerful than their gas counterparts, they’re simple to wipe clean and offer a minimalist, sleek look.

Combi Microwave

A type of appliance that offers not only regular microwave cooking and defrosting modes, but also features a built-in grill. Combi microwave ovens are significantly more versatile than traditional microwaves, making them a popular choice for compact kitchens and temporary accommodation.

Cooker Hood

Otherwise known as an extractor hood, a cooker hood sits directly above your hob and uses a powerful fan to draw fumes and odours inside. These fumes are then either extracted to the outdoors or pass through a series of filters, eliminating odours from your kitchen and preventing grease from accumulating on your hob and worktops.

Domino Hob

A small (typically electric) hob that features just two burners instead of the usual four or five. Domino hobs are often portable, making them ideal for temporary accommodation or small kitchens.

Downdraft Extractor

If you don’t like the look of cooker hoods but want to reap the benefits, a downdraft extractor unit is the perfect solution. Available either as a standalone unit or integrated directly into a hob, downdraft extractors draw fumes and grease downwards instead of upwards.

Double Oven

An oven with two separate cooking compartments instead of the usual one. The temperature and cooking mode of each compartment can be controlled independently – ideal for large or complex meals.

Dual-Zone Air Fryer

An air fryer with two separate compartments instead of just one. Much like a double oven, a dual-zone air fryer allows two different foods to be cooked simultaneously at two different temperatures.

Efficiency Rating

From A to G, the efficiency rating of an appliance tells you how much energy it uses. A-rated appliances use the least amount of energy, G-rated appliances use the most.

Fan Oven

Otherwise known as a convection oven, a fan oven uses a powerful electric fan to circulate heated air around the oven, cooking food more efficiently and at a lower temperature than a regular oven.

Freestanding Appliances

Any appliance that has been designed to sit directly on your kitchen floor, either underneath a kitchen worktop or beside it.

Gas Hob

The chef’s favourite, gas-powered hobs get up to temperature quickly and offer plenty of cooking power.

Induction Hob

Induction hobs use a magnetic field between the hob and the pan to cook your food, making them an extremely safe option. Induction hobs are cool to the touch almost immediately after a pan has been removed, allowing them to be wiped clean within minutes.

Mini Fridge

A compact version of a freestanding fridge, suitable for storing both food and drinks.

Multifunction Appliances

Any appliance, be it an oven, an air fryer or even a tumble dryer, that features multiple modes.

Place Setting

In the world of dishwashers, the term ‘place setting’ refers to the number of plates, bowls, cups and cutlery pieces that can be housed inside. The higher the place setting figure, the greater the capacity of the dishwasher.

Range Cooker

A freestanding appliance that blends both an oven and a hob into one unit. 

Solid Plate Hob

One of the most affordable styles of hob, solid plate hobs are robust and simple to use. Portable domino hobs typically use a solid plate design.

Tabletop Appliances

An appliance that has been designed to sit on top of your kitchen units. A variety of tabletop appliances are available, from toasters to microwaves and air fryers. 

Warming Drawer

A small, usually integrated appliance that can be used to keep food warm, defrost food and prove bread. 

White Goods

An alternative term for kitchen appliances, often used by those in the trade (like property developers and landlords).