Getting More from the Appliances You Already Own

Are you making the most of the household appliances you use every day? A few simple changes can help you get more from your oven, fridge freezer, dishwasher and washing machine, while making everyday routines a little easier. 

It may seem simple to just switch your oven on to the same setting every time you cook a meal. However, choosing the wrong setting can affect cooking times and results. 

Check how many settings your oven has and check the appliance manual to find out when it is best to use each one. Selected Hotpoint ovens, for instance, have a dedicated Air Fry programme that lets you create deliciously crispy food favourites with up to 50% less fat*. 

Position the shelves and racks to suit the food you are cooking. As a general guide, you may want to use: 

• The top shelf for food that needs to cook at a higher temperature. 
• The middle shelf for even cooking. 
• The bottom shelf for meals that require a crisp or well-cooked underside.  

We have much more advice on this within our guide on where to place food in your oven.  

If your oven features Active Multiflow, enhanced airflow helps maintain even temperatures throughout the oven, so you can cook multiple dishes simultaneously on up to four levels without flavour transfer. 

Check whether your recipe or programme calls for preheating, too. Preheating helps the oven reach the right temperature before food goes in, which can support more consistent cooking results. 

One way to help your fridge freezer work at its best is to check it has been installed in the right part of your kitchen. 

Try to avoid positioning your fridge freezer next to an oven, radiator or in direct sunlight, as this can make it work harder to stay cool. Always check your appliance manual for installation and positioning guidance. 

It is also worth checking whether your fridge freezer settings are correct. A freezer temperature should be set at -18°C to keep food fresh and safe, while the fridge temperature should be between 3°C and 5°C. Read our guide to the ideal fridge freezer temperature for more detailed information about these settings. 

Think about where you store different foods, especially if your fridge freezer has dedicated compartments. Selected Hotpoint fridge freezers feature VitalCare technology, for example, which helps keep fruit and vegetables fresh, packed with nutrients and rich in antioxidants for up to 7 days** by recreating the natural daylight cycle. 

It can be tempting to place warm food and leftovers straight into your fridge freezer once you have finished a meal, but this can make the appliance work harder to restore its temperature. Instead, cool cooked food as quickly as possible, then cover it and place it in the fridge within one to two hours. Dividing larger portions into smaller containers can help them cool more quickly.

The way you load your dishwasher can have a big impact on cleaning results. Rather than placing items wherever there is space, load them so the spray arms can reach dirty surfaces easily: 

Angle all cookware towards the dishwasher’s spray arms so that water can reach dirty surfaces easily. 

Mix up forks, knives and spoons inside a cutlery basket so that they do not nest together. 

Do not stack or overlap items, as this will prevent the spray from reaching surfaces that need cleaning. 

Make sure nothing has been placed in your dishwasher which will stop the appliance’s spray arms from rotating freely. 

When loading a dishwasher, also consider whether you are making full use of the available space. Selected Hotpoint Hydroforce dishwashers feature a dedicated 3rd rack with integrated spray jets, helping to clean mugs, bowls and utensils that you might otherwise place in the lower rack. 

Choosing the right programme is another important step. Programme options vary by model, so check your appliance manual and choose a cycle suited to the load. For example, some models include intensive programmes for heavily soiled pots and pans, as well as rapid options for lighter loads. 

Selected Hotpoint dishwashers even feature a 3D Zone Wash option, which directs extra cleaning power towards areas with tougher, baked-on food. 

Regularly check and clean your dishwasher filters as well, so that they do not become blocked and cause poor cleaning results to your cookware. We have step-by-step advice on how to clean your dishwasher filter. 

Your washing machine is another appliance that you should avoid overloading. Getting through one large pile of laundry at once may sound convenient, but clothes may not have enough room to move freely during the wash cycle, which can affect cleaning results. 

After loading your washing machine, leave enough space at the top of the drum to place your hand comfortably above the laundry. This gives clothes room to move during the wash. 

Don’t just put any dirty laundry into your washing machine either. Clothes need to be separated by colour to help prevent fading and stains, while some fabrics will have specific washing guidelines which you can find on the care labels. 

Begin sorting your laundry loads with more confidence by following the recommendations set out in our washing machine laundry guide.

Make Use of Fabric Care

If your Hotpoint washing machine includes Fabric Care, the unique drum design helps distribute detergent evenly and reduce friction, helping your clothes stay looking and feeling their best for longer. 

Features vary by model, so check your appliance manual to see whether Fabric Care is available and how to use it for the load you are washing. 

Small adjustments can help you get the most from your everyday household appliances for longer. Take a few minutes today to check your temperature settings, rethink your loading habits, or explore your user manual for helpful care advice and features you may not have tried yet. Explore our full library of appliance maintenance guides for more ways to make looking after your appliances easier. 

*Based on external Certified Laboratory test results. Comparison between frozen french fries cooked with Air Fry function without oil addition vs deep oil frying methods (Deep Fryer SDA or cooktop Pan Frying). Different results obtained with Air Fry feature depending on the kind of food and oil addition. 

**Tested by Intertek for fruits and vegetables (blueberry, yellow pepper, tomato, parsley) directly exposed to the light technology compared to a refrigerator without the same technology installed (and compared to Day 0) over a 7-day period while preserved in the crisper.