Whether you're kitting out a brand-new kitchen or upgrading your setup, the right kitchen appliances can make home cooking faster, easier, and more rewarding. From small benchtop heroes to full-scale outdoor kitchen upgrades, we've pulled together the best cooking appliances every Aussie food lover should consider.
Benchtop Heroes: Must‑Have Small Appliances
Benchtop appliances are the secret to quicker prep and amazing results at home. Go for multi-use models to save space.
- Air fryer – Best for crispy results using hot air instead of oil. Great for snacks, weeknight meals and cooking for a bunch of kids.
- Stand mixer – Ideal for baking, kneading, and mixing. Stand mixers are essential for a serious home baker.
- Blender & food processor – For smoothies, sauces, and bulk prep. Hummus or pesto = you need a food processor.
- Rice cooker – Set and forget for fluffy rice, grains, or even steaming dumplings.
These are all versatile kitchen workhorses that will make cooking easier and more enjoyable. Explore more small kitchen appliances.
Game‑Changing Electric Cooking Appliances
Electric appliances are fast becoming the go-to choice for home chefs thanks to better temperature control, safer designs, and impressive energy efficiency. Whether you're batch cooking or just need dinner sorted fast, there’s an electric solution to suit every style of cook.
|
Appliance |
Best For |
Avg. Energy Use |
|
Multicooker |
Slow cooking, soups, stews, pressure meals |
~1.0 kWh/hr |
|
Induction Cooktop |
Fast heat and precise temperature control |
~1.4 kWh/hr per zone |
|
Smart Oven |
Baking, roasting, steaming, air frying |
~1.8–2.5 kWh/hr |
|
Freestanding Cooker |
Full cooktop and oven combo |
~2.5 kWh/hr (combined use) |
Smart Oven = any oven that can be connected to your phone or smart home system to monitor or control cooking remotely.
What about gas?
While gas cooktops are still common and may cost less per hour to run, they’re less efficient and harder to control. Many new Australian homes are moving away from gas in favour of electric appliances that are safer, cleaner, and easier to integrate with solar and smart home tech.
From pressure cookers to slow cookers, electric options are winning over home chefs. See Bi-Rite’s range of electric cooktops.
Outdoor Cooking Appliances for Year‑Round Entertaining
Turn your backyard into a full-blown outdoor kitchen with these entertainer favourites:
- BBQ – Choose from gas, electric, or charcoal models in a durable stainless steel finish.
- Pizza oven – Great for woodfired weekends or weekday fun. Many heat to high temperatures fast.
- Smokers – Ideal for slow cooking meats with deep, smoky flavour.
Whether you’ve got a tiny balcony or a big block, there’s an outdoor cooking solution to suit. Discover the full BBQs and outdoor cooking range.
How to Choose the Right Size & Capacity
Finding the right fit for your space and household comes down to size, zones, and volume.
|
Household Type |
Ideal Oven Size (Litres) |
Cooktop Zones |
Air Fryer / Benchtop Oven (Litres) |
Pressure Cooker / Multi-Cooker |
|
Single / Couple |
45–60L (compact) |
2–3 zones |
3–5L |
3–5L |
|
Small Family (3–4) |
60–75L (standard) |
3–4 zones |
5–7L |
5–6L |
|
Large Family (4–6+) |
75–90L (wide) or double oven |
4–5 zones |
7–10L (dual drawer ideal) |
6–8L |
|
Entertainers / Meal Preppers |
90L+ or double ovens |
5+ zones |
10L+ or dual zone |
8L+ or XL models |
Appliance size and measuring tips
Where will your benchtop appliance live? Decide if you’ll leave it on the bench all the time. Make sure the actual appliance will fit on the bench or in the cupboard before you buy it.
Click here for a guide on how to measure your cooktop.
Click here for a guide on how to measure your oven.
Smart Features, Safety & Aussie Compliance
High-tech doesn’t mean complicated. These smart features make daily use safer and easier:
- Wi-Fi connected ovens – Control via app, even set timers remotely
- Connected cooktops and rangehoods – the rangehood turns on automatically when the cooktop does (available in selected Electrolux and Westinghouse models).
- Sous-vide functions – Cook vacuum-sealed meals to perfection
- Child locks on cooktops – Crucial for family kitchens so children can’t turn them on easily
- AS/NZS 60335 – All Bi-Rite appliances meet Australian safety standards
Smart cooking tech is fast becoming the norm in modern homes.
Match the Appliance to Your Cooking Style
Every cook is different, so choose what suits your style:
|
Cooking Style |
Recommended Appliances |
|
Fast, crispy meals |
Air fryer, induction cooktop |
|
Batch & slow cook |
Multicooker, slow cooker, sous-vide |
|
Entertaining |
BBQ, pizza oven, freestanding cooker |
|
Daily essentials |
Rice cooker, stand mixer, smart oven |
Think about how often you cook and for how many people, then invest accordingly.
Maintenance & Cleaning Hacks
Well-maintained appliances not only last longer but also cook better.
- Ovens – Look for pyrolytic cleaning or steam options
- BBQ & pizza oven grates – Choose ceramic or enamel for easier cleaning
- Pressure cookers & multicookers – Clean gaskets and valves after each use
- Benchtop appliances – Use mild soaps and soft cloths to avoid damaging finishes
A clean appliance is a high quality one. Set a reminder to do deep cleans quarterly, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean your appliances.
Shop Bi‑Rite’s Top Picks for Home Chefs
Here’s what our customers love and trust:
|
Ninja Dual Zone Air Fryer AF300 Two independent 3.8L zones let you cook mains and sides at the same time, with no flavour crossover. It’s fast, flexible and finishes with a satisfying crunch. Why it’s great: Perfect for cooks who want to serve mains and sides at once, without flavour crossover or compromise |
Sunbeam Mixmaster HeatSoft MXM7000WH This 850W mixer handles stiff dough and soft batters with ease. HeatSoft tech softens butter as it mixes, so you can skip the microwave and get baking straight away. Why it’s great: Handles everything from stiff dough to delicate batters with ease and precision |
|
Russell Hobbs 11-in-1 Multi-Cooker RHPC3000 Pressure cook, sauté, bake, steam and more in one 6L appliance. With digital controls and safety features built in, it’s a kitchen multitasker you’ll actually use. Why it’s great: One appliance that covers weeknight dinners and weekend prep without taking over your bench space |
Beefeater Bigg Bugg BBQ Amber BB722AA Compact but powerful with two burners, folding shelves and a cast iron cooking surface. It’s made for balconies, backyards and food lovers who don’t mess around. Why it's great: Delivers high-performance grilling without the need for a built-in outdoor kitchen |
Shop the full range at Bi‑Rite Cooking Appliances.
FAQs: Quick Answers on Cooking Appliance Shopping
Are electric cooking appliances cheaper to run than gas?
Yes. Appliances like the induction cooktop or multicooker are highly energy efficient, using less power than gas alternatives.
Can I use an air fryer and microwave together on one circuit?
It depends on the wattage. Many air fryers draw 1500–2000W, so use a separate circuit if combined usage exceeds 2400W.
What’s the safest outdoor cooking appliance for apartments?
Opt for an electric BBQ or pizza oven with auto shut-off. Always confirm with your building manager.
How do I register my appliance warranty with Bi‑Rite?
The instructions for registering your warranty will be on the warranty card for each appliance, usually in the box the appliance comes in. Keep your receipt and serial number handy.
