Zanussi-Electrolux: contact details

Electrolux Major Appliances
Addington Way
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU4 9QQ

Tel: 08705 727727
Fax: 08702 432 465

www.zanussi-electrolux.co.uk

Choosing a Zanussi fridge freezer
Your fridge or fridge freezer is likely to be one of the most permanent inhabitants of your kitchen, lasting longer than other appliances and less likely to be replaced on a whim. So you need to buy carefully. Here are some things you should take into consideration.

Convenient storage space - take a look inside your current fridge. What size containers do you use most often, and would you like the option of using larger ones? Do you store lots of bottles, or bulky items such as casseroles? Make sure that the storage space in your new fridge is big and flexible enough for your needs. Here, millimetres can count!

It is not always true that the bigger the appliance, the more space there is inside. So don’t be misled by external dimensions. Unfortunately, you can’t always trust manufacturers’ claims about internal dimensions and usable space, either. Some are just inaccurate, probably including space in their calculations that really isn’t usable. This is difficult to assess over the internet, but bear it in mind.

Quiet running - you (or, worse, your partner, who will blame YOU) will be driven mad by a fridge or freezer that sounds like a distant chainsaw. Unless you can listen to the fridge in action before you buy (usually not possible in a shop, let alone over the internet) this is probably a risk you need to take. Just be prepared to change your mind and send it back if it’s too noisy for you.

Good temperature control and cooling - well, this is what a fridge is for. But it’s surprising how much they vary. Some fridges are better than others at keeping a constant, low temperature. Inside others, the temperature can fluctuate, which damages the texture of delicate foods.

Energy efficiency - your fridge and freezer are on the whole time, so it makes sense to buy the most efficient you can find, for the sake of your fuel bills and the planet. After the central heating, refrigeration appliances are most people’s next biggest consumers of energy.

Fridges and freezers are given a rating to indicate their energy efficiency. The scale goes from A to G, with A the most efficient. Some fridges and freezers can now be given an A+ or A++ rating. A++ appliances are rare but there are more A+ models available all the time.

Anti-bacterial coatings - many manufacturers offer antibacterial coatings on their appliances, but the jury is out on whether they are a good thing or not. One opinion is that the more anti-bacterial products we use, the more we encourage new strains of bacteria to develop and multiply that are resistant to antibiotics. What you can depend on, though, is that no amount of anti-bacterial coating will make up for poor general food hygiene. It is more important that you adhere to simple rules such as keeping raw and cooked meat on separate shelves, using clean containers in your fridge, wiping the shelves regularly and jettisoning old food.

Ice-makers - no self-respecting American fridge would be without one but it seems less necessary here in the UK. To begin with, an ice-maker might feel like a luxury until, like so many other things, it becomes part of life and you wonder how you did without. But bear in mind that an ice-maker can be greedy on space in your fridge or freezer, and you might prefer to go without, and have more space available for, er, keeping stuff cold.

Rollers or castors - if your new appliance has these, it will be MUCH easier to move it and clean behind it. So, no more excuses.

Shelves - solid shelves are easier to keep clean than wire ones, and will prevent drips onto food below. (This can be dangerous if uncooked meat juices drip onto cooked food, for instance.)

Colour and finish - it’s tempting to go for something more interesting than plain white… You can buy appliances in different colours and finishes, to tone with your décor, or to stand out and look groovy. But, though it might sound boring, consider how your tastes might change over the next decade. Today’s funky might be tomorrow’s embarrassment. In any case, try to see a sample of the exact shade of the appliance. Pictures can lie, if only by a shade or two. You might want to check that the finish doesn’t look or feel plasticky, too, when seen in close-up. This can be especially true of metallic finishes such as chrome or brushed aluminium, if they are done cheaply.

Choosing a Zanussi oven
If you are upgrading your cooker, choose something that will suit your cooking style. Think about the type of food you like to make, how many people you usually cater for, and what sort of fuel you prefer. Then look at the number, type and size of burners on the hob, and the size of the oven or ovens. Is it worth having a wok burner instead of an additional standard burner, for instance? Would a single large oven be better for you than two smaller ones? How convenient is the grill arrangement?

Fuel pros and cons - gas or electric? Each has its staunch supporters and it’s finally a matter of personal preference. Many people swear by gas hob and electric cooker, on the basis that a gas flame is instantly controllable, unlike an electric plate which takes a short time to adjust. An electric oven might provide a more even heat than a gas oven, though fan assisted gas ovens are pretty efficient at spreading heat.

Cleaning - how easy – or not - your oven is to clean will have you loving or hating it, however well it performs or beautiful it looks. Before you buy, educate yourself in the following three terms and buy the best you can afford:

Stay-clean liners are internal metal panels which can be removed for cleaning. This is the cheapest solution and found mostly on budget models.

Catalytic liners are treated with a substance that absorbs grease, which is then burnt off at high temperatures.

Pyrolysis - the oven is heated to a very high temperature at which food residues within the oven are reduced to an ash that can be easily wiped off once the oven has cooled down again. This is the best system of cleaning – and hence comes only on the most expensive cookers.

Goodlookers - looks and style count in the kitchen, where you spend a lot of time, and friends and family congregate. But it’s common sense to balance this out with practicality. Buy the best you can afford, because your cooker will be working for you for years to come.

Choosing a Zanussi washing machine
If you’ve ever experienced a washing machine breakdown, and the speed with which the dirty laundry piles up and threatens to engulf not just you, but your whole street, then you’ll know how much you really, really depend on your washing machine.

Like so many other things, it’s worth buying the very best you can afford and NOT the cheapest you can find. It’s still possible to buy a washing machine that will last for over 20 years and still be spinning away quite happily. But these machines are expensive. If you can afford a really top brand, then the investment is worth it. The only downside is that if it does go wrong, or a part needs replacing, then spare parts might cost more and you might need a manufacturer’s technician rather than a cheaper repair service.

On the other hand, budget washing machines are so cheap that if they break down after a few years, the repair might be over half the cost of a new machine. It’s true that budget washing machines are cheaper than ever – but how often will you need to replace it, or how much are you prepared to spend in repair costs, over a period of, say, 15 years?

Energy costs - washing machines are given a rating to indicate their energy efficiency. The scale goes from A to G, with A the most efficient. A cheap washing machine with a bad energy rating can end up costing more than a more expensive, higher-rated one The extra running costs can add up to as much as several hundred pounds over the lifetime of the machine.

Which model? When you are choosing between models from the same manufacturer, you are unlikely to find much difference in overall build and performance between the models. The top models will probably have more features, and perhaps a faster spin, but won’t necessarily last any longer. If you want a more reliable washing machine than those on offer from a particular manufacturer, you need to raise your sights and look at a better brand.

Choosing a Zanussi tumble dryer
A tumble dryer is less of a priority than a washing machine – but extremely useful in our damp and unpredictable climate. It also costs more to run than a washing machine. But to many people tumble dryers are a domestic necessity.

There are two main ways of getting rid of the damp air removed from your clothes during tumble drying. A vented machine has a flexible hose which can be permanently vented through an external wall, or hung out of a window as necessary. A condenser dryer deposits moisture in a container which you then empty, or it might be pumped out via your plumbing. Condenser dryers cost a little more to run. Some models contain clever microprocessors and sensors which adjust the drying time and heat to suit each particular load. These are energy-efficient and convenient – but cost more to buy. It’s worth checking, too, that the tumble dryer you choose has a good-quality, long-lasting, smooth, stainless steel drum.

Choosing a Zanussi dishwasher
There are still some unbelievers who prefer to stand at the sink and wash every last greasy plate and eggy teaspoon themselves. But their numbers are dwindling, and with good reason, as dishwashers become more sophisticated, environmentally friendly, versatile and efficient.

Sophistication - some machines employ what is termed fuzzy logic, or a hydro sensor. This means they can sense how dirty a load is, and adjust the level of wash to suit. They do this by sampling the state of the water inside the machine, and continuing to wash or rinse until the water is clean, indicating that the dishes are too. This should result in good cleaning and energy efficiency.

Environmentally friendly - washing up by hand generally uses more energy than a dishwasher takes to wash the same load. To be economical, though, you need to wait to run the dishwasher until it is fully loaded, and to avoid the temptation to rinse the dishes in hot water first. A good dishwasher will cope, as long as excess food has been scraped off. Modern dishwashers are designed to wash efficiently at lower temperatures, saving heating costs, and also being kinder to your crockery. A temperature reduction of 10% can save 25% in energy consumption. Dishwashers also vary in how much water they use. Models with low water consumption are cheaper to run and more eco-friendly.

Versatility - most dishwashers have a number of cycles which you can select for different types of load; for instance, you can choose a gentler cycle for delicate glasses, or an economy cycle for lightly soiled dishes. Some have half load options, or an intensive program for really gruesome dishes. More cycles doesn’t necessarily mean better, though. You will probably end up only using two or three.

Dishwashers come in all sizes and shapes. As well as standard sizes, you can buy slimline designs and compact, counter top models. These can be fully-integrated (you can’t tell it’s there once the door is closed, since its front matches your other units), semi-integrated (it sits between other units under a work surface, and you can see the whole or part of the front, and the control panel), or free-standing (it’s designed for the front, sides and top to be visible).

Double-drawer dishwashers have plus points: each drawer is naturally smaller than a standard dishwasher, but this can suit smaller families, or a kitchen without much storage space; you can take clean dishes out of one drawer when needed, while starting a new load of dirty dishes in the other.

During the design process, much thought goes into how best to use the space inside a dishwasher. Look for one which is flexible, with moveable trays, so that you can fit large or awkward shaped items into it.

Efficiency - It’s easy to compare the energy efficiency of different models because each is rated for general performance, and cleaning and drying efficiency. Like other kitchen appliances, A is best and G is worst, so look for a machine with three As.

Safety - if there are small inquisitive people in your home, check that the machine has a good child-safety lock.

Latest Product News
Do you have news about products or services that might
interest ourreaders? We'd love to hear about it ... more