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Your kitchen is at the heart of your home and so it's particularly important that the space remains accessible. Our research shows that making just a couple of adjustments to your appliances can make a big difference to your confidence in the kitchen.
In our expert guide, we take a closer look at kitchen products that could prove invaluable if you spend lots of time in the kitchen. Our list of recommendations includes smaller items such as double-handed saucepans and kettle tippers, along with bigger appliances – microwaves with large displays, and anti-flood dishwashers, for example.
Keep scrolling for an overview of how kitchen appliances are adapted to suit accessibility needs. Plus, we've dropped in some recommendations from Which? product experts who test kitchen products all year round.
Treat yourself to a break after rustling up a meal in the kitchen – our expert reviews uncover the best riser recliner chairs.
Some users might find operating an oven or hob difficult because of impaired vision or reduced strength or dexterity. We believe there is still work to be done by manufacturers to make them more user-friendly.
When shopping for an electric or ceramic glass hob, we suggest you look for a model that has dials or buttons – touch-sensitive controls might prove tricky for those with limited movement in their hands, plus the text/symbols can be tricky to make out.
You also need to consider residual heat, which affects ceramic hobs. These work by heating the glass, which transfers to pots and pans. Ceramic hobs can take a while to cool down even after they've been switched off, which is why many are fitted with warning lights. Note that induction hobs aren't as affected by residual heat as they work using an electromagnetic field.
When deciding which built-in ovens are deserving of being a Best Buy, we pay close attention to ease of use. In fact, we use an independent panel to assess how easy each oven is to operate – they check for clear markings and note how straightforward it is to operate the various settings. Our panel members also load and unload the oven and grill, assessing how easy it is to check up on food while it's cooking.
If you're looking to make your setup more accessible, consider the following:
Ideally, the oven should be in a spot that's easy to reach. We've seen some models that have a side-opening door, which means you don't need to lean over to retrieve items tucked inside.
Although the ovens listed below weren't specifically designed with accessibility in mind, they all score well in our ease-of-use tests.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations above. If you’re not yet a member, join Which to get instant access to all of our online reviews.
We've also heard from a number of Which? readers who recommend mini ovens. These smaller appliances are designed to sit on a kitchen counter and take up less space than a regular oven. You might find them better suited as they can be positioned at the optimal height. Prices are usually between £60 and £250.
If you don't want to invest in a mini oven, a microwave equipped with a grill could be a good alternative.
To see which models from big-name brands have impressed in our test lab, check our built-in oven reviews.
Although microwaves aren’t as versatile as conventional ovens, they can prove very useful for certain tasks. Microwaves will cook or heat food more quickly, therefore proving more energy efficient as well as being relatively compact appliances.
If accessibility is a key concern, you'll be shopping for a model that's straightforward to use. It’s unlikely you’ll need a great variety of settings or additional features, so stick to the basics.
Here are some features to consider when buying a microwave for someone with limited mobility or dexterity or visual impairment:
Although the microwaves listed below weren't specifically designed with accessibility in mind, they all score well in our ease-of-use tests.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations above. If you’re not yet a member, join Which to get instant access to all of our online reviews.
To see which microwaves have earned Best Buy status in our tests, consult our guide to the best microwaves.
If you’re having difficulties using the cooker, perhaps because the oven is too low or the hob is too high, think about buying a new one better suited to your needs.
Look out for the following helpful features:
If you’re finding it difficult to bend down to get to the oven, consider installing a separate oven at a height where you can easily see what’s inside, and can place dishes on an oven shelf that’s level with a work surface. A pull-out shelf under the oven can make a useful temporary resting place for hot dishes.
Although the cookers listed below weren't specifically designed with accessibility in mind, they all score well in our ease-of-use tests.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations above. If you’re not yet a member, join Which to get instant access to all of our online reviews.
For more help, check our expert advice on the best freestanding cookers and best range cookers.
Buying a new fridge freezer is no longer a case of picking between a freestanding or a built-in model, as there are now more features to choose from than ever before.
Models with the fridge at the top are ideal if you have difficulty leaning down, since fridges tend to be used more frequently than freezers. You should also look for a model with temperature controls that are easy to reach.
Other useful accessibility features found on some fridge freezers include:
Ease of use is a key factor when testing fridge freezers in the Which? lab. Our experts note how sturdy shelves and drawers are, how smoothly drawers slide in and out, and whether you can fit a two-litre bottle of water in the door rack.
Although the fridge freezers listed below weren't specifically designed with accessibility in mind, they all score well in our ease-of-use tests.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations above. If you’re not yet a member, join Which to get instant access to all of our online reviews.
Consult our expert guide on the best fridge freezers, or instead explore our full range of fridge freezer reviews.
Washing up can take a lot of time and energy so, if space allows, consider installing a dishwasher. The best ones can also be more efficient in terms of hot water and energy use.
Some useful dishwasher features to look out for include:
Several manufacturers now produce compact dishwashers that are approximately half the size of standard models and ideal for kitchens where space is limited or if you’re living alone. You might also find it easier to open a model with a lightweight door.
A table-top dishwasher could also be worth a closer look for wheelchair users, or if you'd prefer having the appliance at chest height to avoid bending down.
Although the dishwashers listed below weren't specifically designed with accessibility in mind, they all score well in our ease-of-use tests.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations above. If you’re not yet a member, join Which to get instant access to all of our online reviews.
Consult our expert guide on the best dishwashers, or instead explore our full range of dishwasher reviews.
If your kettle is becoming heavy to lift, look for a model that’s lightweight or consider getting a travel kettle, as these are smaller and typically weigh less than a regular kettle.
One-cup kettles boil enough water for only one cup, and reduce the need for pouring – a task that’s often difficult if you have limited strength or dexterity. Electric kettles are generally safer than stove-top kettles, because they have an automatic cut-off function.
You may also benefit from:
To see which kettles are best if you have reduced dexterity, strength or sight, see our expert guide on the best easy-to-use kettles.
Although the kettles listed below weren't specifically designed with accessibility in mind, they all score well in our ease-of-use tests.
Only logged-in Which? members can view our recommendations above. If you’re not yet a member, join Which to get instant access to all of our online reviews.
Kettle tippers are special frames that fit most types of jug kettles. They enable you to tip the kettle and pour it without the need to lift it.
Tippers are suitable for people who have difficulty with lifting the kettle and are at risk of scalding. You still need to be able to fill up the kettle, as it will be fastened into the tipper. Using a plastic jug can often be the best solution.
A good alternative to using a kettle is having an instant hot water tap (also called boiling water taps) fitted to the kitchen sink. These provide instant boiling water on demand for cooking and drinks. Although expensive, they offer several advantages over a kettle.
For more details, see our advice on boiling water taps. Otherwise, browse our guide uncovering the best kettles.
Check that kitchen taps are well maintained and don’t require a high degree of strength to turn on and off. If you have trouble turning the taps, the following products can be helpful.
There are monitors available for detecting different risks in the kitchen and other areas of the home.
As well as smoke alarms, which should be fitted in all homes, other detectors relevant to the kitchen include gas, heat and carbon monoxide detectors, as well as flood alarms to detect overflowing water.
Stove alarms are useful for those who are easily distracted or forgetful and could leave the cooker turned on and unattended. Read more about memory aids that help people with memory problems to stay safe at home – from smart pill dispensers to digital memory aids.
Monitors and alarms can also be incorporated into a telecare system, which can send an alert to a monitoring centre or a carer if there’s a problem.
There's a wide range of products available for those finding it difficult to manage with standard utensils. The list includes:
For a selection of our tests, our experts use a pair of Cambridge Gloves to identify products that are easy to use for those with limited movement in their hands. Using this equipment, we've rounded up suitable salt and pepper grinders, tin openers, hand blenders and kitchen scissors.
Many examples of adapted cutlery and kitchen utensils can be found on the Living Made Easy website.
Whether you're shopping online or in-store, make sure you pay attention to the shop's returns policy.
Popular retailers that stock kitchen appliances and gadgets for older people include:
Find out which retailers are rated highly by Which? members in our expert guide to the best and worst shops.
If you’re unsure which aids would be most useful, or need further information, consider making an appointment with an occupational therapist (OT), who can help to assess your needs and make recommendations.