Minimalist Appliances for Small Homes

Hi all - I'm interested in hearing what people's recommendations are on kitchen appliances? I am working on a student project regarding more compact and sustainable appliances, and I know this group has a wealth of knowledge.

If you have just 3 minutes, it would help us a great deal if you please filled out this SHORT SURVEY - but otherwise, very happy to hear your thoughts here on what you look for in a dishwasher, oven, refridgerator, etc. for smaller and more sustainable living.

Thank you!

-Robert

Hi, Robert.

I suggest you check out RV/coach/motorhome sites for discussions and options.

Many retired folks live in these 6-12 months per year and have all the conveniences of a house in miniature. They have high standards too, expecting these appliances to be functional, reliable, and efficient with energy and water.

I'm willing to state that there are two things at the top of my list (and the second is getting harder to come by) efficiency and longevity. Too many modern appliances are lasting 10 years or less compared to past decades when an appliance was expected to last 30 years or more.
We also vote strongly for things which you can actually get parts for to repair if there is a problem - also getting harder and harder to do. For example, we had a motor that stopped working. Primary problem was that a screw loosened breaking the magnet on the flywheel causing two other parts to break. We can't buy the special magnet! We could buy the whole flywheel if anyone had one is stock, but now you're talking 8 lbs shipping weight instead of less than one pound, and you now have 8 lbs of metal with no purpose in life, since all we need is the magnet. My father would be rotating at high velocity in his grave if he heard of this problem. He'd consider it criminal, but then he grew up in England during WWII.

I feel a little more information would be needed as to what a persons needs are.

Such as do they want to bake bread?  

Do they have solar.

There are plenty of Tiny Homes being built that already have functioning appliance like smaller cook tops and refrigerator.

If I were going to start over from scratch, knowing what I know today, I would want some induction cooktops, an instapot with airfryer attachment and a bread machine.

If I wanted to cook a turkey, those might not work.

Robert Ralph wrote:If you have just 3 minutes, it would help us a great deal if you please filled out this SHORT SURVEY - but otherwise, very happy to hear your thoughts here on what you look for in a dishwasher, oven, refridgerator, etc. for smaller and more sustainable living.

I started the survey but quit because I got tired of answering the same questions about various models of an appliance that I had already indicated I had no interest in purchasing.