Home appliance has been part of every household’s daily life. And in this time of age, the need for major household appliances has been on the rise. As a result, there could be hundreds of thousands are being produced every single day worldwide. In this article, I will walk you through what is major domestic appliances and how it affects our everyday lives.
Major Domestic Appliances or MDA as it is often referred to in the industry is consists of larger or bigger household appliances. Often than not, these types of appliances are mostly for home use (commercial appliances are not only bigger but they’re huge types of appliances).
Join me in finding more about MDA or Major Domestic Appliances!
Types of Major Domestic Appliances
In my working career as Quality Inspector/Engineer, I have inspected and evaluated all kinds of major domestic appliances. There are two kinds of designs for major domestic appliances, there’s Freestanding and Built-in or Integrated design. Integrated design is obviously to save or maximize space and is especially popular for housing projects.
Major Domestic Appliances (MDA) make up most of the kitchen appliances. Which could be classified as Cooling, Cooking, Washing, Drying, and Heating (just to give an example of how to categorize it). However, there are many other kinds of big appliances that can be classified as major domestic appliances.
So, what are the types that comprise Major Domestic Appliances? Below are the most common appliances that belong to the MDA group, they are the following:
- Refrigerators
- Freezers
- Minibars
- Wine Coolers
- Ovens
- Microwave Ovens
- Gas Hobs
- Cooker Hoods
- Electric Hobs
- Ceramic Hobs
- Induction Hobs
- Range Cookers
- Washing Machines
- Tumble Dryers
- Dishwashers
- Water Heaters
- Air Conditioning Units
- Disinfection Cabinets
The above lists are considered part of the MDA group because basically, they are bigger kinds of appliances, and oftentimes they're integrated types.
Let’s break it down to further understand what these Major Domestic Appliances and or Major Kitchen appliances are!
Cooling Appliances
1. What is a Refrigerator
By definition, a refrigerator is a device or machine used for cooling and preserving foods, drinks, etc.
Fridges are an integral part of the kitchen, especially the modern-day kitchen. A house wouldn’t be complete without a refrigerator.
And there are different kinds of refrigerators, see below:
Multi-door Refrigerator
By the name itself, it implies it has more than one door. Most multi-door refrigerators can have at least two to four doors.
As for the sample image, this multi-door refrigerator has four doors with a freezer compartment at the bottom.
Side-by-Side Refrigerator
Side-by-Side or SBS as fondly called also known as French door has two-door.
The sample image shows the freezer is on the left side which is a common design for SBS.
Top Mount Refrigerator
Top mount refrigerators’ newer designs normally have two doors. That is to separate the freezer compartment designed to be on top of the unit. As you can see in the sample image, the freezer is on top.
However, some designs have a single door with the chiller or freezer box on top. They both come in different sizes- some with bigger capacity while others are designed for smaller volume capacity.
Bottom Mount Refrigerator
Bottom mount refrigerators’ normally have two doors. That is to separate the freezer compartment that is designed to be at the bottom of the unit.
As you can see in the sample image, the freezer is at the bottom side of the unit.
Same as the top mount fridge, they also come in different sizes- some with bigger volume capacity while other designs are with smaller capacity.
Larder
A larder is a fridge without a freezer. Normally used to cool beverages and fruits and usually found or most commonly used in convenience stores.
Larder is cheaper than the normal refrigerator because it has no freezer function. They come in different sizes or volume capacities as well.
2. What is a Freezer
A freezer is used for keeping or preserving raw and cooked foods for a longer period. By design, freezers are different from normal refrigerators because the temperature has to be maintained all throughout the compartment only at negative or below zero which aims at freezing foods.
There are two types of stand-alone freezers, they are as follows:
Chest Freezer
A chest freezer can load more foods than a normal freezer compartment in a refrigerator.
Most popular in western countries where people like to cook food then preserve them for future consumption.
Chest freezers come in different sizes and volume capacities.
Upright Freezer
An upright or vertical freezer can also load more foods than a normal freezer compartment in a refrigerator.
Similar to a chest freezer, upright freezers are also popular in western countries where people like to cook food then preserve them for future consumption.
Upright freezers come in different sizes and volume capacities too.
3. What is a Minibar
A minibar is a smaller type refrigerator usually found in hotels. Some houses have minibars installed in their rooms or at their minibar lounge.
Minibar
A minibar is a mini refrigerator used for storing refreshments. Normally, it is for easy access to your favorite beverages and chocolates. Rather than keeping leftover foods as this will be inside your room or office, etc.
4. What is a Wine Cooler
A wine cooler as the name implies is a storage cabinet for keeping wines. Some designs are with a single zone and double zone cooling system.
Normally, it has a glass door and some designs have keys and a lock. I guess the lock is to make sure no visitors could easily access those expensive wines without even asking for your permission.
Wine Cooler
This is to ensure that your wine collections are kept at a regulated temperature to keep your good-tasting wines from rather getting spoiled. The wine cooler’s working temperature normally ranges between 5oC to 18oC.
Most wine coolers have wood as racks while others use steel racks as seen on the sample photo.
Cooking Appliances
1. What is an Oven
Ovens are cooking device that uses heating elements. Blowers and fan motors are incorporated to ensure equal distribution of heat inside its cavity.
Ovens are mostly built-in because as you already know these are big types of kitchen appliances. And to maximize your kitchen space it is only right for your oven to be integrated into your cabinets.
Oven
Built-in ovens are very popular in western countries as most people like to bake. However, oven function is not limited to baking. It can also be used for grilling, roasting, and other cooking needs.
Newer designs have additional integrated functions like steam function and microwave function.
2. What is Microwave Oven
Microwave ovens considered as part of MDA are those with bigger capacity and are built-in types.
Microwave Oven
Built-in microwave ovens normally are with bigger capacity. Based on my experience built-in type microwaves has a capacity of 34L and higher.
Microwaves are normally used for re-heating and defrosting frozen foods.
3. What is Gas Hob
Gas hobs are cooktops used for cooking. Modern households are mostly using built-in types that utilize either LPG or Natural gas to fire up the burners. Gas hob comes in many sizes and forms and the most popular are ceramic glass and stainless steel panels.
Some designs can have one burner and some can have up to five burners.
Gas Hob
Gas hobs are mostly popular in Asia. Where gas is a cheaper option than cooking using electricity.
Sample photo shows a five-burner ceramic gas hob.
Gas hob design varies according to country of destination because of each country’s different cooking styles.
4. What is a Cooker Hood
A cooker hood is also known as kitchen hood.
How does a kitchen hood works? Basically, it is used to suck out the smoke from your stove while cooking. There are a variety and different kinds of cooker hoods, from stainless steel to glass panels.
Some designs even use special stones as panels, however, it is an expensive option.
Standard Hood
Standard hoods are popular in small kitchen set-up. Its main material is stainless steel.
Common sizes are 60cm and 90cm.
Telescopic Hood
Same as standard hoods, telescopic hoods are also popular in small kitchen setups. Its main material is stainless steel.
The front part is a retractable panel, reason it’s called a telescopic hood.
Common sizes are 60cm and 90cm.
Wall-Mount Hood
Wall-mount hood as the name implies is installed or attached to the wall. This type of hood comes in different sizes and forms.
The common type is T-shape and the material is stainless steel. Other designs have pyramid shapes and angled or slanted shapes for glass panel types.
Common sizes are 60cm, 70cm, and 90cm.
Island Hood
The Island hood is designed for a kitchen where cooking is done at the center or on an island. This type of hood comes in different sizes and forms.
The common style is the T-shape and the material is stainless steel. While some design incorporates glass panels, some have curved glass while other designs are cylindrical as well as square types.
Common sizes are 60cm, 70cm, and 90cm.
5. What is an Electric Hob
Electric hob is a cooking device made up of heating plates and each cooking zones has different power levels. Popular in western countries where the electric bill is not an issue.
Electric Hob
Electric hobs are cooktops that come in different sizes and forms. The sample photo shown is a four-cooking zone freestanding electro hob but the most popular is the built-in types.
Some hob designs are a combination of gas plus electric plate in one unit (some may contain 3 gas burners and 1 hot plate or 2 gas burners and 1 hot plate depending on the need of the user).
6. What is a Ceramic Hob
A ceramic hob is a cooking device made up of coiled heating elements and each cooking zones has different power levels. Popular in western countries where the electric bill is not an issue.
Ceramic Hob
Ceramic hobs are cooktops that come in different sizes and forms. The sample photo shown is a four-cooking zone freestanding ceramic hob, but the most popular types are the built-in ceramic hobs.
Ceramic hob’s heating function is entirely different from induction hobs. Some people always get confused about these two types of hobs.
7. What is an Induction Hob
An induction hob is a cooking device made up of coiled heating elements and each cooking zones has different power levels.
Some newer design has incorporated Flexi-zone which allows cooking to continue even though the cookware is not exactly aligned onto the cooking zone.
Induction Hob
Induction hobs are cooktops that come in different sizes and forms. The sample photo shown is a double-cooking zone freestanding induction hob but there are designs for built-in types.
Induction hobs are a popular cooking mode of choice for hotpots because of their power efficiency.
The induction hob’s heating function is entirely different from ceramic hobs. Some people always get confused about these two types of hobs.
For an induction cooker to work you must use induction-ready cookware.
8. What is a Range Cooker
A range cooker is a cooking device and it’s normally a combination of a gas hob on top and an oven at the bottom. And it comes in different sizes and designs.
Range Cooker
Range cookers are most popular in some Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines and Malaysia just to name a few.
The sample photo shown is a freestanding four burner gas hob on top and oven at the bottom.
Sizes vary depending on the number of burners on top. Some designs also incorporate hot plates in combination with the gas burners.
Washing and Drying Appliances
1. What is a Washing Machine
Washing machines are your auto laundry assistant nothing less. If washing machines were not invented, life will be very difficult for us who were killing ourselves daily on our jobs.
Washing machines have different types, these are the following:
Front Loading Washing Machine
Front-loading type washing machines are most popular in western countries as they will normally be integrated into cabinets.
Sizes vary depending on the washer’s capacity. The most popular minimum capacity is 7kg and a maximum capacity of 12kg.
Some of these washing machines’ designs both have washer and dryer functions.
Top Loading Washing Machine
Top-loading washing machines are most popular in Asian countries as it is viewed to be easier to maintain than the front-loading types of washing machines that are also expensive in the first place.
Sizes vary depending on the washer’s capacity. The most popular minimum capacity is 7kg and a maximum capacity of 16kg.
Some of these washing machines’ designs both have washer and dryer functions.
Twin Tub Washing Machine
The twin-tub washing machine is a washer and dryer combined (the left tub is for washing and the right tub is for drying).
Most popular in Asian countries because it is much cheaper. We have one of this kind in our home in the Philippines.
Sizes vary depending on the washer’s capacity. The most popular minimum capacity is 7kg and a maximum capacity of 14kg.
2. What is Tumble Dryer
Clothes dryers also known as tumble dryers are machines that dry washed clothes. You can fold them then after drying and straight to your dresser closet.
Depending on the design, a tumble dryer could utilize drying by way of heat pump, condenser, and air vent methods.
Tumble Dryer
Instead of the conventional way of drying by means of laying flat or hanging your washed clothes that will take hours to dry. A tumble dryer will save your day.
Sizes vary depending on the dryer’s capacity. The most popular minimum capacity is 8kg and a maximum capacity of 10kg.
3. What is a Dishwasher
A dishwasher is similar to your auto laundry assistant. This is your auto assistant for washing the dishes and other kitchen utensils. It is important to note that only dishwasher-ready kinds of eating utensils can be placed or be washed using a dishwasher.
Dishwashers come in many sizes and forms, the most popular especially in western countries are built-in and freestanding dishwashers with bigger capacity.
Built-in Dishwasher
Built-in dishwashers are designed with a bare aesthetic for easy customization according to the user’s needs.
Sizes vary depending on the dishwasher’s capacity. The most popular bigger size minimum capacity has 12 to 14 place settings.
Freestanding Dishwasher
Freestanding dishwashers are designed with a complete aesthetic according to customers’ requirements.
Sizes vary depending on the dishwasher’s capacity. The most popular bigger size minimum capacity has 12 to 14 place settings.
A freestanding dishwasher can also be integrated into cabinets to save space.
Countertop/Mini Dishwasher
Countertop or Mini dishwashers are compact designs. Most are freestanding but there are built-in designs as well to suit users’ needs.
Sizes vary depending on the dishwasher’s capacity. The most popular compact size minimum capacity has 6 to 8 place settings.
Heating Appliances
1. What is a Water Heater
A water heater is most popular in four-season countries. The water heater is badly needed during the winter season for bathing and even during cooking routines.
There are two types of water heaters, a gas water heater and an electric water heater.
Gas Water Heater
Water heater design vary based on the application if using LPG and or Natural gas.
Gas water heater types are very popular in China.
Sizes vary depending on the water heater tank’s capacity.
Electric Water Heater
This type of water heater is popular in western countries where the cost of electricity is minimal.
The sample image is one of the electric heaters installed in our house in the Philippines.
Sizes vary depending on the water heater tank’s capacity.
Other Major Household Appliances
1. What is an Air-Conditioning Unit (ACU)
An air-conditioning unit is a device or machine used to keep the ambient temperature cooler in an enclosed space in your home such as rooms and living room areas.
ACU comes in different sizes and forms. Some designs (inverter types) can do both cooling and heating functionality. Inverter designs are most popular in four-season countries.
Window Type ACU
Window types ACU are very popular in the Philippines. Most houses use this type of air-con unit although the split type ACU is gaining customers, especially for the new high-rise buildings.
The downside of window-type ACU is the sounds it generates especially after long use. Because the compressor is built together with the main unit which gets louder as the ACU ages.
Split Type ACU
This type of ACU is more popular in western countries as well as other Asian countries, where the style of housing is made of tall buildings.
An advantage of split type ACU is that its outer unit is installed outside that makes it quieter compared to window type ACUs.
Ceiling Type ACU
Mostly used in an office setup but some houses also use ceiling type ACU in the living room area.
Sizes vary depending on the ACUs capacity.
2. What is a Disinfection Cabinet
A disinfection cabinet is a machine used for sterilization of utensils such as plates, bowls, spoons, chopsticks, etc. Disinfection cabinets are widely used all over China not only in homes but all eatery shops and restaurants.
Disinfection Cabinet
Popularly utilized in China that makes one wonder about the origin of the disinfection cabinet would be.
Most disinfection cabinets use UV light for sterilization. Thus, proper use is necessary to avoid any untoward accidents.
Final Thoughts
We have identified the most commonly used major domestic appliances that every household would have. There might be other home appliances out there that I have missed mentioning but my above lists include all the major kitchen appliances I can think about.
So, there you have it folks, thank you for reading. If you find this article helpful or if you have questions and suggestions please leave them in the comment area. And I will be glad to answer them as soon as I can.
Rowe Medialdea
I'm experienced in Quality Control with a working history in the Consumer Electronics and Home Appliance industry. I have created this website to share my gained knowledge and be of help!
Excellent review about Home Appliances. Would have loved to read an article like this, so full of information, when I was a young man getting independent and leaving my parents home. There are so many items (even now, older enough) I am learning about new items, so can´t wait to read more about this topic. Thanks!
Thank you for visiting my website.
Yes, there are many kinds of Home Appliances. Normally, they are grouped as Big and Small Appliances.
Where Big appliances are categorized under the MDA group (Major Domestic Appliance), while Small appliances are classified under the SDA group (Small Domestic Appliance).
There’s also the Smart Appliance range that could belong to either SDA or MDA. As well as the alternative healthy appliances that cater to a healthy lifestyle.
What’s more, Multi-Function appliances are becoming popular.
Thank you that you find my article informative.