CATA Appliance Advice & Buying Guides

Everyday Living with CATA

Everyday Living with CATA is centred around real homes and real life. We share practical advice, simple ideas, and inspiration to help you get more from your kitchen.

Our guides are here to make everyday decisions easier - from choosing the right appliances to using them with confidence.

Because your kitchen should feel easy to live with, every day.

Expert Kitchen Advice, Buying Guides & Fixes - Made Simple

Explore our latest kitchen advice, troubleshooting guides, and buying tips designed to help you get the most out of your appliances. From solving common issues to choosing the right products for your home, our expert-led articles make everyday kitchen decisions simple.

Can a wine cooler be set too cold for wine?

Setting your wine cooler too cold mutes flavour and, in extreme cases, freezes the bottle. Here is what happens, and the temperatures to set instead.

Which kitchen appliances use the most electricity? (ranked)

The biggest electricity users in your kitchen are not always the obvious ones. See the ranking, why they cost so much, and calculate your own running cost.

How Long Can You Keep Food in the Freezer? Storage Chart

How long can you keep food in the freezer? Use our storage chart for meat, fish, leftovers and more, and learn why frozen food stays safe far longer.

Air Fryer vs Oven for Chips: Taste, Cost and Time Compared

Air fryer or oven for chips? The air fryer wins for small portions, the oven for batches. Compare taste, cost and time and see the full verdict.

How Much Laundry Detergent Should You Actually Use?

Filling the cap? You are likely using twice the detergent you need. Find the right dose for your load and water, and stop residue, smells and waste.

Can you put wooden boards and knives in a dishwasher?

Why wooden boards and good knives should never go in the dishwasher, plus what is safe to load, and the simple hand washing routine that protects them.

How to use the bottom-heat oven setting for crisp pastry

Soggy pastry base? Use the bottom heat oven setting to crisp tarts, quiches, pies and pizza. The symbol, the method and the best dishes explained.

Fan Oven Temperature Conversion Chart: The 20°C Rule

Convert any recipe to a fan oven with our simple chart. Learn the 20°C rule across Celsius, gas mark and Fahrenheit for perfect baking every time.

Can you vent a cooker hood into a chimney?

Can you vent a cooker hood into a chimney? Learn the rules, risks, and best practices for safe and effective kitchen extraction. Read now.

Expert Advice for Smarter Kitchen Living

Everyday Living with CATA brings together inspiration, advice, and practical ideas for modern homes. From understanding induction vs ceramic hobs to exploring vented hob technology or choosing energy-efficient ovens, our guides are here to make everyday decisions easier.

We focus on clear, jargon-free advice to help you choose, use, and enjoy your kitchen with confidence. Whether you’re updating your space, settling into a new home, or simply looking for better ways to cook and live, we’re here to help.

Browse our latest appliances, explore our vented induction hobs or discover our built-in ovens.