Appliances: the questions we're asked most often
Every day at our Temploux shop, we get the same good questions. How many litres do I need for my fridge? Can my electrical installation handle induction? Why does the Eco programme take three hours? Who should I contact if something breaks down? Here are our answers, sorted by theme.
- More than 25 questions from customers, with answers from sales staff
- Choosing, installing, saving and maintaining
- Warranty, Recupel and after-sales service in Belgium
- Links to our detailed guides for further reading
The answers below are deliberately brief. For each topic, a link takes you to our full guide.
Choosing and buying
What fridge capacity do I need for my household?
Our shop's guidelines: 100 to 150 litres of cooling for one person, 150 to 250 litres for two, 250 to 350 litres for three or four, and 350 litres or more beyond that. Add 30 to 150 litres of freezer space depending on your habits. All the details in our fridge buying guide.
American or combi: how do you decide?
For up to four people, a good fridge-freezer is almost always enough and uses less energy. An American-style fridge-freezer is justified for a large family, if you have the space and the doorways to fit it. In between, there's the 75 cm fridge-freezer or the multi-door model. Our full verdict: American or fridge-freezer.
What washing machine capacity should I choose?
7 to 8 kg for one or two people, 8 to 9 kg for three or four, 10 kg and above beyond that or if you often wash duvets. See our washing machine guide.
Which brand is the most reliable?
There's no outright champion: reliability depends on the type of appliance and the range. Bosch and Siemens have an excellent reputation for durability; LG, Samsung and Haier offer long warranties on certain parts. Our brand-by-brand breakdown: which brand to choose.
What do 'built-in', 'integrated' and 'fully integrated' mean?
A built-in appliance fits inside a kitchen unit. For a dishwasher, 'integrated' leaves the control panel visible, while 'fully integrated' is completely hidden behind the unit door. For a built-in fridge, you need to consider the niche height (often 178 cm) and the type of door fixing.
Installation and electrics
Can my electrical installation handle an induction hob?
A 60 to 80 cm induction hob typically has a maximum rating of 7.2 to 7.4 kW, roughly 32 A single-phase, or a connection across two phases. If your installation can't handle this, many hobs can be limited (for example to 3.7 kW). Be careful with 3 × 230 V networks without a neutral, found in some Belgian homes: not all hobs can be connected to them. An electrician must check it, in line with the RGIE. More information: induction, ceramic or gas.
Can I plug my washing machine into an extension lead?
No. Washing machines, tumble dryers and dishwashers each need their own dedicated socket, ideally on a 16 A circuit. Extension leads and power strips can overheat and be dangerous.
How long should I wait before plugging in a fridge delivered lying down?
Follow the manual: usually 2 to 4 hours, sometimes longer, to allow the compressor oil to flow back into the circuit. If in doubt, wait longer.
Can my fridge go in the garage?
Only if its climate class covers the garage temperature. Many appliances are rated for 10 to 43 °C, and a Belgian garage in winter often gets colder than that. See our freezer buying guide.
Extractor vent or recirculating hood?
Venting outside is the most effective, as it also removes moisture. Recirculation, using charcoal filters, is often the only option in a flat. With a wood stove or an atmospheric boiler, an extractor hood that vents outside needs an air supply and a professional's opinion. See our guide to cooker hoods and cookers.
Cooling and cooking
Is No Frost worth it?
For most families, yes: no more defrosting and an even temperature. It uses a little more energy and can dry out poorly wrapped food, so use airtight containers.
What temperature should I set my fridge and freezer to?
Around +4 °C for the fridge and -18 °C for the freezer. Colder doesn't keep food any better and uses more energy.
Pyrolytic or catalytic cleaning for my oven?
Pyrolytic cleaning burns everything off at around 500 °C, including the base and door; one cycle uses several kWh. Catalytic liners are cheaper but only clean the enamelled walls. Our oven guide covers everything in detail.
Will my pans work on induction?
If a magnet sticks well to the base, yes. The base must also be flat and large enough to be detected.
My induction hob hums or whines: is it faulty?
No, a slight noise depending on the pan and the power level is normal, just like the fan that keeps running for a few minutes after cooking. A loud, new noise, however, warrants a check.
Washing and dishwashing
Why does the Eco programme take over 3 hours?
The Eco programme (Eco 40-60 for laundry) heats the water less and makes up for it with longer soaking and agitation times. It's the programme used to measure the energy rating, and it's the most economical, even if it takes longer. It's the number one question after a delivery.
Washer-dryer or separate washing machine and tumble dryer?
A washer-dryer saves space, but it often dries less laundry than it washes, and more slowly. If you have the room, a separate pair remains more efficient, especially with a heat-pump tumble dryer.
My dishwasher doesn't dry plastics well: is that normal?
Yes, plastics hold little heat and dry less well. Use rinse aid, open the door at the end of the cycle if the machine doesn't do so automatically, and place plastics on the top rack.
Energy and labelling
Is a class D appliance a bad buy?
No. Since 2021 for cooling, washing and dishwashing (2025 for tumble dryers), the scale runs from A to G and is deliberately strict. A class D fridge-freezer today is roughly equivalent to an old A++. Compare kWh rather than letters.
How do I work out what an appliance will cost me per year?
For cooling: kWh per year × price per kWh. For washing: (kWh per 100 cycles ÷ 100) × number of cycles per year × price per kWh. Allow about €0.35 per kWh in Belgium, or better still, the price on your bill. Example: a fridge using 110 kWh a year costs about €39 a year. Everything is explained on our page on the energy label.
Are there still grants for energy-efficient appliances?
The Flemish 'Mijn Kortingsbon' scheme ended on 1 January 2026, and we have found no regional appliance grant in Wallonia or Brussels for 2026. Some municipalities or CPAS (public social welfare centres) have their own schemes (the City of Brussels for a fridge, for example, subject to income conditions). Check with your local council or CPAS.
Warranty, Recupel and after-sales service
Who should I contact if there's a fault in the first two years?
The seller, so the shop: the Belgian statutory 2-year guarantee is owed by them, and it's up to them to prove the fault didn't exist at delivery. Bring your receipt.
What does a '10-year motor' warranty cover?
Most often, just the part itself after the first two years: labour and call-out charges still apply. Some brands require registration within a set period. The details by brand: warranties, Recupel and after-sales service.
Must the shop take back my old appliance?
Yes, when you buy a new appliance, the seller must take back your old similar appliance free of charge, even if it's another brand or was bought elsewhere. The Recupel recycling fee is already included in the price. For the practical arrangements at Nimestore, ask us at the time of purchase.
Do I have a cooling-off period if I buy online?
In principle, 14 days to withdraw from a distance purchase, subject to our terms and conditions of sale (return costs, condition of the appliance). This right does not apply to purchases made in store.
Maintenance and minor faults
There's water at the bottom of my fridge: what should I do?
The small drain hole at the back of the fridge is probably blocked. Clear it gently with the tool supplied or a cotton bud and a little lukewarm water.
My oven no longer heats but the light comes on: is it broken?
Start by checking that no demo mode is active (common on display models), that the clock is set (some ovens won't start without it) and that the child lock is not engaged. If nothing changes, it's a heating element or a thermostat: call the after-sales service.
My cooker hood isn't extracting well: what should I check?
The grease filters (in the dishwasher about once a month), the charcoal filter of a recirculating hood (to replace every 3 to 6 months or so), and the non-return valve or the duct of an extraction hood.
One zone of my induction hob is flashing and not heating.
The pan is not detected: it is not magnetic, too small or badly centred. If an "E" or "F" code appears, note it down, switch off the circuit breaker for a minute and check the manual.
Before calling the technical service, go through the three checks that solve half of the "breakdowns": the socket and the circuit breaker, the child lock or demo mode, and the filter (washing machine, dishwasher, hood). And if that isn't enough, note the error code and the appliance reference: the repair will go much faster.
Your question isn't on the list? Ask our expert online salesperson, or come and see us at our Temploux store.
A few appliances people often talk about at the shop
HISENSE RB390N4AWE Inverted Fridge-Freezer€474.00
Combined fridge freezer BOSCH KGN36NLEA€645.00
American & Multi-Door Fridge Freezer HAIER HSR3918ENPG€691.00
Chest freezer LIEBHERR CFD2085-26€1,099.00
Built-in oven HISENSE BI64211EPX€449.00
Hob HISENSE HI6311BSCE€212.00
BOSCH WAN2827AFR Series 4 Washing Machine€529.00
Built-in oven SAMSUNG NV7B41307AB€679.00Frequently asked questions
How many litres of fridge do you need for 4 people?
About 250 to 350 litres of refrigeration and 100 to 150 litres of freezer space: a 60 cm wide, 2 metre high fridge-freezer is usually the best fit.
Is a class D appliance a bad buy?
No: since 2021, the scale runs from A to G and it is strict. A class D fridge today uses about as much as an old A++ one. Compare the kWh figures instead.
Can my electrical installation support an induction hob?
An induction hob of 60 to 80 cm can require up to 32 A on single-phase, but many hobs have a power limiter. An electrician checks your installation; we can help you prepare your questions.
Why does the Eco programme take so long?
Because it heats the water less and makes up for it with soaking and tumbling time. That is what makes it economical.
Who should you contact in case of a breakdown during the first 2 years?
The shop where you bought the appliance: the 2-year statutory guarantee is owed by the seller. Keep your receipt.
Will the shop take back my old appliance?
Yes, a similar old appliance must be taken back free of charge when you buy a new one (Recupel obligation). Ask us how this works.
How long should I wait before plugging in a fridge delivered lying down?
The time given in the manual, often 2 to 4 hours, for the compressor oil to flow back down.
My induction hob is humming, is that normal?
A slight hum or whistle, depending on the pan and the power, is normal, just like the fan that keeps running for a little while after cooking.
Come and see the appliances in person
At our Temploux shop, we open the doors and compare drums and finishes. Or ask our expert sales adviser online, right now.
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