Should MD be a Factor in Appliance Choices?

When the baking doesn’t turn out, blame the oven! When the Christmas turkey is not done on time, blame the oven! In my case, it WAS the oven’s fault.

I looked into having someone change out the elements, but a repairman told me on the phone it probably wouldn’t be worth it. Today’s stoves are not made to last like they were decades ago. So now I am on the lookout for a new stove.

Appliance research

Research has shown different types and styles with numerous new features from which to choose. But how easy will they be to use if my central vision becomes more blurry?

As I don’t have gas, I’m limited to regular electric or induction. I borrowed a portable induction cooktop to see if I liked it and after much research, I’ve almost settled on the induction type for the few extra dollars they cost.

Do I want convection? Yes. Do I want steam clean? Maybe. Do I want an air fryer? Probably not, as I like my little countertop one. But all of this may go by the wayside if I won’t be able to see the display.

Points to consider

After trying to narrow those down, I’m taking my friend with 2% vision on a shopping trip with me. She is my go-to for what life could be like for me if my macular degeneration progresses.

Electric display

One of the main things to consider for those of us with macular degeneration is the electronic display. Those small red letters are not even visible to my friend.

Is it possible to count the number of times a button is pressed to determine what number is being chosen? Will our peripheral vision even be able to distinguish which setting we’re choosing?

Induction ranges

Another friend uses an induction range and puts newspaper over the top when they’re making something that splatters everywhere. Then the pan goes on top of the paper, on top of the stove, so at the end, they can just get rid of the paper and the stove is clean.

No more wondering if you actually got all the splatters off when you cleaned it. But I don’t know if I could adapt to putting paper on a stovetop, no matter how safe it is said to be.

Safety

A good safety feature of an induction range is that it can only get hot when you have an actual induction-friendly pan on it. Especially helpful to those of us with low vision!

That means if you accidentally leave a hot pad or something flammable on it and you can’t see it, it’s not going to burn. The stove just doesn’t get hot.

Weighing options

I’m still undecided if an induction stove is the way to go for me, or if an old-fashioned stove, where I can simply click a dial is better in case my vision deteriorates. Do I choose to buy what works for me now? Or do I choose to buy for the possibility of what could happen in the future?

Do you use an induction stove? Would you recommend it? I need all the information I can get!