Kitchen Appliances Perth: The Future of Cooking & Smart Kitchens – Mick Hart | Home Building Podcast
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In this episode of The Home Building Podcast, we sit down with Mick Hart from Hart & Co, part of the iconic Rick Hart family- a group that has shaped Western Australia’s appliance industry for more than 50 years. We explore the world of kitchen appliances, induction technology, steam ovens, downdraft rangehoods, alfresco setups, laundry tech, and how to make smart appliance decisions when building or renovating. If you’re planning a new home or updating your kitchen, this episode is a masterclass on what matters. From real performance to brand selection to products that genuinely make daily life easier.
Chapters
3:40 – Why appliances matter when building or renovating
03:54 – Introducing Mick Hart & the Rick Hart legacy
04:27 – Celebrating 50 years in the appliance industry
05:07 – Family business dynamics & the marketing debates
06:03 – Rick Hart’s influence & Perth appliance reputation
06:44 – Working with family and long-term partners
08:20 – New kitchen trends: induction dominating WA
09:16 – Why gas is becoming rare in new home designs
09:56 – Benefits of induction: speed, safety, easy cleaning
10:17 – Boiling, chilled & sparkling taps explained
11:17 – Price ranges & all-in-one tap options
11:52 – Beverage centres becoming standard in new homes
12:28 – Alfresco trends: Gozney ovens & outdoor cooking
13:28 – Laundry innovations: steaming cabinets & garment care
14:05 – High-end luxury appliances (Lacanche, handmade ranges)
15:19 – How Hart & Co helps people choose appliances correctly
16:13 – The Hart & Co consultation approach
17:20 – Why education sits at the centre of Hart & Co’s experience
18:05 – Complimentary cooking demos & steam oven classes
19:13 – Post-purchase masterclasses (unique to Hart & Co)
20:14 – Why physical showrooms still matter today
21:19 – How kitchen design shapes social interaction
21:37 – Downdraft extraction vs traditional rangehoods
23:12 – Do downdraft systems actually work? Mick explains
24:38 – Island benches, splatter considerations & real expectations
25:15 – Brand confusion: household names vs unfamiliar brands
26:19 – How Hart & Co selects the brands they stand behind
27:26 – Growing number of appliance brands entering Australia
28:00 – Why expert advice matters more than ever
29:17 – The difference between Hart & Co and outlet-style stores
30:31 – Why people want to touch, see, and compare appliances
31:12 – The risk of comparing online without expert context
32:07 – Buying appliances online: what Hart & Co offers
33:04 – Rise of combi microwave-and-oven appliances
34:01 – Why combi ovens are perfect for busy families
35:03 – Oven stack vs 900mm oven: the renovation debate
36:11 – Legacy thinking in appliances: what’s changed?
37:01 – People who take appliances with them when selling homes
38:15 – The appliance buying process for new builds
39:55 – The $10k question….
41:05 – Why steam ovens are game-changing
43:17 – Why the kitchen is always worth investing in
45:13 – How Mick entered the family business (childhood story)
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