Technological considerations in the utilisation and maintenance of household kitchen equipment

Abstract

This study investigated the technological factors influencing the utilisation and maintenance of household kitchen equipment (KE) both from the user's perspective and those of the repair and maintenance personnel (RMP). Information was obtained from users and RMP of KE (i.e. technologists, technicians and artisans) in Ife Central and Ife East Local Government Areas in Osun State using structured questionnaires and interviews. More than 90% of the modern kitchen equipment (MKE) is imported. Functionality of KE after repairs is high with considerable length of useful life. The results indicated that the local RMP have a good understanding of the technologies. RMP required for KE in the medium class are readily available in both rural and urban centres. Users of KE do not practice any maintenance activities at home and only consult the RMP when the KE develops a fault. KE users have no manuals and no guarantee on KE purchased locally. Sometimes faulty KE are abandoned in repair workshops because of the high cost of repairs and lack of good and cheap spare parts. Some of the RMP have attempted to produce/assemble some of the KE locally. Lack of capital to invest and the non-standardisation of equipment parts of locally produced KE do not allow for the mass production of their spare parts. Constraints in setting up workshops by RMP were reported and some recommendations were made that will promote the local production of MKE.