buying advice cookers & ovens

12
Mar
2016

10 of the Best Tallest Ovens on the Market

10 of the Best Tall Ovens on the Market

The tallest ovens around these days are double rather than single ovens and they tend to be known as either ‘built-under’ or ‘built-in’ ovens (the latter when the oven fits into a specially-built shell in the kitchen).

The name ‘double oven’ is actually a bit of a misnomer since the appliance usually comprises of not two ovens but rather one and half. The top oven is usually a standard oven with a grill while the bottom half is the main oven and usually has an energy-efficient fan facility. It could also be multifunctional (for instance, if baking then slow cooking with a conventional heat source works best).

You’ll find that single ovens tend to be anything up to 60cm tall while double ovens can go right up to 90cm. Width-wise though there’s usually no difference between the single and double oven – all are roughly 60cm wide and 55cm deep.

For this post we’ve concentrated on the height of the ovens and here’s our list of some of the tallest we could find:

Our pick of the tallest ovens around

  1. Hotpoint UHS53XS. Electric build-under oven. Height 88cms. Costs from £280.
  2. Hotpoint UH53WS. Electric build-under oven.  Height 80cms. Costs from £355.
  3. Belling BI70FP. Built-under Electric Double Oven. Height 703mm. Costs from £340.
  4. Stoves SEB700FPS. Electric Built Under Double Oven. Height 703mm. Costs from £430.
  5. New World NW701DO. Electric Built Under Double Oven. Height 703mm. Costs from £330.
  6. Rangemaster 85640 R7247. Multifunction Electric Built Under Double Oven. Height 720mm. Costs from £630.
  7. CDA DC740SS. Electric Built-under Fan Double Oven. Height 718mm. Costs from £480.
  8. Zanussi ZOF35501WK. Electric Built-under Double Oven. Height 715mm. Costs from £460.
  9. Bosch HBN53R550B. Exxcel Electric Built-under Double Multifunction Oven. Height  717mm. Costs from £985.
  10. Electrolux EOU5410BOX. Built-under Electric Double Oven. Height 715mm. Costs from £630.
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20
Feb
2016

Cooking up a Storm with the Best High Capacity Ovens

Cooking up a Storm with the Best High Capacity Ovens Availible

Oven capacity varies depending on the type of oven you’re considering. Single ovens tend to have a 77-litre capacity or less – while certain range cookers offer a single oven with a capacity of up to 115 litres. On the whole you can expect to get around three standard baking sheets into a 77 litre capacity oven and four standard baking sheets into a single oven range cooker. Farmhouse style double ovens on the other hand usually have a capacity of 60 litres maximum. As a result, all of the high capacity ovens listed here are single ovens or range cookers.

Best high capacity range cookers

  • Baumatic BC391.3TCSS – 90cm Dual Fuel Range cooker. This sleek silver and black behemoth features triple glazing which is excellent if you have a curious toddler who likes to touch the oven door because it keeps the heat where it should be – inside. Enjoy the double convenience of a dual fuel oven that offers the sensitive and quick cooking method of gas burners combined with the even heat distribution of a fan oven. If you are serious about cooking, this oven clocks in at a 110 litre capacity. Costs around £649.
  • Flavel FL95CRX Freestanding Electric Range Cooker – Stainless Steel. With a capacity of a 104 litres, this range cooker means business and is the perfect tool for the entertainer offering a fully variable grill, a beautiful ceramic hob with five heating zones and even a storage space for cooking utensils. Costs around £550.
  • Rangemaster 96320 Professional FX 90 90cm Induction Single Oven Range Cooker. How does an energy efficient oven with 115 litre capacity and attractive cream and chrome finishes sound to you? The Energy Saving trust thinks this Rangemaster is just the ticket – in fact it is ‘A’ rated for energy efficiency. Aside from the obvious cost saving benefits, the oven is extremely versatile offering the following functions:. defrost, fan oven, fanned grilling, fan-assisted oven, conventional oven, browning element and base heat (in both full oven and divided mode). Costs around £2000
  • Britannia RC-9SG-QL-S Q Line Single Oven 90cm Dual Fuel Range Cooker – Stainless Steel. This is a good choice for a gas cooker offering six gas burners including a dual wok burner. Other key features include an ability to convert to LPG (bottled gas) if required, a flame failure safety device, and fully automatic programmer and minute minder (capacity is 103 litres). Costs around £2000.

Best high capacity ovens

  • Hotpoint Openspace OSHS89EDC. A super-large oven size from Hotpoint, this electric appliance is capable of holding up to 77 litres. It’s A rated efficiency-wise, has a removable inner glass door for cleaning, a pizza function and a cooling fan. Costs around £620.
  • AEG COMPETENCE BP3003021M. The largest single oven produced by these manufacturers, this appliance has a huge 74 litre capacity, so it’s great for big family get-together Sunday roasts. Allows you to programme the oven to switch off or on when you like.  Comes with its own floodlight to allow you to check on food without having to open the door. Costs around £470.
  • Smeg Linea SFP140. This electric oven has a 72 litre capacity, a variable grill type and a quadruple glazed oven window for energy efficiency. There’s a control panel lock in case there are kids round, a defrost feature and a cooling fan. Costs around £740.
  • Electrolux EOC5440AOX. With a capacity for 70 litres, this electric appliance comes with a quadrupled glazed window and a defrost feature. Boasts an A rating for energy efficiency. Costs around £440.
  • Zanussi ZOB31301WK. Extra shelf levels and a 70-litre capacity mean you’ll never be stuck for dishes that can fit inside this oven.  Dinner parties can be as large as you like. Also comes with a quick defrosting function. Costs around £225.
  • Belling XOU60LPG. One of the few gas single ovens we’ve featured in this list, this Belling has the capacity for 69 litres. Comes with air cooled doors, an electronic timer and a double glazed oven door. Costs around £530.

High capacity ovens honourable mentions

  • Neff Series 3 B45E52N3GB. This electric oven has a capacity of 67 litres and comes with a triple glazed oven window to keep in heat. Has a programmable timer and a pizza function. Costs around £850.
  • Whirlpool AKZM756/IX. Can hold up to 67 litres in the oven cavity. Has a double glazed window and programmable timer as well as a single variable grill. Costs around £430.
  • Samsung BF641FB. A two fan electric oven which cooks food quickly and at an even temperature. Can hold up to 65 litres at once and has an A energy rating. Cleaning afterwards is easy thanks to a ceramic enamel interior and a scratch resistant surface. Costs around £300.
  • Beko OIF22309X. A 65 litre capacity oven, this appliance also comes with a speedy fan to cut down cooking times. Is 20 per cent more energy efficient than other A-rated models. Also comes with a fully programmable timer to allow you to set meals to suit. Costs around £230.
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19
Feb
2016

Choose from the Top 10 Fastest Induction Hobs on the Market

The Top 10 Fastest Induction Hobs on the Market

From 0 to 60 in a matter of seconds. It sounds like an advert for a car doesn’t it? But it’s actually the start-up speed for some of the fastest induction hobs on the market. There are quite a few super speedy models around.

A fast induction hob actually offers you both control and precision when it comes to cooking. The speed at an induction hob heats up is critical for amateur and professional cooks. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 10 fastest induction hobs available.

10 Fastest induction hobs

  1. The Berner BWM3 mini counter-top induction hob heats up incredibly quickly and  gives off almost no heat. Thanks to its power and speed you can expect to reduce cooking time by about 70%. It comes in at about £1,600.
  2. The Whirlpool Acm847ba Touch Control 60cm induction hob is a Which Best Buy product and comes in at roughly £400.
  3. If space is limited and you are looking for a really efficient way to cook, then the Induction Fast Heat Up Multi Cooker or Andrew James Digital Electric Induction Hob (2000 Watt) are ideal. Retailing for about £50 and £30 respectively, they are the perfect solution for students or people living in bedsits as they take up very little space.
  4. The Stoves SEW600iRX electric hob induction is 60 cm wide and has four different sized induction zones. For peace of mind, there is also a child safety lock – which is good news as this induction hob heats up very quickly. This product costs around £520.
  5. The Indesit VIX644 CE induction hob in black costs roughly £270. Thanks to intelligent pan recognition, it only heats the base of your pan, minimising energy loss and it will heat up to your chosen cooking temperature in seconds.
  6. The Bosch PIA611B68B 600mm induction hob 4 zone touch control has 17-stage power settings for each zone, as well as the added advantage of a power boost setting for instant heat. It is also easy to clean and it will set you back about £350.
  7. The Burco Twin Counter Top induction hob guarantees faster cooking times and low energy consumption. It also has a timer and it can heat up to 220 degrees C. This product costs about £315.
  8. If you are also looking for an oven, the Rangemaster Excel 110 electric induction range cooker in stainless steel is a smart addition to any kitchen. Its induction hob with its five zones is incredibly responsive and the product also features a main and a second oven. This oven costs in the region of £2,500.
  9. A cheaper option is the Belling FSE60DOI  60cm induction cooker with double oven, which is on the market for just under £670.
  10. The Samsung CTN464NC01 induction hob has four zones and features the latest in induction technology. Retailing at just under £500, it also boasts the temperature control of a gas hob.

It’s worth noting that induction hobs require specific pans to function.

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19
Feb
2016

Discover 10 of the Best Domino Hobs on the Market

10 of the Best Domino Hobs on the Market

First off – what are domino hobs? Well, for those not currently in the know it’s an oblong-shaped hob which combines two methods of cooking at the same time (hence the name. i.e., a domino is oblong and split with two different numerical sections).

Advantages of domino hobs

The concept of the domino hob isn’t only great in terms of space-saving, but it also provides far more flexibility in the kitchen – to the extent you can now buy domino hobs with a BBQ grill, wok burner or a deep fat fryer if you so desire. So, what are the best domino hobs currently on the market? Well, the following are our favourites:

Best domino hobs on the UK market

  • De Dietrich DTi1032X. This high tech appliance has touch controls, nine power levels a boost function and auto switch-off device. An induction wok hob which is energy efficient. Costs around £1195.
  • Miele Company Fryer CS1411 F. This high quality fryer is also great for cooking the likes of pasta since it comes with a special insert specifically for that. Adjustable temperature controls. Costs around £1250.
  • Gaggenau’s Vario VR 230 electric grill plate. This electric grill plate comes with a lava stone base to absorb fat, making it a very healthy choice for barbecue cooking. Has nine different power levels. Costs around £1200.
  • AEG’s MaxiSense flexible induction hob. Half the cost of the other hobs so far mentioned here, the MaxiSense is great for cooking more than one thing at once. Then again, the two cooking zones can be combined into one large zone. Cooking can be paused – which is excellent for family homes. Costs around £650.
  • ATAG:TY3011M teppan yaki hob. Fancy a bit of healthy oriental cooking? Then check out this smart looking stainless-steel appliance. The yaki pan cooks perfect meat and shellfish thanks to its dipped hot plate to catch any excess oil. Costs around £1,425.
  • Miele CS1122E Ceramic Domino Hob. An electric hob with stainless steel frame and glass ceramic surface. This item works as two zones or one larger area. Automatically turns itself off after four hours. Costs around £800.
  • Bosch PKF375V14E Ceramic Domino Hob. Comes with nine power levels and a two stage residual heat indicator. Again the cooking zone can be extended. Costs around £400.
  • Neff N24K35 wok hob. A gas hob which is great for producing first class stir-fries thanks to its dual-control wok burner. Has a flame failure safety device. Costs around £400.
  • Siemens ER326BB70E Domino Gas Wok Hob. Has two burners (one high speed; the other standard). Combines a cast iron pan support with a flame failure safety cut out device. Costs around £430.
  • Zanussi ZEI3921IBA Induction Domino Hob. An electric induction hob with two hotplate burners, this domino appliance is stainless steel in appearance with rotating knobs. Costs around £215.

As you can see from the domino hobs in the above list, the range of domino hobs are still dominated by the expensive and quality brands such as Miele, Neff and Bosch although other, less expensive ranges are currently making an appearance as the popularity of the domino hob increases.

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12
Feb
2016

What’s the Cost of Installing a New Hob in Your Kitchen?

What’s the Cost of Installing a New Hob in Your Kitchen?

Having decided which type of hob you want to purchase, the next step is to buy the hob and have it installed. The cost of installing a new hob in your kitchen can be broken down into buying and installation costs, and running costs.

1. Buying costs for a new hob

Depending on the type of hob you buy, here is how much you can expect to spend on a new hob:

Base price models (£75 – £200)

  • Gas hobs start at £75
  • For about £100 you will find electric plate hobs with twist-knob controls
  • Starting price for ceramic hobs is £170

Mid-price range (£200 – £400)

  • Between £200 and £250 you will find mid-range electric plate hobs, ceramic hobs and gas hobs
  • Induction hobs start at £300
  • In the £300 and £400 value range, you will find some really stylish and modern hobs with more than four burners

Premium range (£400 – £750)

  • A gas or ceramic hob priced more than £400 will have a designer look and special functions like dual heat zones
  • Induction hob features in the £300 and £500 range remain fairly similar
  • Any hob that costs more than £500 will have designer looks and advanced features such as residual heat indicators and touch sensitive controls.

Designer range ( more than £750)

Any hob in this range will most certainly belong in a designer kitchen. Expect the entire range of features you can possibly have on a hob, including small utensil detectors, overflow indicators, and pause buttons.

Popular brands as per hob category include:

Gas hobs: Stoves, AEG Electrolux, Indesit, Smeg and Zanussi

Electric hobs: AEG, Indesit, Beko, New World, Neff and Baumatic

Ceramic hobs: Bosch, Stoves, AEG Electrolux, Indesit, Smeg and Zanussi.

Induction hobs: AEG Electrolux, Miele, Stoves, Smeg

Electric plate hobs: AEG, Indesit, Beko, New World, Neff and Baumatic

Also check out kitchen retailers like Homebase and B&Q for some low-cost options.

2. Installation costs

The cost of installationing a gas hob will be approximately £120 (this includes labour and fittings). Only a GasSafe qualified engineer should install your gas hob. Hiring someone who is not qualified to install the gas hob will put you and your family at great risk.

Hire an experienced electrician to install the electric hob. You can expect to pay £70 to £100 depending on the type of hob.

3. Running costs

There are significant differences in the running costs of gas and electric hobs. A gas cooker used for about 80 minutes per day for a year will cost £37 less per year to run, than an electric cooker used for the same amount of time. In addition, since the long-term costs of electricity will rise more quickly than gas because of green taxes being added to the former, the difference in running costs between gas and electric hobs will further increase.

Our advice would be to compare the costs of installing the new hob, before you decide on a particular hob brand and model.

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13
Jan
2016

Please Follow Cooker Safety Regulations

Please Follow Cooker Safety Regulations;

You should always install a gas cooker with great care. Things can terribly go wrong if the cooker is improperly installed, or if you don’t have thorough knowledge of cooker safety regulations

As the buyer of the appliance you are not expected to know cooker installation regulations; you should, however, be aware of them so you can buy a cooker that is right for your home. Your new cooker should come with the manufacturer’s installation instructions, if it doesn’t please insist on having them.  Read these carefully before you call a certified engineer to install the cooker in your home.

To help you, here is a list of general cooker safety regulations:

  1. All gas cookers must be installed only by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
  2. Ensure that you have adequate space in the kitchen for a freestanding cooker with a high-level grill. This is because all such appliances must have a minimum clearance above the grill. Also, there should be a minimum clearance, provided in the installation instructions for either side of the appliance.
  3. In the case of gas or electric hobs, there is frequently a minimum overhead gap of 750mm.  Any wall units built on either side of the hood and either side of the hob will also have minimum clearances given by the manufacturer.  The should be checked against building regulations by your qualified installer.
  4. All cookers must have an inbuilt flame failure device. The flame failure device is part of the gas burner system. The device cuts off the gas supply if the cooker flame extinguishes for any reason. This safety feature is especially important if you stay in a flat or a multi-dwelling building (such as a flat above a shop).
  5. Under the Gas Safety Installation and Use Regulations (1998), if you are a landlord it is your legal responsibility to ensure that a Gas Safe Registered engineer certifies all gas appliances in the house annually. If you are a tenant it is your responsibility to ensure that your landlord obtains the gas safety certificate; it is essential for the safety of your family. Depending on the number of gas appliances on the property, the certification process may take between thirty minutes to an hour.

A word of warning

An incorrectly installed cooker may affect the product guarantee, as well as your insurance policy. Worst still, if you don’t have the annual Gas Safe Certificate for your property it could invalidate your household insurance claim.

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12
Jan
2016

Top 18 affordable Gas Cookers for £250 or less

Top 18 affordable Gas Cookers for £250 or less

The Gas Cooker: Many people consider them a godsend, thanks largely to their affordable running costs and the fact that they provide instant, easily controllable heat. Gas cookers can also be more attractive than plain old electric cookers, coming in a range of colours and styles to suit different tastes and kitchen designs (although, electric cookers have now started to come in different colours so you can colour-code your kitchen properly).

You can choose between freestanding and built-in gas cookers. Freestanding cookers obviously allow you to place your cooker wherever you want in the kitchen. Built-in cookers are more limited, on the other hand, but they tend to have separate hobs and ovens, so you can customise to a degree.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on a new gas cooker; there are several affordable gas cooker options that you can choose from for £250 or less. Let’s look at some examples.

  1. Essentials CFSGSV15 50 4-burner hob and single conventional oven. Expect to pay around £180
  2. Logik LFTG60A12 4-burner hob and single conventional oven. Expect to pay around £240
  3. Indesit I5GG(W) 4-burner hob and single conventional oven. Expect to pay between £180 and £230
  4. Flavel FSBG51S 4-burner hob and single conventional oven. Expect to pay around £180
  5. Hotpoint HAG51P 4-burner hob and single conventional oven. Expect to pay around £244
  6. iQ single cavity cooker. Expect to pay around £220
  7. Amica 508GG5W freestanding single cavity. Expect to pay around £240
  8. Gorenje GI52108AW single oven. Expect to pay around £240
  9. Flavel FSBG51W single cavity oven. Expect to pay around £250
  10. Indesit I5GG1S single oven. Expect to pay around £260
  11. Beko BDG581. Expect to pay around £230
  12. Indesit IT50GW. Expect to pay around £230
  13. Beko BDVG592. Expect to pay around £250
  14. Beko BSG580. Expect to pay around £180
  15. Logik LFTG60W12. Expect to pay around £230
  16. Homeking HCG500W. Expect to pay around £200
  17. Bush AG56S single oven. Expect to pay around £200.
  18. Swan SX1031B single oven.Expect to pay around £220.

As you can see, you really are spoilt for choice if you need an affordable gas cooker. If you need a bigger cooker for your large family you can get double ovens for around £250 if you look for special promotions. You can pick up some surprisingly good deals.

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Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles
19
Mar
2015

Top 10 Hob and Oven packages

Top 10 Hob and Oven packages

Buying a hob and oven together is a great way to save cash when you don’t have much kicking around. Most of the big brands give good discounts in the form of packages, allowing you to buy both at the same time and getting a more impressive model than if you were to buy separately.

Here’s 10 of the best:

  • Zanussi ZPVF4130X Electric Fan Oven And Ceramic Hob Pack. Ultra modern touch sensor control with ThermaFlow fan oven and an enamel easy-clean interior. Double glazed oven door. Nine power levels and grill pan/trivet included. Costs around £310.
  • CDA CBC200SS Ceramic Hob And Four Function Single Fan Oven Pack. Has four functions – fan oven, defrost, grill and fan grill. Interior light is halogen. Six power levels and a removable glass door to make cleaning easier. Costs around £360.
  • Matrix MBG002SS Four Function Electric Oven & Gas Hob Pack. Has integrated anti-tilt shelves and double glazed removable door. Grid pan and handle is included with this 55 litre capacity oven. A energy rating with four functions – defrost, fan oven, full/half grill. Costs around £320.
  • Bush AE6BT built-in electric oven and A60C ceramic hob. Fan assisted oven with double glazing on door and easy clean interior. Grill pan is included with this 56 litre capacity oven. Rotating side controls. Costs around £320.
  • Hotpoint, SH89PX-G640SX, Built In Single Oven & Gas Hob Pack. An A energy rated electric fan oven with a 56 litre capacity. Triple glass door and four hob areas. Eight functions in total. Costs around £480.
  • Indesit, FIMD13IX-VIC641X, Built In Double Oven & Electric Hob Pack. With a large 74 litre fan oven and induction hob, this electric combo is AA rated making it extremely cost-effective. Has a double glazed oven door. Costs around £500.
  • Whirlpool Package – Single Fan Oven and Hotplate Hob Pack. With an A energy rating, this electric oven and hob in stainless steel has four burners and a residual heat indicator. Comes with six power levels. Costs around £330.
  • Baumatic OSF60GHPK Pack – Electric Oven and 4 burner gas hob. A single built-in fan oven with programmable timer and four cooking functions. Flame failure devices keep the gas safe in the event of no flame. A rated; finished in smart stainless steel and glass. Costs around £290.
  • Cata Single Oven & Gas Hob Pack OVPKGA. Electric oven has a very reasonable 52 litre capacity and five different cooking functions. Auto-ignition and safety flame failure feature included. A rated for energy efficiency. Costs around £230.
  • Elektra and Montpellier – Oven and Hob Pack. A smart stainless steel electric oven and ceramic hob combination, these appliances include modern touch sensor controls and a 56 litre capacity fan oven with double glazed door. Costs around £290.

Happy Shopping!

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