buying advice

Want the Best in a Smartish Kitchen? Get Smart Appliances

Want the Best in a Smart-ish Kitchen? Get Smart Appliances

Consumers aren’t exactly queuing up jump on the smart home bandwagon. In fact, there isn’t even a bandwagon to jump on. Some manufacturers  are developing smart appliances in the hope that consumers decide they want their fridge to talk to their washing machine. One possible reason for the slow uptake is that it’s all too much for consumers. It’s also too expensive.

Most consumers prefer to test the water and start small, and that’s why manufacturers are changing focus from major appliances to small smart appliances and gadgets that won’t revolutionise our lives but will make them easier.

It starts small

These days, many basic appliances, like kettles, thermometers and frying pans have smart features, including Wi-Fi and touchscreens.

Let’s take a look at smart appliances on the market.

  • Kitchen scales

Connected kitchen scales don’t just ensure that your ingredients are weighed out to the correct tenth of an ounce, but they also connect to recipe apps so that you can download a recipe and then the scale will help you follow the recipe exactly.

Models currently available include Perfect Bake Pro (£40 to £50) and Drop Connected Kitchen Scale (£60 to £80).

  • Frying pans

If you’re an aspiring cook or just need to pull off the occasional tasty meal to surprise your partner, then you might appreciate the assistance of a smart frying pan. They also connect to apps (via Bluetooth) which provide step-by-step instructions, while the pan itself is able to regulate its temperature and provide you with temperature feedback. It tells you when it’s times to flip your meat or stir your stew or add new ingredients as per the recipe. You’ll also get suggestions for cooking time based on thickness of meat and on type of meat (steak, salmon, chicken)

Pantelligent Smart Frying Pan is currently available for around £170.

  • Coffee makers & kettles

Coffee makers are very trendy, so it makes sense that they would come with cool smart features. Many machines have apps that link them to your smartphone or tablet so that no matter where you are, you can set it to make coffee – and you can set it to your exact strength preference. The machines also tell you when you need to fill up the water and restock your capsules.

Smart kettles allow you to boil water no matter where you are in the house, and you can set it to a certain temperature so you can make speciality teas in exactly the right way.

Smart machines currently on the market include Nespresso Prodigio (£160), Smarter Coffee (£180), and Smarter Wi-Fi Kettle (£100).

  • Sous vide machines

Thanks to cooking programmes and celebrity chefs, sous vide cooking is becoming very popular. Now sous vide machines come with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi so you can set them to start cooking whenever you want, and you can download recipes and get step-by-step instructions to make the perfect sous vide meal.

Mellow sous vide cooker will be available in spring with an expected price of £265. The Anova Bluetooth + Wi-Fi Precision Cooker costs between £130 and £180.

  • Multicookers

Multicookers are already pretty cool machines, now they come with Wi-Fi, touchscreens and connected apps so you can find recipes and get step-by-step instructions to help you deliver maximum flavour.

The Breville Fast Slow Pro multicooker costs between £170 and £180.

For those who have everything, you can consider something a little different, like the iSommelier Smart Decanter. Now, digital settings allow your decanter to more effectively aerate your wine to soften tannins, and the digital screen on the base will tell you all you need to know about the wine, vintage and aeration process. You can also get information on different winemakers. Expect to pay around £1300.

Something with a bit more practical value is the Hero Smart Appliance which reminds you when you need to take medication, lets you know how much medication is left, and notifies you when medication has been taken, so you don’t have to second guess yourself, or worry whether dear old mom has remembered her heart medicine. Expect to pay around £700.

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Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles

Great Tips on How to Choose an Energy Efficient Kettle

Great Tips on How to Choose an Energy Efficient Kettle

Your kettle isn’t exactly a large appliance, so you wouldn’t think that it uses a huge amount of energy, right? It’s true on the surface, except that your kettle gets a LOT of use. On average, a UK household boils the kettle 1500 times per year. It’s not that difficult to believe if you consider that you might boil your kettle 4 times a day for coffee or tea and then perhaps another once or twice to cook food. All of that use adds up. According to Chris Goodall (cited by Ethical Consumer) your kettle can consume about 150kWh per yeah. This amounts to about 4% of your total electricity consumption.

Kinda scary, isn’t it?

One of the biggest problems is overfilling the kettle. If you’re only making one cup of tea or coffee, technically you need less than 500ml of water, but we tend to stick the kettle under the tap and just let rip, so we end up with enough water to make tea for a Sevens rugby team. Once again Ethical Consumer has a fun stat for us: Apparently if all the households in the UK boiled exactly the right amount of water they need for one day, the energy saved could light every street lamp in the country for one night.

Some kettle manufacturers have stepped up to stop the overfilling problem; for example, the ECO Kettle has 2 compartments so you can fill one with one cup of water to be boiled at a time. Some energy efficient kettles have lower water level indicators (minimum amounts to be boiled) so you can boil want you need, even if it is less than 500ml. And, because most elements are now under a plate, you don’t have to cover exposed elements with water you don’t need.

Another great feature that many kettle manufacturers are using is variable temperature control, so you can set the kettle to switch off when the water reaches a set temperature. For example, you can set your kettle to 70°C so that you can make the perfect cup of green tea.

More than energy efficiency?

Energy efficiency is one thing, but what do you know about manufacturers’ stance on human rights, animal welfare and transparency in their supply chains? These days, with the global village being as small as it is, we’re more aware of the need to protect or at least stand up for people who live on the other side of the world. Ethical Consumer takes transparency and workers’ and animal rights very seriously and when it reviews appliances it considers things like:

  • Supply chain policies: Are workers treated fairly, are they adequately remunerated, are working conditions safe? Supply chains that have components in China are usually problematic.
  • Environmental reporting: Transparency in environmental reporting is important, which means honesty when it comes to things like carbon emissions, water use and land use.
  • Company profile: Includes consumer boycotts for things like animal testing and financing drilling operations or fracking.

Choose an ethical and energy efficient kettle

Ethical Consumer uses a rating system out of 20 to determine which are the most ethical and energy efficient kettles. The list is interactive, so you can select the criteria that are most important to you and get truly relevant results. If all criteria are selected as important, the top kettles include:

  • Bodum Clara glass hob kettle (14)
  • Bodum electric kettle (14)
  • Dualit electric kettles (14)
  • ECO Kettle electric kettles (14)
  • Judge hob kettle (14)
  • Krups electric kettles (14)
  • La Cafetiere electric and hob kettles (14)
  • La Cafetiere hob kettles (14)
  • Magimax electric kettle (14)
  • Masteclass hob kettles (14)
  • Moulinex electric kettles (14)
  • Rowenta electric kettles (14)
  • Stellar electric and hob kettles (14)
  • Tefal electric and Quick Cup kettles (14)
  • Breville electric kettles (13)
  • Morphy Richards electric and hob kettles (9)
  • Prestige electric and hob kettles (8)
  • Braun electric kettles (7.5)
  • De’Longhi electric kettles (7)
  • Kenwood electric kettles (7)

The internet has made it super easy to be an ethical consumer, so why not take advantage of Google and hold large companies accountable for their business and manufacturing practices – and enjoy a cool kettle with all the energy and money savings that go with it.

Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles

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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Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles

Old Appliances vs. New: We Pick 10 of the Best Retro Fridges

Old Appliances vs. New Appliances: We Pick 10 of the Best Retro Fridges

If you had a typical childhood you’ll have heard at least one adult mutter, “They don’t make ‘em like they used to.” It does seem that way, especially when we look at the quality of modern appliances. How often do they have to be replaced? It feels like appliances are made to last just long enough to see out the warranty. Then they go phut and you either have to pay for repairs or a replacement. If you don’t have insurance, replacement is often more cost-effective than repair.

There is a way to enjoy high-tech with old-world looks, as retro never goes out of style.

The retro look has been trending for years and manufacturers have capitalised by producing cool appliances that hark back to the 50s. Retro appliances come in a variety of contrasting and complementary colours and metallic finishes. You’ll also see a a dash of pop art and bold curves suggestive of sexy James Dean and voluptuous Marilyn Monroe.

Back in time

The 1950s was an era of celebration. The end of WW2 meant that people could lighten up; rock ‘n roll was born and the world was on the brink of all sorts of social revolutions. It’s possible the current retro trend speaks to a need to escape our 24/7 lives, rising costs, and other stressors.

Regardless of whether to want romantic nuances or bold and funky, there’s a retro fridge for your tastes.

So, why the popularity? Well, market watchers and analysts believe that TV’s The Great British Bake Off had a large impact on the retro trend. The underlying sense of that playful and joyful era has really caught on.

Retro fridges that are just peachy keen (jelly bean)

Smeg

Smeg leads the retro refrigerator field in design and variety. You might even say that Smeg is the granddaddy of retro, with the widest range of options available, from drop dead gorgeous to sleek, funky and funny. The company captures the essence of the fifties in ways that will make your jaw drop. The fridges are colourful and clever and you can choose from a rainbow of colours.

Smeg actually dates back to the 1950s, which gives it first-hand experience designing and manufacturing retro kitchen appliances. Its line of retro fridges first hit the market in 1990 and, as they say, the rest is history.

The Smeg retro fridge line is pricey, but hugely popular, particularly in the US and the UK. There are over 122 models to choose from, and a range of colours. Your choice includes velvet black, blue denim, brown, colour stripe, cream, English rose, grey, lime green, metalised grey, orange, pastel blue, pink, red, silver, and yellow.

And the fridges include

One of the zaniest designs is the SMEG500V, a replica of Fiat’s famous Cinquecento. It’s available in three colours: Green, red and yellow. The car-shaped fridge received the ‘Good Design’ award from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design in 2013. Then there’s the decadent Gold with Swarovski Crystals retro fridge. The SMEG FAB28OR is yours for a £1,620.

The SMEG Fab 10 is available in 12 colours and comes in four special editions. It has a large-capacity fridge and freezer section and runs almost completely silently. This is completely unlike the original 50s fridges, which sounded as though they’d vibrate through the wall.

Not to be outdone, Servis and Bush have designed their own retro fridge ranges that are every bit as gorgeous as the market leader. Gorenje and Big Chill are competitive, with some Big Chill appliances exceeding the notoriously high price tags of Smeg.

Gorenje

Gorenje has a range of vintage, chic and romantic retro fridges, and a colour range that includes bold bright and beautiful metallic sheens, deep purple, bright orange, emerald green, signal red, glossy black, rich dark brown, cream, champagne, white, magenta and silver. The price on the Gorenje Retro Fridge RB602990W has been slashed from £700 to £569, so if you’ve had your eye on a retro fridge, but price has been a factor, now’s the time to get your Gorenje with the SuperCool chill option that chills a bottle of wine within half an hour.

Servis

Servis retro fridges are as visually appealing as Gorenje and Smeg. The colours include chilli red, classic cream and jet black. They tend to be large-capacity fridges (around 317 litres) and have an A+ energy rating, glass safety shelves, wine rack and ice box. Especially tasteful is the chili red Servis C60185NFR, with a capacity of 335 litres, it’s frost-free, with an A+ energy efficiency rating, a bottle shelf, three door shelves, two fridge drawers and three freezer draws. The Servis Retro Fridge line adds a touch of sophistication, glamour and style to every kitchen. Expect to pay between £493 and £538.

Bush

Bush is better known as a commercial supplier of really cool refrigeration systems, but the Bush BRTL60170B Retro Tall Fridge, is getting a lot of really good feedback from customers. Choice of colour is limited when compared to Smeg, for example, but the black is intense and vibrant, with metal handles and a bright internal LED light that just oozes style, and has all the benefits of a modern fridge, like the A+ energy rating. It’s spacious inside with 4 safety glass shelves, a vegetable drawer, salad crisper and a chrome wine rack with metallic designer handles. Fridge storage capacity is 281 litres and the frozen food compartment has a 30-litre capacity. On the whole it’s attractive and considered good value for money. Additional colours are cream, chilli red or lime green, and they are well-priced, ranging from around £330 to around £500.

We need to give an honourable mention to the Bush BSFF60, which has a large capacity, three salad crisper compartments and which uses frost-free technology and is energy-efficient. It also has 13 hours of power-off capacity. Expect to pay in the region of £500.

Oranier

Oranier has a retro fridge line with a colour choice between red, lime green and cream. In keeping with the retro style the colours are vibrant. There’s the single door RKS 1 and the double door RKS 2. Like Bush, Oranier has focused on function over form, and have put out fridges that hold their own in terms of value for money. Oranier’s retro line includes features like automatic defrosting, egg containers, and very impressive freezer capacity.

Big Chill

The Big Chill’s Retropolitan line comes in a selection of colours, including beach blue, buttercup yellow, cherry red, jadeite green, orange, pink lemonade, turquoise, black and white. You can choose between a handle on the left or right and other options include icemakers and door removal. The body is stamped metal with authentic chrome trim and handles. It’s frost-free and has automatic moisture control as well as a temperature management system. It’s rated Energy Star, and the big thing about the Big Chill’s Retropolitan refrigerator is the storage space. If you’re not wild about the 8 standard colours, you can choose from 200 custom colors. It has got 4 half-width glass shelves, 2 clear crisper drawers, a slide-out upper basket and one large lower freezer basket. This range is pretty pricey and will cost you around £2,400.

The Studio retro fridge line is smaller than Retropolitan line, but the colour options are the same, and it is also frost-free, with temperature management control and automatic moisture control. The Studio line has a pivotal handle as well as the left or right hand hinge choice. There’s one spill-proof glass shelf, a full-width opaque crisper, 4 door shelves, an adjustable freezer shelf, and the price tag is around £1,840.

Swan

Swan has a pretty good line of retro fridges too, and the Swan SR11010C has had £129 shaved off the price tag, down from £709 to £579. It’s 54.5 cm wide, so it’s easy to fit into most kitchens. It’s got a 168-litre fridge capacity and a 40-litre freezer with one glass freezer shelf. The energy rating is A+, three safety glass shelves, 5 door pockets and wine rack, and it has an auto-defrost fridge and manual defrost freezer.

Other honourable mentions have to go to:

  • GGA French Style Retro. A bespoke fridge with two French doors. Comes with two freezer drawers which reduce warm air intake when opened.  Electronic ice maker making express ice cubes. Retails around £1600.
  • Baumatic Retro. Available in royal blue. Self-defrosting fridge and plenty of capacity. Even temperature throughout. Comes with safety glass shelves. Retails around £650.
  • Husky Retro larder fridge. Capacity of 108 litres and very good energy rating. An under-counter fridge which doesn’t take up a lot of space. Chrome wine rack and salad crisper drawer. Reversible door. Retails around £450.
  • LEC Retro. Frost-free and a decent energy rating, this fridge is in cream and comes with unusual and shapely retro handles. Wine rack and good sized freezer compartment. Costs from £560.
  • Next RETROC. Very energy efficient with 246 litres fridge capacity. Comes in cream with five shelves and 19 hours power failure storage. Retails around £370.

If you’re into strolling down the memory lane of a bygone era, and want to venture into a space that is playful, joyful and reminds you of your gran’s 60 year old fridge with a makeover, then now is the time to remodel your kitchen and embrace your colourful side.

Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles

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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Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles

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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Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles

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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Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles

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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Top 10 Fridge Freezer Best Buys

The Top 10 Fridge Freezer Best Buys

Fridge freezers are becoming ever more sophisticated these days with special features such as thermostatically controlled crisper drawers and the ability to withstand a power cut for more than 24 hours. Many are frost-free too while just about all that made our top 10 boast of excellent temperature control. And indeed, this is our pick of the best fridge freezer best buys:

  • Samsung RB31FERNBSS.

This frost-free fridge freezer is excellent for storage with a sliding shelf and super-quick chill compartment which can be switched to 0 degrees centigrade. Its energy rating is A+++ so is very cost effective to run. Costs from £650.

  • Miele KDN12823S-1.

Another frost-free model with a larger fridge than freezer. Cools and freezes quickly, keeping food fresher for longer. Good at maintaining a steady temperature. A quiet fridge with an A+ energy rating. Costs from £670

  • Siemens KG39EAW40G.

Another great product for chilling and freezing all kinds of food and with a handy humidity-controlled salad crisper drawer. Lots of storage space, including a chiller cabinet for fish and meat. Costs from £560.

  • Neff K8345X0.

Frost-free and can chill very quickly while the manufacturers boast that the freezer can work up to 29 hours after a power shortage. An alarm goes off if either the fridge or freezer doors are left open for too long. Antibacterial coating is sprayed onto the fridge walls. Costs from £1580.

  • Bosch KGE36AW40G.

Has a A+++ energy rating meaning it’ll keep utility bills down and which is impressive considering its large storage capacity. Excellent at both chilling and freezing food. Salad crisper drawer has humidity control switch. Costs from £620.

  • Hotpoint FFUL2023X.

Frost-free and with a A++ energy efficiency rating. Good freezing and chilling, despite fluctuating room temperature. Good food storage layout. Three adjustable door racks for bottles come with handy dividers. Costs from £560.

  • Haier MyZone AFD626TGB.

Very stylish and available in red, black or white gloss. Has three separate compartments, one of which can be used for either a fridge or freezer. Comes with a super-freeze setting. A+ energy efficiency rating. Costs from £640.

  • Smeg FAB32QO.

Can chill fresh food to less than 5 degrees centigrade in just under a day and will retain frozen food for up to 24 hours in the event of a power cut. Comes with an inbuilt wine rack. Available in ten different colours. Costs from £1360.

  • Panasonic NR-B32FW3-WB.

This frost-free item has a vitamin safe drawer that the manufacturer’s claim keeps food fresher for longer. Good in terms of a consistent temperature. Great for bulk buying or cooking and freezing big batches of food. Costs from £700.

  • Bosch KGV33NW20G.

Temperature stability is excellent. Has a fast-free area and plenty of freezer space considering its size. Comes with a bottle rack and adjustable shelves. Humidity control for crisper drawer. Costs from £360.

Do you agree with our judgement? We’d be interested to hear from your experience of owning one of the above fridge freezers.

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Top 10 Fridge Freezers Under £200

The Top 10 Fridge Freezers Under £200

If you have a limited budget and feel that you really need more fridge and freezer space, then you’re probably expecting to have to do an awful lot of research. But don’t despair – we’ve already done a lot of that for you to the extent that we’ve listed here the best value fridge freezers we could find for under £200.

When you come to look yourself though, do shop around very carefully as you’ll be able to find great deals and it’s always worth keeping your eye on your favourite products as you never know when a bargain will present itself.

Our picks

  1. The Hotpoint RTAA42P comes in at just under £200. The fridge holds 180 litres, while the freezer has 40 litres of space – so that should be enough space for a family’s needs. The product has an A energy rating so it’s pretty efficient.
  2. The LEC T5039W is a similar price to the Hotpoint and it has 90 litres of fridge space. The freezer has three glass-fronted drawers. This product has an A+ energy rating, which means your fuel bills will hold nothing to fear.
  3. The LEC T50082W under counter fridge freezer is brilliant for space saving. There are two safety glass shelves in the fridge, as well as a salad drawer, and there are 27 litres of space in the freezer. Like its T5039W cousin, this product is rated A+ for energy and is around the £180 price mark.
  4. The Beko CT538IAPW has impressive storage capacity – 140 litres in the fridge and 77 litres in the freezer. This product also benefits from anti-bacterial door seals, giving you the additional reassurance of food safety and hygiene.
  5. Another great and reasonably priced LEC product is its TS48112W model. Priced at roughly £185, the fridge holds 77 litres, while the freezer can take 35 litres. Should you lose power, the freezer will keep products frozen for up to 10 hours.
  6. The Indesit RAA24 fridge freezer is proof that looks can be deceiving. This fridge freezer looks small, but it can hold an impressive 222 litres of chilled and frozen foods. It retails for just under £200 and the door is reversible, making it extremely versatile for your kitchen.
  7. The Bush BSFF55136 fridge freezer retails at around the £180 mark. It is 55cm wide and it has varied storage options for all of your food and drink.
  8. The sleekly designed Russell Hobbs RHUCFF48B fridge freezer will look good in most kitchens. It has an A+ energy rating and a reversible door. Another feature is its quick chill compartment, allowing you to cool foods quickly and safely.
  9. The Haier BD103GAA is a real bargain, retailing from between £130 to £180. The capacity is 106 litres in total and is 57cm wide by 84.5cm tall.
  10. The Logik LUC50S12 is another bargain, retailing from £130. It is approximately 50cm by 84cm and great for those who don’t seek too much fridge and freezer space.
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Posted by Surewise in Appliance Insurance Articles