UK/ Europe kitchen appliance recommendations?

Maid of Erin · 03-25-2007, 07:24 AM

Ladies, we are in the process of building onto our home and adding a new kitchen. I am getting pretty overwhelmed with choices so would love to hear about any brands that you are happy with.

I think I will be getting a new gas hob, wall oven, washer, dryer and dishwasher.

What kind do you all have and do you like them? Anything you wish you had planned for or forgot to put into your kitchen?

lou-bi-wan · 03-26-2007, 04:25 AM

Plan where the kitchen bin is going to go, a lot of people overlook it, mine is huge so if we hadn't planned a place for it, it would be getting in the way!!!!

LEC freezers mine are 17 and 15 years old now, my family have bought them more recently and have no problems. Hotpoint washing machines are good, and they have a great call-out service.

I remember reading somewhere once that you should call the customer service desks of the people who’s products you want to buy, just to see what kind of after care they have.

Kissa · 03-26-2007, 01:55 PM

Lucky you!

I agree on the LEC freezers. Make sure you fridge has glass shelves. Frost free goes without saying!!!

Sharp combination Micro and conventional cooker. Have it built in.

I love my oven in Devon, an electric 'Stoves', and loathe my one in London, an electric 'De Longhi'.

Great advice on the bin scenario. I love waste disposers as I have hardly any garden. If you compost then you would hate them.

shykins · 03-27-2007, 02:43 AM

we have a couple of beko applicances (washing machine and fridge and about to get their dishwasher too)... the prices are really good and we have had NO problems with any of them

we have a hotpoint dishwasher and i have hated it since the moment it arrived in the house lol (hence a new one).. u cant get the plates in it ,.. honest i am not joking so take a plate with u when u get a d/washer

have a cannon dual fuel cooker which is brilliant, so do 3 other people i know, funny enough everyone else i know who has a stoves cooker hates them lol

oh and i have a magic bullet which is brilliant, replaces grinder, blender, liquidiser etc

happy designing your kitchen

x

Maid of Erin · 03-27-2007, 03:37 AM

Thanks for the advice, never thought to bring a plate to the shop, but it's a good idea, lol.

I should be excited about the kitchen, but honestly I am getting nervous and overwhelmed with choices. I don't want to get stuck with something I'll regret later. I hate to shop as it is.

shykins · 03-27-2007, 04:35 AM

i know what u mean maid.. when i was with my exhub we built our house and as u say u dont want to get stuck with sommat u dont like.. in my experience u will know when something is right.. havin said that when the house ws done i said i wish ihad .... etc etc lol

am now thinking of taking out a wall between kitchen and d/room but cant 100% decide if it will be better or not.. decisions decisions..

try not to get overwhelmed with it all . i am sure it will look lovely
xx

CosmicMuffin · 03-27-2007, 05:00 AM

I have a hotpoint washer dryer and it is wonderful. I don't own a microwave or dishwasher. I am not sure about the oven. But my stove is gas and I am not to crazy about having gas. I was raised on an electric stove. Gas you have to be ready to go and it cooks so fast.

lou-bi-wan · 03-27-2007, 05:56 AM

I know what you mean cosmic, I had electric forever until we had our kitchen done now we've got a gas hob, it took a while to get used to but it's so instant. I live off stir fries and it's easier to clean.

CosmicMuffin · 03-27-2007, 06:45 AM

It is easier to clean.

What is your favorite small appliance? I like the blender.

lou-bi-wan · 03-27-2007, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicMuffin

It is easier to clean.

What is your favorite small appliance? I like the blender.

I can't live without my, letter that comes after 'u' slicer, my metal mixing bowl, hand blender/whisk and little electric chopper, it makes grated parmesan and minces onion too, fab!!

shykins · 03-27-2007, 08:43 AM

mine has to be my bullet as mentioned above... thing is brilliant and so small too.. i make frappucinos in it the summer

i third the gas hob but i do like an electric oven hence the multifuel cooker.. mind u when i was at the farm i had an aga, its the one thingi really miss wish i could haveone in this kitchen

x

Kissa · 03-27-2007, 12:40 PM

This was such a risky question!

I shall simply say electric kettles are magic. When I lived n the states we had an old fashioned one that had to go on the hob. I was horrified....

lou-bi-wan · 03-27-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kissa

This was such a risky question!

I shall simply say electric kettles are magic. When I lived n the states we had an old fashioned one that had to go on the hob. I was horrified....

Did it have a whistle? Reminds me of camping . . .

Maid of Erin · 03-27-2007, 03:09 PM

I am definitely getting a gas hob, no question.

I have an electric now with solid burners. I hate, hate, hate it. Takes forever to heat up, then when it finally does, it's too hot.

Second reason, we often lose power for an hour or so, esp. in the windy autumn. It always seems to go out just as I'm making the dinner or a cup of tea.

The aga's are great, but I don't really have a spare 4,000 euro laying around to waste right now.

I think I will get a wall oven and grill for the convienence, but the dual range cookers look really cool. They have two ovens and a grill, plus storage. The wall ovens I am looking at are oven plus grill/small oven units. Tough decisions.

When we bought our house, it had a hotpoint dryer and a candy washer. The washer is junk. Very cheaply made and has been serviced once already in the two years we've been here. And it's small. Get this, the other day the door FELL OFF. I start my machine and just prop the broom handle against it. I am going to buy a new machine and just can't bear to spend one more penny on the Candy.

The Dryer works fine, but only has one setting.

Towels take 120 minutes.

I only use it when I have to, otherwise I line dry or hang them on the radiators. The dryer is a real lifesaver though, esp. when the kids are sick and need new sheets and all.

shykins · 03-28-2007, 01:53 AM

lol at the broom handle... candy are a fairly cheap make anyways so would prob cost not much more to get a new one

i agree about the price of agas.. mind u i did see some on ebay the other day

CosmicMuffin · 03-28-2007, 06:15 AM

Think KITCHEN...KITCHEN....

I have a pretty pink kettle in the states and it whistles when the water is ready. It is the old fashioned kind that you put on the stove. You don't see many electric kettles in the states. But that could be because we don't drink tea like you Brits do. I mean you really take it seriously. I learned that when I started working. I was in shock. Every thing seems to stop for tea and you always have time for a cup.

lou-bi-wan · 03-28-2007, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CosmicMuffin

Think KITCHEN...KITCHEN....

I have a pretty pink kettle in the states and it whistles when the water is ready. It is the old fashioned kind that you put on the stove. You don't see many electric kettles in the states. But that could be because we don't drink tea like you Brits do. I mean you really take it seriously. I learned that when I started working. I was in shock. Every thing seems to stop for tea and you always have time for a cup.

Oh yes, tea solves everything!!

shykins · 03-28-2007, 08:31 AM

i know i am in the minority but i never drink tea!!... i did up until about 2yrs ago when my hiatus hernia got bad and for some reason since then i cant bear it .. even the smell of it

its a bit like that revulsion u get when u are pregnant, if u have kids u will know what i mean lol

i saw some pink kettles in superdrug the other day

x

lou-bi-wan · 03-28-2007, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shykins

i know i am in the minority but i never drink tea!!... i did up until about 2yrs ago when my hiatus hernia got bad and for some reason since then i cant bear it .. even the smell of it

its a bit like that revulsion u get when u are pregnant, if u have kids u will know what i mean lol

i saw some pink kettles in superdrug the other day

x

I kow I can't stand the smell of rice cooking even now, good thing really!!

Kissa · 03-28-2007, 04:46 PM

Yup, it whistled.

lou-bi-wan · 03-29-2007, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kissa

Yup, it whistled.

I'm reminiscing, now . . . camping when I was seven and the bacon cooking, it's my birthday, I can hear the kettle whistling and I unzip my tent ( I say mine, me and my sisters shared, they snored and drooled uuugh . . .) to find birthday cards . . .and they had stamps on, I remember marvelling at how the postman knew I was there?? I thought it was a miracle!

I love my mum

shykins · 03-29-2007, 07:28 AM

awww lou what a nice story....isnt it great when u are a kid and belive all these things... i am gonna hate it when little un stops beliveing in father xmas

x

lou-bi-wan · 03-29-2007, 08:22 AM

Somehow I've managed to perpetuate the myth in our house.

I didn't tell my son that father christmas wasn't real, (I figured that someone else would) nor did his mates or if they did he didn't believe them. It's enough for him that he thinks I believe so last year as tradition insists the carrots and milk were out on the table with a little note. Bless him he still thinks I believe . . .

P.s He's nearly 17!!

shykins · 03-29-2007, 08:25 AM

aww thats so cute

i had questions last year but convinced him thanks to NORAD... they track santa and as norad is real then santa has to be (thankyou NORAD)...

i hate it when older ones spoil it <sniff>... anyway santa is the magic of xmas and for me xmas will always have magic (big softy aint i)

x

lou-bi-wan · 03-29-2007, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shykins

aww thats so cute

i had questions last year but convinced him thanks to NORAD... they track santa and as norad is real then santa has to be (thankyou NORAD)...

i hate it when older ones spoil it <sniff>... anyway santa is the magic of xmas and for me xmas will always have magic (big softy aint i)

x

Isn't that great, I love that technology has added to all the fun. If you’re in the big softy club, I want to join!!

Kissa · 03-29-2007, 11:46 AM

Stop it, you'll make me cry.

Maid of Erin · 03-29-2007, 02:13 PM

uh, kitchen, ladies. We are talking about my kitchen. Focus!!

Next question, what's on your kitchen floor? Tiles, lino, laminate? Go!

shykins · 03-30-2007, 01:10 AM

was gonna say how did we get from kitchesn to xmas to fuzzyness lol

tiles are good but darn cold in the mornings... slate looks wonderful in old fashioned kitchens.. i got lino and hate it so am changing to tiles or that new stuff they do that looks like tiles but slots together they do slate coloured etc

gawd have u ANY idea what i am talkin about??? lol

best i go off to brighton and let the normal people respond

xx

03-25-2007, 07:24 AM	#1
Maid of Erin Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: County Kerry, Ireland Posts: 5,882 Gallery: Maid of Erin Stats: 320/285/160 WOE: Whole Food Atkins Start Date: April 2006	UK/ Europe kitchen appliance recommendations? Ladies, we are in the process of building onto our home and adding a new kitchen. I am getting pretty overwhelmed with choices so would love to hear about any brands that you are happy with. I think I will be getting a new gas hob, wall oven, washer, dryer and dishwasher. What kind do you all have and do you like them? Anything you wish you had planned for or forgot to put into your kitchen?

03-26-2007, 04:25 AM	#2
lou-bi-wan MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: England Posts: 2,048 Gallery: lou-bi-wan Stats: 220/188/159-5.5.5" (Large frame) WOE: Low-carb-the-lou-bi-way Start Date: May 06	Plan where the kitchen bin is going to go, a lot of people overlook it, mine is huge so if we hadn't planned a place for it, it would be getting in the way!!!! LEC freezers mine are 17 and 15 years old now, my family have bought them more recently and have no problems. Hotpoint washing machines are good, and they have a great call-out service. I remember reading somewhere once that you should call the customer service desks of the people who’s products you want to buy, just to see what kind of after care they have. __________________ I want to see the 150's in 2008 and by Jove I'm going to do it!!

03-27-2007, 02:43 AM	#4
shykins MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,516 Gallery: shykins Stats: 262/147 goal WOE: atkins Start Date: 19th April 2004	we have a couple of beko applicances (washing machine and fridge and about to get their dishwasher too)... the prices are really good and we have had NO problems with any of them we have a hotpoint dishwasher and i have hated it since the moment it arrived in the house lol (hence a new one).. u cant get the plates in it ,.. honest i am not joking so take a plate with u when u get a d/washer have a cannon dual fuel cooker which is brilliant, so do 3 other people i know, funny enough everyone else i know who has a stoves cooker hates them lol oh and i have a magic bullet which is brilliant, replaces grinder, blender, liquidiser etc happy designing your kitchen x __________________ When you know better you do better

03-27-2007, 03:09 PM	#14
Maid of Erin Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: County Kerry, Ireland Posts: 5,882 Gallery: Maid of Erin Stats: 320/285/160 WOE: Whole Food Atkins Start Date: April 2006	I am definitely getting a gas hob, no question. I have an electric now with solid burners. I hate, hate, hate it. Takes forever to heat up, then when it finally does, it's too hot. Second reason, we often lose power for an hour or so, esp. in the windy autumn. It always seems to go out just as I'm making the dinner or a cup of tea. The aga's are great, but I don't really have a spare 4,000 euro laying around to waste right now. I think I will get a wall oven and grill for the convienence, but the dual range cookers look really cool. They have two ovens and a grill, plus storage. The wall ovens I am looking at are oven plus grill/small oven units. Tough decisions. When we bought our house, it had a hotpoint dryer and a candy washer. The washer is junk. Very cheaply made and has been serviced once already in the two years we've been here. And it's small. Get this, the other day the door FELL OFF. I start my machine and just prop the broom handle against it. I am going to buy a new machine and just can't bear to spend one more penny on the Candy. The Dryer works fine, but only has one setting. Towels take 120 minutes. I only use it when I have to, otherwise I line dry or hang them on the radiators. The dryer is a real lifesaver though, esp. when the kids are sick and need new sheets and all. __________________ Cindy

03-26-2007, 01:55 PM	#3
Kissa Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 3,343 Gallery: Kissa Stats: 184/132/125 - 130 5' 4" WOE: Atkins Maintainance/Intuitive Eating Start Date: January 2001 restarted 1 September 2006 at 139 lbs	Lucky you! I agree on the LEC freezers. Make sure you fridge has glass shelves. Frost free goes without saying!!! Sharp combination Micro and conventional cooker. Have it built in. I love my oven in Devon, an electric 'Stoves', and loathe my one in London, an electric 'De Longhi'. Great advice on the bin scenario. I love waste disposers as I have hardly any garden. If you compost then you would hate them.

03-27-2007, 03:37 AM	#5
Maid of Erin Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: County Kerry, Ireland Posts: 5,882 Gallery: Maid of Erin Stats: 320/285/160 WOE: Whole Food Atkins Start Date: April 2006	Thanks for the advice, never thought to bring a plate to the shop, but it's a good idea, lol. I should be excited about the kitchen, but honestly I am getting nervous and overwhelmed with choices. I don't want to get stuck with something I'll regret later. I hate to shop as it is.

03-27-2007, 04:35 AM	#6
shykins MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,516 Gallery: shykins Stats: 262/147 goal WOE: atkins Start Date: 19th April 2004	i know what u mean maid.. when i was with my exhub we built our house and as u say u dont want to get stuck with sommat u dont like.. in my experience u will know when something is right.. havin said that when the house ws done i said i wish ihad .... etc etc lol am now thinking of taking out a wall between kitchen and d/room but cant 100% decide if it will be better or not.. decisions decisions.. try not to get overwhelmed with it all . i am sure it will look lovely xx

03-27-2007, 05:00 AM	#7
CosmicMuffin Lovely, Luscious, Luxurious Loungie Brat Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: KENTUCKY, Heart is in Essex, England (No white heels, blue eyeshadow, or dancing around my bag) Posts: 6,550 Gallery: CosmicMuffin WOE: Atkins '72	I have a hotpoint washer dryer and it is wonderful. I don't own a microwave or dishwasher. I am not sure about the oven. But my stove is gas and I am not to crazy about having gas. I was raised on an electric stove. Gas you have to be ready to go and it cooks so fast.

03-27-2007, 05:56 AM	#8
lou-bi-wan MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: England Posts: 2,048 Gallery: lou-bi-wan Stats: 220/188/159-5.5.5" (Large frame) WOE: Low-carb-the-lou-bi-way Start Date: May 06	I know what you mean cosmic, I had electric forever until we had our kitchen done now we've got a gas hob, it took a while to get used to but it's so instant. I live off stir fries and it's easier to clean.

03-27-2007, 06:45 AM	#9
CosmicMuffin Lovely, Luscious, Luxurious Loungie Brat Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: KENTUCKY, Heart is in Essex, England (No white heels, blue eyeshadow, or dancing around my bag) Posts: 6,550 Gallery: CosmicMuffin WOE: Atkins '72	It is easier to clean. What is your favorite small appliance? I like the blender.

03-27-2007, 08:43 AM	#11
shykins MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,516 Gallery: shykins Stats: 262/147 goal WOE: atkins Start Date: 19th April 2004	mine has to be my bullet as mentioned above... thing is brilliant and so small too.. i make frappucinos in it the summer i third the gas hob but i do like an electric oven hence the multifuel cooker.. mind u when i was at the farm i had an aga, its the one thingi really miss wish i could haveone in this kitchen x

03-27-2007, 12:40 PM	#12
Kissa Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 3,343 Gallery: Kissa Stats: 184/132/125 - 130 5' 4" WOE: Atkins Maintainance/Intuitive Eating Start Date: January 2001 restarted 1 September 2006 at 139 lbs	This was such a risky question! I shall simply say electric kettles are magic. When I lived n the states we had an old fashioned one that had to go on the hob. I was horrified....

03-28-2007, 01:53 AM	#15
shykins MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,516 Gallery: shykins Stats: 262/147 goal WOE: atkins Start Date: 19th April 2004	lol at the broom handle... candy are a fairly cheap make anyways so would prob cost not much more to get a new one i agree about the price of agas.. mind u i did see some on ebay the other day

03-28-2007, 06:15 AM	#16
CosmicMuffin Lovely, Luscious, Luxurious Loungie Brat Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: KENTUCKY, Heart is in Essex, England (No white heels, blue eyeshadow, or dancing around my bag) Posts: 6,550 Gallery: CosmicMuffin WOE: Atkins '72	Think KITCHEN...KITCHEN.... I have a pretty pink kettle in the states and it whistles when the water is ready. It is the old fashioned kind that you put on the stove. You don't see many electric kettles in the states. But that could be because we don't drink tea like you Brits do. I mean you really take it seriously. I learned that when I started working. I was in shock. Every thing seems to stop for tea and you always have time for a cup.

03-28-2007, 08:31 AM	#18
shykins MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,516 Gallery: shykins Stats: 262/147 goal WOE: atkins Start Date: 19th April 2004	i know i am in the minority but i never drink tea!!... i did up until about 2yrs ago when my hiatus hernia got bad and for some reason since then i cant bear it .. even the smell of it its a bit like that revulsion u get when u are pregnant, if u have kids u will know what i mean lol i saw some pink kettles in superdrug the other day x

03-28-2007, 04:46 PM	#20
Kissa Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 3,343 Gallery: Kissa Stats: 184/132/125 - 130 5' 4" WOE: Atkins Maintainance/Intuitive Eating Start Date: January 2001 restarted 1 September 2006 at 139 lbs	Yup, it whistled.

03-29-2007, 07:28 AM	#22
shykins MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,516 Gallery: shykins Stats: 262/147 goal WOE: atkins Start Date: 19th April 2004	awww lou what a nice story....isnt it great when u are a kid and belive all these things... i am gonna hate it when little un stops beliveing in father xmas x

03-29-2007, 08:22 AM	#23
lou-bi-wan MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: England Posts: 2,048 Gallery: lou-bi-wan Stats: 220/188/159-5.5.5" (Large frame) WOE: Low-carb-the-lou-bi-way Start Date: May 06	Somehow I've managed to perpetuate the myth in our house. I didn't tell my son that father christmas wasn't real, (I figured that someone else would) nor did his mates or if they did he didn't believe them. It's enough for him that he thinks I believe so last year as tradition insists the carrots and milk were out on the table with a little note. Bless him he still thinks I believe . . . P.s He's nearly 17!!

03-29-2007, 08:25 AM	#24
shykins MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,516 Gallery: shykins Stats: 262/147 goal WOE: atkins Start Date: 19th April 2004	aww thats so cute i had questions last year but convinced him thanks to NORAD... they track santa and as norad is real then santa has to be (thankyou NORAD)... i hate it when older ones spoil it <sniff>... anyway santa is the magic of xmas and for me xmas will always have magic (big softy aint i) x

03-29-2007, 11:46 AM	#26
Kissa Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London UK Posts: 3,343 Gallery: Kissa Stats: 184/132/125 - 130 5' 4" WOE: Atkins Maintainance/Intuitive Eating Start Date: January 2001 restarted 1 September 2006 at 139 lbs	Stop it, you'll make me cry.

03-29-2007, 02:13 PM	#27
Maid of Erin Blabbermouth!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: County Kerry, Ireland Posts: 5,882 Gallery: Maid of Erin Stats: 320/285/160 WOE: Whole Food Atkins Start Date: April 2006	uh, kitchen, ladies. We are talking about my kitchen. Focus!! Next question, what's on your kitchen floor? Tiles, lino, laminate? Go!

03-30-2007, 01:10 AM	#28
shykins MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,516 Gallery: shykins Stats: 262/147 goal WOE: atkins Start Date: 19th April 2004	was gonna say how did we get from kitchesn to xmas to fuzzyness lol tiles are good but darn cold in the mornings... slate looks wonderful in old fashioned kitchens.. i got lino and hate it so am changing to tiles or that new stuff they do that looks like tiles but slots together they do slate coloured etc gawd have u ANY idea what i am talkin about??? lol best i go off to brighton and let the normal people respond xx