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Monday 14 July 2008

Weee Directive for Kitchen Appliances

The Distributor Take Back Scheme Customer and Compliance Statement
Recycling household electrical equipment With effect from July 2007, the UK's Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations require that all producers of electrical equipment are now obliged to pay for recycling of household electrical goods, where previously this bill was met by councils or items were not recycled at all.
These regulations also require that all retailers both actively assist in delivering a UK wide WEEE collection infrastructure and encourage the participation of consumers in recycling electronic equipment. So that you can get your waste electrical goods recycled, we have contributed towards a national fund to assist local councils to further develop their existing waste electronics collection facilities, which will in turn allow producers of this equipment to meet their obligations Not all council sites are suitable to collect all types of waste electrical goods but to find out your nearest participating site (including other collection facilities that may not be operated by the council) and for advice on all aspects of recycling at home, please visit your local council website.
Electronic waste, and in particular integrated appliances is one of the fastest growing waste streams and much of it can be recycled and resources recovered to make new consumer goods. To remind consumers of the collection methods available, which in turn allow recycling to take place, all electrical items sold now carry the crossed out wheeled bin symbol.
To ensure your waste electronics don't contribute to damaging the environment, please use www.recycle-more.co.uk and recycle today View more information, and a range of Kitchen Appliances at Weee directive for kitchen appliances.
Kitchen appliances have not been screened properly for waste purposes before and many see this as long overdue.

Built-in Ovens Buying Guide

Single or double cavity built-in ovens are available to build into or under kitchen units. The choice is between built-in to a cabinet at a higher level or built-under which means underneath the work surface. Double cavity ovens can have either 2 main fan ovens, or one main oven and a seperate cavity for grilling only. Make sure you check this when doing your research.
After this the main decision is whether to have a single or double oven. Some double built in ovens have only one real oven, the second being a cavity with a grill. Here is some more information on features of built in ovens:
Conventional ovens can be gas or electric. In a conventional gas oven, the heat comes from the gas burner at the rear bottom of the oven. In a conventional electric oven, the heat comes from elements under the base and at the top of the oven. In a conventional oven, heat rises to give a hotter temperature towards the top of the oven, and a slightly cooler temperature towards the bottom of the oven. The heat zones in a conventional oven make it ideal for cooking a number of dishes together, where different cooking temperatures are required. Conventional ovens are perfect for traditional cooking for things like cakes and roast meat.
Electric grills consist of either single or dual elements, and may have fixed or variable heat settings, depending on the model. The heat output of variable grills can be controlled by turning up or down, between low heat and high heat settings.
A fan assisted oven has an even cooking temperature throughout the oven as the fan circulates the heat. This makes it perfect for batch baking. Heat comes from the element in the back of the cavity, beit in the middle or top of the oven, and the hot air is circulated around the oven cavity so that an even cooking temperature is achieved throughout the whole of the oven.
A multifunction oven is an electric oven which has many cooking functions. These functions will include a selection of the following; fanned oven cooking, conventional oven cooking, grill, fanned grilling, base heat only, top heat only, fan plus base heat, intensive bake and defrost.
The main manufacturers of built-in ovens are Neff, Bosch, Siemens, Whirlpool, AEG, Zanussi, Smeg, and Baumatic. Look at for the warranty periods, 2 years is really the minimum you should expect now, and some manufacturers like De-Dietrich and Fagor offer 5 years as standard on various models.
Colous and trims are usually stainless steel and black, but the more traditional white and black remain popular. Stay clean liners are a feature many cooks don't ever want to live without - they help burn away the excess food that sticks to the sides and top of the oven. This is by using a certain kind of catalytic material that lets the food evaproate or burn, leaving a residue that can be wiped away.
Installation should be via a qualified electrician, although some basic conventional ovens are 13 amps and can be plugged straight in to the mains. Please take advise before fitting your new oven.

Electric Hobs Buying Advice

Electric hobs are more popular then ever before, partly due to the shift in living trends and cooking styles. With more of us living in apartments it seems that electric hobs are the safest option for housing developers. The regulations and responsibilites involved with fitting gas hobs is no longer practical.
Hobs are becoming a style point in modern kitchens, and are accordingly available in all colours, materials such as stainless steel and interesting designs. The traditional shape of the kitchen hob is changing. Usually they are 60cm wide and have 4 cooking zones, but now the extra wide models are offering cooks the chance to have more flexibility. The extended cooking zones give a cooling off segment, helping to time the preperation of food to perfection. The touch controls give fine temperature control, and the timer allows you to concentrate on other things and leave the hob to control the cooking time.
A halogen hob cooking zone is located beneath a ceramic glass hob. Heat comes from a halogen element, which has a fast response time.
A ceramic hob is newer technology, and the most popular electric variant. This is mainly as it offers the best value for money (induction is still relatively exspensive). Choose from touch controls or dial, and trim or no trim (reffered to as bevelled edge or frameless).
With induction, the metal pan completes the circuit, giving fast heat and prompt switch off when removed. Boiling point for a pan of water comes quicker than with most kettles - around 90 seconds for a pint of water. Because the heat is only supplied where the pan sits, the spillage doesn't burn onto the cooking surface, meaning easier cleaning after finishing using the hob.
Wide hobs with five or six zones offer flexibility but consider your usage before choosing – if your kitchen accommodates more than one cook at once, position the hob away from the oven. If you cook for a large family, more than four zones may be useful, and if you have young children it may be worth considering paying a little extra for a hob child lock.
Remember these basics about electric hobs:
Ceramic hobs are not supplied with a cable and require installation by a qualified electricianCeramic hobs are very tough, but it is still possible to scratch them in normal useMake sure you have the correct power feed for the hob
Energy efficiency should always be remembered when using your hob. There are a few easy ways to save energy when cooking which can also speed up the amount of time you spend over a hot stove. Always use the correct size pan, and when heating water only use the amount you need so the electricity is not burning unnecessarily to heat the excess. If only using a small pan, then use a smaller zone.
For new developments, the organisation NicEic helps regulate and control the trade industry on installation of electric hobs. NICEIC is the electrical contracting industry’s independent voluntary body for electrical installation matters throughout the UK. They offer industry-leading certification services, Building Regulations Schemes, products and support to electrical contractors and many other trades within the construction industry.

Gas Hobs for Your Kitchen - a Quick Guide

Gas hobs have always been popular as they give more control and quicker heating than electric hobs. It is rare you find a modern chef cooking on anything other than gas as they offer an instant change in temperature.
A good kitchen layout will help hob safety, and this should be considered before placing the hob in your kitchen design. You should be able to transfer a pan from hob to sink without going through any obsticles or crossing people.
Try to allow room to place the hob down either side of where it is installed, as this gives the chance to take the pan off the hob in complete safety, rather than having to pull backwards to find space. Dont place the sink to close to the hob - hot fat reacts badly with every liquid such as water and juice. Also refrain from having the Hob near a window incase you need to open it.
Choose from a vast array of gas hobs from the leading manufacturers of appliances. We are spoilt for choice compared to a decade ago, with new shapes and designs as well as sizes and colours.
The smallest gas hobs are referred to as 'domino hobs' and are usually 30cm in width. They can be just a single wok burner or a 2 burner gas hob. Domino models are designed to offer the best of both worlds, as you can combine them in a worksurface with an electric ceramic or induction hob.
Traditional gas hobs are 60cm in width and have 4 burners. One is often a rapid burner at around 2.5 kw of strength, or some models have a rapid and a wok burner. Wok burners are about 3.5-4 kw.
The latest and most popular finish is glass with a stainless steel trim. This combination looks terrific and has an easy to clean surface, but shows up grease very quickly compared to steel or white hobs.
Must have technology for the family kitchen is the 'flame failure' or 'safety cut out' feature. This means a heat sensor knows if the flame has gone out so automaticall cuts out the supply of gas, preventing leaks and possible explosions.
The main brands for gas hobs in the UK are Neff, Bosch, Smeg, Whirlpool and Hotpoint. Baumatic and CDA offer a huge selection at a lower price point, but the most popular are Indesit and Electrolux. Price varies with the kind of pan stands on the hob. Enamel is a smooth metal gloss finish, and cast iron pan supports are much chunkier and have a rougher texture and hold the pan in a more secure fashion.
A minimum of 750mm clearance is required above a gas hob to a cooker hood. The gap maybe reduced to 727mm above a gas hob but the hood must be cleaned regularly to prevent a fire hazard.
Wall units either side of a hood must be at least 366mm above. A minimum of 300mm clearance is required either side of the hob if installing next to a larder unit or flammable material.

Go Green With Energy Efficient Kitchen Appliances

Using environmentally friendly cleaning products, recycling and using biodegradable bin liners are just a few ways families are going green in the kitchen. However one of the most important, and significant changes many households are making is buying and using energy efficient kitchen appliances.
For many families, the kitchen is the room in the house where the most energy is consumed. Refrigerators, cookers, ovens, dishwashers and other kitchen appliances can account for nearly 40% of the total energy consumed in some homes. Buying energy efficient appliances, and changing the way kitchen appliances are used on a daily basis can easily make the kitchen a greener place.
Once you make the decision to buy kitchen appliances, for your new eco-friendly kitchen, it's important that you consider the size of the kitchen appliances. Many families buy oversized kitchen appliances that they don't need and end up wasting energy in the process. Larger kitchen appliances with lots of features can be very tempting. However if you have a small family, it's best to buy energy efficient kitchen appliances that will fit your family's needs, rather than opting for larger models. You'll save space, money and you'll be helping to save the environment too.
Dishwashers are great for convenience, but it's important that you use them wisely. Did you know that many of the newer, more energy efficient dishwashers use less water than old models? Additionally, many of them are engineered so that you don't have to waste additional water rinsing your dishes before you place them into the dishwasher. When buying an energy efficient dishwasher, choose a compact model, and remember to run it only when it's full to help save both energy and water.
It's imperative for families that cook often to use energy efficient appliances. Using kitchen appliances such as cookers and ovens can require a great deal of energy. When possible, use microwaves or other smaller kitchen appliances to prepare or heat food. And if you need to boil water, try using more practical smaller kitchen appliances such as a cordless kettle, rather than utilizing the cooker.
Do you still use an oven that requires preheating? Most newer models have made preheating a thing of the past, thus just one of the ways energy efficient ovens can help you reduce energy consumption. And remember, when it's time to use the oven, always try to cook more than one dish.
Another great kitchen appliance to consider when going green is a range hood. A range hood can help with the ventilation in your home, and keep the air in your kitchen cleaner. Clean air is essential in any eco-friendly environment.
When considering buying new kitchen appliances, the first thing that probably comes to mind is the price tag. While purchasing energy efficient appliances can be a significant investment initially, you'll see the savings instantly on your energy bill and save even more in the long run. Energy efficient appliances can save you between 10 - 50% in monthly energy costs. So in reality, by purchasing energy efficient appliances you're not only doing your part to help protect the environment, you're also saving a substantial sum on energy costs too.

Which Do I Choose - Integrated or Freestanding Kitchen Appliances?

For many years this question didn't really come into play. Go back over a hundred years and you wouldn't find a kitchen in the world with built-in appliances. Freestanding cookers, clay ovens and, well, a hole in the wall with a fire was the normal arrangement.
Over the last few decades the entire world has taken a real shine to the more space efficient and neater looking integrated kitchen.
What are we losing if we don't have freestanding appliances? The simple answer is flexibility. You cannot change the layout of your kitchen, and you can't clean behind the appliance either. Also, if an integrated model goes wrong or is damaged, then you have to have an engineer come out to install a new model - this wouldn't be the case if you had a conventional freestanding fridge or microwave for example.
Where would I benefit having a fitted kitchen with built in appliances? Design is a big thing for some families, and in a consumer driven market we have plenty of options nowadays. Dishwashers can be completely hidden in your kitchen, as can washers, dryers and refrigeration units. This helps keep simple and attractive lines in your kitchen, the same colour scheme (by having matching doors), and also help keep the noise levels down through further cladding.
Built in ovens can be placed into a tall column or underneath the counter, depending on space and personal preference. If they are under counter you can still have room to place a cooker hob into the work surface, but be careful as some modern induction hobs have a deeper base and can be too intrusive.
Obviously if you decide on a built in cooker, then you must have a separate hob, unlike a freestanding cooker or range cooker which has a hob already. This means you have the option of keeping your hob and oven in different location is the kitchen, giving more space to cook if you have more than one budding chef in the family.
The built in fridge freezers do cost more than their freestanding counterparts, not just because they need the cabinet (furniture) door on the front, but also because there is slightly more technology involved in the manufacturing process. Unfortunately there are a lot less options though, mainly because the housing for them is limited by the kitchen manufacturers, and are usually just 55cm in width, meaning less space than a 60cm freestanding model. The height is also restricted to around 178cm, whereas freestanding models go past 2 meters tall.
The American and European markets have a big affection for coffee, and this means there are now several options for built-in coffee machines. They take up much more space, and require a whole space from the tall cabinets you will have designed, but they look good, have plenty of features and are a must if you are a coffee lover. Look out for other features that make it easier to justify the higher price - some will make up to 8 types of coffee, tea and hot chocolate, and some models are fully automatic (bean to cup).
So it really is down to personal preference on looks, budget and flexibility. This means we still have the choice, which makes it even more fun buying new appliances and kitchens.

Why Decide to Have a New Kitchen?

If it has been a while since your kitchen was installed, or you've never gotten round to it, then why take the plunge and spend £1000's on a new kitchen? Well spending time in and around the kitchen is a modern habit, and not just because we eat all of the time. The truth is that we take make time eating and preparing our food than ever before, and new kitchens and appliances will continue to be as important in peoples lives as new cars and other luxury items.
Many people are now deciding it's more important to spend money on a new kitchen than other popular luxury items, such as a car upgrade or a tropical holiday. Family life is more social now than ever, and that's why it's easier to justify the big purchase price of a new fitted kitchen.
In the past decade kitchens and the modern family have come on leaps and bounds, with a more traditional latin take on life when it comes to food.
In the UK especially, gone are the days when a young family are prepared to accept the smaller L-shaped kitchen. Could you get past anyone cooking without knocking a pan from their hands, or at least brushing past them? It was seen as acceptable to have a very narrow kitchen and then eat your dinner on your lap watching TV, or in silence in the dining room. Now families welcome the larger plan living space come kitchen, where it's possible to talk and cook and relax at the same time. It also means the cooking process is enjoyed by all and all can participate. This is no doubt helping our younger generation to cook from an early age and get used to making the kitchen the hub of the household.
Once you have decided on a new kitchen, there are a number of important basics to consider. For example, the layout is extremely important, as is the whereabouts of your cooking appliances and the electrical points. What about access to other rooms? Don't have the doors too close to where the cooking action is, ie. next to the stove.
Also consider where family or friends would be sat while the chef is hard at work. Will they be isolated or integrated so as to join in the conversation?
American fridge freezers units are very popular now, and the depth is sometimes an issue. Make sure the doors open freely and that the fridge is not out of place if sticking out from the worktops. A popular remedy is to have a cabinet built around the unit.
Mr Heneffe has worked in the kitchen appliances industry for over 10 years. The experience includes designing kitchens and buying appliances in bulk for large organizations. His company, Internet Kitchen Appliances sells to the public and trade industry throughout the UK. They specialize in products from leading kitchen appliance brands.

Kitchen Appliance Manufacturers

Kitchen appliances have become more technically complex from the control side recently with the introduction of the various Energy Labelling rules across the world. This has meant that the appliances have been forced to become more and more efficient leading to more accurate controllers in order to meet the regulations. Major appliances may be roughly divided into refrigeration equipment, stoves or cookers, washing equipment such as dishwashers and washing machines.
With new appliances make sure you check the warranty period and type. Some guarantees include more time for parts but labour is just one year, which can be very costly. Some manufacturers offer a 5 years parts and labour warranty, such as De-Dietrich, AEG, Fagor and Luxair, but not all models are covered. The BSH group offers 2 years across the board, as does Tecnik and Baumatic.
If you are buying appliances on the internet, please check that they are registered dealers so you are sure you will receive the correct support if needing a service call on a faulty appliance.
Throughout the UK there are over 30 mainstream appliance manufacturers who offer their models for retail to the general public. The largest brands being the Indesit group which also includes the make Hotpoint, and BSH group comprising of Bosch, Neff and Siemens. Most modern appliances are covered by at least 2 years warranty, although there are some offering a more attractive 5 years for both parts and labour. At the budget end of the market are suppliers like Baumatic and CDA, offering great loking and good quality appliances for less than the German brands. View more information on the types and makes of Kitchen appliances available in the UK at this kitchen appliance brand guide

Kitchen Appliances News

We publish up to date news stories from the world of kitchen appliances. Recent bad news from the US includes the news that Whirlpool corporation are to close its manufacturing facilities in LaVergne, TN, U.S. and Reynosa, Mexico.
Production of built-in refrigerators currently manufactured at the LaVergne facility will be moved to the company's Fort Smith, AR facility, and production of side-by-side refrigerators made at Reynosa will shift to Whirlpool's Ramos Arizpe, Mexico site. At LaVergne, approximately 500 jobs will be eliminated, while at Reynosa, an estimated 750 jobs will be affected. The Fort Smith plant expects to add approximately 275 jobs by December, and the Ramos Arizpe facility plans to add an estimated 600 employees by mid-year.
Like wise in the UK, wher The Electrolux Group has announced that it is to close its loss-making cooker factory in Spennymoor towards the end of next year and consolidate production into an existing cooker plant in Poland. The Spennymoor factory manufactures AEG, Electrolux, and Zanussi cooking appliances - mainly free standing cookers – plus a smaller number of built-in ovens, for the UK and Irish markets and has approximately 500 employees.
“This development, in combination with a shift in consumer preferences from free-standing cookers to built-in cookers, has eroded the competitiveness of our Spennymoor factory. Running a loss-making factory is not sustainable which is why we have decided to consolidate our UK cooker manufacturing into our factory in Swidnica in Poland.” said Magnus Yngen, head of Electrolux Major Appliances Europe.
The closure of the Electrolux cooking appliance factory at Spennymoor means that cooker production in Britain will be limited to range cooker production plus a handful of niche built-in manufacturers.
For more news on appliances visit the news home page at Kitchen Appliance News

Integrated Appliances Shopping Advice

Single or double cavity ovens and hobs are available to build into or under kitchen units. The choice is between built-in to a cabinet at a higher level or built-under which means underneath the work surface. These ovens are different sizes so be aware of which one will suit your kitchen.
Integrated fridges & fridge freezers. These are built into a tall cabinet in your kitchen furniture. A door is then fixed onto the appliance, or two doors for a fridge freezer in most cases. Built in refrigeration comes in many different sizes, like 50/50 split which means you get equal space for the fridge and freezer, or 70/30 split which gives you more fridge space than freezer. The thing to be aware of is the different heights available for integrated models, ranging from 800mm-1800mm in height.
Built in Appliances like under fridges and freezers just simply slot into a gap and don't have any cabinet carcass surrounding them. The door then hangs on the fridge. These are not the same as models that fit into a carcass - these ones will stand on adjustable feet and often have a plinth across the bottom.
For an Integrated microwave we would suggest potential customers consult with their kitchen designer or fitter, as there are different models for different unite. For example, you can have a shallow depth model to fit into a wall cabinet at head height, but the normal in column microwaves won't fit into these gaps. Also there are different widths as well as depths, these all need to be considered.
Integrated cooker hoods can be hard to chose, the terminology can throw some people and it will slow up the kitchen installation should you order the wrong type. Integrated hoods have a cabinet door on the front and pull out to start the operation. Canopy hoods are built under behind the facia, and the controls are underneath on the unit itself. Telescopic hoods have a front panel section that pulls out slightly to start the lights, and / or the operation.
For more information on Integrated Appliances view the models available

Induction Hobs With New Technology

BSH group is on a mission to increase the use of induction hobs cooking throughout Europe. To achieve this aim, the company needs to do two things: make its induction cooktops stand out from their radiant counterparts and entice consumers to absorb the increased cost of an emerging technology.
Ceran Cleartrans is a glass ceramic that offers industrial design options not possible with Schott’s standard monochrome black or white glass ceramics. Cleartrans has a transparent glass ceramic hobs base decorated on both the top and underside. The topside pattern is made from colored glass ceramic, while the underside is coated with a homogenous metallic film. This metallic coating is a thin composite of noble metals, including gold and platinum. The film, combined with the colored glass-ceramic topside pattern, provides myriad design possibilities, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the cooktop.
A further design advantage of the material is that it allows for sophisticated user interfaces. A black semitransparent display area enables the use of different display colors and opens the door for complex display and electronics possibilities in future applications.
For product innovation manager Lutz Klippe of Schott HomeTech, bringing this product to market was not without challenges. The greatest challenge, he says, was meeting high-temperature stability demand while maintaining aesthetic quality and mechanical integrity. The key to the product, Klippe says, is the noble-metal underside coating. It does not compromise the durability of the glass ceramic even at peak hob temperatures, which can reach 500° to 600°C. “We had to develop something that was very heat resistant, very stable, that wouldn’t show any aging effects, even after long-time cooking applications. And on the other hand, the coating could not spoil the mechanical toughness of the glass-ceramic base material. This is not easy to achieve.”
“The superior­ity of induction hobs technology in terms of speed and efficiency is extremely high. And with Ceran Cleartrans we can now make this technology more visible.”
Bosch, Siemens and Neff hobs have a full 2 year parts and labour warranty.

Guide for Buying Cookers

The sizes range from 50cm to 60cm with most of the manufacturers who promote freestanding cookers. A freestanding unit offering oven, grill and hob in one appliance, designed to slide between kitchen cabinets. Cookers have adjustable feet to fit flush to worktop height.
If you have gas you may wish to consider a dual fuel cooker as these combine the speed of an electric oven with the flexibility of a gas hob.
As well as these options, further options available include double oven cookers, allowing you to cook within both ovens at the same time; single oven with separate grill, allowing you to cook in the grill and oven at the same time; single oven and grill, allowing you to cook on either the grill or oven but not at the same time and fan ovens which cook more quickly that conventional ovens.
Then there are many choices to make on the extra features available on a modern range cooker or cooker. Here are examples of the main choices:
Conventional ovens
Conventional ovens can be gas or electric. In a conventional gas oven, the heat comes from the gas burner at the rear bottom of the oven. In a conventional electric oven, the heat comes from elements under the base and at the top of the oven.
In a conventional oven, heat rises to give a hotter temperature towards the top of the oven, and a slightly cooler temperature towards the bottom of the oven.
The heat zones in a conventional oven make it ideal for cooking a number of dishes together, where different cooking temperatures are required. Conventional ovens are perfect for traditional cooking for things like cakes and roast meat.

Electric grill
Electric grills consist of either single or dual elements, and may have fixed or variable heat settings, depending on the model. The heat output of variable grills can be controlled by turning up or down, between low heat and high heat settings.

Fan assisted ovens
A fanned oven has an even cooking temperature throughout the oven as the fan circulates the heat. This makes it perfect for batch baking. Heat comes from the element in the back of the cavity, beit in the middle or top of the oven, and the hot air is circulated around the oven cavity so that an even cooking temperature is achieved throughout the whole of the oven.

Fanned Grilling
Available in ovens showing multifunction and fanned ovens in the specification.
Heat comes from the grill element, and hot air is circulated around the food, so that there is no need to turn during grilling. Ideal for grilling meats as it helps cook through the food as well as browning it.

Fan and base cooking
This feature is available in selected multifunction ovens only.
Heat comes from the element in the base of the oven, and is circulated throughout the oven by the fan.
Ideal for cooking moist dishes where the filling and the base need to be cooked evenly.

Hotplate lids
Some freestanding and range cookers feature hotplate lids. These are toughened glass on some models, or solid cast iron lids on our more traditional Farmstyle range. Lids to gas hotplates (on gas or dual fuel models) have a safety feature – so that if the lid is accidentally closed while a hotplate burner is on, the hotplate burner will be switched off.

Automatic programmer and clock
An LED automatic programmer - clock has a full 24 hour digital clock display.
It also has a minute minder function and it’s main function is that it can be programmed for automatic cooking in the oven under control of the programmer. You can set cooking start time, or end time, along with the length of cooking time required. When the programmer reached the end of the cooking time set, it will automatically switch the oven off.

Minute minder
The LED minute minder / clock has a 24 hour clock display. It also features a minute minder function – which acts as a timer to let you know when your cooking needs attention. The desired time is set, and an alarm will sound after the time set has elapsed. The minute minder works independent of the oven, so if your cooking needs an extra few minutes, there’s no need to reset the oven.

Multifunction oven
A Multifunction oven is an electric oven which has many cooking functions. These functions will include a selection of the following; fanned oven cooking, conventional oven cooking, grill, fanned grilling, base heat only, top heat only, fan plus base heat, intensive bake and defrost.

Pyrolytic
These ovens usually have a triple glazed door so the oven can withstand the heat required to burn off excess food. The ovens go to extremely high temperatures and automatically lock themselves so you cannot get close to the heat produced.

Shelve supports
Most ovens feature removable shelves and shelf supports. This makes cleaning even easier – especially as they can be cleaned in a dishwasher.
Shelves can be placed in a variety of different positions inside the oven, so that you can position the food you are cooking at the perfect height.

Stay clean liners
Stay clean liners help reduce dramatically the amount of cleaning an oven needs. The special coating burns off most of the fatty by-products and food splashes on impact, leaving your oven much cleaner and needing less wiping.

Top heat only
This function is available in some Multifunction ovens, and some electric conventional ovens.
Heat comes from the element at the top of the oven. Top heat is ideal for browning the top of oven cooked dishes.

Inner door glass
Most ovens feature an inner door glass panel, which is removable for easy cleaning.

Warming plate
A heat resistant toughened glass warming plate is a feature of some electric range cookers. It is perfect for warming plates before serving, or for keeping a pan warm at a low heat before serving.

Wipe clean enamel interior
This is a smooth hard wearing enamel oven or grill interior finish, which can be wiped clean after use.
For more information see the cookers buying guide

If Current Online Trends Confuse You Then Here is a Quick Guide to Rss, Blogs and How to Start Up

What's a blog? Well, it's very much like an online dairy. This can be about and be used for anything at all, it can be used for news, reviews, products for a business etc. This is great as it helps the user stay in touch with the website with new and up to date information.
Ok, so we know what a blog is now. What on earth is that orange RSS icon i see everywhere! RSS is a family of Web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines, and podcasts. An RSS document contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with web sites in an automated manner that can be piped into special programs or filtered displays.
RSS content can be read using software called an "RSS reader", "feed reader" or an "aggregator". The user subscribes to a feed by entering the feed's link into the reader or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. The reader checks the user's subscribed feeds regularly for new content, downloading any updates that it finds.
How do I get a blog or start a rss feed, with as much help as possible? First port of call would be FeedBurner - the leading provider of media distribution and audience engagement services for blogs and RSS feeds. Web-based tools help bloggers, podcasters and commercial publishers promote, deliver and profit from their content on the Web.
FeedBurner also offers the largest feed and blog advertising network that brings together an unprecedented caliber of content aggregated from the world’s most recognized media companies, and also A-list bloggers and blog networks and individual publishers from around the world.
Having said all this about Feedburner, although desktop aggregators are very popular because as they notice something new, they pop up windows on your desktop, and let you read items, the problem most people find is that when they are away from their PC or notepad they cannot stay up to date (especially when you are on holiday or away on business).
A server side aggregator would be a solution to this. It keeps track of what items you've read, and keeps checking up on your feeds no matter where you are. Whenever you want to see what's new, you just bring up a web page and scan the newest items.
Why would I need a blog about kitchen appliances, for example? Well it would let you know when there is news about new appliances, so if you were having a new kitchen then subscribe to a feed a few weeks before and just wait for the latest info. So, go get yourself in the know and go start a blog, and sign up for some RSS feeds before the online world overtakes you even further... See an example with this Kitchen Appliances Blog

Modernize Your Kitchen With New Appliances

Say goodbye to your outdated kitchen appliances and hello to the more efficient, eco-friendly and elegant kitchen you've always wanted!
Have you flipped through the pages of a home decorating magazine or visited the home of a friend and turned green with envy when you saw how sleek and modern today's kitchen appliances are becoming? From technology to décor, manufacturers are adding a variety of new features to make kitchen appliances more efficient, eco-friendly and elegant. Whether you want to replace an eyesore of a range for something more contemporary and stylish, or you're looking for a refrigerator that's designed to make better use of space, today's kitchen trends offer something to satisfy every customer's needs and desires.
High performance kitchen appliances are a necessity for modern households. If you're like most consumers, you often find that you're tight on time. You live a fast-paced life and you don't have time to hurry up and wait. These days, manufacturers are making kitchen appliances that work as hard and fast as their consumers do. High performance appliances can help consumers do everything from preparing their family's favorite meal to cleaning heavily soiled dishes in no time. Many households are now opting for restaurant-grade appliances, which are perfect for large families or family's that entertain often. Cooktops that incorporate induction technology use electromagnetic energy to increase temperature faster, while hot water dispensers installed under the sink, can deliver hot water for tea straight from the faucet, without the wait. And when it's time to clean the dishes after a large family meal, there are a number of dishwashers designed to get the job done faster and better than ever before. Features like steam cleaning use high temperature steam to give dishes a spot-free, hand-washed appearance, while dishwashers manufactured with smart sensors can determine how much water and power are needed to make dishes sparkling clean.
For consumers who are committed to doing their part to help protect the environment, eco-friendly kitchen appliances offer a number of ways to help save energy and save money. Traditionally, refrigerators have required more energy than any other kitchen appliance, greatly increasing the household energy bill. But now newly manufactured refrigerators are often designed to run on a low, constant speed, which is more energy efficient. There are also a number of "green" dishwashers that use less water for consumers concerned about conservation. Some dishwashers are even built with 100% recyclable parts so that when it's time to replace it, the parts can be re-used. There's a common misconception that eco-friendly kitchen appliances aren't stylishly designed and can take away from the modern look you may be trying to achieve. But actually, energy efficient kitchen appliances have come a long way in terms of design and aesthetics, which means you can still have the beautiful, modern kitchen appliances you want while conserving energy at the same time.
One of the most popular trends in kitchen design is the incorporation of integrated kitchen appliances to create a sleek, stylish and modern look. Some integrated kitchen appliances can be built into kitchen units, and camouflaged with modern cabinetry in a variety of colors, styles and contemporary finishes. Other integrated kitchen appliances are manufactured to seamlessly coordinate with new or existing kitchen designs. Imagine refrigerator drawers and a prep sink built into your kitchen island for easy access, or a specialty range designed to compliment the colors and theme of your dream kitchen.
Today's modern kitchen combines technology, design, versatility and unique style to create an inviting environment that you'll love to cook in and show off to friends. Don't hold on to outdated kitchen appliances that lack style and innovation and drive your energy bills through the roof. Have the kitchen and kitchen appliances of your dreams today

Range Cookers Buying Guide

Manufacturers of range cookers are limited, and include Smeg, Rangemaster, Britannia, Stoves and Baumatic. If your budget limits you choosing a top-end cooker, then look towards the mainstream Italian brands like Baumatic, CDA, Indesit and Cannon. The prestige market has more choice than ever before, with Falcon, Britannia and Smeg offering a huge selection of range cookers in various sizes and configurations for fuel type and hob.
What should I choose - dual fuel or all electric? Dual fuel is the most common choice, providing the versatility of multi-functional electric cooking and the quick reaction of gas burners. All electric is an excellent option if no mains gas is laid on. However, you may also want to consider LPG - some manufacturers will adapt a range cooker for LPG and this saves you the hassle of arranging this yourself.
Once you have decided on your style of range cooker, chosen your colour (stainless steel is most popular) and opted for either a dual fuel or all-electric model, there are a number of other features to look out for.
Electronic programmers are ideal for those of you with hectic lifestyles, these allow you to programme start and/or finish cooking times. If time is really of the essence in your kitchen, look out for special features such as fast pre-heat which ensures less time is spent waiting for the oven to reach perfect cooking temperatures.
Oven size - especially secondary ovens can be relatively small. It may be worth going for at least a 100cm cooker instead of 90cm as the larger width will mainly benefit the second oven. Beware that some 100cm cookers have a relatively small secondary oven.
Stay clean liners or catalytic liners - these will help you to keep your oven interior in pristine condition. Look out for replaceable liners as they may need to be changed after several years of heavy usage.
Triple glazing - this will ensure the cooker doors remain cool when cooking (a must-have for families with small children).
Individual pan supports - these are easier to clean under the tap than large pan supports.
Triple ring burners - these are very useful for large saucepans, frying pans and woks. Depending on your cooking style, you may prefer to have two triple ring burners rather than one.
Separate grill compartments - great if you love your grills. However, many cookers have a grill in one or two of the ovens. A grill in a multi-functional oven will provide you with the possibility of fan assisted grilling, which is more suitable for grilling chops, sausages and mixed grills. Fan grills reduce spitting and splashing which makes for a clean oven and also reduces the number of times you have to turn or baste. These grills are usually used with the door closed which offers great safety to both cooks and their children plus very even cooking. Some ovens will also feature a rotisserie and this provides a great way to cook succulent pork, chicken, duck and game birds.
Griddle features - can serve as barbecues, frying pans and woks. The Chef Top is made of pure thick stainless steel and has remarkable heat storage capabilities. It is also durable and easy to clean.
Telescopic trays - these roll out the shelf or grill to help eliminate unnecessary lifting or reaching over when handling heavy dishes from your Range Cooker.
A efficiency rating - watch out for ovens that carry this rating (this is important for both ovens on double oven models).

Energy Efficiency and Kitchen Appliances

Start making your effort to reduce your carbon footprint and save money at the same time. If you're shopping for a new dishwasher, cooker, fridge freezer or oven, always look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo. They will cost less to run and help reduce carbon emissions.
Refrigeration - Side by side fridge freezers use more energy than similarly sized models with the freezer on top, even if they both carry the ENERGY STAR on board. The government holds the two categories to different standards, allowing side-by-sides to use 10-30% more energy. Icemakers and through-the-door ice also add to energy consumption.
In cooking, when it comes to choosing the fuel type, gas is usually preferable to electricity as a heating fuel. But because cooking doesn't make a huge overall impact on your energy bill, this choice has more to do with your own preference. Many people find that gas offers better cooking control; however, it also introduces combustion products into the house that must be vented to the outside. Be sure to purchase an energy-efficient range hood that vents cooking products up from the cooktop and directly outside (avoid down-draft vents).
The EU Energy Rating measures energy efficiency on a seven point scale from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). The rating covers a variety of household appliances including fridges, freezers and fridge-freezers, washing machines, electric tumble driers, combined washer-driers, lamps, electric ovens and air conditioners. By law, all retailers in the EU must display an energy efficiency rating on these products. A product with an A rating will have passed a rigorous, impartial testing procedure, so you can be sure of its high energy efficiency.
If everyone in the UK upgraded their old refrigeration appliance to an A-rated, energy efficient product, energy wastage would be cut by over two-thirds. Buying an energy efficient fridge freezer to replace your inefficient model could cut carbon dioxide emissions by up to 296 kilos a year.
Also, why not consider applying for a grant, availble to many people throughout the UK. The UK Government funds schemes providing up to £2,700 to households on certain benefits (see below for examples of eligibility criteria) to improve their heating and energy efficiency. In England the scheme is known as Warm Front, in Northern Ireland it is Warm Homes, in Scotland it is Warm Deal and the Central Heating Programme and in Wales it is the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. The eligibility criteria for the schemes differ between countries - with some schemes you need to be in receipt of certain benefits, whilst others are available to anyone over a certain age.

Black Kitchen Appliances- Sleek, Sophisticated, Serious

Black is the new black in the kitchen fashion world. In many cultures, the colour black is symbol of authority and modesty and is a sign of due respect. In Japanese culture, black is a symbol of nobility, age and experience and a black belt is a mark of achievement and seniority in martial arts such as karate and judo. But even in the UK, Black Tie functions are a type of sophisticated and smart gathering, black also denotes prestige- many limousines are black and traditionally our police cars were black and white, demanding respect and authority.
Black kitchen appliances certainly demand and earn that respect. The simple uniform colour looks sleek and modest in a wooden kitchen and blends in perfectly with dark wood surfaces, but also contrasts brilliantly with opposite colours such as white and even stainless steel cupboards and worktops. Black is a truly versatile colour.
Most top kitchen manufacturers offer a choice of black kitchen appliances, including refrigerators and freezers, cookers, dishwashers, washing machines and even wine coolers amongst others. There are a couple of options available to you if you want to redesign your whole kitchen with black appliances. You can obviously buy the whole appliance, but depending on your budget, there is an option to cheat in some cases until you have the money to buy the real thing. Some manufacturers have begun to produce black frames for appliances that you may have already purchased. This is not available in all cases and it depends upon the appliances that you already own, but here is an example.
Kitchen manufacturer, Smeg, now offer a black microwave frame to fit a range of their microwaves at around £100 or just over, which is great for people with microwaves that have already gotten damaged or for people that fancy a change to a black kitchen appliance. Linear also do something similar. They now offer a black microwave cover to match all the Linear Series ovens. This model has a stainless steel trim on black glass and a smooth gliding lift door with a hydraulic hinged lifting system and costs just under £330.
Black fridge freezers are becoming more and more popular and Smeg offer an American style model amongst others for just under £2000. Rangemaster’s Kitchener range of cookers are available in black and come with heavy duty black cast iron pan supports- the twin oven dual fuel model available at just under £2000.Even taps are now available with black controls making it even easier to coordinate the whole kitchen. Smeg GENOA’s chrome tap with black joystick control also has a swivel spout and an aerator and has a market price of around £200.
There is no question that black is back. And your black kitchen appliances will never go out of fashion because they will fit in with whatever future styles you may have in mind too. Black is no longer a boring colour. It is a colour to be admired, enjoyed and respected. Make sure that you can find a manufacturer who can provide you with all the black kitchen appliances that you need and not just some of them to get the full impact of the complete style.
Black Kitchen Appliances

Modernize Your Kitchen With New Kitchen Appliances

Say goodbye to your outdated kitchen appliances and hello to the more efficient, eco-friendly and elegant kitchen you've always wanted!
Have you flipped through the pages of a home decorating magazine or visited the home of a friend and turned green with envy when you saw how sleek and modern today's kitchen appliances are becoming? From technology to décor, manufacturers are adding a variety of new features to make kitchen appliances more efficient, eco-friendly and elegant. Whether you want to replace an eyesore of a range for something more contemporary and stylish, or you're looking for a refrigerator that's designed to make better use of space, today's kitchen trends offer something to satisfy every customer's needs and desires.
High performance kitchen appliances are a necessity for modern households. If you're like most consumers, you often find that you're tight on time. You live a fast-paced life and you don't have time to hurry up and wait. These days, manufacturers are making kitchen appliances that work as hard and fast as their consumers do. High performance appliances can help consumers do everything from preparing their family's favorite meal to cleaning heavily soiled dishes in no time. Many households are now opting for restaurant-grade appliances, which are perfect for large families or family's that entertain often. Cooktops that incorporate induction technology use electromagnetic energy to increase temperature faster, while hot water dispensers installed under the sink, can deliver hot water for tea straight from the faucet, without the wait. And when it's time to clean the dishes after a large family meal, there are a number of dishwashers designed to get the job done faster and better than ever before. Features like steam cleaning use high temperature steam to give dishes a spot-free, hand-washed appearance, while dishwashers manufactured with smart sensors can determine how much water and power are needed to make dishes sparkling clean.
For consumers who are committed to doing their part to help protect the environment, eco-friendly kitchen appliances offer a number of ways to help save energy and save money. Traditionally, refrigerators have required more energy than any other kitchen appliance, greatly increasing the household energy bill. But now newly manufactured refrigerators are often designed to run on a low, constant speed, which is more energy efficient. There are also a number of "green" dishwashers that use less water for consumers concerned about conservation. Some dishwashers are even built with 100% recyclable parts so that when it's time to replace it, the parts can be re-used. There's a common misconception that eco-friendly kitchen appliances aren't stylishly designed and can take away from the modern look you may be trying to achieve. But actually, energy efficient kitchen appliances have come a long way in terms of design and aesthetics, which means you can still have the beautiful, modern kitchen appliances you want while conserving energy at the same time.
One of the most popular trends in kitchen design is the incorporation of integrated kitchen appliances to create a sleek, stylish and modern look. Some integrated kitchen appliances can be built into kitchen units, and camouflaged with modern cabinetry in a variety of colors, styles and contemporary finishes. Other integrated kitchen appliances are manufactured to seamlessly coordinate with new or existing kitchen designs. Imagine refrigerator drawers and a prep sink built into your kitchen island for easy access, or a specialty range designed to compliment the colors and theme of your dream kitchen.
Today's modern kitchen combines technology, design, versatility and unique style to create an inviting environment that you'll love to cook in and show off to friends. Don't hold on to outdated kitchen appliances that lack style and innovation and drive your energy bills through the roof. Have the kitchen and kitchen appliances of your dreams today

Small Kitchen Appliances- From Kettles to Coffee Machines

You may not think that small kitchen appliances should be given much thought when it is time to purchase a new one because they are smaller and generally inexpensive in comparison to major home appliances, which are generally larger and static in that they can not be moved all that easily such as fridge- freezers and cookers.
But small appliances are very important as they give the finishing touches to your kitchen and are things that you probably use the most. And not all small kitchen appliances are the same. With the rise in such clever technology over the last couple of decades there is a great deal of choice. There are still standard appliances available that do exactly what they say on the tin, but some small kitchen appliances have some rather clever features to make your life little bit easier- maybe even luxurious.
For example, Siemens' Porsche Design kettle is cordless, saving you space and keeping counter tops clutter free, but it also includes a range of safety features. The kettle automatically switches off when removed from its base, automatically switches off when boiling is complete and has a safety locking lid so it can not open when pouring and scold your hands. Boiling water can be very dangerous and with most accidents occurring inside the home, the kitchen is somewhere that you do not want to be cutting corners.
But kettles are pretty regular as far as small kitchen appliances go. For real luxury, why not invest in something a bit more novel such as an ice- cream maker or a coffee machine? For real luxury De-Dietrich's fully automatic integrated coffee machine will give you that real coffee aroma throughout your home. It has a maximum volume of 2 litres and can hold 300g of coffee beans. It has a coffee bean holder and grinder and is touch control with a cool blue light to give your kitchen a modern glow, fitting in especially well with a contemporary glossy black or stainless steel themed kitchen. But luxury does not come cheap and although this is a top of the range specification coffee machine, it will set you back by over £1100, depending on where you buy from.
So what can you get for a bit less? Well, if you look at the other end of the spectrum, you can still get a nice looking small kitchen appliance that has plenty of features. The Whirlpool built in coffee machine costs just under £400, which is a far friendlier price tag if you are a bit strapped for cash. The water tank capacity is slightly lower that De- Dietrich's at 1.5 litres and it only takes ground coffee and pods, not beans. It is also slightly more compact and is only semi- automatic compared to De-Dietrich's fully automatic option. This small kitchen appliance is made from stainless steel which means that it is easy to clean and looks sleek and modern and there is a good £700 shaved off of the price tag to boot.
Of course, both manufacturers offer alternative coffee machines of varying specifications and prices and you should have a look at all of them carefully before deciding on which one is right for you.

Tuesday 1 July 2008

Kitchen Appliances - Articles

This site is a blog which posts articles about kitchen appliances. Some are factual, some are experiences and some are guides. Please contact me if you have any suggestions for this site