ovens....

greenbee

I have a 25-year-old NEFF Circotherm double oven which I love and would happily recommend. I understand that the new ones are even better. They aren't cheap - but look how long it has lasted (and it's still going strong) - but they are worth it. It was my grandmother's, and has moved with me from her house to my current one with no compliants.

I'd go for a gas hob and separate electric oven if I were you. I've used gas ovens in the past in professional kitchens and their very good (and food tends to retain moisture better), but I prefer my electric fan oven at home.

kittykat500

I have a baumatic electric fan oven (the element blew after about 18 months - didn't bother replacing it) which I no longer use. I have a JML halogen counter top oven that I use daily that I absolutely love. Would never go back to a standard oven again!

TheDoolallyDilly

I have a Neff circlotherm, and a Neff combination oven/microwave/grill - which I use for cooking just one casserole for example, as it is smaller than the main over. I also have a BRILLIANT Neff induction hob - would never ever go back to gas again - this is so much cleaner and incredibly quick to heat up - I think Good Housekeeping did tests and found induction as quick or quicker than gas. Easy to clean too, you just wipe it with a damp cloth.

kittykat500

I heartily agree about the induction hob. I have one of those and it's brill!

nixinix

Thanks everyone. My Belling is only about 12months old..but honestly I am about to move house and I am leaving it behind (yipee) so I am lookingfor inspiration for the next one....which currently has a disgustingly filthy freestanding 'thing' which is going straight in the skip! I have already got (never got round to fitting here) a gas hob (wish I hadn't as inducion sounds good) and an extractor fan, so just need an oven, probably single as kitchen is very small...and I always worry about fitting the christmas turkey in the built in double ovens...they never look big enough!!!

Big choice so far from everyone...I have been looking at the newer multi-function ovens, anyone tried one? Are the extras worth paying for?

TomsMom

nixinix wrote: »

Big choice so far from everyone...I have been looking at the newer multi-function ovens, anyone tried one? Are the extras worth paying for?

I have got a Hotpoint BS63E electric multifunction oven which I had when my carpy Stoves oven gave up the ghost.

It has 7 functions:

1) Convection - top and bottom elements both come on
2) Multicooking - heating elements and the fan alternate
3) Grill - top element
4) Fan Grilling - top element and fan
5) Pizza - bottom element and circular heating elements and fan
6) Fan - rear heating element and fan
7) Fast cooking - all elements and fan

There's also defrost which is done by fan.

The instruction book lists which type of food each setting is best for. If you want you can see the book online here and just type in the model number.

Whether it's worth paying extra for these functions depends on whether you will use them. To be honest I have only ever used three - grill, convection and fan. But I'm not an adventurous cook and OH likes plain food, we have to eat so I cook (sometimes) :rotfl:

I've had this oven for a few years now and have had no problems at all with it. We are moving house soon and will have to buy a new cooker. The only thing I would have different is a double oven as I prefer a separate grill and I'm going to get a gas one 'cos toast is more moist done under a gas grill

allycat999

I have an aga and I love it. Food just tastes so mush better, and in this horrible weather my kitchen is always warm and cosy.

purpleivy

I have a Fisher and Paykel double oven. I bought it because it was the only double oven that has two full size ovens. Both ovens have all functions. I also have a combination microwave. When I'm entertaining I use both ovens, sometimes for cooking, sometimes for keeping food hot or warming plates. It's a lot more convenient than storing a trolley etc and has more functions!

Having said that, I don't know whether I would get the same again. After going on a year I'm just starting to get the hang of it. The tray spacing is rather irritating and several other things. Well, I probably would get it again, but I'm lucky enough to have the space for it. The 2 ovens are in a stack with the built in microwave, there is also a cupboard over it.

I use the little oven in the combi when possible, also cook lots of casseroles on the very very small burner on the hob, as this is more economical.

nixinix

Thanks everyone, really useful info. I would love an Aga but kitchen is way too small and budget is limited!!

No definitive winner which I was hoping for.....

falady

hi there,

I have a new world range cooker. it has 2 ovens and a grill, cost us £700 a year ago and is crap. We've had the engineer out to it 3 times. I really wouldn't recommend it.

I wish we found the money and gone for a Rangemaster Toledo. Same layout (and even the same parent company) but it got a great rating in Which. It cost twice as much (£1400), and I jsut thought 'an oven is an oven' and didn't think there would be much difference - but very wrong!!

Ali x