Choose from:

• Ceramic electric hobs (heat up quickly).
• Controllable gas hobs.
• Speedy energy saving induction hobs.
• Solid plate hobs (cheaper to run and great for first time buyers).
• Domino hobs. Normally 2-ring hobs that are great if you're short of space.
  Can also be combined with other hobs for flexibility.

Before you buy:

Check out key features and the latest kitchen technology to suit your lifestyle.

Burner types

Direct flame technology

This is a new technology designed to make gas cooking more efficient. Direct Flame technology sends the gas out of the burner vertically rather than horizontally in a standard burner. This means that less energy is lost around the sides of the pan.

Wok burner

Rather than just the one outer ring of a standard burner, Wok burners have additional concentric rings of flame. These additional rings of flame provide more power to a bigger surface area of a wok or large pan. They are ideal for Asian cooking using Woks, but are also handy for boiling large pans.

Electric hobs

Induction hobs

Induction hobs are different to any other hobs; they use electro-magnets to agitate the molecules in the structure of the pan. Other hobs produce heat to a specified area whether they are covered or not, meaning energy is lost around the pan.

They are safer, and easier to clean as only a small amount of residual heat passes from the pan to the hob. Only pans containing ferrous metals will work on an Induction hob, this can be tested with a simple magnet.

Flexible zones

Flexible zones are a feature of ceramic hobs and induction hobs and are perfect when cooking with large or non-standard sized pans.

These also allow for multiple pans to be used on one area, although in ceramic hobs, energy will be lost where not covered by a pan.

Measuring up

If you're planning on installing a built in hob into your existing worktop, please double check the size of the cut out (space you need to fit your new hob) to make sure it will fit before you order. Check that your new hob will have sufficient clearance in depth if you have an oven beneath it.

The space above your hob is the perfect place for an extractor fan. Otherwise make sure this space is clear to prevent any long term damage from heat, steam and grease.

Installation

Gas hobs should always be installed by a registered gas professional.

As amp requirements can vary according to your oven's features. We recommend you check the current capacity of circuits before ordering, as changes to wiring can be expensive.

Energy rating

Performance is measured on a scale from A+++ (more efficient) to D (less efficient).

Choose from:

• Chimney hoods feature a canopy to capture steam and smells (these need to be fitted to a wall).
• Canopy hoods - hidden away above your cooker, these strip your kitchen of unwanted cooking smells
  (requires own furniture door).
• Visor hoods (simpler and more traditional in style).
• Integrated hoods - designed to fit snugly into an integrated fitted kitchen.
• Island hoods - best suited to larger kitchens and need to be fitted to your ceiling.
• Telescopic hoods - quickly clear the air in a small kitchen. Suitable above a standard-sized hob.
• Ceiling hoods - eye-catching and stylish hoods that extend down from your ceiling.
  Best for large kitchens with lots of space.

Before you buy:

Check out key features and the latest kitchen technology to suit your lifestyle.

Extraction rates

Extraction rates are measured in metres cubed per hour. Every hood or extractor has a maximum extraction rate, which indicates the volume of air that it can extract in one hour. It is recommended that your appliance can extract the volume of air in your kitchen 10 times per hour.

To calculate the extraction rate needed, multiply the width, height and length of your kitchen together,
and then by 10.

Then look for a hood or extractor that can meet your requirements, if your extractor is below the requirements of the kitchen, you may encounter grease build ups, steam damaged units, or smells lingering around the home during the cooking process.

Measuring up

To calculate the extraction rate you need to efficiently manage the airflow in your kitchen, measure your kitchen in terms of height (H), width (W) and length (L). Then multiply height by width and depth and then multiply this figure by 10.

For example (H) 2.5m x (W) 5.0m x (L) 6.0m x 10 - 750m cubic metres.

Match the width of your hood or extractor to at least the width of your hob or cook top to make sure all the steam and grease are captured.

Double check the dimensions of your extractor to see if you'll need to build additional housing from the ceiling to house the motor and pipe work.

Energy rating

Performance is measured on a scale from A+++ (more efficient) to D (less efficient).

Choose from:

• Single and double ovens built into your kitchen cupboard space.
• Built-under ovens which sit under the counter top.
• Gas or electric fuel types.
• Compact ovens, single ovens or double ovens.

Before you buy:

Check out key features and the latest kitchen technology to suit your lifestyle.

Cleaning technologies

Pyrolytic self cleaning

This function heats the oven cavity to 500 degrees C which will burn away any grease and food left behind from cooking. At the end of the cycle when the cavity has cooled, you just need to wipe away the remaining ash with a damp cloth.

It is completely safe; the oven door will be locked until the oven has returned to a safe temperature. Doors are also cooled by air so they are safe to touch. There are usually different lengths of cycle depending on how soiled the cavity is.

In most cases all the racks and trays should be removed to prevent damage, unless stated safe by the manufacturer.

Catalytic assisted cleaning

This technology uses a coating applied directly to the cavity or onto additional plates, which is treated with enzymes. Upon reaching 220 degrees, the enzymes will activate and breakdown any grease and food left behind from cooking.

The coating cannot be applied to the bottom of the oven or door, so additional cleaning using conventional methods will be required.

Programmes & functions

Steam

The use of steam during the cooking process can improve the taste and texture of many different types of food. Added steam ovens are great for baking crusty loaves, and roasting joints of meat, adding an amount of steam during the usual hot air baking process. Pure steam ovens are more commonly used for cooking fish and vegetables to retain most of their nutrients.

Automatic programmes

Ovens with automatic programmes and functions will help you get the best cooking results. This is usually done by selecting the food to be cooked from a pre-loaded menu. Weights may need to be entered to determine cooking times. Some models use additional probes and sensors to ensure that foods are cooked just the way you like them.

Measuring up

All our built in ovens will fit neatly into a standard 60cm carcass width.

Compact ovens are 45cm high, Single ovens are 60cm high and fit under a counter or in a column.

Double ovens are either 70cm high (under counter) or 90cm high (fit in a column).

Check you have enough clearance for airflow around any plug sockets or pipes you have behind your new oven.

Also check clearance levels if you're installing a built in hob above an under counter oven. Make sure you'll have enough space when your oven door is open.

Installation

As amp requirements can vary according to your oven's features. We recommend you check the current capacity of circuits before ordering, as changes to wiring can be expensive.

Energy rating

Performance is measured on a scale from A+++ (more efficient) to D (less efficient).

Choose from:

• Microwave only (solo microwaves) great for re-heating, heating ready meals and soups, jacket potatoes and defrosting on low power.
• Microwave with grill. Use as a solo microwave or grill to brown or crisp your food.
• Combination microwaves combine a microwave, grill and a convection (fan-assisted) oven. They do everything a traditional oven can, including roasts, casseroles and baking cakes... but much, much faster!

Before you buy:

Check out key features and the latest kitchen technology to suit your lifestyle.

Automatic programmes

Microwaves with automatic programmes and functions will help you get the best cooking results.

This is usually done by selecting the food to be cooked from a pre-loaded menu. Weights may need to be entered to determine cooking times.

Measuring up

All our built in microwaves will fit neatly into a standard 60cm carcass width. Heights can vary, so it is worth checking the gap you have if fitting into existing furniture. Some microwaves also use frames or surrounds, which may increase the dimensions you need to allow for.

Make sure you have enough clearance space around your microwave when the door is open, as well as considering the direction that the door will open.

Energy rating

Performance is measured on a scale from A+++ (more efficient) to D (less efficient).

Choose from:

• Fridge freezers with a 50/50 fridge and freezer split, 60/40 or 70/30.
• Under counter fridge/freezers and separate under counter fridges and freezers.
• Over counter fridge/freezers and separate over counter fridges and freezers.
• Tall fridge/freezers with fridge or freezer.

Before you buy:

Check out key features and the latest kitchen technology to suit your lifestyle.

Frost-free

Frost free technology prevents the build up of frost in a freezer so you never need to defrost. No ice build up means more storage capacity.

0 degree zone

This is an extra cool area in the fridge where the lower temperature keeps produce fresher for longer. (0 degrees is the ideal temperature for storing meat).

Humidity control zone

Humidity control is important to prolonging the life and nutrients in your fruit and veg. Different fruits and vegetables like low or high humidity, so it's worth researching what conditions work best.
You will be surprised how long your fruit and veg will last, looking fresh when kept in the ideal conditions.

Measuring up

Integrated fridges & freezers

All our integrated Fridge freezers will fit neatly into a standard 60cm carcass width.

If fitting into existing doors, you need to consider the ratio between fridge (top) and freezer (bottom). The common ratios are 70/30, 60/40 and 50/50. It's important you match to your existing furniture unless you can obtain new doors from your kitchen manufacturer.

Built under Integrated fridges & freezers

Built under fridges and freezers are designed to go under a worktop between 2 cabinets or at the end of a run of cabinets. They stand alone but have a cabinet door fitted to them so they blend in with the rest of your kitchen. The only dimension needed to be checked is depth if you have any pipes or sockets that run behind the appliance.

Built In Integrated fridges & freezers

Built-In fridges and freezers are designed to fit within a standard kitchen cabinet.

Heights range from 90cm to 200cm, so if you're planning to fit your new appliance into an existing cabinet you'll need to match your new appliance to your existing door. Otherwise you'd need a replacement from the manufacturer. Depth may need to be checked if you have any pipes or sockets that run behind the appliance.

Energy rating

Performance is measured on a scale from A+++ (more efficient) to D (less efficient).

Choose from:

• Integrated Washing machines.
• Space-saving 2-in-1 washer dryers.
• Vented or condenser dryers. (Condenser-dryers don't need to be vented).
• Energy saving sensor dryers.

Before you buy:

Check out key features and the latest kitchen technology to suit your lifestyle.

Capacity

The capacity you should choose depends on how often you wash. You'll fit more into a machine with a larger drum, so you have to do fewer loads. A larger drum allows your clothes to move more freely and will give you a better washing performance.

Average washing machine capacity is 7kg with our built in product range ranging from 6Kg to 9kg to suit larger families and bigger wash loads.

To give you an idea of which size drum you need:

A 6 kg capacity lets you wash:

• 2 pairs of adult's jeans
• 4 shirts
• 1 bed sheet
• 2 pillowcases
• 6 tea towels and 3 small towels

An 8kg capacity lets you wash:

• 3 pairs of adult's jeans
• 3 shirts
• 2 bed sheets
• 3 pillowcases
• 4 tea towels and 4 small towels

Sensor drying

The capacity you should choose depends on how often you wash. You'll fit more into a machine with a larger drum, so you have to do fewer loads. A larger drum allows your clothes to move more freely and will give you a better washing performance. Save up to 15% energy with a sensor dryer. Your machine automatically stops when your clothes reach the level of dryness you've selected – from iron dry to hanger dry.

Measuring up

Built under Laundry appliances are designed to go under a worktop between 2 cabinets or at the end of a run of cabinets. They stand alone but have a cabinet door fitted to them so they blend in with the rest of your kitchen.

The only dimension needed to be checked is depth if you have any pipes or sockets that run behind the appliance.

Energy rating

Performance is measured on a scale from A+++ (more efficient) to D (less efficient).

Choose from:

• Compact dishwashers with 4-6 place settings are perfect if you're tight on space.
• Place settings range from 9 place (great for couples) to 12-place (standard) or 14 place
  (perfect for larger families).
• Slimline dishwashers (45cm wide) or full size ( 60cm wide).

Before you buy:

Check out key features and the latest kitchen technology to suit your lifestyle.

Water usage

Modern dishwashers use much less water and are more efficient than most people believe.

The average washing bowl can hold around 10L of water (also the average for a modern dishwasher).

If you don't use a bowl or have to change the water during washing, a dishwasher is much more efficient than washing by hand.

Flexibility

Table and dinner ware comes in so many different shapes and sizes, so it's important that your dishwasher can adapt to accommodate the dishes you have used. Look out for a dishwasher with folding racking, height adjustable baskets, or an additional tray to take cutlery and utensils.

Noise levels

Noise level is particularly important in open plan living, or in homes where seating areas are located next to the kitchen.

All dishwashers have a decibel rating, so if your home is open plan, looking for a rating less than 50dB is highly recommended.

Measuring up

All integrated dishwashers are designed to go under a worktop between 2 cabinets or at the end of a run of cabinets. They stand alone but have a cabinet door fitted to them so they blend in with the rest of your kitchen.

You can choose slim-line (45cm width) or full size (60cm width). A semi-integrated full size model has a control panel facing outwards.

It's important you match to your existing furniture unless you can obtain new doors from your kitchen manufacturer.

Depth may need to be checked if you have any pipes or sockets that run behind the appliance.

Energy rating

Performance is measured on a scale from A+++ (more efficient) to D (less efficient).

Choose from:

Before you buy:

• These sit below your oven and are perfect for slow cooking, warming plates and cups, keeping the veggies warm while your meat is cooked, plus warming soup or pastries and proofing dough.

Check out key features and the latest kitchen technology to suit your lifestyle.

Measuring up

All warming drawers will fit neatly into a standard 60cm carcass width. Warming drawers are available in two heights – 15cm or 30cm. Consider the clearance around the warming drawer when the drawer is open.

Energy rating

Performance is measured on a scale from A+++ (more efficient) to D (less efficient).

Hobs

• Match your pan size to your ring or burner size; you'll waste energy if you don't.
• Induction hobs will only heat the surface area of your pans, which is even more efficient.
• Look out for flexible or bridged zones in induction hobs – they let you extend your cooking area to accommodate larger pans (like a fish kettle) or awkwardly shaped roasting tins.
• Love Asian cooking? Opt for a gas hob with a wok burner for higher power cooking and deliciously authentic results.
• Most 70cm hobs will fit into the worktop cutout for a 60cm hob, giving you an easy upgrade to an extra burner or zone.

Hoods

• Turn your cooker hood on one of the lower speeds about 10 minutes before you start to cook to start the air circulating.
• Keep your fan running for 10 minutes after you've finished cooking (with the window open) to recirculate fresh, clean air from outside.
• The width of any hood/extractor should be at least the same width as your hob.
• To calculate the extraction rate needed to adequately clear smells, steam and smoke from your kitchen, multiply your rooms Width X Height X 10.
• When venting air, every bend in the ducting will decrease the extraction rate and increase noise levels.

Ovens

• Always use the smallest cavity you can when cooking to save energy.
• Higher capacity ovens with extra shelves are perfect for bigger families and keen bakers.
• Hate cleaning the oven? Opt for an oven with self-cleaning or assisted cleaning functions to cut down on the elbow grease.
• When using Pyrolytic functions, remember to remove all racking and trays from the oven to prevent discolouration (unless otherwise stated).
• Ovens with pre-loaded programs make use of the correct heating elements to give you the best possible results when cooking.

Microwaves

• Space-saving compact ovens with microwaves can be used as an oven or microwave, creating space for more storage whilst keeping your work surface clear of clutter.

Refrigeration

• Humidity controlled zones in fridges can help to preserve the life of your fresh fruit and vegetables. 0 degree zones are perfect for storing meat and will preserve its quality for longer.
• Look out for appliances with air treatment to eliminate smells given off by fish and cheese.
• Fridge Freezers with adjustable shelving can be invaluable to big families.
• Install a separate tall fridge and freezer next to each other to give you the capacity of an American Fridge Freezer.

Laundry

• 90% of a washing machine's energy is spent on heating water, washing at 30-40°C will save you a lot of money.
• Some machines even have specific programmes, which operate at 15 degrees, saving you even more money.
• Sensor tumble dryers can save you up to 15% energy, as they automatically turn themselves off when they sense your clothes are dry.
• Larger capacity machines provide more room for the clothes to move around, meaning better wash and drying performance.

Dishwashers

• One place setting consists of a dinner plate, a soup bowl, a dessert plate, a teacup and saucer, a glass, a knife, fork, soupspoon, teaspoon and dessert spoon.
• Selecting an energy-save or eco program can save up to 2 litres of water and about 20% energy but it will take longer than your main program.
• Choosing a dishwasher with low noise levels is a great idea if your home is open plan.
• Dishwashers with additional spray arms and jets can create intensive zones for oven dishes and other hard to clean items.