Kitchen appliances chat

We have the 6.9l kitchenaid but it gets used multiple times a week for making sourdough for us and some neighbours, grinding meat, rolling sheets of pasta, making cakes, ice cream etc etc. Is it essential? Not at all. Does it help make life easier? Very much so.

It is often housed to make over 3kg of dough and is an utter workhorse.

Look for a KM400/410 or KM800 on eBay. Go on forever, last of the made in the UK models. The KM400 is quite small, ours hasn’t missed a beat in 15 or so years.

We've got one, it's great. Levoit.

I got the (smaller) Philips one that had been recommended here. Does a great job (in a single room) definitely notice the reduction in dust. Need to vacuum the filter every now and then.

The microwave is on its way out, so after a replacement. Has stuff moved on much in microwaves in the last ten years? Any useful new features available these days? Had a cursory look but they all seem to be much of a muchness. FWIW it's pretty much only used for reheating food.

You can get WiFi ones which set their clock automatically. Worth it IMHO.

Current one doesn't have a clock so didn't even consider that! The idea of inputting Wi-Fi credentials via a microwaves UI seems painful, & another app is the last thing I need.

Well at least I'm making progress with my criteria.

I have to believe that the copy writer who wrote 'with an attractive entry-level price' as a summary of the £700 microwave did so with a wry smile. Guess Miele consumer electronics will remain as an aspiration.

Free delivery though.

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Check the Miele outlet and Facebook marketplace.

There are occasional bargains to be had.

it's pretty much only used for reheating food

They can all do this fine, so feel free to pick the one that best reflects your self-image of social status. If you're a £700 microwave kind of guy, a £700 microwave that you got at a discount on Facebook marketplace is not gonna cut it.

a £700 microwave kind of guy

...an idiot, then

Yeah but it's got knob controls on the side

Is this like when designer handbag brands sell wallets and mobile covers so the plebs can own something branded?

Ha! Probably that. Wouldn't be surprised if there was a Louis Vuitton emblazoned microwave out there.

Microwaves are surprisingly expensive. I'd have thought they'd be £50 by now.

I find the microwave so rarely used, it’s great for candied nuts, steamed asparagus and super light sponge puddings. Other gadgets get a load more use in this household.

There are loads of models below £100

You've been able to buy them for about £50 for like three decades.

Maybe not in Fortnum & Mason.

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Pretty sure the Which? best buys are all sub£200.

From what I can see the German brands basically just add a massive mark up for no improvement (possibly worse outcomes) so that you can match your cooker.

Our microwave has a big brushed SS surround so I think we can get away with a non-Siemens one without clashing.

The beeping has stopped on our microwave so I've put off looking for a replacement again.

Microwaves are easy. Panasonic, every time.

Unless you want an integrated microwave.

Spectator being spectatory.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-would-anyone-choose-an-induction-hob/

Argos is my benchmark for this kind of thing.

https://www.argos.co.uk/browse/appliances/microwaves/c:29559/opt/sort:price/

A few there for £55.

(Our microwave, a Panasonic, is at least 23 years old. Mrs GB owned it before I'd even met her.)

Inflation probably plays a large part.

Spectator being spectatory.

https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-­would-anyone-choose-an-induction-hob/

It's the kitchen culture war. I personally think my induction hob is fantastic.