Kitchen appliances chat

That is very useful feedback.
What oven did you go for in your kitchen?

Hopefully the global supply chain issues have eased somewhat for anyone trying to buy any of the hobs / ovens being discussed.

I've spent a very frustrating few weeks / months just trying to actually buy anything - global microchip shortage apparently. Hopefully it's better now or you have better luck than I did but 12 - 16 week lead times have been pretty much quoted on everything I've tried to buy in the last 3 months. And near constant price increases ....

Samsung do a 80cm induction hob thats worth looking at?

Also Smeg do a 2 gas burner and a multizone 75cm hob.

Have you been to a Bora demo? I can recommend but only if you're prepared to spend £5k on a hob

I went for a two second hand Gaggenau ovens, a conventional large oven and plumbed in steam combi oven.

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Ah yes I remember now - lovely bits of kit!

I really like the bora and Gaggenau hobs but I don’t need downdraft extraction and I’ve had to row back from the domino hob idea due mostly to budget constraints. I’m not convinced they’re technically better induction cookers than other options enough to justify the price difference for me.

Pretty sure the Gaggenau induction is basically the same components as the high end Siemens/neff/Bosch.

User interface differences perhaps, and fashion?

Makes sense, envious.

Our config requires downdraft, I was very impressed by flow rate in the Bora and previously didn't know the classic and pro models had a silencer, very noticeable. Wouldn't even be considering them if I could have a cooker hood

Managed to get a decent spec Miele oven from the outlet in all black so that’s that sorted

Need a new fridge/freezer, probably a double door type. What are a couple of decent brands I should look out for and who should I avoid?

Thanks

Fisher & Paykel are pretty good. Maytag used to do a nice one, not sure about their current range.

Thanks

Happy with my LG so far.

Samsung washing machine owners: does your control/child lock function lock the power button?

My darling child has recently discovered he can reach that high, wasn't really an issue previously as he could only reach the dial/start buttons, but now he can, apparently, turn it off, which means starting the whole cycle over again. Seems like a glaring omission if that's the intended function.

Samsung washing machine owners: does your control/child lock function lock the power button?

Just checked. It doesn't...

Faaark

Not quite a kitchen appliance - although it would go under my sink I think - but has anyone got a recommendation for a pump to improve water pressure? The quieter the better

Looking at one of these - combi boiler if that makes a difference

https://www.screwfix.com/p/salamander-pumps-homeboost-hb-booster-mains-water-boosting-pump-1-6bar/75286

Apologies if you’ve already done all the research, but a pump may not be the answer. You won’t be able to get more pressure without a good flow rate (or a tank & pump in the loft), which is actually probably the issue.

As I understand it, 90% of households get good / normal mains pressure, but the pipes from the supply valve in the street are often undersized by modern standards, reducing the flow rate.

No I absolutely have not done my research so this is v helpful.

If the pipe from the street is useless, how does one go about fixing that?

I think I am also probably using 'water pressure' incorrectly to mean 'flow rate'. It's certainly low in this house. That pump claims to be able to increase it to 12L/minute, the legal maximum - but that will presumably also depend on the 'streetpipe'?

Just had a quote of £1500 ex VAT to replace our mains supply. Digging up front garden, boxed in polypipe in the house.

Unfortunately a pump can't magic water from nowhere. If it's getting 10L/m it can't put out 12L/m.

edit: Maybe it can pull more water through the main actually. Not very fair on your neighbours, a browse of the reviews suggests it sounds like a jet engine too

Probably digging. Mine was mostly moling when I swapped from tiny furred up lead to fat plastic.

I think you are in Bristol...? We are and have just had a similar quote to @dbr for replacing the incoming main from street to the house. Which would only be about a third of the work required, as it doesn't include anything internal, or making good/relaying garden path etc. So we're definitely going to continue shouting 'I'm in the shower, don't turn the tap on!'