Hobs & ovens
Posted by: Top Cat on 19 March 2004
Hi folk,
We're shorly going to be updating our kitchen, which is currently old fashioned and poorly laid-out (previous owners obviously hadn't a clue about the working triangle, for instance, and it's beige, yuk!).
Anyway, we've pretty much got plans for everything tied down - units, finishes, lighting - except the appliances, and in particular the cooking area.
We're agreed that we want good quality and stainless steel. However, that's where my nearest & dearest and I depart - she wants a seperate hob and double oven, whilst I want a range. As part of the 82->52 upgrade I did recently, I backed down on my range requirement to keep her sweet and win some points. However, this now leaves me with no clue about what constitutes a good hob versus a bad one.
Most of the hobs I've seen look like they have been designed to look good, but alas a fair number of them seem to be rather poorly thought out. I like wok cooking, and have a 18-20" wok which currently means that I can't use any of the other rings. Many modern hobs seem to have dedicated wok burners, but they're always in the centre and the same problem applies.
Does anyone have a recommendation for a good gas hob which has at least five rings in total, is available in a brushed aluminium/stainless steel finish, and can accommodate a large wok AND at least one large pan at the same time? Or is there some other alternative I should consider - say, a seperate wok burner next to the main hob? I'd prefer to keep the seperate double oven within the same brand if possible.
Budget is flexible. More interested in getting something that will (a) last, (b) work with the wok and (c) look good than doing it to a particular price-point, though I'd prefer to keep the total hob cost under £500, and the hob+double oven to under £1200 if we can. No ranges allowed, sadly
Thanks,
John
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by j8hn
Hi Cat,
I'd go for a seperate dedicated wokBurner, or perhaps consider an electric wok? - on it's own dedicated spur of course.
I appreciate the sex appeal of a trendy range but side with your wife; preferring the totally intergrated look ie everything hidden away. Makes cleaning much easier - those ranges must be a b*st*rd on your jCloth!
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by Basil
Sorry TC, but how are we supposed to maintain the image of being "Ass kicking Flat Earthers" if people keep starting "What's the best Kitchen appliance" threads, I mean, really!
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by greeny
Can't help I'm afraid TC, but if you do find something good let me know. I am similarly looking at an integrated gas hob for summer use (Use AGA during winter which is superb) but eveerything we have seen so far have been so poorly made (plasticky knobs, no robust finish etc) that I've got a bit disillusioned. The hobs around £300 seem to be little better made than those around £150.
Posted on: 19 March 2004 by MichaelC
TC
We have a similar problem when it comes to using a wok. The only solution seems to be a separate burner. And we haven't done that yet.
Cheers
Mike
Posted on: 20 March 2004 by Tim Danaher
TC --
Have you looked at Neff's "Domino Hob" range? Magnets Stock them.
Or look here:
http://www.ukappliances.co.uk/neff/dominohobs.htmlExpensive, but you can mix and match your own combinations. You're out of luck on the stainless finish, though. I'd love one of those separate barbecue grills.
Cheers,
Tim
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Os nid Campagnolo yw hi, dyw hi ddim yn werth ei marcho...Posted on: 26 March 2004 by Bubblechild
I have
this 5-burner Smeg thingy (P75), and it works well. The middle ring has been fine for the (minimal) wok cooking I do. Not sure if it will allow you to put other pans on at the same time as your 20" stir-fry beast...but I don't think I'd still be hungry after eating a meal out of a pan that big.
I have a Smeg hob, oven and washing machine - all came with the house - they look nice and have been problem-free. I hear less good things about their dishwashers and fridges, though.
[This message was edited by Bubblechild on Fri 26 March 2004 at 16:12.]
Posted on: 26 March 2004 by Jez Quigley
quote:
if people keep starting "What's the best Kitchen appliance" threads, I mean, really!
It's not the first thread about cookers here, in fact there is an honorable tradition of good advice on all things domestic or otherwise. For example check out this one from 3 years ago.
http://forums.naim-audio.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=67019385&f=48019385&m=1801929091&r=6461940191#6461940191For the record we went for the Smeg A3 range cooker which is in daily service and still looks like new, Isobariks in the speaker department, Quadraspire bog seats for the kit stand, and a bit of Mana under the briks.
Posted on: 01 April 2004 by joe90
We bought Asko and it's very good.
We bouyght an electronic 6 function in-built oven with meat probe and it self cleans. Does a nice job too.
IMO don't buy anything with a wok burner as Chinese cooks don't actually use large aperture burners under woks. At least my friend doesn't at his business.
What he does use is a farking ferocious commercial burner that's about palm-sized, that can produce a 4 inch tall blue flame!!!
Remeber a wok should have all the heat concentrated in the bottom of the pan, not around the sides, as a wok burner does.
Joe90
Posted on: 02 April 2004 by count.d
I've had a Lacanche since 1999.
They're poorly made and have some poorly chosen materials in places.
The gorrila's who delivered it had little idea how to install it.
Look pretty, but usual French made crap.
Posted on: 03 April 2004 by Jez Quigley
quote:
Look pretty, but usual French made crap
We have never regretted getting the Smeg - battleship build(an A2 not A3 as I stated above).
Posted on: 03 April 2004 by Jez Quigley
The Lacanche was tempting though.
Posted on: 19 April 2004 by Top Cat
Back to ranges...
After doing our calculations it seems that the idea of a seperate hob and double oven arrangement isn't going to work in our new kitchen design so we're back on the range track.
I am quite pleased about this.
Anyway, Jez, this is aimed at you specifically, but of course anyone is welcome to comment if they like. WHat I'm wondering is whether, in retrospect, your big Smeg range (which is around £1500, am I correct) is in your eyes worth the extra over the cheaper Smeg range (the one with the double oven at around £1000).
Our kitchen build cost has actually come in a little under-budget and I am keen to buy a silver range (chrome/brushed steel/whatever) such as the Smeg but at the moment I see lots of choice and variation in prices without the actual differences between different models being obvious.
I want: smart, non bulbous lines, two ovens, high efficiency (A or B rated if poss.), five or six burners (pref. with Wok burner to one side rather than central), metal controls and for no more than around £1800 to include matching hood (splashback not important - we'll tile).
I take it that the Smeg's controls are metal, rather than the nasty plastic that a lot of cheaper ranges we've looked at seem to employ?
Thanks,
John
Posted on: 19 April 2004 by John C
Still very happy with the Lacanche. Wish I could say the same for my archived posts, dear God what a tit I am.
John
Posted on: 19 April 2004 by Jez Quigley
Hi Top Cat,
I can only speak for myself of course, but the A2 is well worth the extra. It is really solidly built. There are other makes cheaper and fairly similar looking but when you see them close up they look cheap by comparison. I'd suggest visiting a stockist and you'll see what I mean. It's a bit like the Naim case compared to your average amplifier case in Curry's.
Posted on: 20 April 2004 by Rasher
I have a range very similar to the Smeg above, but made by Beaumatic. I use it heavily and it is fabulous. Sure, it is collecting dents, but 3 years on and I couldn't have anything else now. I do like to crash things around when cooking. When I first looked for a range, I had a choice of a double oven (1/3 - 2/3 width), or a single oven. When I measured the width of the smaller oven it became clear that it was too narrow to be genuinely useful. I couldn't even get a single pizza in there without having it tilted! The large single oven is fantastic and allows moving stuff around and cramming full of tons of stuff at once. Cooking for 16-18 people is no problem. I got a combo microwave/fan oven to take care of the smaller oven option, and this allows me to use the large oven and small micro/combo at the same time, which is an unbeatable bonus.
Posted on: 20 April 2004 by Jez Quigley
I don't know anything about Beaumatic, but I do know that our smeg has been in daily use for 3 years and doesn't have any dents.
Posted on: 21 April 2004 by Dave J
Also, have a look at the Britannia range, which, despite the name, appears to be made in Italy. Midway between heavy industrial and chic domestic. Great ovens for Pizza and easy-woking hobs. After sales service is good too although they may be at the top end of your budget.
hereDave
Posted on: 21 April 2004 by Rasher
quote:
Originally posted by Jez Quigley:
I don't know anything about Beaumatic, but I do know that our smeg has been in daily use for 3 years and doesn't have any dents.
It says more about the way I cook than the equipment - I really do throw things around. My wife always complains about the crashing.
