New kitchen any advice on appliances

[verydotty]

Looking to get a new kitchen installed, up until now we have also used existing appliances, this time we get to choose.
Does anyone have any advice on integrated cookers, dishwashers, washer/dryers, fridges, freezers. We are on a water metre and have two young tots.

Any thoughts much appreciated

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'd go for freestanding Miele appliances over integrated, if they go wrong you don't have to dismantle half the kitchen to fix them.

Def an induction hob, I'd go for an oven at waist height too but that's just me.

[wonkylegs]

Our integrated Miele dishwasher is a breeze to get out if anything goes wrong. It's extremely well designed so getting it in and out & connected is easy peezy
I'd look at the Which? Reviews for appliances - if you don't have membership it's worth it if you are buying a lot. They test on reliability & functions as well as water/energy consumption, noise & performance.
I'm using them to choose my new appliances as I'm getting almost everything again too (except the Miele which is moving with me as I wouldn't have anything else)

[weakestlink]

I recently had all new AEG integrated appliances and very pleased so far!

[monniemae]

You can get a free trial to Which for a month and then cancel the DD - if you're organised that means you can check out everything you need to buy without paying for the subscription!

Which is great for the water / efficiency ratings etc and include info on how easy stuff is to clean..

I'd recommend freestanding fridges/freezers as inbuilt ones store much less (or seem to); Bosch are a great brand for washing machines; when choosing your dishwasher make sure you work out the internal dimensions and how high your plates need - we got a free one with our rangemaster appliances and had to chuck out our old large plates which no longer fit ...

Also I'd definitely recommend emailing a heap of retailers - both online, high street and local independent - with the list of appliances you want once you've worked it out as you can save ££££s that way. Also make sure you clarify delivery and installation etc.

hth x

[Talkinpeace]

freestanding all the way
and do consider graded stock : you can save loads of money on high quality stuff

[Pannacotta]

I have also had Bosch and Miele appliances and found them both very good.

Talkinpeace - any recommendations on where to look for graded appliances? Thanks

[Talkinpeace]

www.southerndomestic.co.uk/about-us
and if you are nowhere near the south coast, call them and ask who their equivalent is near you ....

the scratch on the side of my Neff double oven saved me over £100 - and as the oven is in a cabinet ......
or the dent on the top of my Bosch dishwasher - which is under the counter
or the scratch on the bottom of the Neff hob
or the dent in the side of the Neff cooker hood
the discounts paid for the dishwasher

[doglover]

We will be looking to gut and replace the kitchen when (if?!) we eventually move.
I so prefer the look of integrated appliances but completely agree that freestanding are probably more cost effective. I'm not sure yet which way we'll go ..........................

[Talkinpeace]

I cheat. My unit fronts are white so the white goods integrate apart from the shiny oven which matches other shiny things .....

[SwedishEdith]

John Lewis Clearance sale on now is great for getting slightly damaged stock. You'll still get the same JL guarantees as well. Plus, haggle further when you're buying - they'll take a sensible offer.

[Karbea]

Integrated Miele. Will look sleek and Miele are brilliant.

[verydotty]

Many thanks for all the comments, they were really useful. I had completely forgotten about Which so will get on to that straight away.

[madwomanacrosstheroad]

Miele and/or bosch. Neff and bosch are mich of a muchness. I'd be a bit wary of aeg these days. They used to be very good until around ten years ago when they moved their production to countries with cheap labour.
With bosch there are huge variations in quality. Their cheap appliances are not great but their " made in germany" range is very good - not quite miele though.