Need brand new everything. If Miele is the best washing machine, what's the best -oven, -hob -tumble dryer, - dishwasher, what features do I look out for, what do I avoid, what've I forgott

[ErnestTheBavarian]

That's it really. statring from scratch. Currently need everything. Hate current oven. What should I look out for apart from fan? Are self cleaning ones any good? Do they really self clean? WHich makes are good?

Ditto, sort of for all appliances if you have a minute!

Its what Ernest says - it feels strangely cramped, especially the freezer part. The shelves are very narrow - you can't freeze a large pizza flat in it, for instance. At the moment I've got a large chicken in there and that has taken up an entire shelf, or a fifth of the freezer capacity.

Similar with the fridge part. Its very deep, so things get pushed to the back of the shelves and get lost and fester there. Am forever finding things that have gone off which we would have eaten had they been more "visible" iyswim.

fantastic bibbity, I keep getting told off when dh finds something dead at the back of the fridge. So it's the fridge's fault. brill. it's true though. It's a much bigger fridge than we had, but the space isn't somehow well set up.

If you have the space - I love my norcool corner fridge

neff for cooker bits, mielefor d/washer & drier and Fischer & Paykel for Fridge

We have Neff ovens & dishwasher, Maytag American fridge freezer, De Dietrich hob (2 induction, 2 electric). Am happy with all of them - would prefer all induction hob though. Washing machine is a Zanussi and still going strong after 12 yrs - though only in the last 11 months has it seen serious action! Plan to replace with Miele when it packs in.

Ernest DH tells me (he's a kitchen designer and a Neff & Siemens supplier) that double ovens are only made for the UK market - apparently the Germans don't want them - or so he's told - for some reason it's only us Brits who are wedded to the idea of a separate grill.

ah, interesting, spanglemaker. But is it really just a Q of a sep. grill? The main oven in the double seems to be the same size as with a single over (about 55-58L capacity), but then you have the extra oven space, not just grill? Or are some ovens bigger? What does he/do you recommend re catalytic cleaner/enamel/self-cleaning....

Thanks to you all, am decided, Miele Washer/dryer & p'raps dishwasher. Neff oven.

Not sure on hob or extractor fan. SM - what does dh reckon on extractor hoods. Don't know the names in English, but one is has a pipe expelling the air outside & one has a filter so doesn't need to ave this external pipe. The latter seem to be more expensive. Are they any good, does anyone know?

Ditto re dryer really. Is it better to have the outside pipe or is a condensor as good?

One more Q SM - what does your dh reckon to full height corner units? I've only ever seen a corner corousel under the work surface, but due to placement of fridge (on one wall) and oven on adjacent wall, t'would seem that full height corner units to link the 2 makes sense, but never seen this or even a pic?

Mind you jicky's corner fridge might be the answer? Never heard of such a thing. Was it mega expensive? Does it have a large capacity? Is the inside easily accessible? Am interested to hear all about it.

Thanks Bibbity and Ernest. I'm going to go to the library to look at the Which reports on fridge freezers - your local library will also have all the reports. FWIW we have a Miele dishwasher which I'm happy with and a Bosch washing machine which gets a lot of use and is beginning to give me problems. Like, not getting clothes clean.

I said - I don't have the local library, so if you learn anything interesting, please let me know

Anyone know how I can clean my fridge?

I learnt that the info on fridge freezers in Which mags is overwhelming! But am attracted to the latest Panasonic ones which have a magical salad drawer and thin casing to give more space inside.

I think I might do the trial subscription thing re the Which? website - knowing me, I'll then have to subscribe. I'll probably start my own fridge freezer thread when I'm further down the road, and will share my research!

My Bosch is doing that too Honey - I am considering getting one of those eco-steam machines instead tho' they may be just a little too avant-garde for comfort. Also, there's the usual hypocrisy of having to pay double for something planet-saving and green

Ernest - I have consulted the kitchen nerd oracle that is DH and in answer to your questions......

double ovens - the alternative the continentals prefer is single oven plus combi oven/microwave. We have this and TBH rarely use the full size oven as most things fit in the combi. It's great for baked potatoes as you can crisp the outside while microwaving the inside.

oven cleaning - now DH has no personal experience of this, but his customers tell him that pyrolytic (sp?) aka self-cleaning ovens are the best. Basically it has a program that goes up to v high temperatures & cremates any dirt inside (take the trays out though).

extractors - definitely the ones vented outside. The ones with filters can't remove moisture vapour, just the smells. They are more flexible to locate though. DH's preferred suppliers are elica.

full height corner units - yes, you can get them. Can't find pic I'm afraid.

Ernest- have you tried e-cloths for your stainless steel fridge? They are blimmin fantastic.

can someone tell me what an e cloth is, not being in the uk. Am sure I can get the equivalent here but need to know what it is? Actually just googled, think I have the same sort of thing, but I still have my kids' handprints. I cannot get the evil beast clean.
I have tried what I think are e-cloths, stainless steel cleaner, ordinary hot water with a bit of washing up liquid in, lots of elbow grease, it just doesn't look any different.
Spangle, does your dh reckon, or anyone else for that matter, as it seems to be so rarely done - would full height corner units look ok? Normally just counter level going round the corner.

We might have to get our extractor fan without external connection unfortunately, as the only exit point is in front of a window, so not possible.

zapostrophe, can just imagine you whizzing round in a giant miele. WOnder if they sell kids's car versions? Miele seems to rule on mumsnet.

What are thos honeycomb drums like, anyone know? What the big idea?

Ernest- if your fridge is the brushed stainless steel and the marks are finger prints, use baby oil. Works beautifully.

ok. Have googled and ordered 2 e-cloths. Fingers crossed.

The corner fridge was pretty expensive but it is wonderful! It is massive inside - the size of a phone box I think.

Dh got a huge flat screen telly and I got the fridge.

It does store everything and it is easy to get things out - but you do have to be quite good about not loosing things in the back and then finding them several weeks later! I try to keep big plastic boxes with related food in - fruit, veg, cold meat, cheese, bread etc.

We will end up with 3 teenage boys so think it will be really good then. It is also excellent at Christmas!

I've not read all of this but my Mum has a Neff oven and never ceases going on about how wonderful it is.

I prefer a Bosch dishwasher to a Miele.

Have you tried Good Housekeeping Institute. They do really thorough testing on kitchen appliances.

Sign up to a Which? one month for £1 trial. I did that when we moved into our current house, so we could get their "best buys".

I will try to sign up for which (don't know if they'll let me have a 2nd batch) in a couple of weeks, and try to find a German equivalent (there must be one I suppose? Found one for small things, like best bog roll/nappies/washing poweder but not for big items)

BTW huge thank you.

I was scared to try, but in the end I dug out an ancient bottle of baby oil, and cannot believe how transformed my fridge is! I am truly amazed. Wish I hadn't just ordered those blooming e cloths now.

Seriously fridge looks amazing. I truly didn't believe it.

These guys in Germany ernest:

Stiftungwarentest

Maybe you can mail or call and ask which editions cover the equipment you're after and just order those. They may have an office in Munich where you can go in and peruse. They did have one in Berlin I was told.

Have never used them myself but when you see products on sale with Testergebniss gut, sehr gut etc It'll be Stiftungwarentest who tested those products

Hello Ernest! Hope you're doing well. I just got a new oven, a built in AEG one, and I love it. Of course I'm Canadian, so we just got the single oven with a combination microwave... I'd never seen a double oven until we moved here.

Thanks zzzen, will look into them. abdnhiker hi, glad you like your oven. Am sulking cos want a double. Am even tempted to drive to UK and bringing one back. If they'll honour the guarantee I think I would...

we now have miele everything. apart from oven i hate my oven. it is indesit