Updating your kitchen appliances doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Instead of opting for your usual appliances, why not try something new? Cooking on hobs has changed a lot in the past few years and with high-quality precision technology, you can now create captivating culinary delights with ease.
The general rule is once you’ve turned to induction, you won’t go back to gas. Induction hobs bring a whole host of benefits, the number one being that they are more energy-efficient. This is definitely something to consider at a time when our energy prices are rapidly rising!
It is said that induction hobs offer up to 70% reduction in energy consumption compared to traditional cooking methods such as gas. Induction hobs are also great for families and offer a much safer way of cooking. With no flames or ignition, burns and fumes are a thing of the past. Spillages are also super simple to clean away on induction hobs, so you don’t have to worry about burning the ring!
With no risk of accidentally ‘leaving a pan on’ most induction hobs operate on new technology such as Pan Detection Systems, recognising when a pan is in place. Induction hobs also offer a smoother dining experience, both heating up and cooling down pans a lot quicker than a gas hob.
This element of safety cannot be found in gas hobs, with many people switching to induction for this exact reason. Induction hobs don’t have a point of ignition like gas hobs do, this means that there is very little risk of pans catching fire compared to gas hobs that produce an open flame.
One of the great benefits of induction hobs is the ease with which you can clean them. With no parts to dismantle and safely clean, induction hobs can be easily wiped down eliminating any residues from grease or food.
As induction hobs have completely smooth and even surfaces, there are also no nooks or crannies for crumbs to fall into. They also look very sleek and stylish, complimenting a range of kitchen aesthetics.
Induction hobs are also considered a space saver, especially for those with smaller living spaces. If you think you would miss a gas hob for cooking and chargrilling vegetables, why not consider an outdoor cooking area such as a barbecue or oven?
The main downsides to induction hobs are often found by those who professionally cook. Whilst induction hobs are very easy to control, you need to use pans that have magnetic properties in order for them to work. This means that traditional copper pans, for example, are not suitable.
However, induction hobs carry a wide variety of benefits that beat any downsides. And if you were still determined to use your French copper pans, why not consider buying a gas burner to use either indoors or outdoors? This way you can have your crepes and eat them too!
For a smarter kitchen with fewer resources, consider switching to induction cooking. At Gerald Giles, we supply a variety of induction hobs to suit every kind of home. Below we have ranked our 3 best-selling induction hobs with detailed explanations of their benefits and technologies.
AEG IKB64301XB
Coming in third place is the AEG IKB64301XB Induction Hob. This built-in design electric induction hob will seamlessly blend into any home allowing you to have dinner on the table in no time.
With four induction zones, cooking couldn’t get any easier. This hob also includes an extra special PowerBoost button that boils water in under 90 seconds. This is because induction hobs heat the base of the pan and conserve energy, instead of heating the hob’s surface.
For enhanced safety, pan detection technology will ensure only the zones you want to work with get hot so if you do touch another area of the hob you won’t be faced with a nasty burn. You can also choose to set a control lock that prevents any changes to your settings.
As soon as you set your pan down on the hob and turn it on, its ActiveTouch technology will tell you which zone is best to use. Red lights indicate the temperature of the pan whilst your other options remain white. The hob also features LED backlights that indicate where your cookware is positioned. This makes the IKB64301XB an accessible piece of kitchenware suitable for a wide variety of homes.
With its cool surface, the AEG IKB64301XB hob will allow you to clean as you cook, taking kitchen preparation to the next level. It also includes a controlled cooker hood allowing you to focus entirely on your next tasty treat without worrying about turning your extractor fan on or off. With its adjustable timer, the AEG IKB64301XB will automatically remind you of how long you’ve been cooking!
Neff T48FD23X2 800mm Induction Hob
Coming in at a not-be-snubbed-at second place is the Neff T48FD23X2 800mm Induction Hob. This spectacular, stylish hob also includes a free induction pan set, making life just that little bit easier. We like to think that the T48FD23X2 will revolutionise the way you cook, this is because its built-in design and efficient energy-saving abilities have the power to transform any kitchen into a place of luxury – not to mention the envy of your friends and family!
Through heat, the hob creates a magnetic field between the base of a pan and the induction hob. This means that no energy is wasted and your pan heats in a fraction of the time a gas hob would. This is a much more efficient method of cooking compared to gas hobs and again, is a lot safer, especially if you’ve got little ones running around the house!
The overall design of this hob is sleek and sophisticated. Its black, glossy finish makes it suitable for a variety of kitchen designs, blending in without any raised rings on display.
The T48FD23X2 includes 17 stage power settings ensuring whatever you prepare is always cooked to perfection. From frying to boiling, the T48FD23X2 could be just what you and your kitchen need. As well as including a boost option that allows the hob to quickly jump into action, this clever design also includes a CombiZone; an area on the side of the model that can be used either as two cooking zones or one, if you were to own a large pan.
Gone are the days of worrying about knocking pans over or leaving the gas on, the Neff T48FD23X2 is the perfect addition to any home in need of an added touch of class.
The Neff T48FD23X2 is pricier than our earlier pick but it’s packed with clever features and will be an important part of your kitchen for decades to come, so well worth it we say.
Miele KM7464FR 62cm Wide Induction Hob 4 Zone With 1 PowerFlex Zone
And in first place; the Miele KM7464FR. This sleek and efficient glass hob includes a stainless-steel rim and easy-to-use touch controls. With the addition of touch control, you can simply select the best zone and power level before adding a lock and timer. This ensures no nasty accidents as well as perfectly cooked food every time!
Miele also has a mobile app to help you get the most out of your hob. For extra convenience, you can change the cooking parameters and even stop whichever programme is running on your phone. This level of service is undoubtedly unmatched by a gas hob. The app also includes ravishing recipes to help you get the most out of your Miele product.
We’ve ranked this hob as our best because it offers flexibility, safety, and quality. It includes a TwinBooster power output that allows you to combine the output of two cooking zones into one, ultimately meaning you don’t have to spend hours in the kitchen. By combining two zones into a larger zone, your hob becomes a versatile piece of kitchenware. So much so that you can even use pasta and casserole dishes on the hob without any problem.
The Auto Heat Up function automatically reduces the heat once your food is cooking to eliminate the risk of burning. Most users find this an excellent feature as they often forget to turn down the heat on their induction hobs. The KM7464FR also boasts a warming function for each zone that keeps your food at the optimum temperature for warmth without burning.
Like most induction hob manufacturers, safety is of utmost importance at Miele. Along with pan recognition, the KM7464FR also includes a safety lock that prevents any changes to temperature or zone use. This is a great feature if you have children and helps to reduce any burns or kitchen accidents.
With its amazing Stop&Go Memory Function, all cooking zones can be reduced down to power level one just by touching a button. This means that the hob can be left unattended, if need be, without food burning or spilling. After a short time, you can return to the hob and press the button for all zones to return to their previous power levels.
The Miele KM7464FR is a great investment for your kitchen. Its lustrous appearance and integrated design make it the perfect addition and space-saver for any home. There are many reasons why we rank the Miele KM7464FR as our best induction hob, why not order today to find out for yourself?
Still can’t decide which hob to choose? Why not come and visit us at Gerald Giles, Ber Street, Norwich. Here, you can view live demonstrations and decide for yourself. Plus, you’ll meet some friendly faces who are more than happy to share some words of wisdom when it comes to choosing the right hob for your home.
Just as within the world of fashion, food and cooking are also subject to trends that influence what we cook and how we cook it. If you’ve been paying attention of late, you’ll probably have noticed that certain kitchen gadgets are the tech du jour, namely the air fryer and the pressure cooker.
When we say pressure cooker, we don’t mean the old-fashioned iron contraptions complete with industrial-looking clamps on the side to stop the lid from exploding off when the pressure got too high, and a steam valve on the top that resembled a whistle on a train. We’re talking about the sleek, stylish and multi-functional digital gadgets that are revolutionising cooking in the kitchen.
A few companies have tried to create multi-cooker hybrids of the air fryer and pressure cooker, and the result is usually a kitchen gadget which, rather than doing one thing well, does several things half-heartedly. Until now that is thanks to the NINJA Foodi MAX 15-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker with Smart Cook System. It might not exactly be easy to pronounce but it is easy to use.
If you’re wondering what a “SmartLid” is, many multi-cookers require more than one lid to perform different functions, meaning you need space to store (often large) auxiliary accessories. This is all well and good if you have a kitchen with acres of storage, but if you’re buying a multi-cooker for the space saving potential, this is a definite downside. The NINJA Foodi MAX has just one lid which performs every function and never needs to be swapped out.
Let’s circle back to that functionality for a moment. The NINJA Foodi MAX performs, as the name suggests, no fewer than 15 different functions. With this one gadget, you’ll be able to pressure cook, air fry, grill, bake, dehydrate, prove, sear/sauté, steam, slow cook, make yoghurt, steam meals, steam air fry, steam bake, steam bread and steam roast. And while it may seem like something with so many settings could be complicated to use, changing function is simply a case of switching between cooking modes using the SmartLid Slider.
This means that with just one cooker, you’ll be able to bake a cake, cook a roast, dry fruit and cook cheese on toast. The future really is now.
One of our favourite features of the NINJA Foodi MAX is the built-in temperature probe, which allows you to cook meat to perfection. In the past, if you wanted an impeccably rare fillet steak, it felt like you needed the skill of a trained chef and the nerve of a Formula One driver so as not to ruin an expensive cut of beef. The NINJA’s temperature probe will give you a steak which is cooked to your exact preference with barely any effort at all.
While you may think that the NINJA Foodi MAX sounds like something that only belongs in the kitchen of a budding chef or a serious foodie, you’d be mistaken. This NINJA model has been made not only with family in mind, but a BIG family! It has a capacity of 7.5L, which is more than enough to cook a leg of lamb or large joint of beef, a stew with around 15 large portions and the ceramic coated Cook & Crisp Basket fits up to 1.8kg of French fries!
From a family perspective, it’s all well and good having a huge capacity, but many multi-cookers take a really long time to cook everything because they lack the sheer power of a traditional oven. This isn’t the case with the NINJA Foodi MAX; the pressure cook setting allows you to cook food up to 70% faster than other methods, while still producing meat which is fall-off-the-bone tender. This thing has the ability to cook a 3kg chicken in under an hour, which should keep even the hungriest, most impatient family fed and content.
Let’s not forget the fact that air fryers are responsible for creating some seriously tasty meals with significantly less oil – up to 75% less fat than traditional frying methods for hand cut fries. That’s a serious caloric saving. It’s great fun for anyone who likes to experiment in the kitchen and it often feels like the potential for cooking with the NINJA Foodi MAX is endless.
In fact, One pot cooking is currently in the middle of its renaissance, and that’s in no small part thanks to the NINJA Foodi MAX 15-in-1 SmartLid Multi-Cooker. Far from being the way that our elders saved money and made meals with cheaper ingredients that had to stretch as far as possible, it’s now completely conceivable to cook a high-end, gourmet meal using just one highly-functional gadget.
It may be the birth of a new way of cooking, but we’re truly convinced that the NINJA Foodi MAX 15-in-1 has set the standard for multi-cookers and will be here to stay for a very long time.
Packed with lots of easy to use features and making it easier and quicker than ever to make meals that would give any amatuer chef a run for their money, the NINJA Foodi Max is a good investment for the modern kitchen. Take a look at our offers online and if you’ve got any questions about this or any other product you’ve seen on our website, please get in touch on sales@geraldgiles.co.uk or Tweet us @GilesElectrical.
KitchenAid blenders are a must-have addition to stylish kitchens belonging to keen cooks – as well those looking to speed up and simplify food preparation.
Known for their quality and sleek designs, anyone who’s ever cooked anything knows that a KitchenAid blender makes things easier, cleaner and far more fuss-free than ever before.
Far from being style over substance, the KitchenAid blender can perform a multitude of tasks, taking your culinary creations from ‘good cook’ to ‘top chef’. Here are a few things that you should know about using your KitchenAid blender:
1. Your Smoothies Will Be Smooth
Okay, so lots of blenders can handle the simple task of making a smoothie, but not all smoothies are created equal! Many standard kitchen blenders can’t handle rough or fibrous materials and your drink ends up being a ‘not-so-smoothie’, even after minutes of blending. The combination of a powerful motor and ultra-sharp blending blades means that your KitchenAid blender smoothies will be exactly that – as smooth as silk.
2. Your Cocktails Will Be Next Level
Ever tried to make an ice-based cocktail in your standard blender? If you have, then perhaps your ice came out very unevenly blended. If you were really unlucky, your blender may have even started to smell of burning, under the pressure of trying to deal with a solid material such as ice. The KitchenAid blender actually offers a dedicated crushed ice setting which will give you perfectly consistent ice for a marvellous margarita every time!
3. Soups Are Super Easy with KitchenAid Blenders
If you’re a fan of homemade soups and prefer them to be smooth rather than chunky, you’re probably aware that this can be a bit of a process. First, you need to cook your vegetables, then you have to wait for them to cool before you can blend everything, so that you don’t get a dangerous build-up of steam in your blender. Second, you have to reheat it all again in a saucepan. The KitchenAid ProLine blender does all of that for you. It has a thermal jug and can turn your raw vegetables into hot soup, all in one device.
4. You’ll Never Buy Jars of Sauce Again
From a puttanesca to pesto, hollandaise to mayonnaise, the KitchenAid blender will make better sauces than a mass manufacturer ever could. It’s even powerful enough to blend nuts into a smooth paste, allowing you to make your own nut butters from peanuts, almonds, walnuts, cashews and whatever other type of nut you’d like to be able to spread on toast. Don’t just take our word for it, @taste_cooking spoke to KitchenAid evangelist and Michelin star chef, Missy Robbins. She swears by using KitchenAid, not only for her sauces, but to make pasta for her diners using one of their optional accessories.
5. The Same Goes for Baby Food
Sick of buying overpriced jars and sachets of indeterminable mush for your babies and toddlers? The KitchenAid blender is a great investment if you’re weaning your child onto solids as you can make fresh, organic baby food using your own ingredients. You’ll be safe in the knowledge that you know exactly what your child is eating and that you’re giving them the best possible nutrition. The KitchenAid blender is powerful enough to make food which is completely smooth for those early days when lumps just won’t do, but many models can also chop and slice food with more texture for when you’re feeding a toddler and trying to introduce new foods.
6. KitchenAid Blenders Are Easy to Clean
If you’ve used a generic blender in the past, you may have had a hard time keeping the individual parts clean and hygienic. If blenders aren’t properly sanitised, they can be prone to developing mould and this is really not something you want in your food. With KitchenAid blenders, many models have a self-clean setting and the jugs are also dishwasher proof. This means that you can feel secure about the cleanliness of your appliance and know that with proper maintenance, it will last for years.
7. They’re Great for Getting Vegetables into Your Kids
As any seasoned parent knows, the majority of kids take the first bite of a meal with their eyes. This means that many vegetable-averse children will pick out even the tiniest lump of unidentified vegetable before they have a chance to eat it. With a KitchenAid blender, you can add hidden vegetables into a number of sauces for pasta, cottage pies and other dishes. You’ll be assured your children are getting their five a day and avoiding the usual added salt and sugar that comes in premade sauce.
8. They Make Any Kitchen Look Great
As we mentioned above, KitchenAid blenders are super stylish. They come in a number of different sizes and colours and can complement any decor. Whether you want a sleek chrome blender to match your professional style or a funky colour for a vibrant look, KitchenAid blenders have a design for you. As well as being aesthetically pleasing, KitchenAid blenders come with a range of functions and fit a number of different budgets.
Take a look around our site for the best blender you’ll ever own. The accessories make great gifts for family and friends – if we’ve convinced you that the KichenAid blender will make cooking easier and be a savvy way of getting your five a day, then put it on your list – or better still buy now and make light work of cooking this year!
KitchenAid is one of the oldest and most trusted brands making kitchen appliances today.
Their top-quality appliances are favourites among professionals and home chefs alike. KitchenAid stand mixers have even appeared on the Great British Bake-Off! However, these iconic appliances are not just for baking. In this article, we take a look at KitchenAid’s huge range of extra attachments, which can help you with everything from juicing fruit to making your own ice cream.
KitchenAid Mixers: Perfect for Baking
With its solid, professional-grade construction, powerful motor and classic design, the 5KSM175PSBER Artisan Stand Mixer is an indispensable tool for home chefs. Made of stainless steel and available in a range of colours, from Almond Cream to Dried Rose to Pistachio, it makes a beautiful addition to any kitchen.
KitchenAid’s range of stand mixers are perfectly designed to make batters and doughs. One of the best additional attachments for baking is the 5KSMSFTA Sifter & Scale, which uses the mixer’s motor to sift your flour or cocoa powder.
The sifter has a digital scale attached, so you can measure your ingredients straight into it. It also has a chute to prevent spills when pouring. With this handy tool, you can save time and avoid mess as you bake. Taste of Home are big fans of the Sifter & Scale attachment, which they say ‘makes quick work of weighing, incorporating and sifting ingredients.’
While this clever little widget helps you craft Bake Off-worthy creations, KitchenAid mixers are not just for cake batter. In fact, they can do much, much more than just stir ingredients. As Business Insider writes: ‘When it comes to mixers, KitchenAid stand mixers are in a class of their own. In addition to mixing batters and kneading doughs, these mixers work with a wide array of attachments.’
So, whether you’re out to impress your dinner guests with homemade sauces and ice cream, or simply looking for time-saving gadgets to reduce mess and hassle, KitchenAid has the tools for you. With an attachment for almost every purpose, KitchenAid mixers can help you unleash your culinary creativity.
Scrumptious Sauces
For example, KitchenAid mixers can make juices, sauces, coulis and jams thanks to the KSM1JA Slow Juicer and Sauce Attachment. Taste of Home is full of praise for this multifunctional attachment: ‘If your morning routine involves a fresh-pressed glass of green juice, it’s worth adding this attachment to your kitchen. Designed to expertly create juices, sauces and jams, this add-on gadget can replace other bulky, stand-alone appliances. Plus, choose between three different pulp screens to ensure your final product has the perfect texture.’ Whatever’s on the menu, you simply feed your fruit, herbs or leafy veg into the tube at the top and watch your juice, jam or sauce come out at the bottom.
KitchenAid also makes the 5JE Citrus Juicer Attachment. Powered by the mixer’s motor, it speedily extracts juice and filters out pips and seeds. Foodal’s reviewer loves this simple but effective attachment: ‘With this citrus juicer, I actually get the full amount my recipes say I should from juicing any citrus fruit! It attaches to the power hub at the front of the machine, and will work for any model of KitchenAid. My favourite part: it’s totally dishwasher safe!’
Turn Your Kitchen into an Ice Cream Parlour
If you’re feeling a little more ambitious and want to get the most out of your KitchenAid mixer, why not try the 5KICA0WH Ice Cream Maker Attachment? The Spruce Eats loves how this easy-to-use attachment ‘allows you to customize the flavours to fit your family’s taste.’
Equipped with a double-walled freezer bowl, this churner is everything you need to make your own sweet treats. All you have to do is freeze the bowl, pop your ingredients in and leave the mixer to do the rest. And the Ice Cream Maker Attachment is not just for mint choc chip or peach sorbet; you can even make frozen cocktails with it!
The KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker is also a highly practical buy, with Foodal reporting that it is ‘quieter in comparison to ice cream makers for stand mixers from other companies.’ In addition, ‘all of the parts except the bowl are dishwasher safe, so cleanup is a breeze.’ Once you’re finished whipping up your homemade puddings, there’s no need to ruin the fun with boring washing up!
Like the KitchenAid sauce and juicer attachments, the Ice Cream Maker lets you make your own recipes from fresh ingredients. As a result, you have total control over what goes into your food – which is great if you’re watching what you eat. Foodal loves making healthier ice cream with KitchenAid’s mixer attachment: ‘Since it’s usually made simply from just fruit juice and water, with maybe a little natural sweetener, it’s a great low calorie dessert.’
KitchenAid Mixers: Dozens of Functions in One Appliance
KitchenAid mixers are far from single-function appliances. Equipped with the right attachments, a KitchenAid mixer can be your sous-chef as you mix, bake, juice, pulp, and create delicious ice creams and sauces. If you want to take your cooking to the next level and get the most out of this marvellous mixer, Gerald Giles stocks a wide range of KitchenAid attachments that you can browse here.
