Kitchen appliance advice needed! Post Reply

[BenandJerry]

In the processing of having a new kitchen installed and unsure about the following and would love some guidance if anyone has done similar recently:

1. should we get 2 ovens or one oven and a steamer/microwave or all three things?
   
2. is it worth getting a plate warming drawer or two - do people use them?
   

Thanks so much!

[Jonny Dyson Property Consultants]

I'm assuming that you are in a house as opposed to a flat?  With my property-finder hat on I would say that the least searched for kitchen appliance is a plate warmer, although my mother would turn in her grave at that as it was sacrilege to serve supper on cold plates!  I certainly wouldn't get two.

In terms of other equipment, it very much depends on the space you have available.  I would go for an oven (or double oven if possible) and a combi grill/microwave before I go for a steamer.  If you can get all of these then go for it, but the most important is a double oven if you're limited on space.

Lastly, try to locate them at waist level and above - more and more clients want this so that they don't have to constantly bend down to see how things are cooking and/or lift them out of the oven.

Jonny

[dudette]

Definitely two ovens. They don’t have to be the same size but trying to cook things at the same time that require different temperatures is tricky with one oven. I sometimes have to cook Xmas dinner at a friend’s house who only has one (albeit large) oven and it’s a nightmare.

As for the plate warming drawer - if you call it that then yes, no one will want one but call it a food warming drawer and suddenly it has a purpose! I have one and was a bit sceptical about it but use it a lot to keep things warm while I’m finishing the cooking. I would definitely get one again. You can also use it to prove bread if that’s your thing.

Don’t bother with a steam oven. A friend recommended one and ours is absolutely useless (it’s a Miele) so I don’t use the steam function (fortunately it also works as a normal oven.)

Get a separate microwave too if you have space.

[BenandJerry]

Thanks so much both, much appreciated! Two ovens and no steamer it is !

[DefinitelySteamOven]

I am a serious home cook - absolutely love cooking and baking.

I cannot imagine life without my steam oven. Love it. It’s actually the Gaggenau combi steam oven which is plumbed to a water line- so no jugs to fill. I use it more often than my regular oven (also Gaggenau- 400 series with rotisserie function). We do not heat leftovers in a microwave- heated 7-10min in the steam oven is perfect.
Perfect cakes and bakes, rice, puddings, eggs to proving dough. Pre covid Gaggenau London showroom hosted demo lunch to show you features firsthand (and you get a free meal!). Meanwhile - our warming drawer is arguably the most expensive storage drawer ever. Not used at all.