So, we’re in renovating mode. Appliances and Brands.

Spec: Built in Oven, Extractor Hoods, Induction Hobs and Dishwashers, Fridge Freezer, Washing Machine we have is already Miele (built in with changeable front cover door)
Brands: AEG, Miele, NEFF.
Scope: Cost, Efficiency, Reliability.

Which would you, wouldn’t you? Opinions?

Ya.

I got neff about 6 years ago.
Freezer been ok.
Fridge thermostat needs replaced i think.
Dishwasher had all main components replaced under warranty over 3 separate occasions. Loads of hassle.
Induction hob is great.
Oven is good, pyrolytic cleaning is great.
Combi oven was really really expensive. Have also spent several hundred replacing the magnetron and then the controller. Function selector switch is starting to fail now.
Extractor works.

Don’t think I’d buy neff again

Having had built in and standalone – whist aesthetically built in wins they’re a royal pain in the arse.

If you want to swap them out at any point in the future the replacement will need all the hinges etc in different places, they cost more, trying to mend even a minor leak say requires far more faffing etc.

I’d go standalone if/ when we redo the kitchen in the new gaff.

Warming drawers are worth considering

I’ve just replaced a built-in washer/dryer with a standalone as i didn’t want all the faff associated with fitting the door, plinth etc.

I was also chatting to an appliance engineer (the one who condemned my washer/dryer) who said most manufacturers tend to label their cheapest models as “built-in”, and save the best parts for the standalone models. I don’t have any evidence for that, so I can’t validate this, but it may be something to look into.

we have Siemens induction hob and extractor ( with filters ) . Really pleased so far .
Induction hob is really easy to use and very efficient .

If you want to swap them out at any point in the future the replacement will need all the hinges etc in different places, they cost more, trying to mend even a minor leak say requires far more faffing etc.

Our dishwasher is built in but it just has a matching panel that fixes to the front – pretty easy to change.
Out washing machine is standalone but in another room so not sure how that works.

Our Bosch dishwasher has been very good and whisper quiet for a number of years (about 7 so far). The whirlpool it replaced was fairly crap.

Neff Microwave needed a new magnetron after about 5 [heavy usage] years – it stopped working again last year but it turned out to be just a big internal fuse that I replaced myself.

Big American type Neff fridge freezer has been fine in 10 years other than needing a new compressor or fan for the freezer side after about 3 years – and the solenoid on the water dispenser has become sticky.

Hopefully next year we’ll be making some changes to the kitchen and the Brittania range will be replaced with a pair of Miele ovens (one conventional and the other a combi microwave oven) and a big FO induction hob (Miele or possibly Neff) – I’m really over cleaning the top of the range!

Agreed re induction. I’ve always been a gas chef, but changed to a Falcon Induction range this year. I clean it daily now because it is so easy! My gas hob was always hateful to clean.

I’ve gone built in for DWs (Neff, with a top cutlery drawer) but washing machine is standalone in the utility and fridge is a stainless Samsung American 2door with ice machine, standing in a chimney breast, which was rebuilt to fit.

Our only built-in appliance is the dishwasher. Range cooker, microwave and fridge freezer are free standing. The built-in microwave stopped working in the old kitchen so that put me off having everything built-in when we went for a new kitchen.

Washing machine and tumble dryer are in the utility.

Cheapest Miele you can afford (if thats such a thing!). We ended up with a bit of a mixture due to them Miele not doing a fridge and a freezer in the rather special height we needed, so did Neff instead and I’m slightly disappointed in them. Freezer make a canny racket now and then (though worringly it’s gone quiet over the past month). The five ring induction won’t do five pans, only four now.

The Miele stuff hasn’t missed a beat, the ovens are great but they are expensive and unless you really need all the toys then their basic ones are what I’d recommend.

Didn’t try Bosch, but the experiences with washer and tumbler made by them are good too. Again, I’d rather have a basic Bosch washer than a fancy other brand for the same price.

My dishwashers never seem to last very well, I think it’s the hard water we have, that said the Bosch we have now seems to be pretty good (seems better than the cheapo Kenwood it replaced, that was a false economy as it only lasted 2 years). The whirlpool we had before (×2) lasted about 5 years each. I have just replaced my Bosch fridge after 12 years, still worked fine but door was banjaxed and Bosch freezer is still going after 12 years (but begining to show its age). So for me Bosch and whirlpool=good, kenwood=crap.

Double post

Just dont get Smeg!

Thanks chaps, good balance of thoughts.

Tricky decisions, mainly because what we have currently is a bit of a mix (mostly Bosch, and that’s all be great) so now it’s all about to be changed for some flash looking stuff.

The washing machine (Miele) has been great, super quiet yet we’re balancing up cost/usage etc. for all the other appliances.

Cheers.

Having had built in and standalone – whist aesthetically built in wins they’re a royal pain in the arse.

This, and the 20% extra cost

Just dont get Smeg!

IME, a spot of daily personal hygeine takes care of that…

Hmm, I’ve got built in hob and double oven. This meant I could have a dropped hob (slightly lower than standard height) and ovens at eye level, both of which I find ergonomically superior to an all in one cooker.

Unfortunately dantsw13 now has me lusting after a Falcon induction range!!

Sorry!!

I really liked the look of the Mercury one (both company’s the premium brands for AGA Rangemaster) but for the same size range, the tall oven was narrower

Induction heats quicker, is more controllable and just as good for “hot” frying as gas.

Obviously you need ferrous based pans but cast iron casseroles and griddle pans work

Yes I’m looking to swap the gas hob as it’s looking distinctly grubby and I’m quite taken by induction hobs.

One main bit of advice – if the fitters ever use the phrase “Oh no, it’s meant to be like that” when you point out a gap or a door that doesn’t function properly it translates as “We got right to the end, cut all the bits and then realised we cocked it up and we can’t be bothered to sort it out”.

Oh, and induction hobs are powered by witchcraft.

There can be no other plausible explanation.

Mrs has been in John Lewis/Wren kitchens all morning checking it all out.

I went surfing.

Still, she’s good at this stuff. She’s a property renovation specialist, but when it comes to our own stuff she’s in a tizz about it.. 😕

The general rule of thumb in Germany is Bosch for induction hobs and Miele for everything else. That’s what we went for for our new “How **** much?” Kitchen and so far we have been very happy.

Bikebuoy – steer well clear of wren. Consider them the Dave Hinde of Kitchens!! The internet is littered with horror stories.

Over the years I’ve had poor experience with both Neff (double ovens, hob) and Miele (washing machines/dishwasher/vacuum cleaner/fridge freezer). Imo both companies used to sell quality products and as they became popular their quality dropped.

My slimline Siemens dishwasher has so far proved reliable, it’s pretty much used daily but utterly flimsy.

Definitely would not have built in appliances again, they’re a pita when needing fixed.

Had a succession of built-in appliances in our kitchen, mainly Bosch. The problem is the kitchen was built around the appliances and very little room to spare – getting some out like the dishwasher is a right ball-ache. I don’t think they’re any more reliable. The problem is they’re not interchangeable with standalone units so once you’ve made the decision, that’s it, or a new kitchen

avoid smeg dishwashers, ours broke after 6 months repaired under warranty but expecting it to go again. previous Bosch lasted about 5 years.

we’ve had a lot of good use from Samsung appliances / tv’s / phones. if you can stand irritating ditties when they switch on / off they are good

Ahh, Wren.. yes.. well then. We do know about the horror stories, and plenty of them are quite detailed too 😆

So, she’s used them plenty of times previously on clients instructions so she’s got a good rapport with them.. hence the colossal time spent in there.. plus they’ve got the design software that she likes.. so whilst she may/may not use them it’s a convenient place to go for her.
To be honest I’d just put a load of Bosch stuff in and be done with it, yet I’m pleased to let her have her design choices on this one.
The last two homes were kinda joint efforts, certainly the last one and it turned out nice enough.. this one she seems really keen on going down to the last detail.. and I’m happy with that.

Once she’s chosen, I’ll let you know.. could be good for picking holes in our final decisions eh 😀

Which magazine will tell you more than any stw thread.

With built in appliances, you won’t see the unit anyway, as it’s behind a cupboard door, so internal features & reliability are the differentiators. There’s no issue with mix & match brands. I really wanted a separate cutlery drawer in my dishwasher ( so 3 washing levels) and the mid level Neff had that and decent reviews.

We’ve got an AEG induction hob (with gas wok ring), extractor, ovens and microwave combi. We’ve had them 3 years with no issues so far.

Bosch / Siemens / neff are pretty much the same thing made in the same factories. It’s pretty awesome stuff. Got a Siemens built in DW & the attention to detail is great. I particularly like: the floor projector to tell you what stage of the cycle it’s on & the heavy rubber screening that fits between the door and the plinth to reduce noise. It’s whisper quiet.

I didn’t bother getting all matching goods when I refurbed last year, got two AEG single ovens, a Neff 5 ring induction, although did consider getting the induction plus gas ring as mentioned above, Bosch dishwasher,a non built in Samsung American fridge and Luxair extractor. All looks good all still working and looking good after 7 long months.

I would consider a warming drawer but I couldn’t really afford it at the time. In the same way that Bosch/Siemens/Neff are related so too are AEG and Zanussi both are part of Electrolux group, along with many others. Our AEG ovens are made in Italy and have a very similar spec to a Zanussi oven that I was also interested in, only went for the AEG as it offered 2 year guarantee and was slightly more aesthetically fitting.

If you’re spending thousands and it sounds like you are definitely get a Which? subscription.

Shopping around can save money but many online box shifters will also discount if you purchase everything from them, sometimes they make this explicit, some times you have to ask. We got ours, with the exception of the extractor, from Appliance City, would recommend.