Viewing window. Delay timer. 3 loaf sizes. Keep warm. 3 crust colours. Internal light. Measuring cup and spoon. Programmes include: Basic, rapid white, wholewheat, wholewheat rapid, french, cake, gluten free, artisan dough, jam, pizza. Programme times: white 3hr 15s and wholewheat 4hr 35s based on large loaf size and medium crust colour.
Comments
Good points: Excellent white and wholewheat results. Good rapid bake results and under 60 minutes. Flavour and texture good for gluten free recipe given.
Drawbacks: the markings on the measuring spoon come off easily.
Delay timer. 3 loaf sizes. Keep warm. Nut dispenser; 3 crust colours. Choice of blades for rye or regular bread. Measuring cup and measuring spoon. Programmes: basic, whole-wheat, rye, sandwich, gluten free, brioche. Options: bake only, rapid bake, raisin bake, raisin dough. Programme times: white 4 hours, wholemeal 5 hours based on large sized loaf with medium crust colour.
Comments
Good Points: This is a consistently good performer with excellent white, rapid white and wholemeal loaves. The front-angled display is easy to see and the controls are easy to operate. It is simple to programme with clear step by step instructions and a wide choice of recipes.
Delay timer. 3 loaf sizes. Keep warm. Nut dispenser; 3 crust colours. Choice of blades for rye or regular bread. Measuring cup and measuring spoon. Programmes: basic, whole-wheat, rye, French, Italian, sandwich, gluten free, pizza. Options: bake only, rapid bake, raisin bake, raisin dough. Programme times: white 4 hours, wholemeal 5 hours based on extra large sized loaf with medium crust colour.
Comments
This is a consistently good performer with excellent white, rapid white and wholemeal loaves. The front-angled display is easy to see and the controls are easy to operate. It is simple to programme with clear step by step instructions and a wide choice of recipes.
Touch and dial control. 850W. Heating category E. 22 litres. 24.5cm turntable. 6 power levels. 30 minute timer. 6 auto weight cook programmes. Defrost by weight or time. Delay start. Dimensions: H284 x W482 x D350mm. Child safety lock. Stainless steel finish. Standby mode.
Comments
Good points: The power levels are displayed in words, high-low on the fascia and as wattages on the display which makes it easy to program. Simple fascia. Large jacket potatoes allowance means you can cook four good sized potatoes together. Frozen ready meal heated to the centre.
Drawbacks: Auto programmes are displayed as numbers, need instructions to work out which is which. The screen is hard to see unless you are level with it. Small turntable. Chilled ready meal not heated enough in the centre.
Dial and touch control. 800W. Heating category E. 23 litres. 25.5cm turntable. 10 power levels. 60 minute timer. 8 auto weight cook and 5 auto weight defrost programmes. Power save mode. Dimensions: H287 x W465 x D366mm. Child safety lock. Black
Comments
Good points: Stylish black exterior. Useful power save mode. Clear key on the fascia shows what the auto programmes are. Chilled ready meal was heated to the centre. Beeps to remind you to turn frozen food then keeps cooking. One of only a few which defrosted and heated a frozen ready meal to an acceptable temperature.
Drawbacks: The power levels are shown in percentages not in wattages. Soup was slightly unevenly heated. Mince was unevenly defrosted, still frozen in places.
Touch control. 850W. Heating category n/s. Litres n/s. 32cm turntable. 99m 50s timer. 14 auto weight cook and 5 auto weight defrost programmes. 2 stage cooking. Dimensions: H283 x W507 x D435mm. Child safety lock.
Comments
Good points: Has a very wide choice of auto reheat and cook programmes. Very clear comprehensive instructions. Easy to use controls and clear fascia panel. Soup heated evenly. One of a few which heated the frozen ready meal through. Generous maximum weight for jacket potatoes allows three good sized potatoes to be cooked at once.
Drawbacks: Chilled ready meal did not heat through to the centre.
Touch control. 750W. Heating category n/s. 13 litres. 28cm turntable. 5 power levels. 30 minute timer. Defrost by time or weight. Dimensions: H375 x W372 x D360mm. Child safety lock.Choice of six colours. Steamer and baby bottle holder included.
Comments
Good points: Its curved back means it fits neatly into a corner. Controls are situated on the top edge which makes them easy to see and use. The steamer works well for vegetables. Frozen meal hot enough in the centre.
Drawbacks:the instructions are not detailed enough with no cooking charts - needed as there are no auto cook programmes. Beeps to remind you to turn during defrosting but has to be restarted manually. Chilled meal was not heated high enough in the centre.
Dial and touch control. 850W. Heating category E. n/s litres. 27cm turntable. 5 power levels. 95 minute timer. 9 auto weight cook programmes. Defrost by weight or time. 2 stage cooking. Delay start. Dimensions: H287 x W485 x D410mm. Child safety lock.
Comments
Good points: Very bright digital display and clear fascia, the central dial glows blue when in operation. Useful key on the fascia shows what the auto programmes are. Good jacket potatoes.
Drawbacks: The power levels are displayed in percent not wattages. Soup was slightly unevenly heated and both chilled and frozen ready meals failed to reach high temperatures in the centre.
Dial and touch control. 900W. Heating category E. 23 litres. 27cm turntable. 5 power levels. 60 minute timer. 8 auto weight cook programmes. Defrost by weight or time. 2 stage cooking. Dimensions: H281 x W483 x D414mm. Child safety lock. Black / stainless steel.
Comments
Good points: The fascia is clear and the buttons easy to use. One of the few machines which managed to defrost and heat a frozen ready meal evenly. Very clear and concise instructions.
Drawbacks: The power levels are displayed in percent not wattages. Soup was slightly unevenly heated. The chilled ready meal was bubbling at the edges but not hot enough in the centre. Frozen mince started to cook underneath on the defrost setting.
Touch control. 800W. Heating category E. 20 litres. 24.5cm turntable. 10 power levels. 99m 90s timer. 11 auto weight cook programmes. Defrost by weight or time. 2 stage cooking. Dimensions: H262 x W452 x D340mm.
Comments
Good points: Clearly laid out control panel.
Drawbacks: The power levels are displayed in percent not wattages. The control panel could be more touch sensitive. Soup was unevenly heated. Chilled and frozen ready meals were not hot enough in the centre and mince unevenly defrosted.
Dial and touch control. 700W. Heating category D. n/s litres. 24.5cm turntable. 9 power levels. 95 minute timer. 8 auto weight cook programmes. Defrost by weight or time. 2 stage cooking. Dimensions: H258 x W440 x D354mm. Child safety lock.
Comments
Good points: Compact and very easy to operate with a clear fascia. Jacket potatoes cooked well.
Drawbacks: The power levels are displayed in percent not wattages. Soup was slightly unevenly heated and both chilled and frozen ready meals failed to reach high temperatures in the centre.
Dial and touch control. 900W. Heating category E. 23 litres. 27cm turntable. 6 power levels. 99 minute timer. 8 auto weight cook and 2 auto weight defrost programmes. 3 stage cooking. Delay start. Dimensions: H281 x W483 x D375mm. Child safety lock. Stainless steel finish.
Comments
Good points: This has a simple, clear fascia and easy to use controls. Soup heated evenly. Power levels are shown in wattages.
Drawbacks: Defrost programme is not very flexible, only for meat or poultry. The control dial is loose to turn and could be knocked easily. Chilled ready meal did not heat to the centre. The scrolling prompt is annoyingly slow before you can set the next stage. Frozen mince started to cook on the defrost setting. Beeps to turn during defrosting but has to be restarted manually. Instructions could be more detailed.
Dial and touch control. 900W. Heating category E. 25 litres. 31.5cm turntable. 5 power levels. 95 minute timer. 10 auto weight cook programmes. Defrost by weight or time. 2 stage cooking. Delay start. Dimensions H305 x W513 x D425mm. Child safety lock. Black with stainless steel trim
Comments
Good points: Family size with generous turntable. Useful key on the fascia shows what the auto programmes are.
Drawbacks: Power levels are displayed in percentage not wattages. Soup was unevenly heated and it failed to heat chilled and frozen ready meals through to the centre. Mince was still frozen in places even after standing.
Touch control. 850W. Heating category E. 23 litres. 28.5cm turntable. 6 power levels. 99 minute timer. 6 auto weight cook and 4 auto weight defrost programmes. Dimensions: H275 x W489 x D397mm. Child safety lock. Deodorising function. Black with stainless steel trim
Comments
Good points: Large turntable for a compact model. The beeper can be deactivated. Power levels are shown in wattages.
Drawbacks: The controls are marked by symbols only and it is not immediately obvious what they refer to without checking the instructions. Deodorising feature is a bit of a gimmick. Chilled ready meal was not heated enough in the centre and soup was unevenly heated. Defrost function is not versatile enough. Rapid defrost for mince only relies on lengthy standing time.
6 litre stainless steel pot. Locking device. Two cooking settings. Visual pressure indicator. Digital countdown timer. Steam basket. Can be used on all hob types.
Comments
Good points: Useful folding handles for compact storage. Clever digital countdown timer starts counting once the steam has built up and can be removed and carried around. Steamer basket sits neatly inside pot. Good recipe book. Meat or veg settings or steam function. Sturdy knobs and controls.
Drawbacks: Quite noisy. Pan base has discoloured under heat.
3 litre stainless steel pot. Auto locking device. Visual pressure indicator.Can be used on all hob types. Dishwasher safe pot.
Comments
Good points: Small size is ideal for one or two people. Visual indicator is useful to show when pressure has been reached.
Drawbacks: The lid is hard to lock on to the pot. Not obvious how to release the steam. No trivet or steaming basket supplied. No recipes in instruction booklet.
6 litre stainless steel pot. Mechanical locking device. Visual pressure indicator. Two pressure settings. Can be used on all hob types. Dishwasher safe pot.
Comments
Good points: Recipe book supplied. Useful pressure indicator.
Drawbacks: Steam dial is very loose and could easily be knocked and is rather plasticky. Fast pressure release
5 litre non stick removable inner pot. Lid safety lock. 90 minute timer. Overheat safety feature. Measuring cup and spatula. Can be used on all hob types. Steaming rack included.
Comments
Good points: Quiet operation. Useful countdown timer.
Drawbacks: Quite slow to build up pressure. The steam control knob has no markings and is loose to turn, could easily be knocked. Timer is not easy to set accurately. No handles on inner pot make it hard to life out when hot. Instructions poor.
4 litre coated aluminium pot. Locked indicator. Open and close dial for easy use. Steam outlet.
Comments
Good points: A cross between a stew pot and a pressure cooker but the lid can be removed at any point during the cooking process. It cooked minestrone soup, chicken casserole, steamed veg and rice to perfection, maintaining moisture and flavour. Casserole cooked in 20 minutes and soup in 25 minutes.
Drawbacks: Small pot size will just feed four. Cooking rice was no quicker than on the hob. The recipe booklet needs more recipes and more commonly cooked foods. Lid is hard to clean. Steam outlet is quite fierce.
12 litre, dishwasher safe glass bowl. 2 racks for different level cooking. Timer and temperature dials. Safety cut out switch on handle. Tongs.
Comments
Good points: Large bowl is more suitable when cooking for more than one person. It roasted a chicken beautifully in an hour and 15 minutes, browning it evenly and crisping roast potatoes. Frozen chips and bread rolls cooked well and browned evenly. Might suit someone with limited cooking facilities such as a student.
Drawbacks: No stand for lid which is hot after use. Bowl is heavy to lift. Little cooking time was saved for chips and bread compared to conventional cooking. It failed to cook the pastry base of an apple pie and fruit cake was left uncooked in the centre. Instructions are very poor with few recipe ideas - essential when using a new form of cooking. Claims to save time and energy but we would question how much time you are really saving.
5.0 litre ceramic pot. 3 settings: low, high and warm. Digital display and timer to 10 hours cooking time. Dishwasher safe pot and lid.
Weight of pot: 2.8kg
Comments
Good points: Deep circular pot is ideal for layered dishes and tends to keep dishes more moist than wider pots. Clear digital display counts down the set time. Easy to set time and temp. Press controls make it easy to wipe clean. Lowest energy usage and low moisture loss. Very good beef stew results, beef and veg well cooked and flavoursome. Chicken and veg cooked well in hotpot. Cooks for 10 hours and will keep warm for 2 hours.
Drawbacks: Celery and lentils still a little firm in soup.
6.5 litre ceramic pot. 3 settings: low, high and warm. On indicator.
Weight of pot: 3.4kg.
Comments
Good points: Generous sized pot. Lentils cooked in soup and flavoursome. Beef tender in stew and veg well cooked.
Drawbacks: On indicator could be brighter. Shallow pot handles are hard to grip with oven mitts. Instructions are poorly laid out and lacking in detail. No timer means it will carry on cooking until you switch it off or on to keep warm - no auto keep warm.
3.8 litre ceramic pot. 3 settings: low, high and hold. On and cook indicators. Timer to 9 hours. Dishwasher safe pot and lid.
Weight of pot: 2.4kg.
Comments
Good points: A good selection of recipes is included in the instructions. Clear and concise instruction booklet. Low energy. Lentils well cooked in soup. Cooks for a maximum of 8 hours and then switches to keep warm.
Drawbacks: Boils vigorously even on a low setting and spits from under the lid which rattles during cooking. Beef overcooked in stew and liquid reduced. Chicken dry and chewy in hotpot.