Ease of cooking, energy efficiency and safety are all things that come to mind when choosing a hob for your kitchen.  That’s why more and more homeowners are choosing an induction hob over traditional gas and electric.

Gorenje, the Slovenian kitchen appliance manufacturer, see the importance of adding more choice to their portfolio of innovative induction hobs and so have introduced three new ranges to their collection, including a panoramic and a five zone model.

The latest additions to Gorenje’s induction hob range are a five zone model, a four zone panoramic hob and a four zone 60 cm wide model. They feature a chic black glass design, with easy to use touch control, residual heat indicators and safety hob locks for peace of mind. The new panoramic and five zone hobs also offer several innovative functions such as Boil Control to prevent pans boiling over, and StopGo to temporarily pause the cooking process.

Ruth Ferguson, Gorenje’s Marketing Manager, says: “Induction is rapidly becoming the most sought after hob type, and consumers are looking for a variety of sizes and configurations so they can pick the right one for their kitchen. Gorenje’s new induction hobs come in a selection of arrangements to ensure that the consumer can find the ideal one for their needs, whilst offering elegant, seamless design and thoughtful functionality.”

Key features and benefits of the IT1141AC Panoramic induction hob:

• Four zone induction hob with ergonomic panoramic design for easy access to pots and pans
• Stylish black glass finish with chamfered edge
• Two 21cm zones offer up to 3.7 kW each, and two 18cm zones offer up to 3kW each
• BoilControl helps prevent pans from boiling over
• PowerBoost function further enhances the performance of the hob, delivering additional time savings
• StopGo function allows the consumer to temporarily suspend the cooking process when unexpectedly interrupted. One touch of the StopGo key freezes all settings, temporarily switching off all active heating zones until reactivated by the StopGo key
• StayWarm function allows the consumer to keep their food warm at an optimum temperature
• Residual heat indicators illuminate to show which zones are still radiating heat, ensuring even greater safety
• Safety control lock for peace of mind, particularly around children
• Timer function for easy use
• Comes with Gorenje’s free five year parts and labour guarantee
• Dimensions: H x W x D: 43 x 1070 x 410 mm
• The IT1141AC retails for approximately £799

For more information about Gorenje’s new induction hobs call Gorenje on 020 8247 3980, or visit the website at www.gorenje.co.uk.

We all know that technology is playing an increasing important part in our lives.  Our homes are full of gadgets that help keep us connected with friends, family and the outside world at large.  We have even seen technology play a part in modern kitchen design through such things as smart lighting, touch technology in kitchen appliances, touch sensitive doors and drawers and even remote control cooker hoods.

But the smart people at Samsung have gone one step further.  They have introduced a refrigerator to the US market with a built in LCD screen that features some pretty cool apps.

How would you like to keep updated with your families activities, comings and goings?  This Samsung fridge has an app for that with built in Google Calender.  Or maybe you would like to leave a note for a family member.  That’s not a problem.  How about showing off some photographs you took.  You could show friends your holiday snaps and family photos from your Picasa library, mobile phone or SD card.  You can even make sure your plans for a weekend barbecue will not be a total washout with the Weather Bug app.  Maybe the coolest app of all and most relevant to the kitchen is the Epicurious app that allows you to access hundreds of recipes to try out, which also means you will never run out of dinner ideas.  Oh yea, you can even Tweet from it!

With all that technology you would be forgiven for forgetting about the features of the actual refrigerator itself.  Well it seems like Samsung haven’t.  Apart from looking great, this fridge offers large capacity and a FlexiZone counter height drawer that gives four separate temperature settings, to meet your ever-changing needs; Meat/Fish, Cold Drinks, Deli/Snacks, and Wine/Party Dishes. Plus, the customizable Smart Divider allows easy, personalized organization within the drawer.

Other features include the Twin Cooling Plus System that separates airflow from the refrigerator and the freezer to help keep food fresher for longer, superior ice production and storage and LED lighting that gives better light inside the refrigerator while also making it more energy efficient.

With modern or contemporary kitchens, many homeowners look for appliances that will fit seamlessly into their design and enhance the overall look.  Gorenje, the Slovenian manufacturer famed for its creative and innovative appliances, have launched a compact built-in dishwasher that will do just that while also being kind to those pushed for space.

The new GIC63140 AX can accommodate six standard place settings, providing the perfect capacity for smaller households or those who are pushed for space but still desire the practicality and efficiency provided by a dishwasher. With ‘A’ ratings for energy class, washing and drying, and a low water consumption of eight litres, the GIC63140 AX offers the eco efficiency Gorenje is famed for.

Its stylish black and stainless steel design perfectly complements other products in Gorenje’s Pure design line, allowing the consumer to build up an eye-catching and aspirational horizontal or vertical line of matching appliances for a chic, seamless aesthetic, while also looking equally striking if installed alone.

Key features and benefits of the GIC63140 AX built-in compact dishwasher:

* Part of the Pure design line – black with stainless steel
* ‘A’ ratings for energy, washing and drying
* Accommodates six standard place settings
* Features five wash programmes: Intensive, Super, Eco, Quick, Rinse and drying
* Temperature choices from 40 to 70°C
* Automatic water-softener dispenser for better washing performance
* Features Gorenje’s AquaStop for peace of mind
* Delayed start option of up to nine hours
* Water consumption: eight litres
* Noise level: 49 dB(A)
* Free two-year parts and labour guarantee
* The GIC63140 AX retails for approximately £1,095
* Dimensions: H x W x D: 450 x 560 x 560mm

Ruth Ferguson, Gorenje’s Marketing Manager, says: “Gorenje’s GIC63140 AX compact dishwasher is an attractive new extension of the popular Pure range, and the perfect choice for those who lack the room for a full-sized model but don’t wish to compromise on style and functionality. It can be used to create a modern, seamless appearance that is highly desirable, while boasting energy and time-saving benefits that will make the consumer wonder how they ever managed without it!”

For further information about Gorenje’s GIC63140 AX compact dishwasher, please call Gorenje on 0208 247 3980 or visit the website at www.gorenje.co.uk

For most people researching their best option when it comes to a new cooker hood, there are a few key factors which mold their decision.

Quietness, extraction rate and efficiency are three of the main things that people look for in a cooker hood.  With that in mind, ATAG, the Dutch company famous for its professional standard built-in kitchen appliances for those who are passionate about cooking, presents its new generation of cooker hoods, which ensure optimal air quality in the kitchen alongside quiet, efficient extraction.

The new hoods feature ATAG’s latest version of its unique Air Logic HR® System, which uses specially designed filters to absorb more than 85 per cent of all the grease in the cooking vapours, therefore performing better than conventional hoods.

The Air Logic HR® filters are recessed into the cooker hood, creating a ‘cloud zone’ between the filters and the edges. This ensures cooking vapours and smells are effectively captured and extracted. A further feature of the filters is that their design enables extraction across the whole surface, rather than directly under the motor.

ATAG’s new range of hoods includes 12 different models of chimney and island hoods, with a stylish stainless steel finish. Selected models, such as the ES1292MAM, are also available in ATAG’s popular Graphite Black, offering plenty of choice for the discerning consumer, and allowing them to choose the ideal finish for their design scheme.

Key features and benefits of the ATAG ES1292MAM island chimney hood:

* Sophisticated Graphite Black shade, also available in stylish stainless steel
* Powerful 749m³ maximum extraction capacity (per hour)
* Exclusive German-made motor, specified for ATAG, offers a super quiet noise level of just 57dB on position three
* ATAG’s improved Air Logic HR® System ensures optimal air quality
* Electronic touch-sensitive keys for easy operation
* Three settings and an intense setting for all extraction needs
* Automatic ten minute over-run to exhaust cooking odours and lingering smells
* Clean Air function contributes to clean air in the home, even when not cooking
* Indicator when grease or carbon filters are saturated to ensure kitchen stays clean and fresh
* Six robust stainless steel filter cassettes, dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
* Three 20w lights for easy visibility
* Recirculation available with additional modification kit
* Suitable for connection to an external motor for even quieter operation
* Dimensions: H x W x D: 830 – 1150 x 1150 x 700mm
* The ES1292MAM retails for approximately £1679

Bill Miller, ATAG’s Sales and Marketing Director, says: “Good extraction is vital in the modern kitchen, particularly with the increase in entertaining at home and experimenting with different styles of cooking, and ATAG’s new range of hoods feature superior technology to ensure a clean, fresh kitchen. The improved Air Logic HR® System maintains optimal air quality, with quiet extraction that won’t drown out the conversation.”

For further information about ATAG’s new range of hoods please call ATAG on 0208 247 3993 or visit the website at www.atag.co.uk

Are you interested in a luxury cooker for your home?

I must admit, I probably didn’t realise the care and attention that went into the making of La Cornue cookers.  But when I received the latest issue of the La Cornue newsletter this morning and watched the video attached, I soon did.

This video shows the craftsmen hand making a La Cornue island, the custom built kitchen centerpiece customised to the customers specification.  This really is cooker luxury.  The video is in French but with English subtitles.

Watch and enjoy!

In the next part of our feature on German Kitchens, we are taking a look at the range of kitchens from Pronorm.

Pronorm are well known for their contemporary kitchen designs with that typical German look.  Clean lines, functional design and high quality manufacturing have seen Pronorm grow to be one of the big players in the middle to high end kitchen market.  Pronorm have a rich history in furniture manufacturing, having begun production back in 1945.  The name Pronorm was introduced in 1972 and their kitchens can now be found all over the world.

So let’s take a look at some of the Pronorm range:

Pronorm Y-Line

The Y-line by Pronorm, shown here in white gloss, is a handle-less kitchen with sleek lines that fits beautifully with contemporary living.  What I love about this kitchen is the sense of tranquility you get from it and how it blends in rather than take over the room.  For anyone with a small or dark kitchen, consider a kitchen like the Y-line in white gloss.  It will give a more spacious feel to the room by blending in and allowing light (whether natural or artificial) to bounce off it.  The Y-line also comes with thick end panels which frame the doors and streamline the look.  This range from Pronorm is also available in vanilla, cubanit, anthracite and black.

Also in the Y-line range:

Proline 128

The Proline range, as you can see from the photo, can be fitted with handles or without.  If planning without handles, a touch opening system would be used instead of a finger rail.  Again, the main part of this kitchen is white, but the island shown is in black gloss.  The reason for showing this particular photograph of the Proline range is to highlight the open shelving design on the main kitchen run.  The beauty of this design is that it takes away that heavy kitchen look and lends itself perfectly towards an open plan living area.

Also in the Proline 128 range:

Classicline

The Classicline range from Pronorm is an extremely flexible range.  The idea is that homeowners can choose a modern or classic look for their kitchen depending on their preferred look.  The kitchen above left, is a mix of both titanium and teak, with the teak warming up what might otherwise be a cold looking kitchen.  As we have said before, mixing and matching is a key trend at the moment.  The kitchen to the right is a more classic or traditional kitchen.  The doors centre panel is v-grooved to give a country look with the vanilla colour being warm and inviting.

Also in the Classicline range:

To find out more about Pronorm kitchens, visit their website at www.pronorm.de.

To find a dealer of Pronorm kitchens on Kitchenindex.ie go to http://www.kitchenindex.ie/retail/category-1/Fitted-Kitchens-and-Bedrooms.aspx/page-1/perpage-10/county-no/brand-Pronorm

Make your cooker hood a centrepiece in the kitchen! With more of us living, eating and entertaining in the kitchen, a stunning extractor can really add style and panache! Big is beautiful when it comes to cooker hoods and bold, dramatic designs have transformed them into great focal points in the kitchen. This Electrolux chimney hood is available in two different sizes to suit the size of your kitchen and hob.

Features such as two bright halogen bulbs and four different speeds are all designed to make cooking easier and more pleasant.

EFC50800/ EFC80800:

• Available in 55cm and 80cm
• 590m³/hr extraction rate
• 66dB noise level (ducted)
• Electronic touch control
• 4 speeds inc. Intensive
• 3 aluminum grease filter
• 2 x 20W Halogen lights

• Charcoal filter as standard
• Minimum height:

-Electric 500mm

-Gas 650mm

• Stainless

• Optional accessories:  Ducting kit CDK5FR or CDK5F

Expected Selling Price: EFC50800X £599, EFC80800X £649.00

Electrolux:

www.electrolux.co.uk

08445 611611

ATAG, the Dutch company famous for its technologically advanced built-in kitchen appliances exclusively available to the kitchen specialist, presents the latest additions to its superior product portfolio; two gas-on-glass hobs with digital timers.

The digital timers featured on the HG9611MDB gas on glass hob, and the HG1111MDB panoramic gas on glass hob, help to make cooking even more convenient and efficient. The consumer can use the timers to programme the desired cooking time, or keep an eye on the elapsed time. Once the specified cooking period has completed, the burner automatically turns off, preventing burning of food or overflowing pans.

These innovative digital timers secure ATAG as the market leader in gas cooking technology, with appliances packed full of thoughtful features truly designed to make life easier.

Key features and benefits of the HG1111MDB panoramic gas on glass hob:

* A Red Dot Design Award 2011 winner
* Part of the stylish MAGNA design line, with an ergonomic panoramic layout
* New digital timers for each zone, with switch-off function or display of elapsed cooking time
* Ability to turn off all burners simultaneously for complete ease of use, saving gas and time
* Black vitro-ceramic glass (wear and scratch-proof) with stainless steel trim
* Four gas burners – two normal and two wok, perfect for a variety of cooking styles
* Two powerful wok burners with extended adjustable range, from simmering to wok setting (0.26 – 5.7 kW), ideal for Asian cooking
* Thermo-electric flame failure device for peace of mind
* Comfortable operation by stainless steel control knob with integrated spark ignition
* Unique Flex® enamelled one-piece burner caps, easy to clean and replace
* Dimensions: H x W x D: 46 x 1114 x 412 mm
* The HG1111MDB retails for approximately £1475

Bill Miller, ATAG’s Sales and Marketing Director, says: “ATAG is renowned for its superior quality gas hobs, and the addition of digital timers to the two new models in the range truly marks it out as a market leader. These timers offer real safety advantages for the consumer, and the benefit of this added peace of mind cannot be understated. As with all ATAG hobs, the innovative functionality offered by these two new hobs is complemented by beautiful yet simple design, carefully considered to be as ergonomic and user-friendly as possible.”

For further information about ATAG’s new gas hobs with digital timers, please call ATAG on 0208 247 3993 or visit the website at www.atag.co.uk

Gaggenau, renowned for their high end kitchen appliances and innovation, really have created the perfect induction hob.

The CX 480, a frameless full surface induction hob, consists of one 2,800 cm² zoneless cooking area that allows you to put pans or pots of all sizes and shapes anywhere on the surface.  It also comes with an extra-large TFT colour touch-control display will indicate the size, shape and position of your cookware. The induction cooktop can accommodate up to 4 pans simultaneously.

The CX 480 includes many features including a booster function, separate timer for each cooking position, information key with use indications and power management.  For safety, this induction hob also includes a main switch, individual pot detection, residual heat indicator and a child lock.  As with all induction hobs, the use of magnetic induction pots and pans is necessary.

For more information on this induction hob and other the rest of the Gaggenau range, visit their website at http://www.gaggenau.com/change-country.do

Bosch Appliances claim to produce the most economical dishwashers in the world.  This claim is backed up by their Active Water Generation which they say makes maximum the use of the water it uses. Features of Bosch dishwashers include:

• Dosage Assist – Helps the detergent dissolve gradually to ensure it works more efficiently throughout the dishwasher.

• Varioflex Basket and Drawer – The Varioflex basket gives an extra 10% capacity while the drawer is ideal for cutlery and smaller items.

• SuperSilence – Ensures optimum quietness while the dishwasher is working.

Watch this video for an excellent demonstration of how these features work.