On The Hob

This year Denby are celebrating their 200th birthday.  In 1809 production of salt glazed pottery begun using clay from a local seam discovered in 1806.  In the late 1800’s Denby diversified into more Kitchenwares and the richly coloured glazes which are now their trademark.  Today Denby is still a major producer of quality pottery focusing on Dining ranges.

These are a few of their most popular sets available today.

Denby Imperial Blue 16 Piece Boxed Tableware Set

Denby Imperial Blue has vibrant blues and crisp whites making the perfect combination. A modern classic, both bold and confident, if you want to make a statement then Imperial Blue is the tableware for you.  Click here for more information and to buy

Jet Black 16 Piece Boxed Tableware Set

the Jet collection combines matt and gloss finishes for a contemporary look with timeless appeal. Whether serving coffee or hosting a dinner party, Denby Jet adds eye catching style. Click here for more information and to buy

Denby Caramel Stripes 16 Piece Boxed Tableware Dining Set

The Caramal Stripes range is good enough to eat, Caramel by Denby is the ultimate feel-good range, available in a selection of drinking, eating, serving and cooking pieces. Add a dash of Caramel Stripes to create an appetising look for any dining table.  Click here for more information and to buy

If you want to find out more about Denby the book Denby Pottery 1809 – 1997 is a great resource to discover the history of the company and more about the ranges.  Click here for more information and to buy.

Denby Pottery 1809-1997: Dynasties and Designers

De’Longhi has been a high profile Italian brand for more than 100 years, providing high quality, efficient, innovative and stylish products. Instantly recognisable, De’Longhi possesses a unique design quality that, when combined with De’Longhi’s technical expertise, creates products that truly stand alone.

De'Longhi Icona KBO3001.B Jug Kettle

Their new Icona Range is no exception to this.  The Icona Range comprises of Jug Kettles and toasters in a range of stunning colours.

The Kettle - The Kettle is a 3KW cordless kettle with a 1.7 litre capacity.  The Element is concealed allowing easy cleaning and rapid boiling, for when you can’t wait for a cup of tea.  Click here to shop the De’longhi  Icona Range

De'Longhi Icona CTO4003.R Toaster

The toaster has a retro design in the same colours as the Kettle.  Although a 4 slice toaster the slots can be operated in twos either to save energy or to brown the toast to different degrees.  It has all the features you would expect to find on a toaster – Reheat, Hi Rise and frozen.  It also has a slide out crumb tray for easy cleaning.  Click here to shop the Delonghi Icona Range

Many of us have small kitchens, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have quality kitchen equipment.  These Tefal Compact pans are designed with folding handles so that they can stack within each other and fit into the cupboard.

Tefal Compact Enamel Pan Set, 3 Piece

The Set contains 24cm Saute Pan with lid, 18cm Saucepan with lid and a 14cm milkpan.  But these and more are available to purchase seperately here.

These pans have Tefal’s unique Thermo Spot, the red spot in the centre of the pan.  This shows you when the pan is preheated to the correct temperature for sealing in the food’s flavour.

Click here to buy the Tefal Compact Enamel Pan Set

The Kenwood kMix.  If you’re looking for a high quality Kitchen Machine that embodies kMix is a piece of art in the kitchen that makes a statement about you. Kenwood kMix is the icing on the cake when it comes to putting the finishing touches to your kitchen design.

Kenwood kMix Mixer

Designed for when food preparation becomes more than mixing and chopping.  The sleek new range of kMix kitchen appliances not only offer unique design and functionality, but can brighten up even the dreariest kitchen with its exciting colour range  This stunning range of appliances has been created for results-driven simplicity and includes the kMix Stand Mixer, kMix Blend, kMix Hand Mixer and the kMix Hand Blender.

With its cutting edge design, the range brings together form and function ensuring the most simple to the most indulgent recipe can be created at the touch of a button.

Combining simplicity and function, the kMix Stand Mixer is a classic created to make a statement in your kitchen.  It boasts a 500W motor, a 4.6 litre stainless steel bowl and also comes complete with the iconic K beater, plus a balloon whisk and dough hook.

With a wide range of attachments available, you can make mouth-watering meatballs and perfect pasta that are perfect for everyday, or that special occasion.  Available attachments,Meat grinder,Pasta extruder,Flat pasta roller,Tagliatelle cutter,Trenette cutter,Spaghetti cutter.

Product Specifications

If you’re after a coffee machine this is a fantastic set.  Both a coffee machine and a aeroccino for the perfect milk to top off your coffee.  Note that this is a Nespresso coffee maker so will only use Nespresso coffee pods.  Though this has its advantages as the pod system is easy to use, clean (not coffee grounds everywhere) and produces a perfect cup every time.

Magimix Nespresso M100 Coffee Maker & Aeroccino

The Magimix Nespresso M100 espresso machine combines ease of use and advanced technology to deliver great results time after time. Impressive 19 bar pressure allows the perfect espresso everytime, while the stylish design of the unit makes it the perfect addition to any kitchen.

After your first taste, you will immediately appreciate the difference between an espresso and a filter coffee. Its flavour is stronger, its aromas more developed and its body thicker and more velvety. This is thanks to its unique method of preparation, which consists of passing water through finely ground coffee under high pressure and rapidly extracting the soluble substances. The quality of the results depends on various conditions: the measure of coffee, the pressure used, the water temperature, how finely ground the coffee is and the extraction time. Taking these conditions into account, using an award winning capsule system, Nespresso has created a process that allows you to prepare the perfect espresso.

The Magimix Nespresso M100 comes with a Aeroccino milk frother which can also be used to heat milk. Get perfect milk froth in just a few seconds. Maximum capacity: 75 ml (for milk froth preparation), 180 ml (for hot milk preparation). Diameter: 9 cm, height: 14.5 cm. Mains operated.

Product Details

Click to Buy the Magimix Nespresso M100 Coffee Maker & Aeroccino

Click to Buy the Magimix Nespresso M100 Coffee Maker & Aeroccino

It can be difficult to know what makes a saucepan better than others, what you should look for and the difference in price.  Never fear though as help is at hand.  We’ve put together our own On The Hob Saucepan Buying Guide to explain the key things you need to know when looking for a new saucepan range, something which can be both a product which will last for years and a long term investment.

What do you need?

The first question will be what do you need?  There are so many different types of saucepans and cookware on the market and one size doesn’t fit all.  Good starting points are

• Do you need dishwasher safe pans?
• Are they suitable for your hob?  Eg Induction and Gas hobs may have cookware which is better suited, equally some will also be suitable for oven use
• How do you like to cook, which pans are best for you?

What type of hob do you have?

The hob you use will affect your choice of cookware.  Here are the key things you need to know.

• Solid Fuel Hobs – Eg Rayburns and Agas.  These hobs will produce intense heat and the pans must be capable of withstanding it.
• Gas hobs – Any type of Saucepan is suitable for a gas hob.  just be wary of the handle – do not let the gas flame near it as it may be to hot to pick up.
• Induction Hobs – Induction hobs work by the transfer of heat magnetically from the induction coil.  Pans will state whether they are suitable for this type of hob, they must be magnetic – eg Cast Iron.  Aluminium and Copper are not suitable.
• Ceramic Hobs – Any pan can be used but they must be lifted and not slid as sliding may damage the ceramic plates.  With this in mind consider weight, cast iron pans may not be suitable.
• Halogen Hobs – Similar to ceramic except thick saucepans should be used as they may be subject to intense bursts of heat.
• Electrical Radiant Spiral Hobs – All types of Cookware can be used on Radiant Spiral Hobs
• Solid Hotplate Hobs – As these hobs are a solid plate it is best to use a flat based Pan for the most even heat coverage.

That describes the type of Hobs now on to the types of Cookware.

Stainless Steel Pans -  Stainless Steel pans can come in a variety of metal combinations, so be sure to check the quality – 18/10 (18% Chromium 10% Nickel) is considered high quality.  Stainless Steel Pans can be highly polished, Scratch and dent resistant, suitable for induction hobs (as a general rule but always check the product details), usually dishwasher safe.  Also many stainless steel ranges come with non stick coatings.

Aluminium Pans - Aluminum Pans can be coated or uncoated.  Aluminium is an inexpensive lightware marterial which heats quickly.  Coated pans will have an enamel coating to make them easy to clean and hard wearing.  Many Aluminium pans have non stick coatings.

Hard Anodised Pans – These Aluminum pans have been through a chemical process to make them smooth and non porous.  They are resistent to scratches and peeling, stronger than stainless steel with great durability and heat distribution.

Cast Iron Cookware – Cast Iron pans are heavy as they have thick walls.  As such they retain heat well.  A popular brand of Cast Iron cookware is Le Creuset.  Usually Dishwasher safe

Buy Online

Amazon – Click to buy Saucepans from Amazon

John Lewis – Click to buy Saucepans from John Lewis

Heals – Click to buy Saucepans from Heals

These are the key points to bear in mind when buying Saucepans.  Do you have any favourites?  Leave a comment with your views.

Welcoming to the Where to buy page.  Below is an alphabetical list of great kitchen cookware and cookbook retailers in the United Kingdom that we are featuring on the site.  Contact us here to recommend others!

Amazon.co.uk

Originally known for books Amazon has expanded to feature all kinds of home products.  A great first stop for any kitchen cookware.  Sells all popular brands and often has great deals.

BBC Magazines

From inspiring you to create a beautiful home and garden to entertaining and educating your children BBC Magazines provide a range of quality publications you can trust.  Whether you are just browsing through this website or have a specific interest in mind you’ll be rewarded with a range of magazines that will stimulate your mind and enrich your life in ways that only the BBC can.

Borders

Borders.co.uk is a destination store for Books, CDs, DVDs and Magazines. An award winning and desirable brand, Borders’ essence is passionate quirky and original. Borders.co.uk offers intelligent people all the usual stuff they would expect from a book site, but also helps to open their eyes to more interesting, unique products and experiences.  With over 1 million products online, intuitive navigation and search, customers are encouraged to browse and spend time on the site, just like they would in a Borders high street store. Customers will find regular money saving discounts of up to 40% off books, up to 30% off CDs and up to 65% off DVDs.  With exclusive and distinctive features like the Spookily Accurate Book Suggestor, Auto-complete Predictive search, Synopsis Browsing, Forums & Blogs and Borders TV, there are plenty of opportunities for customers to engage with Borders, enabling them to discover, learn and take pleasure not only from the products they purchase, but from the site itself.

British Home Stores

Bhs as it’s more commonly branded, is a widely recognised and extremely popular name in retail. Bhs is known for its commitment to providing stylish fashion ranges and homewares at prices that represent outstanding value. Although Bhs opened its first store in 1928, it has just recently delved into making its products available online.

Cucina Direct

A Cotswold based company that produces one of the UK’s favourite catalogues for entertaining cooks, packed with 100s of high-quality, innovative products for kitchen, dining and entertaining – including ranges from a number of well-known brands all of which can be bought direct online.

Graham and Green

Graham and Green is a prestigious award winning London Interiors Company who specialise in selling furniture, homeware, fashion, accessories and gifts at competitive prices. They are a family run business of 34 years with 5 retail outlets and a strong mail order business.

Heals

Heal’s stocks only the very best in luxury modern furniture and home accessories. Most items are exclusive to Heal’s and all share the high quality workmanship and attention to detail for which the Heals brand name is so well known. Heals also offer a large range of stylish giftware and contemporary garden furniture.

John Lewis

John Lewis began in 1864 with the opening of the first shop in London’s Oxford Street. ‘Never Knowingly Undersold’, their unique promise to customers that the price of any item will always be as low as the lowest price in the neighbourhood. The John Lewis website stocks more than 37,000 lines focused on the best of home, giftware and flowers and is consistently ranked one of the top online shopping destinations in the UK

Lakeland

Lakeland (www.lakeland.co.uk) sell an unrivalled collection of the best in kitchenware and home storage. Over the last 40 years Lakeland has become synonymous with innovation, quality, value and the very best in customer service. Every item they sell is rigorously tested to make sure only the best are selected and everything they sell is fully protected by the simplest guarantee in the world -if the customer is not satisfied at any time, they receive their money back. And if that wasn’t enough, there is also free delivery on orders of £50 or more.

Majestic Wine

Majestic Wine is the UK’s biggest mixed case wine retailer with over 140 stores nationwide. Majestic customers benefit from FREE delivery on mainland UK, 98% of which are carried out directly from local Majestic stores in Majestic vans by Majestic staff, all arranged at a time to suit the customer (including evenings and weekends). All our in-store special offers are available online, plus there’s a dedicated pre-mixed cases section (ideal for gifts) and customers can even order beer, water and soft drinks.

QVC

QVC is the UK’s favourite TV shopping channel. Thier online department store, qvcuk.com, with over 15,000 products online, means you are spoilt for choice. From jewellery to beauty treats to the latest electronic gadgets, qvcuk.com is sure to have an item for everyone.

Robert Dyas

It all started with a fiver. That was how much Mr Robert Dyas had to invest in his new business when he set up his first shop in London in 1872.  Modern homes are pretty demanding, aren’t they? There are always a million and one things that need adding, doing or fixing. We realise everyone has a busy life these days- so, whatever you need, Robert Dyas aim to make the process of getting it to you as convenient as possible.  Kitchenware, household items, electrical appliances, home office, gardening products, power tools, china, giftware, glassware, DIY, ironmongery – every thing you could need for your home. From some of the top brand names such as Tefal, Brita, Black and Decker, Stanley, Kenwood, Morphy Richards, and Brabantia to name just a few.

Scotts of Stow

Winner of more catalogue awards than any other UK mail order company, Scotts of Stow is one of the country’s best-known catalogue brands and a market leader for providing innovative products for your Kitchen, Home and Garden.

Thorntons

Thorntons are the leading gifts & chocolates retailer in the UK – excellent offers from a brand synonymous with indulgence that everyone knows and trusts.  The range includes its famous chocolates, hampers, flowers, gifts – and a Wedding Service section. There is also a useful Gift Finder search facility to help you find the perfect gift to buy.

Viners

Founded in Sheffield in 1901, Viners has a long tradition of creating quality cutlery for every dining occasion. Viners cutlery is manufactured from highest quality stainless steel, guaranteed for at least 25 years. Cutlery sets are available in classic, modern and decorative styles, with many designs exclusive to Viners.  The quality cookware range includes knife blocks, cookware sets, pots and pans and baking equipment, and in dinnerware Viners offer a wide selection of styles and products.

WaitroseEntertaining

WaitroseEntertaining is a flexible food ordering service for every occasion. Order online and choose from a wide range of delicious foods and Waitrose will prepare them for you in advance. Then simply collect from your local Waitrose shop or they will deliver to your door in selected areas. WaitroseEntertaining takes the hard work out of cooking and let’s you enjoy your event as much as your guests.

There are a range of delicious foods to choose from. Such as sandwiches and canapés for buffets, ready to heat dishes from around the world, desserts, cheeses, even flowers to decorate your table. There’s also a wide choice of cakes including wedding cakes.

Whittards of Chelsea

Whittard of Chelsea specialise in fine tea and coffee, ceramics, tableware, coffee and tea equipment, gifts and a special selection of confectionery.  Founded in 1886 by Walter Whittard, Whittard of Chelsea now has over 126 retail stores throughout Great Britain and are opening more all the time.  They offer a range of gift wrap options and a free message service.

The Wine Society

From fine wine at more than £250 per bottle to everyday red wine and white wine at £4.75, The Wine Society stocks over 1,500 wines and includes something for every pocket and palate. The Society also sells wine en primeur, offers wine storage, wine cellar plans and runs nationwide wine tastings