The Alton Barn Kitchens blog

Kitchen Pricing

Sat, 30 Aug 2025 15:18:39 GMT

How does an independent compare to a national retailer on price and services?

Over the years we have had a few customers that have accused us of being "miles away" on a "like for like" quote with a national retailer which is why we did not get the job. I have never dug too deep into these claims and have never seen one of these quotes to compare what the customer perceived to be an identical quote... Until I was recently asked to look at someone else's installation and advise on what went wrong, by a customer that I had quoted to. Ultimately I couldn't help fixing their issues, I don’t sell the same cabinet products and they're really not comparable in quality or finishes to use to finish their installation, but it did get me a glimpse in to the paperwork the customer was presented with that made them believe they had a better deal elsewhere.

Firstly, the layout was good and similar to what I had presented, but they had to accept some large fillers that we would have been able to eliminate because we could make a cupboard to a special size to both maximise cupboard space and reduce the size of filler panels. They also had to have cabinets that didn't perfectly match the doors finish and then there was the quality of the hardware such as the drawer boxes and pull out mechanisms which appear to do the same things but will be the first things to fail when made as cheaply as possible.

Then there were the bigger and more obvious differences. I had quoted for Neff appliances, but this customer now had Matrix appliances. Their price had also gone up on the day the installation was due to start as they had unwittingly signed up for a dry fit, which means they are only installing the cabinetry. So the installer aborted the first day of installation to make arrangements for an electrician and plumber to sort out the changes that were needed for him to start, all at additional cost to the original quote which took what they ended up paying significantly closer to what I had originally quoted. I had included the required electrical and gas work, plumbing, plastering, flooring, and painting and decorating.

With this new insight into what a customer might consider to be a comparative quote and how that affects buying decisions I drew up a plan and a kitchen to send to Wren and Howdens to be able to get a real comparison and make sure the quotes were as close as possible to being equivalent as possible and here is what I have learned.

Method:

I drew up a kitchen layout as close to the most typical real kitchen I could think of, not some tiny selection of units, but a medium sized kitchen with a full set of appliances. I did not use any unusual sized units so that Wren and Howdens would both be able to supply the same size units. I used two corner units with kidney shaped corner mechanisms in and two drawer packs. I used top spec Neff appliances that are a kitchen specialist range of appliances so not available from appliance only retailers although it transpires that Wren do not have these available either so quoted on slightly down spec wider market models in their quotes. I also included supplied and fitted quartz worktops from a top spec manufacturer. Wren used their own brand quartz in their quote so being able to assess quality differences is tricky, I am not sure why they would have their own brand quartz and not use a brand with an already trusted brand image? It was also clear on the quote I sent exactly what makes and models of appliances, sinks and taps that were being used.

I adapted the layout for two different finishes as the two most popular ranges sold. A true handle-less kitchen and a shaker kitchen. The images above and below are of these kitchens.

These are my quotes for these kitchens:

Wren:

Wren provided two quotes for each kitchen, one in their Infinity range and the other in their Infinity plus range. There was not a whole lot to go on within the quotes or the brochure as to the exact differences between these ranges but the infinity plus range in the door finishes quoted is closer to our spec of cabinetry:

Below are the quotes for these kitchens.

So, the takeaway from this is as follows:

Handle-less:

The cabinetry on both options is cheaper, which is to be expected, by 41% on the lower spec Infinity range and by 16% on the Infinity plus. Where it gets interesting is that despite quoting slightly lower spec appliances, they were still 22% more expensive even after they price matched internet only appliance discount retailers.

The sink and tap are really tricky as they didn't disclose anything about what they quoted for, but on the cheaper quote it was 30% cheaper and on the more expensive (and the shaker quotes) it was 18% cheaper which is hard to understand unless they changed the spec between quotes or there was a special offer for the cheaper handle-less kitchen on sinks and taps?

Worktops were also 17% more expensive despite being off brand.

Installation was also 3% more expensive. There was also a further £1150 in savings from Neff on our quote meaning that on handle-less kitchens we were actually only 0.3% more expensive than their lower spec kitchen and 9.8% cheaper than their higher spec kitchen.

Shaker:

The cabinetry on both options is cheaper, which is to be expected, by 57% on the lower spec Infinity range and by 29% on the Infinity plus. Again, despite quoting slightly lower spec appliances they were still 22% more expensive even after they price matched internet only appliance discount retailers.

The sink and tap are again tricky as they did not disclose anything about what they quoted for, but it was 18% cheaper.

Worktops were also 8% more expensive despite being off brand.

Installation was also 0.5% more expensive. There was also a further £1150 in savings from Neff on our quote meaning that on shaker kitchens we were actually 13% more expensive than their lower spec kitchen and 0.5% more expensive than their higher spec kitchen.

The calculations are below:

As at time of publish, Howdens have failed to give a quote... We will update this blog when they do.

In conclusion it is surprising that we are so remarkably close in price.

In all aspects where we can inspect the differences, the competitor quoted for lower specification products but in the products where there is less ambiguity of the differences, they were actually more expensive despite still being lower spec.

Maybe the ambiguity leads customers to think the deal is better than it really is, especially when it comes to services. We are often asked to provide for a complete service to our customers which when I pushed for clarity this isn't included in our competitors initial quotes so of cause a quote excluding the electrics, plumbing, plastering, flooring, painting and decoration is going to look significantly cheaper when viewing just the bottom line.

Maybe the shear size of a national retailer gives people a feeling of security, but any retailer with a physical presence is going to want to make sure they keep their customers happy and when the owner is directly involved there is more at stake for them. Also the size of MFI didn't protect their customers from their collapse.

I was not surprised by the cost difference in the cabinets when I compered the quality differences, if anything I was expecting them to be even cheaper. I was very pleasantly surprised at how competitive we were overall especially when I know that independent kitchen specialists' really pride themselves in providing the full, project managed experience, I have many friends in the industry that operate this way just like ourselves and from a consumers point of view having the peace of mind that the people dealing with such a complex installation project are taking it all personally and taking care of every aspect of the installation must be worth a few extra quid?

Showroom Update

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 15:49:13 GMT

New displays launch new ranges in our showroom

We have now launched the Caledonia kitchen range and our latest display is the Uist Painted in-frame kitchen.
We have featured a beautiful pantry unit with pocket doors so as to be able to display the beauty of the cabinetry without the doors getting in the way.
We have also featured curved end units with Oak serving trays built in for the discerning host of the party.
The cabinetry really sets off the Lacanche range cooker and built in Fisher & Paykel fridge freezer, canopy extractor and drawer dishwashers.

Our other new display is our RotPunkt Memory Oak and Zerox FM handleless display. With an AEG downdraft extractor hob and matt black ovens.
We also featured book matched waterfall quartz worktops and splashbacks along with printed glass splashbacks. Stunning!

Lacanche Range Cookers

Thu, 28 Nov 2024 13:19:56 GMT

Lacanche Range Cookers offer powerful performance, paired with timeless aesthetics. Lacanche was founded in Burgundy in 1763, when a local landowner had a blast furnace constructed at the foundry. Ever since, Lacanche Range Cookes have been manufactured by hand in the same village. Although being a domestic product, Lacanche cookers are derived from a commercial cooker. Ultimately, this allows for peak performance, high quality, and durability.

One of the main attributes of a Lacanche is the immense amount of customisation available, which makes all the cookers truly bespoke. Firstly, there are 21 different cooker models to choose from, ranging from 70 centimetres to 2.2 metres. Once a cooker model is chosen, the customer can choose from 31 different colour finishes, and 5 different control knob options on the Classic range, or 2 different control knob options on the Modern range. A range of oven types can be chosen, including gas, static electric, convection fan, simmer, or dual function. The majority of models can be configured to a gas or an induction hob, with a choice of a traditional French simmer plate on the gas hob. On the larger models, additional hob elements can be chosen. These include, but are not limited to, induction rings, gas burners, a plancha, a chargrill, or an electric fryer. Once the cooker is configured, additional elements such as extra height, extractors, and accessories can be added.

If the look of a Classic Lacanche Range isn’t for you, then every cooker model is also available in the Modern style. The Lacanche Modern has the same quality as the Classic range, but is a more contemporary looking cooker. Lacanche has an aesthetic that will complement any kitchen.

Aside from the aesthetics, Lacanche’s performance and build quality is unmatched. Each Range Cooker is made to last and offers truly professional performance and extraordinary versatility. You can expect your Lacanche Range to have a long lifespan. We regularly service ranges that are over 25 years old. Robustness is built into the design, from the elegantly simple two-piece powerful gas burners, to the individually hand welded corner of the stainless-steel hob tops. Lacanche hobs make griddling, boiling, wok frying, steaming, and simmering easy due to their impressive control and precision. Our ovens offer outstanding power and performance, as well as being ‘A’ rated for efficiency.

Lacanche Range Cookers are the genuine article. Why settle for less when you can choose Lacanche?

The spirale flexible spout tap, from 1810.

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 12:02:59 GMT

Bringing a touch of colour to your kitchen.

The spirale flexible spout tap from 1810 can be finished in copper, brushed steel, chrome, gunmetal and gold brass. The wonderful design aspect to this tap is the changing flexible spout that comes in 21 colour choices, from the more neutral colours of anthracite, white and black, to pastel green and hot pink. It is also possible to change the spout colour if you change the colour design within your kitchen space.

There is also the option to have the knurled tap, for a different texture to the finish.

Wine Coolers

Thu, 09 Jan 2020 13:22:26 GMT

Different types of wine coolers and how to install them

Wine Coolers are a new relatively new luxury appliance to have in the kitchen and the trend is increasing because of the design aspects but also the functionality of them. The ability to save space in the fridge freezer is a great draw to the wine lover and of course, if the wine cooler is used for storage then they will keep your wines in good condition.

We have drawn on the information provided by companies like Elite Wine Refrigeration to give you a guide to the different types of wine cooler available on the market as there are so many different variations available – it can be quite overwhelming at times.

Built in Wine Coolers

Built in wine coolers are designed to fit into confined spaces such as undercounter/ worktop, alcove or in bespoke cabinetry (often seen in full height wine fridges). They come in a range of sizes similar to cabinets: 150mm, 300mm, 400mm, 600mm.

Due to the installation method, these types of wine coolers come with fans under the unit to ensure adequate ventilation is achieved by introducing coo air and expel warm air through the front vent. The airway must be kept clear through the vent, so the plinth must have a grille installed to ensure the vent is not blocked.

Freestanding Wine Coolers

Freestanding wine fridges come in various sizes and are often be placed in a dining room, living room or an office where there is adequate space for ventilation. Freestanding units are often referred to as built in units due to the fact they sit on the floor, however this isn’t the correct terminology so make sure you are looking at the correct type of wine cooler for the space you have.

Ventilation is a must for freestanding models as they do not have front vents to assist with air flow around the unit and keeping the compressor cool. You can find instructions in the manufacturer’s manual, which is usually a minimum of 3 – 5 inch gap around the sides and the space to be kept clear at the top.

Freestanding units are ideal for service temperatures with units of a lower capacity of around 20-30 bottles or there are much bigger wine cabinets designed for long term storage that are designed to mimic a wine cellar – these are called ageing cabinets and have capacities of up to 300 Bordeaux bottles or more.

Integrated wine coolers

Integrated units are designed to be installed in a housing unit like an integrated oven or microwaves to create a seamless look. It can often be mistaken as a ‘built in wine fridge’ due to the similarity of how it’s installed. Integrated wine coolers create a real focal point from an eye level, and is a great way of chilling your wine without taking up your normal fridge space.

These units will slide neatly into a standard 600mm wide tower unit that an integrated oven, double oven or microwave would and are available in both single, dual and three temperature zones. Size wise, there is a size to suit all budgets and capacities required – the most common sizes have an aperture of 455mm, 595mm, 885mm, 1234mm and 1780mm.

This type of unit does have specific installation requirements as they do not have their own in-built ventilation system. This means there must be a grille installed in the plinth and an open-air way at the back of the unit through to the top - to ensure proper air circulation and warm air to be expelled for adequate ventilation. You can always find installation drawings from the manufacturer for the joiner to use as a reference, here is an example installation diagram .

For this article, we partnered with Elite Wine Refrigeration to bring you an overview of the key points to look out for when purchasing a wine cooler as the space you have available and the way you want to use your wine cooler – will determine the best type of wine cooler for you.

AEG ACCESSORIES

Fri, 22 Nov 2019 11:19:29 GMT

AEG accessories to complement your AEG appliances.

After choosing AEG appliances for your kitchen there are several helpful accessories you can opt for to make your kitchen and cooking experience even more enjoyable. You can choose from the Plancha grill for that authentic barbecue taste, or to master Asian cooking why not choose the Teppanyaki grill plate. Both are compatible with the induction hob as well as other types.

The Himalayan salt rock can be both heated up or chilled and is an eye-catching place to season and serve food from. Why not heat it up and cook on it at the table for your guests.

If you want to make the perfect pizza without a pizza oven, the refractory brick with wooden sliding board and cutter will give that crispy finish to your pizza and the perfect solution to serve it from.

If you have opted for a steam oven in your kitchen you could also opt for the steam containers, they are stainless steal and suitable for the dishwasher, the beauty of them is that they contain the food whether it be, fish, ,meat, rice or vegetables while the design allows the steam to circulate around the food cooking it to perfection without losing the flavour and nutrients that boiling creates.

Glass splash backs

Tue, 05 Nov 2019 11:55:32 GMT

Adding colour and design to your kitchen space.

When designing your kitchen, you may like to consider a splash back, this can be made of attractive glass that comes in coloured, mirrored and printed designs. The benefits to using glass is not only the precise finish you can achieve, but that it is also highly durable and lends itself to a beautiful high-end finish.

With 36 standard colour shades and the ability to match a colour of your choice, its easy to find that perfect colour for your space.

Printed glass allows the customer to consider, geometric patterns, stripes, landscapes, retro, animals, or even a watercolour design. You can even take a design or photo of your choice and have that created in glass, imagine your pets or a family photo featured in the space.

Mirrored glass adds depth and light to a room. You could opt for a plain sleek mirrored design or go for something with a little more depth, like the antique mirror. This can also be toughened to withstand heat from the hob.

Boiling water taps

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 11:06:51 GMT

The boiling water tap

Changes in design mean we now can have boiling water on demand with boiling water taps. The tap will deliver filtered boiling water between 75 and 100 degrees, depending on which make and model you choose. There is also the added option for a cold-water filter, that will deliver top quality drinking water to you, meaning no more need for bottled water.

The taps include safety features to ensure no little hands accidently turn them to boiling, some designs require you to hold the separate boiling control down and turn at the same time, once you stop it will cut off. Other designs need you to place you finger on a control for a set period of time in order to get boiling water.

The beautiful thing about the tap is the convenience, whether you're cooking, making a cup of tea or simply filling a hot water bottle, the water is there instantly and in a safe delivery. You need not worry about boiling kettles.
The taps come in a variety of finishes including brushed steel, traditional chrome, matt black, and copper. You also have an option of design styles including swan neck, traditional, square and D shaped, thus, insuring you can find the right match for your kitchen style, be it contemporary, classic or modern.

Classical floor tiles

Fri, 11 Oct 2019 10:49:02 GMT

Victorian and Edwardian floor tiles for in and out of the home.

If you are renovating a property, you may like to consider replacing or introducing a Victorian floor tile pattern. These tiles can be beautiful both internally and externally. The hard wearing and long-lasting tiles withstand the wet weather and are great in high traffic areas, such as the kitchen and hallways. With a wealth of geometric patterns and colours the floor space can quickly become a real feature to the room.

You may like to consider the type of pattern you are looking for, from classic checks, a straight and narrow tile or combining a variety of squares and rectangles. For a more complex pattern of symmetry you could introduce a triangle tile to the pattern, incorporating with the squares and rectangles.

Another option is to choose a patterned tile, either a singular patterned tile or combining a set of tiles for a larger pattern, again incorporating this with the plain square and rectangle tiles.

When you think of colours, a tiled floor will be a mix of two or more colours, depending on the number of styles and sizes of tiles you choose to use. The tiles come in variety of classic colours, including, white, black, red, brown, blue, grey and green to name some of them.

The shapes of the tiles you can combine consist of triangles, squares, rectangles, trapeziums, hexagons, octagons and diamonds. If you choose to look at this type of flooring then your designer will be able to work with you on what shapes work best together, and what sizes you will be looking to go for in each tile to achieve your desired outcome.

Cooker hoods

Fri, 28 Jun 2019 11:31:45 GMT

The six varieties of cooker hoods.

Cook hoods may seem a rather boring topic, however you would be surprised at the number of varieties they come in to meet your needs and design. The option you choose will have an impact not just on functionality but also on design. The role of a cooker hood is to extract fumes, heat, smoke and airborne grease from the air when you are cooking and filter the air. The current list of styles is endless, from more hidden devises to lavish chandelier designs. Airuno categorise their cooker hoods into six styles for the kitchen. You could opt for an extractor that can disappear when not in use, or that is built into the cabinetry to retain clean lines. Or for more of a statement you could opt for an island hood or a ceiling hood.

The countertop extractors are suitable for use with induction hobs and run smoothly with you hob, meaning they are very much out of the way, Air Uno’s Bach-Evo countertop also has the benefits of an optional carbon filter with 4kg of granular activated high quality carbon which means you can go three years without maintenance.

With the use of remote control, the downdraft extractor will come up out of you work top next to the hob. The benefits to this type of extractor is the easy to use design, it works by sucking the fumes downwards instead of upwards like a ceiling fan. You could opt for a stainless still or black, or if you prefer you could have it in glass. The Parsifal downdraft extractor is high in efficiency as well as having an easy to clean design.

Classic ceiling hoods can make a statement and often provide lighting to the space above the hob. They are also more versatile in design as they can be used with all types of hob. Glass and stainless-steel work very nice in this type of hood, and again these are remote controlled and have the added extra of lights making it less obvious they are in fact a cooker hood, as the bulk of the appliance is concealed in the ceiling.

If you have a small kitchen spacer or are looking for a clean line finish, then the built-in cupboard hood maybe a better option. This design is incorporated into your kitchen cabinetry pulling the fumes and smoke upwards through a built-in filter. They also can provide light over the hob. By comparison to a ceiling hood which provide light to the a large working area of the room, this type of hood will provide only a small directed amount of light to the immediate hob area.

Island hoods can make a great statement above a cooking island. This option can come as simple suspended rectangular hood, as seen in the Verdi hood by Airuno, or alternatively why not opt for a modern light feature in either a cuboid or cylinder shape. The Rossini island hood incorporates a modern shelving space into the extractor fan offering a third level of functionality. If glamour is more of what you are looking for there are several chandelier styles available on the market that would also work above an island.

And finally there is the wall hood, placed above the hob and mounted directly on the wall, this style brings a modern artistic look to your kitchen, with options of black glass or stainless steel and touch control as seen in the Boheme wall hood. The beauty to this design is it is not too opposing over the hob as it runs alongside the wall. There is also optional LED lighting in warm or cool white. This type of extractor draws the fumes into both the front and bottom panels ensuring great efficiency.

Design Process

Fri, 17 May 2019 09:06:34 GMT

The steps to making sure your new space is everything you want it to be

The design process of your kitchen or bathroom consists of various parts. The first stage of the process is usually for the designer to come to your home and take measurements of the space. If you have a building project with plans then they can often work from these. Then you have an opportunity to discuss the type of ideas you have, the vision you are hoping to create, and in turn they can discuss with you what they think will or will not work in the space.

With the ideas and preferences you have given them they will be able to use CAD (computer aided design) to create your space, this will enable you to see the room in 360 degrees, getting a feel of what it would be like to walk around your designed space. At this meeting, held in the showroom, you will also be able to discuss price and any changes you would like to make, it maybe that your designer has more than one option that they feel would work well. You will also be able to look at finishing features, such as the taps, and appliances. It will also be an opportunity, for you to decide on splash backs, and colours, in store you may decide to look at different colour options for the cabinetry. Then you and your designer can play around with the design till you feel happy that the room is encompassing all that you are looking for.

Cabinet Styles

Fri, 10 May 2019 15:16:12 GMT

Traditional, Contemporary or Modern? Decisions Decisions...

The traditional classic or country kitchen can look at home in many settings. If you have an older cottage style home this maybe the style of kitchen you opt for. Mackintosh kitchens are beautiful in design yet durable and practical for modern functionality.

A traditional framed painted kitchen made of solid timber has the benefits of being available in 14 colours. You may prefer a white or ivory or perhaps steel blue or the dark anthracite. The benefit to this is that you can chose to mix the colours, you could opt for a darker colour to the bottom cabinets and lighter tone to the wall units. The traditional kitchen also has a wealth or details to chose from. The panels are often a beautiful tongue and groove, and you may choose to finish your kitchen with an ornate cornice or turned pilasters.

The contemporary kitchen offers a detailed door that is like a traditional shaker but with simple trims and smooth panels. This design bridges between the traditional and the modern. So will not look out of place in either an old traditional home, a country cottage or the modern town house. The cabinetry comes like the traditional with a 14-colour pallet. You could opt for a recessed handle or choose from one of the many handle designs on offer, to finish of the kitchen design.

If you are looking for and uncluttered, free flowing kitchen you may opt for the modern design by Mackintosh. You could opt for the J-pull door, where the handle is created at the top of the smooth finished doors. Alternatively, you could opt for a slab door and a modern handle to finish it off. The modern design the modern kitchen comes in a variety of colours and textures, from painted, to gloss or even wood grained finishes. As with all design options, there is a host of different storage solutions to keep everything out of the way and the surfaces clear, whilst still having easy access to your essentials.

Worktops

Wed, 24 Apr 2019 11:58:03 GMT

The Materials are not Immaterial

When considering your worktops in your kitchen the options can be overwhelming. First off, consider whether you want a stone finish or a softer wood finish.

Corian

Corian is mineral based product and it is not only repairable but non porous, which means stains will not penetrate the surface. The other benefit to this product is that it is mouldable and seamless, this means you can’t feel the joins and, in some finishes, you can’t see them either. Other benefits to this product are that it is easy to clean and with moulded upstands and splashbacks there are no joints to allow the growth of mould and build up bacteria, making it a very hygienic material. It also comes in a variety of colours, not just natural shades of whites and browns, but also green, orange and red. You can also have a sink moulded into your worktop with that seamless finish.

Dekton

Dekton is a completely stain proof material for worktops made from a combination of quartz, porcelain and glass. It is highly scratch resistant and UV resistant. Dekton is also more resistant to abrasions giving way to more longevity in the product. It is also extremely hard as a material meaning that once it is installed it would take considerable effort to damage it and allows for some ultra-thin options which are very on trend with handle-less kitchens today.

Quartz

Quartz is a manmade product that has been made from natural stone. It comes in either a smooth gloss finish, smooth matt finish or even in textured finishes. It is both hard wearing and easy to keep clean and therefor very hygienic. The great thing about this product compared to natural stones is that it is no longer porous so it is very hard to stain, and sinks can also be made from it to create a consistent finish. Quartz is available in a variety of stone finishes; concrete finishes and some funky colours are available too.

Granite

Granite has some beautiful varieties. These natural stone slabs can vary from lighter to darker tones and can give some beautiful, natural textures and patterns running throughout. There is also a selection of finishes, including polished, honed or vintage. Polished will give a smooth, shiny finish, honed is more of a smooth matt finish while vintage will give more of a textured feel to your work space. This is a hard-wearing material.

Timber

Wood worktops also have a broad range to choose from and you can achieve the lighter or darker colours you may prefer your kitchen to have. Ash is a lighter brighter wood; Oak gives a mid-brown colour and Wenge gives a rich dark almost blackish colour. The benefits to using wood for your work tops is that they are both natural and beautiful, however it is worth keeping in mind that to sustain the woods natural beauty it requires an upkeep of care, you will need to oil them. Due to the high maintenance aspect of timber we often use timber exclusively for seating breakfast bar areas where the softer look and feel is beneficial to where people sit and put crockery down often and then use a stone based product for the rest of the kitchen working areas that don’t require the high level of maintenance timber does when coming in to contact with cooking oils and water.

Laminate

A much more cost-effective option is a laminate worktop. The good thing about laminate worktops is you can get the look of both wood or stone with out the cost. They are also not porous so require less upkeep than solid wood worktops.

Appliances

Fri, 29 Mar 2019 16:51:11 GMT

21st Century Appliance Innovations

If you are looking for modern appliances, AEG offer a great selection of integrated products. It doesn’t just stop at ovens and fridge freezers, why not fit out your kitchen with an integrated coffee maker, wine coolers, warming drawer, vacuum sealer and blast chiller. The vacuum sealer will allow you to lock in flavour and marinade and cook your food in a sous-vied oven, ensuring the nutrients and flavours are not lost and allowing for a healthy, delicious meal.

Most ovens are now self-cleaning pyrolytic ovens meaning the oven will bring itself back to like new just by putting it on the specialist cleaning function that once complete all you have to do is wipe the dust like residue out with a damp cloth. Another great feature are sensors that connect with ovens. Place this into your food and the oven will ensure the food is cooked to the desired result.

This Technology is now also available for hobs. The SensePro hob uses technology at its best, it can detect when your food is boiling and reduce the temperature for you. The wireless food sensor will keep a measure on the core temperature of your food. You can now cook food on a hob to perfection getting the best results, and insuring no flavour and nutrients are lost.

In designing your kitchen, you will need to think about where you would like certain appliances, whether you would like your hob by your oven or on an island. You will also need to consider if you are having Gas, and where that supply is because moving this can become expensive. AEG offer a variety of hob options, from gas to ceramic and induction. Induction hobs offer a neat solution that offers superior heat up times than all other options, equal reaction times to gas while being easier to clean and more energy efficient.

In our showroom in Alton we have a fully operational kitchen where we can demonstrate ovens and hobs as well as coffee machines, warming drawers, fridges, freezers and sous-vide cooking. You can also see from the array of full kitchen displays, some of the options that are possible in deciding how to incorporate your appliances into your new kitchen.