Buying cooking appliances: what should you look for?
Anyone who wants to buy cooking appliances is soon faced with a wide choice: hobs, ovens, cookers and cooker hoods — each with their own specifications, dimensions and price brackets. It is a purchase you live with every day in the kitchen, so it pays to think carefully about what you really need. In this article we help you on your way.
Cooking appliances fall broadly into four categories: the hob (built-in or freestanding), the oven (almost always built-in), the cooker (a hob and an oven combined in one freestanding appliance) and the cooker hood. Freestanding appliances are simple to put in place without any building work; built-in appliances need a kitchen laid out to suit them, but give a neater, integrated look.
A big brand name says little about how useful an appliance is day to day. What counts is whether it has the right functions, works reliably and comes with a warranty. That is why at Pro Witgoed we concentrate on Heinner: functional, solidly built and considerably cheaper than the big names — without giving up quality or peace of mind. See all Heinner cooking appliances and find out what suits your kitchen.
Hobs: built-in electric or gas?
When you are buying a hob, the first choice you make is electric or gas. Both types have their own advantages and suit different situations. Electric hobs are usually a little more expensive to buy than gas hobs, but they are easier to clean and safer to use — certainly in homes without a gas connection. Gas hobs give you immediate heat control and are often cheaper per meal, but they require an existing gas connection.
For tenants and first-time buyers the built-in electric hob is often the most practical choice: no extra connection needed, plenty of choice and simple controls. Families who are used to gas more often go for a built-in gas hob because the cooking technique is familiar. With both types, always check the dimensions: the standard built-in width is 60 cm, but 30 cm and 75 cm versions are available too. Always measure the cut-out in your worktop before you order a hob.
Heinner hobs are available in both versions and stand out for their sharp price combined with a full warranty. A smart choice if you would rather not pay for a premium brand name.
Built-in electric hobs
A built-in electric hob has a smooth ceramic or vitroceramic surface that is easy to keep clean. There are no burners or pan supports to clean separately — a damp cloth is usually enough. You also do not have to worry about a naked flame, which makes it a safe choice for households with children.
Look at the following specifications when you choose:
- Number of cooking zones: two, four or five zones — depending on how much cooking you do
- Power per zone: higher wattages heat up faster
- Type of surface: ceramic glass is the standard, induction needs specific magnetic pans
- Dimensions: check the built-in size and the cut-out required
Built-in gas hobs
A built-in gas hob gives immediate, visible heat that you can control precisely by simply turning the knob. That makes it more intuitive than cooking on electricity for a lot of people. Gas hobs also work with any type of pan.
Bear the following in mind: a gas hob requires a gas connection in the kitchen and a registered installer to connect it. Make sure those conditions are met before you order. The pan supports and burners need a little more upkeep than a ceramic surface, but for many users the ease of cooking more than makes up for that.
Buying an oven: which oven suits you?
When you are buying a built-in oven, you are choosing from a surprisingly wide range of functions. The most common are: fan-assisted cooking (even heat distribution, suitable for several shelves at once), top and bottom heat (classic and precise), and the grill setting (for searing or browning). Many ovens combine several functions in one appliance.
In terms of dimensions, 60 cm wide and 60 cm high is the absolute standard for built-in ovens — this fits in almost every kitchen housing unit. Check the capacity in litres as well: an oven of 65 litres or more is comfortable for a family, while a smaller capacity is enough for one or two person households.
Heinner built-in ovens offer all the usual functions at a price noticeably lower than that of the big manufacturers. Combine that with the full 5 year warranty that Pro Witgoed gives as standard on every Heinner appliance and the risk of the purchase is minimal. You know what you are buying and you are covered if anything goes wrong.
Cookers: all-in-one cooking appliances
A cooker is a freestanding appliance that combines a hob and an oven in one unit. It is the ideal choice if you do not have a fitted kitchen, if you live in a rented home where you cannot or would rather not carry out any building work, or if you are a landlord who wants to fit out a whole kitchen quickly and cost-effectively.
The great advantage of a freestanding cooker is how easy it is to put in place: position it and connect it, and that is all it takes (for the electric version). You also save on buying separate built-in components and on the fitting costs that go with them.
Here too you choose between gas and electric. A gas cooker heats faster and gives you more control over the flame; an electric cooker is simpler to use and needs no gas connection. Heinner freestanding cookers are available in both versions, are robustly built and are in stock ready to go — ideal if you want to act quickly.
Cooker hoods: the finishing touch to your kitchen
A cooker hood is not an unnecessary luxury. Without extraction, cooking and frying smells build up in the kitchen and in the living space next to it. A good cooker hood keeps the air clean, cuts down condensation and protects the kitchen cupboards from a greasy film over time.
When buying a cooker hood you choose between two systems: ducted extraction (the air is led outside through a duct) and recirculation (the air is filtered and blown back into the kitchen). Ducted extraction is the most effective, but it needs a way through to the outside. Recirculation is more flexible about where you fit it, but it does need activated charcoal filters that are replaced regularly.
Heinner cooker hoods are 60 cm wide as standard, with several speeds and LED lighting over the cooking zone. Compact, functional and well priced. See the cooker hood range and pick the model that fits your kitchen layout.
Types of Heinner cooker hood
Integrated cooker hoods are fixed to the underside of a kitchen cupboard, directly above the hob. They are compact, take up no extra room and fit in almost any standard kitchen cupboard layout. This type is popular in smaller kitchens and rented homes.
Angled cooker hoods hang free above the cooking zone and have a sloping design that gives you a clearer line of sight and a modern look. They are a more noticeable presence in the kitchen, which with an open-plan kitchen layout can be a plus.
Buying cooking appliances at Pro Witgoed: these are the advantages
At Pro Witgoed you buy Heinner cooking appliances with the following assurances:
- Free delivery: no extra delivery charges, the price you see is the price you pay
- A full 5 year warranty: on all Heinner cooking appliances, included as standard
- Available straight from stock: no waiting weeks for a back order
- No hidden costs: transparent prices, always
- Personal customer service: questions about the right model or the technical specifications? We help you straight away
- The best value for money: Heinner makes reliable appliances without the price tag of the big brand names
Whether you are a first-time buyer kitting out a kitchen for the first time, a landlord who wants to fit new appliances in several properties, or simply someone who wants to replace an old hob — at Pro Witgoed you will find what you need, without the hassle.
Frequently asked questions
Which brand of cooking appliances does Pro Witgoed sell?
Pro Witgoed concentrates on Heinner for cooking appliances. Heinner is a dependable European brand that makes functional, well built appliances at a considerably lower price than the well known premium brands. Ideal for anyone who wants quality without paying extra for a brand name.
Do I get a warranty on cooking appliances from Pro Witgoed?
Yes. All Heinner cooking appliances at Pro Witgoed come with a full 5 year warranty as standard. That includes parts and service, at no extra cost.
Are built-in cooking appliances available straight away too?
Yes. Both built-in hobs and built-in ovens are available straight from stock. You do not have to wait for a special order or a back order.
What is the difference between an electric hob and a gas hob?
An electric hob has a smooth ceramic surface, is easy to keep clean and needs no gas connection. A gas hob gives immediate, adjustable heat from a naked flame and is often cheaper to run per meal, but it does require a gas connection and a registered installer to connect it.
Does Pro Witgoed deliver cooking appliances free of charge?
Yes, delivery is always free. There are no hidden shipping or service charges. The price you see on the website is what you pay.
Which cooker hood suits my new hob?
As a rule of thumb: the cooker hood should be at least as wide as the hob. With a standard 60 cm hob, a 60 cm cooker hood is a good match. Choose an integrated model or an angled cooker hood on the basis of your kitchen cupboard layout. Not sure which model fits best? Get in touch with our customer service team.
Can I buy cooking appliances as a tenant or a landlord?
Of course. Pro Witgoed is particularly well suited to tenants and landlords. Freestanding cookers are ideal for rented homes because nothing has to be built in. For landlords who have to fit out several properties, the keen price level of Heinner is a clear advantage. Get in touch for advice on larger quantities.
Do you have a clear idea of what you are looking for after reading this article? Browse the full range of cooking appliances at Pro Witgoed and find the model that suits your kitchen and your budget.