Roomba, Dysons, Thermomix and other household appliances

[Quickstatus]

Is there a special button that when pressed causes instant sleep?

 

[MARTINE]

OMG I didn't realise blankets now have bluetooth and Siri functionality?

? Remote cough

 

[kookaburra75]

Looking forward to a review , Mr Schneider….
I did a bit of digging a while back and decided they needed a bit more evolution

Well, it arrived today - still don't have a cute name yet for the robot.
You have to allow 3+ hours for the unit to explore and map the house to work out rooms and zones.

 

[JessicaTam]

Is there a special button that when pressed causes instant sleep?

Yes, but you have to be in a hospital to access it.

 

[Denali]

Hope I can get some opinions as I need to select a electric stove top for a new kitchen and so any thoughts on:

Must be electric. Not sure about induction as I dont have any experience/do I need new pans ect.

Smeg: https://www.harveynormancommercial.com.au/900mm-cermaic-cooktop.html
https://www.harveynormancommercial.com.au/600mm-ceramic-cooktop-2.html

Franke: https://www.harveynormancommercial.com.au/urban-900mm-ceramic-cooktop.html

Fisher & Paykel: https://www.harveynormancommercial.com.au/600mm-ceramic-cooktop-10.html

Omega: https://www.harveynormancommercial.com.au/900mm-ceramic-cooktop-1.html

many thanks,

 

[Quickstatus]

Can't comment as i would not get ceramic as a general rule.

In terms of brand, Smeg is good.

 

[Denali]

Why not ceramic? Talk to me like Ive been living in a 70+yr old house with a almost 20yr oven so no idea whats new/the latest/whats good

 

[Quickstatus]

Why not ceramic

Ceramic is just a heating coil but hidden under the ceramic top glass - yes the "ceramic" is the top glass surface.
Therefore its just like the old coil electric stove - except with just a snazzy glass surface on top

Induction is a lot faster to heat up, with highly responsive temperature control
Induction surfaces don't stay hot after power off whereas ceramic does - the coil heats the glass which heats the pan. Induction only heats the pan and not the glass top. So no chance of burning fingers/hands on the glass surface after the pan is removed with induction

Ceramic cheaper than induction.

But I would get induction.

 

[Quickstatus]

Ceramic cheaper than induction

Induction more expensive - I would not skimp on induction prices if you can - The only caveat with induction is that the actual induction coils vary in quality.
Smeg has a 900mm for $2600 at Winnings

 

[VPS]

Why not ceramic? Talk to me like Ive been living in a 70+yr old house with a almost 20yr oven so no idea whats new/the latest/whats good

I’m not very coherent at this time of night but having ceramic compared to induction is like flying economy when you could go first class and yes you’ll probably need new pans but WTF compared to the cost of KDR

 

[MARTINE]

Ceramic is just a heating coil but hidden under the ceramic top glass - yes the "ceramic" is the top glass surface.
Therefore its just like the old coil electric stove - except with just a snazzy glass surface on top

Induction is a lot faster to heat up, with highly responsive temperature control
Induction surfaces don't stay hot after power off whereas ceramic does - the coil heats the glass which heats the pan. Induction only heats the pan and not the glass top. So no chance of burning fingers/hands on the glass surface after the pan is removed with induction

Ceramic cheaper than induction.

But I would get induction.

Interesting discussion and good points made by all. Like all decisions it is informed by what functionality you need.
Having bought/renovated our enormous seachange property (no gas) I reviewed how often I used my previous cooktop and how.
I found if I wanted ferocious heat I was using outdoor plumbed bbq connected to kitchen and/or weber. I did use prior cooktop to boil water and usual other functions (pasta sauces/curries/soups etc).
So … in the new place …because we wanted to move into an unloved and dated (but extremely high quality) house with minimum disruption I chose to replace the ceramic cooktop (would not have supported induction) w new ceramic
…and spend on the miele oven/ steam combi and plate warmer trio. Found all these extra steam functions/ways of cooking etc soo good
E.g - no need to use stovetop steamer for wontons as can cook multiple trays in steam oven/also rice and pasta
The ferocious wok heat source is outside the kitchen door and that has not changed
Ditto Weber
I acknowledge space is not an issue for me here ….but my Bosch ~$600 ceramic cooktop has certainly not held me back even if (when I do the full kitchen refurb in 5yrs) I may consider induction.
PS
I bought an electric kettle - having never owned one!)

My two cents worth.

 

[Denali]

Many thanks, I sent the rep 3 induction stovetop choices - all 900mm but I did look at the 600mm but decided to splurge.

I would love a stop top with its own ducted exhaust but $6-$10K was a bit out of the budget, considering Im all about the pot drawers.

 

[Quickstatus]

3 induction stovetop choices - all 900mm

Now that you have done that, may I give you the fine print
900mm induction require a dedicated circuit breaker.
Also they are generally 3 phase electricity capable, and do work better with 3 phase electricity
(see installation manual - 3 phase will be worded as 380-415V 3N or 2N. 3 N better. They can work with normal 15amp but this limits the number of induction coils that can be turned on at a time)

.....

And the Fine fine print
There is no warranty re cooking skills for induction stovetops.

 

[Denali]

Yes, 3 phase electric thingy.... hubby confirms but thanks for the circuit breaker info, its on the the "watch for" list

 

[Quickstatus]

circuit breaker info

As soon as you say 3 phase, the electrician will also put in a dedicated CB as per electrical rules.

 

[Buzzard]

I'm certain @Denali that you will be thrilled with induction.
A simple way to check if your pots and pans will work with induction is try sticking a magnet (fridge magnet is perfect) to the base of the pan. If it sticks you're good to go. No stick, no work - just get some new Tefal stuff but that's a whole new discussion.

 

[ellen10]

I agree, I have an induction cooktop. Had to buy a couple of new pots, but so easy to use and easy to clean after use.

 

[Denali]

My plan was to buy all new kitchen stuff, except for my kitchen aid mixer, so new pans and pots isn't an issue. Also planning a wall oven so will see what upgrade options are available.

 

[Quickstatus]

plan was to buy all new kitchen stuff

A steam oven if you can

 

[tgh]

3 phase is quite impractical for most houses.
The whole house wiring from the nearest transformer ( out in the street/down the road et al ) has to be upgraded, it can cost many
many many ma...k$..to achieve little (imo).
Our unit has 3ph instant hws but I would never for a moment have considered the extra cost of wiring anything else that way.