OK, Dishwashers, next......

[Florence Fennel]

Himself would love a dishwasher. Because I am the one who cooks most often, he gets to do the washing up (well, that's only fair, I'm sure you'll agree). It's a bit of a turnaround for him really as he used to say that women were made to do the washing up as their feet are smaller so they can get nearer to the sink. Might have a look at the slimline ones - my kitchen is quite small and I'm not prepared to lose any of my dining room to accommodate it.

[Creemteez]

Have been looking at Bosch's offerings and am inclined to go in that direction. But the big question is just how much extra does one have to pay for an "emotion light"??? and can I get through life without one??

[Alison]

Have been looking at Bosch's offerings and am inclined to go in that direction. But the big question is just how much extra does one have to pay for an "emotion light"??? and can I get through life without one??

Erm what is one?

[Creemteez]

You may well ask!
According to the brochure, you can have, " 'Emotion Lighting' - Which bathes your crystal-ware in a beautiful blue light when you open the door, giving your glasses that extra sparkle and (get this!) impressing your dinner guests"!!!!...

Don't know about my dinner guests being impressed by a blue light bulb, but I bet I feel "emotional" when I find out how much extra it would cost. Think it's something that life will probably go on quite nicely without, somehow....

[chris]

I went Bosch too, simply as they constantly came out top - I spoke to an independent white goods fixer-type chap who fixed my mates. He said out of all the washingmachines, dishwashers and other appliances, Bosch are the ones that hardly ever go wrong.

The Classixx (or something) topped the Which BB charts too, so for me, it was a no-brainer. The eco mode on it is great at recycling water too

[Creemteez]

Ok, decision made...
Going to go for a Neff double oven (eye-level) and gas hob and a Bosch Classixx Dishwasher (had my eye on one of those from the outset, Chris!).
Thanks for all your input, everyone.
We've had two kitchen designers in so far and I'm liking what I see on their computer screens! Exciting times ahead -no doubt I'll keep you all posted as to progress....

[Alison]

Good luck with it - I found it quite a stressful experience recently but am really pleased with the result and am glad I stuck to my guns over a few things that were really important to me and now have tonnes of storage and more workspace than I had previously as well as the best oven in the whole world

[dominic10]

Having spent absolutely ages picking and chosing a Bosch replacement for our deceased dishwasher we found the one we chose had stopped being produced. Fortunately, we were able to find one on line - one of the reasons we chose this particular model was because it used less water than other models. Being married to a procrastinator has its disadvantages sometimes.

[Potstubsdustbins]

CT if your going for a gas hob have a look at the New World range. Not expensive but good quality. I have had one for 5 years not a spot of bother and SWMBO loves the wok burner almost as much as she loves chinese food.

Colin

[SarrissUK]

Creemteez, sounds like you're going with a kitchen from the 'normal' outlets. Just thought I'd share my experience when I had my kitchen done a year and a half ago. After gutting my kitchen, it was a 25 foot long box that needed filling. I was very clear on my requirements, but nothing super special. I went to three of the big DIY stores and couldn't possibly get the units (no hob, oven, fridge, freezer or dishwasher included in the price) under £6,000.
So, since I thought that was expensive considering the not spectacular quality, I asked my builder that had gutted the whole thing for me. He went to Howden's to see if he could get a good price. I picked out the kitchen I liked, and my builder bargained on my behalf REAL good. The kitchen should've been 7,5k, but my builder said that wasn't good enough and that I can pay for it in full that same day. He got it down to just below 4,5k. The entire length of 25 foot is covered with units, bar 90cm for the cooker and the american fridge/freezer. Not bad eh?
Definitely worth a try if you want to keep the price down.

[veggiechicken]

Mine's from Howden's too. I think they're trade only but they have showrooms for you to select.

[SarrissUK]

Yeah, they're trade only, so you'd need to send someone that runs a business... someone like.. a kitchen fitter would do!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Howdens used to insist you had a trade account with them. Don't know if this is still true but if you can get in they are deffo worth a look.

Colin

[Creemteez]

We have asked the "Wicks" man to come and give us a design visit, but really only to do some comparisons from, The other two have been a local kitchen show=room and a local kitchen fitter from the village who we know quite well.
We went into Howdens and they didn't seem to be worried by the fact that we weren't "trade" though seeing as Mr Teez is a self-employed painter decorator etc, opening a trade account wouldn't be a prob!
Will give them a ring tomorrow and do a spot of enquiring.

Chris, will also check out the New World hobs of which you speak - Ta!

[veggiechicken]

Howden's have a kitchen designer who will plan your kitchen too, and price it up.
They "designed" mine but I ignored their plan!!