Best eco cleaning products for your kitchen
Switching to eco cleaning products can reduce the volume of potentially harmful chemicals in your home. We put the best to the test to find the most effective and good value-for-money options
It’s no secret that we should all be doing our bit for the environment, and that this can extend to every aspect of your home and lifestyle. Choosing more environmentally friendly cleaning products is one small, effortless thing you can do that can make a difference. But lots of people worry that eco-friendly cleaning products might not clean efficiently. We agree that there’s no point making the switch if you have to spring clean your kitchen every month with traditional chemicals to pick up the slack. That’s why we’ve put some popular products to the test in a real kitchen. Eco cleaning products come in many forms, from refillable subscription cleaners to standard pre-mixed solutions that you grab from the supermarket shelf. They usually all claim to make your kitchen sparkle just as well as the leading brands, but with more plant-based biodegradable ingredients. And those with refills available also cut down on single-use plastics too. Read on to find out which eco cleaners are the best for keeping your kitchen clean. Best eco cleaning products at a glance Best fragrance-free eco cleaning product: Koh Surface Starter Kit, £29.90 Best eco cleaning product for everyday use: method anti-bac all purpose cleaner, £2.50 Best plastic-free eco cleaning product: Neat anti-bac multi surface cleaner, £20 (£12 for subsequent refills) Best eco cleaning product for scent: Purdy & Figg Signature Starter Kit, from £15 Best eco cleaning product for luxury fragrance: Kinfill multi surface cleaner, £14 Best refill eco cleaning product: Bower all-purpose sanitiser spray – pineapple 1L, £6.61 Best eco cleaning product for everyday kitchen surfaces: method Daily Kitchen Cleaner, £2.50 Best eco cleaning product for the kitchen and beyond: method Multi-Surface Cleaner, £2.66 Best eco cleaning product for shiny surfaces: Ecover Multi-Action surface cleaner, £3.25 Best value eco cleaning subscription: Smol multi-purpose spray, from £2 for trial pack Jump to: Best eco cleaning products to buy in 2026 Why use eco friendly cleaning products? What certifications to look for in eco-friendly cleaning products How we tested eco cleaning products Firstly, if the product consisted of a concentrate that had to be mixed with water, we assessed how easy and mess-free this process was. Then we looked at the packaging, claims and ingredients. To assess the cleaning performance, we tried each of the cleaners on a number of surfaces. These included cleaning grease from a cooker hood, washing glossy kitchen cabinets and mucky hobs. But we also tried wiping away dried mud from floor tiles and greasy fingerprints from windows. During use we took note of the aroma as well as any issues with the trigger spray. Best eco cleaning products to buy in 2026 Koh surface starter kit Available from Koh (£29.90) Best fragrance-free eco cleaning product Pros: Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic Excellent eco certifications Streak free, effective cleaning Refillable, recyclable packaging Cons: Large refill box to store Less effective for deep cleaning Size: 300ml bottle RRP: Starter kit: £37.40. Includes 2L refill, bottle and cloths. Refills: £10.95 Star rating: 5/5 This is a fragrance-free, multi-use eco cleaner designed for kitchens and beyond. Its cleaning performance is impressive, tackling grease on hobs and cooker hoods with ease and removing sticky residues like jam after a short soak. Glossy surfaces are left streak-free and it copes well with fingerprints and smudges. While it needs a little soaking time for burnt on stains and is less effective on deep dirt, it’s great at general everyday cleaning tasks. Eco credentials are outstanding: the formula contains just 0.5% potassium hydroxide and purified water, with no added surfactants or fragrances. The product is GECA eco-certified, Allergy UK approved, non-toxic and both septic and greywater safe. Packaging is fully recyclable, with a large refill pouch system (exactly like boxed wine) designed to reduce single-use plastic. The minimalist, ergonomic bottle is easy to use and refill. Available from: Koh (£29.90) method anti-bac all purpose cleaner Available from Amazon (£2.50) Best eco cleaning product for everyday use Pros: Larger bottle size Efficient cleaner Can be used on a variety of surfaces Cons: None Size: 828ml RRP: £4 Star rating: 5/5 Method products are widely available and the daily all purpose cleaner comes in a larger bottle size than most kitchen cleaners, which means it works out as a reasonably priced option. It’s a non-toxic plant-based cleaner that’s Leaping Bunny approved, plus Method is a B Corp, which indicates the company's continued commitment to people and planet. Cleaning is effortless with this kitchen spray, it leaves glossy cabinets virtually smear free and, likewise, removes grease from windows without leaving any residues or smears. It has no problem with mud, thick cooker grease or other daily kitchen spills. According to Method, it can be used on worktops, tile, stone, wood and glass so it’s a good all-rounder for any kitchen. The clementine fragrance is slightly more synthetic than some others, but we still found it to be pleasant. Overall, this is a simple eco swap you could pick up in any supermarket and really not notice a difference in ease of use or results. The bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic and refills are also widely available in supermarket, meaning Method ticks every eco box. Available from: Amazon (£2.50) Neat anti-bac multi surface cleaner Available from Neat (£20 – £12 for subsequent refills) Best plastic-free eco cleaning product Pros: Aluminium bottle Pleasant aroma Easy refills Cons: Initial purchase is expensive Size: 500ml RRP: Starter pack including aluminium spray bottle is £7. Refills: £2.50 each Star rating: 5/5 Admittedly, the spray trigger is plastic, but the body of the bottle is a sturdy, built-to-last aluminium and the refills come in tiny glass bottles, meaning this cleaner is the best option if you’re looking to go as plastic-free as possible. The liquid refills dissolve immediately into cold water, no mess or fuss. The matte white bottle looks good in the kitchen and has a removable silicone base to keep it from slipping around. Neat is a B Corp and the product is made with biodegradable and plant derived ingredients. The mango and fig fragrance has a very pleasant, fresh, fruity aroma that’s not at all chemically and it was one of our favourite fragrances. As a cleaner it tackles all surfaces, leaving them clean and shiny. Whether grease, mud or daily grime, we were impressed with the cleaning power of Neat. And it’s an added bonus that it can eliminate 99.9% of bacteria. The initial £7 cost for the bottle and first refill is a bit steep, especially in comparison with other brands, but after that, the refills are competitively priced. Plus, they’re easy to buy online without being locked into a subscription. And the small bottles allow you to stay stocked up without an overflowing cleaning cupboard. Available from: Neat (£20 – £12 for subsequent refills) Purdy & Figg Signature Starter Kit Available from Purdy and Figg (£15), Amazon (£36.37) Best eco cleaning product for scent Pros: Subscription model available for convenience Complete plan includes bathroom products too Microfibre cloths included Fully recyclable packaging Cons: Scents may not be for everyone No eco certifications Size: 300ml RRP: Starter pack includes three scents, plus bottle and cloth is £15. Refills: £24 for a three scents Star rating: 4.5/5 For those looking to reduce plastic waste without compromising on performance, this eco-friendly cleaning system offers a smart, sustainable solution. It uses a durable glass “bottle for life” paired with plant-based concentrates, cutting down on single-use plastics and unnecessary packaging. Refills arrive in minimal cardboard and the clearly labelled concentrate bottles make mixing simple – just pour and top up with 300ml water. The setup is quick, mess-free and designed with user convenience in mind. The cleaner itself is non-toxic and free from harsh chemicals or synthetic dyes, scented with essential oils for a fresh, spa-like aroma that’s pleasant but not overpowering – the citronella and niaouli scent was our favourite. While it’s not certified by major eco labels, the ingredients are transparently listed online and the product is made in the UK. Performance-wise, it’s well suited to everyday cleaning. It handles grease, sticky residues, fingerprints and mud across a variety of kitchen surfaces, leaving a clean, streak-free finish. It’s most effective on light to moderate mess; more stubborn, baked-on stains may need extra effort. The trigger spray delivers a wide, even mist and feels comfortable in use, contributing to an overall fuss-free experience. Available from: Purdy and Figg (£15) Amazon (£36.37) Kinfill multi surface cleaner Available from Kinfill (£14) Best eco cleaning product for luxury fragrance Pros: Streak-free finish Plant-based ingredients No single-use plastic Pleasant natural fragrance Cons: Pricey initial purchase Needs extra effort on burnt stains Size: 500ml RRP: Starter kit includes bottle and two refills: £14. Refills alone: £9 Star rating: 4.5/5 This cleaner is a pleasure to use, with a scent that’s more like a subtle perfume than a typical cleaning spray. The aluminium bottle feels sturdy and comfortable to hold, and the trigger delivers a fine, even mist that covers surfaces well. It tackles grease on cooker hoods and splashbacks in a single pass and lifts sticky residues from worktops with minimal effort. Fingerprints and smudges on glossy cabinets and windows wipe away easily, leaving a streak-free finish. For tougher, burnt-on stains on hobs, you may need to go over the area a few times, but it still performs well overall. From an eco perspective, this product stands out. The concentrate refills come in glass vials and the main bottle is designed to be reused indefinitely. All ingredients are plant-based and biodegradable, with no single-use plastic. It’s vegan, cruelty-free and B Corp-certified. Available from: Kinfill (£14) Bower all-purpose sanitiser spray – pineapple Available from Bower Collective (£6.61) Best refill eco cleaning product Pros: Effective on everyday mess and light grease Streak-free finish Lovely pineapple scent Cons: Less effective on heavy burnt-on stains Refill pouch can be awkward to pour Size: 1L RRP: £9.99. Refill: £4.79 Star rating: 4/5 Bower’s all purpose sanitiser in pineapple is a ready-to-use, plant-based cleaner that stands out for both its eco credentials and performance. The refill system is simple – decant the flexible pouch into your own bottle or a Bower glass bottle, which comes with a silicone base for added protection. The pouch is made from 30% post-consumer recycled plastic and is fully recyclable via Bower’s closed-loop scheme, with prepaid envelopes provided for returns. The formula is biodegradable, cruelty free, vegan and uses lactic acid as the antibacterial agent. Full ingredients are clearly listed, including potential allergens. The scent is authentically pineapple, fresh and fruity but not overpowering. In use, the sanitiser is effective on everyday spills and light to medium grease, easily cutting through dried mud and sticky residues, and leaving a streak-free finish on glossy surfaces. For heavy, burnt-on mess, more passes may be needed, but it excels as an everyday cleaner. The spray trigger delivers both a smooth, direct spray as well as a wide, fine mist. This is a well-priced, genuinely sustainable swap that performs well and ticks all the right eco boxes, making it an excellent choice for conscious cleaning. Available from: Bower Collective (£4.79) method Daily Kitchen Cleaner Available from Dunelm (£2.45), Ocado (£2.75) Best eco cleaning product for everyday kitchen surfaces Pros: Cuts through grease and everyday mess with ease Pleasant, fresh scent Plant-based, biodegradable and cruelty free Made from recycled plastic and recyclable Cons: No refill option Some stubborn stains need extra effort Contains fragrance allergens Size: 828ml RRP: £3.75. No refill available Star rating: 4/5 A fuss-free, ready-to-use spray, method’s daily kitchen cleaner delivers reliable performance with a fresh clementine scent. The plant-based, biodegradable formula is vegan, cruelty free and septic safe, ticking all the main eco credentials. The bottle is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic and is fully recyclable through household collections, though unfortunately there’s no refill option for this specific product. In use, the cleaner cuts through grease on cooker hoods and splashbacks with ease and makes light work of sticky residues like jam on worktops, requiring minimal scrubbing. Glossy cabinets and windows are left with a bright, clear finish, though occasional smears might need a quick buff. Stubborn, burnt-on messes on the hob may need a second application and a bit more effort, but for everyday spills and smudges, it’s quick and effective. The bottle is comfortable to hold and the wide, fine mist gives good coverage. The branding is bold and instructions are clear, with allergen alerts for limonene and linalool. At 46p per 100ml, it offers good value and is widely available in major supermarkets and online. Available from: Dunelm (£2.45) Ocado (£2.75) method Multi-Surface Cleaner Available from Ocado (£2.75) Best eco cleaning product for the kitchen and beyond Pros: Effective cleaning on a range of surfaces Calming lavender scent Recyclable packaging made from 100% PCR plastic Cons: Needs extra effort for burnt on stains Size: 828ml RRP: £3.85. No refill available Star rating: 4/5 This is a ready-to-use multi-surface cleaner that’s as effortless as it is effective. It’s a simple eco swap for everyday kitchen cleaning: the calming, bold floral fragrance is immediately noticeable but not overpowering. Performance is impressive: it cuts through grease on cooker hoods, sticky jam residues and everyday fingerprints on glossy surfaces with ease. Even burnt-on stains and muddy footprints are tackled well, though you may need a little extra elbow grease for more stubborn marks. The trigger is comfortable to use, delivering a wide, even spray without leaks or clogging and surfaces dry quickly with no sticky or streaky residue. The bottle is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic and is fully recyclable via standard household collection, which is a plus for sustainability. Ingredients are plant-based and biodegradable, with allergens clearly listed. While there’s no refill option for this particular bottle, it’s widely available in major supermarkets and online. For those after something a bit different, the deep house version offers a unique, perfumed scent (oud, saffron and plum) as a limited edition. Available from: Ocado (£2.75) Ecover Multi-Action surface cleaner Available from Dunelm (£1.75), Ecover (£3.25) Best general eco cleaner for shiny surfaces Pros: Widely available Various refill options available Refills are good value for money Cons: Chemical aroma Size: 500ml RRP: £3.25. Concentrated refill for three bottles: £5 Star rating: 4.5/5 Ecover is one of the best known and trusted eco cleaning brands around, and this plant-based, palm oil-free multi-action cleaner is Leaping Bunny approved – which means you can trust that it’s cruelty free. What’s more, it’s produced in Ecover’s zero-waste factory using plant-based and biodegradable ingredients. The bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic and when it’s empty there’s a concentrated refill available to purchase. The refill does come in a small plastic bottle, but it contains enough concentrate to refill three bottles, so vastly reduces the amount of plastic and is much more cost-effective. Plus, in an effort to further reduce single-use plastic, Ecover refill stations are available in shops nationwide, but you’ll need to check online if there’s one near you. The aroma is somewhat chemically and overpowers the citrussy lemongrass and orange scent that’s promised on the label. But with that being said, this was the best at leaving glossy kitchen cabinets smear free. It can remove grease from cooker hoods and will also remove fingerprints from glass, leaving a streak-free shine. It’s a great all-rounder but particularly useful to have around if you have a lot of shiny or reflective surfaces to keep clean and smear-free. It's a versatile multi-surface cleaner that's not limited to use in the kitchen. Available from: Dunelm (£1.75) Ecover (£3.25) Smol multi-purpose spray Available from Smol (£2 for trial pack, then £7 for six tablets) Best value eco cleaning subscription Pros: Compact refill tablets Easy subscription option Low cost Cons: Can leave watermarks Size: 500ml bottle RRP: £2 for trial pack, then £7 for six tablets (subscription model) Star rating: 4/5 Smol is vegan and Leaping Bunny-approved, so it’s cruelty free. The reusable spray bottle is plastic but it’s made from 100% recycled plastic. And with just the brand name debossed on the bottle, it has a minimal design that looks nice on the worktop. The bottle includes an orange silicone band to indicate that this is the multi-purpose spray, and it’s nicely positioned near the top to help with grip. The small concentrated refill tablets come in plastic-free, compostable packaging. The tablet takes several minutes to dissolve, but this mess-free refill is easy to use and the tiny tablets take up very little storage space, so it allows you to keep a fully stocked cleaning cupboard without the clutter. The nozzle can be set to either mist the product or shoot it in a more direct spray. The aroma is distinctly reminiscent of laundry detergent, plus it lingers, which some people will like and others will not. We preferred other brands for cleaning windows and shiny surfaces, as Smol left visible watermarks. But it’s powerful enough to remove grease and grime including tougher muck on cooker hoods and hobs. We think it’s best when spritzed on surfaces for an everyday clean. Plus, the refills offer the best value for money we’ve seen. And because it’s multi-purpose, it’s not limited to use in the kitchen. Available from: Smol (£2 for trial pack, then £7 for six tablets) Why use eco-friendly cleaning products? The first reason to switch to eco cleaning products is to reduce the volume of potentially harmful chemicals in your home. While all common cleaning chemicals have been approved for use in our homes, some are still potentially quite toxic, both to humans, animals, and the environment. For an even better impact on the planet, most eco cleaning products are at the very least packaged in recycled materials. The best ones offer concentrated refill products for a much lower waste approach, and with the need for us all to reduce our reliance on single-use plastics, this is a more sustainable option that’s easy to adopt. Which certifications to look out for when choosing eco-friendly cleaning products There are numerous certifications that you might come across on cleaning products, but these are the ones we think are worth seeking out: Leaping Bunny: This internationally recognised symbol is your guarantee that no new animal tests were used in the development of the product. B-Corp: To achieve B Corp certification, a company has to commit to, and prove that it is working to positively impact its workers, community, customers and the planet. These businesses work hard to meet very high standards in social and environmental performance. Vegan: Some cleaning products contain substances derived from animals. If that is something you want to avoid, you can look out for the Vegan Society logo. More articles on cleaning and kitchen safety How to keep your kitchen clean How to clean an air fryer 10 ways to deep clean your kitchen What to keep where in the kitchen How to store food safely Everything you need to know about food poisoning How to reheat leftovers Top tips on freezing food More small appliance reviews Best kettles Best espresso coffee machines Best bean to cup coffee machines Best pod coffee machines Best pan sets Best cafetieres Best multi-cookers Best eco dishwasher tablets If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
From towering apple pies to hearty beef and ale, we've rounded up the best pie dishes to buy for perfecting golden, crisp pastry.
Pies have earned a place in our hearts for being the ultimate comfort food. Whether you love sweet pies with lashings of cream or custard, or if savoury pies with gravy are your thing, this versatile bake has been around for thousands of years and isn’t going anywhere. Pies come in many forms, the pastry can be shortcrust, filo, puff or suet, or your pie can be topped with potato. Then there’s the question of whether to make a pie with pastry on the top, bottom or both. The pie dish you choose can have a big impact on your baked pie and there are just as many to choose from as there are pie variations. We tested a sample of the latest pie dishes against criteria that assessed their cooking ability to evenly brown the pastry, release the pie from the dish and other practical factors including dishwasher, microwave and freezer-safe credentials. We used the dishes to make a classic apple pie with a moisture-rich filling to particularly test the dishes' suitability for browning a pastry base. No soggy bottoms here! Also included is aesthetic appeal – namely that it wouldn't look out of place being used as a fruit bowl when not on baking duty. Read on to discover our tried-and-tested picks. View Affiliate Playlist on the source website Best pie dishes at a glance Best investment pie set: Falcon pie set, £60 Best pie dish for no-soggy-bottoms: MasterClass Crusty Bake non-stick deep pie pan, £7.96 Best single portion pie tin: MasterClass Crusty Bake non-stick individual round pie dish, £4.96 Best-looking pie dish: Le Creuset stoneware fluted flan dish, from £43 Best stoneware pie dish: Mason Cash Innovative Kitchen pie dish, £13.32 Best pie dish with handles: Staub 24cm round ceramic pie dish, £24.95 Best small porcelain pie dish: Judge pie dish, £5.95 Jump to: Best pie dish to buy in 2025 How to choose the best pie dish How we tested pie dishes Best pie dishes to buy in 2025 Falcon pie set Available from Falcon (£70) Best investment set Pros: Practical size options Gas and electric hob safe Cons: Pricey Star rating: 5/5 A must-have for serious pie enthusiasts, this five-piece enamel pie set is easy to store, with the five dishes nestled neatly inside each other. The rectangular pie dishes are 20, 24, 26, 28 and 30cm, ensuring a dish for every pie occasion. We made a successful apple pie, evenly cooked with crisp sides and a nicely cooked pastry base that released easily from the tin. It’s an expensive set, but enamelware is made to last and the dishes can be used for plenty of other creations, including crumbles and pasta bakes. The largest dish is big enough to roast a small chicken. The set is robust but with an appealing retro style that looks nice on the table. They are dishwasher safe, freezer safe and can be used on gas and electric hobs, too. Available from: Falcon (£70) MasterClass Crusty Bake non-stick deep pie pan Latest Deals Best pie dish for no-soggy-bottoms Pros: Perforated base for crisp pastry bottoms 20-year guarantee Dishwasher-friendly Cons: Lip on the rim might prove tricky to clean over time Star rating: 5/5 Soggy bottoms can – quite literally – make or break a pie, so we were sold on the promise of this 23cm pan from MasterClass, which has perforations on the sides and base. This helps increase the airflow and remove moisture, and it proved to be a hit. Our pies came out crisp and evenly golden, with a solid base, no leaks, and a great crust that was pulling away from the sides. Looks-wise the dish is plain but neat, with uniform holes, a sturdy steel structure, and 5cm depth. The non-stick coating worked well too, and we had no trouble slicing up our pie. There’s a lip on the rim of the pan that could be a potential dirt trap, but otherwise cleaning was a doddle, especially as it can go in the dishwasher. This pie dish also scored highly on value, with a price tag under £20 and an impressive 20-year guarantee. Latest Deals MasterClass Crusty Bake non-stick individual round pie dish Latest Deals Best single-portion pie tin Pros: 20-year guarantee Freezer and dishwasher safe Cons: Non-stick coating vulnerable to metal utensils Star rating: 5/5 If you prefer to make individual pies, this perforated 10cm pie tin is ideal (it is also available in an oval shape). The double non-stick coating meant our pie released easily from the tin. The perforations allow air to circulate and we made a very pleasing individual apple pie with an evenly cooked pastry crust and crisp bottom. It’s a sturdy little tin made from carbon steel and comes with an impressive 20-year guarantee. It's also freezer and dishwasher safe. The non-stick coating could get damaged by metal utensils, so stick to wooden, plastic or silicone. undefined Le Creuset stoneware fluted flan dish Latest Deals Best-looking pie dish Pros: 10-year guarantee Available in a broad range of colours Cons: Heavy Vulnerable to breaking if dropped Star rating: 4.5/5 This fluted flan dish has a higher price tag than others we tested, but – much like all Le Creuset cookware – it’s built to last. Made from stoneware, it’s robust and has a 10-year guarantee. There’s two sizes available (24cm and 28cm) and 11 colours, though some shades are only available in 28cm. We tested the 28cm dish in the brand’s iconic volcanic orange, which looked spectacular when we removed it from the box. There’s plenty of advice about how to care for your dish, plus protective packaging for easy storage. Placing it inside the oven was fairly straightforward, though it's quite heavy. We were pleased with how our apple pie turned out – crisp on the top and well-cooked in the centre. It was softer on the base than we’d like, which suggests this dish could be better with drier fillings. Otherwise it makes a beautiful serving dish at the dinner table, and cleaning up afterwards is simple. It’s also dishwasher-safe and can be stored in a fridge-freezer. Latest Deals Mason Cash Innovative Kitchen pie dish Latest Deals Best stoneware pie dish Pros: Great for cooking in bulk Vented base to circulate air Cons: Very heavy when loaded Star rating: 4/5 If you’ve got a large family, this 29cm stoneware pie dish is big enough for eight portions, ideal for big households or family gatherings. Developed with several innovative features, this pie dish has a vented base so that air can circulate underneath it even when it’s on a baking tray. The inside has small embossed corrugated ridges on the base to help with heat distribution for more evenly cooked pastry. Our apple pie cooked well and released easily from the ridges, but it had quite a wet filling, so the pastry base was a bit soggy. We’re confident the dish would work well for drier fillings or pastry topped pies. The embossed pattern on the rim is designed to help prevent pastry from shrinking back, and this worked well for our pie. It’s also microwave, freezer and dishwasher-safe. Latest Deals Staub 24cm round ceramic pie dish undefined Best pie dish with handles Pros: Practical handles Fluted sides make it an easy on to remove pastry from Cons: Careful for soggy pastry bases Star rating: 4/5 With two generous handles, this chunky ceramic pie dish is much easier to remove from the oven than most of the other pie dishes we tried out. The slightly fluted sides make for a pretty shaped crust and it’s a good-looking oven-to-table serving dish. It comes in red, blue or white and there’s a 24 or 28cm option. We tried the 28cm dish, which is easily big enough for eight portions of pie. It baked a nice apple pie, the base wasn’t as crisp as we’d like, but for pies with drier fillings or pastry just on top, it’s a great choice. It’s safe to use under the grill, as well as in the microwave and dishwasher. You can make use of this dish for plenty of other recipes, like potato gratin and cottage pie, or as a serving dish for roast potatoes or vegetables. undefined Judge pie dish undefined Best small porcelain pie dish Pros: Chip-proof porcelain Oven safe up to 240C Two sizes available Cons: No colour variety Star rating: 4/5 This small, chip-proof porcelain pie dish is a great size for two generous portions of pie. The simple oval shape and slightly off-white colour give it a neutral appearance that will fit into most homes. Our traditional apple pie cooked well and the pastry on the base was cooked with no soggy areas, although it wasn't as crisp as the pies cooked in metal tins. It’s a versatile dish that can also be put to use for individual pasta bakes, gratins or a two-portion crumble. It’s safe for use in the dishwasher, freezer, microwave and grill, as well as being oven-safe up to 240C. 18cm-24cm sizes are available. undefined How to choose the best pie dish Pie dishes vary greatly in style and size and there are plenty of things to consider when choosing the best dish for you. First, think about the material it’s made from. Metal and enamel pie tins are better at cooking pies with pastry on the bottom, reducing the risk of the dreaded soggy bottom. But if you’re planning on leaving it in the dish to serve, a metal tin may not look as pretty. Porcelain and ceramic pie dishes double as serving dishes and look nice on the table, but they’re better suited to pies with pastry or potato tops. Many are also microwave safe which is useful for reheating leftovers. These pie dishes often come in multiple colours and styles so you can choose one that matches your kitchen or crockery. Size is an important factor: pie dishes come in everything from individual sizes to large dishes that can make eight or more portions. Also consider whether you’ll want to create deep hearty pies or thinner plate pies. If you want a pie dish that’s versatile enough to be used for different recipes, look for one that’s big enough to accommodate a lasagne, gratin or pasta bake. How we tested pie dishes We made a classic apple pie in each of these dishes. The apple filling produces lots of moisture, so using it gave us a good idea of how well each dish can cook the pastry bottoms. We looked at how evenly the pastry was cooked, as well as browning, and whether it was easy to remove from the dish. We also noted ease of cleaning, as well as if it was microwave or freezer safe. We took into account the size and overall design, considering whether it could be used for other recipes or as a serving dish. Related reviews Best cake stands Best serving dishes and platters Best spatulas Best flour shakers Best pastry brushes Best icing turntables Best measuring sets Best piping bags Best cooling racks Best baking sheets Best stand mixers Best cooling racks
8 of the best pudding basins for steaming
Get ready to steam a Christmas pud: we've rounded up the best pudding basins for all your steamed pudding needs.
A pudding basin is an essential bit of kit if you’re planning to make your own Christmas pudding, but there are plenty of other steamed puddings worth trying too to make the most of this handy bowl. Steamed treacle sponge puddings might bring back memories of school dinners for some, but this delicious treat is the perfect winter dessert for a cold grey day. Savoury suet puddings aren’t as commonplace on our dinner tables as they once were, but they make a great alternative to the traditional shortcrust or puff pastry pie. Classic pudding basins are made from stoneware, which retains heat during the cooking process. There are also metal pudding basins which allow the heat to penetrate quickly and have no risk of breakage, so they should last a lifetime. Plastic pudding basins are an ideal option if you’re making puddings for others: they usually come with lids making them easy to transport, plus they’re inexpensive so you won’t need to worry too much about retrieving them. Pudding basins are available in a wide range of sizes and materials and when you’re not using it for a steamed pudding you can put it to work as a spare mixing bowl. We tested a broad range of pudding basins with a traditional treacle sponge recipe against a standardised set of criteria, designed to assess their ability to cook evenly, release the pudding when turned out and also its ease of cleaning. Price and quality of materials were assessed, along with their potential versatility beyond steamed puddings. Read on to discover our tried-and-tested picks of the best pudding basins or for recipe inspiration, our full collection of steamed pudding recipes including modern takes such as chocolate-orange steamed pudding and classics like the clootie dumpling. For more up-to-date advice on the best kitchen equipment and appliances worth your money including everything from best non-stick frying pans to the best coffee machines and best dishwashers, you can find all our product reviews, gift guides and taste tests in our reviews section. To find out more about our reviews, head over to our how we test and review products page. Best pudding basins at a glance Best classic pudding basin: Mason Cash Heritage Pudding Basin, £7.18 Best metal pudding basin: Mermaid Silver Anodised 6”/2 Pint Pudding Basin, £20 Best multipurpose set: Falcon Enamelware Bowls, £44 Best for large puddings: KitchenCraft Home Made Ceramic 1.5 litre Pudding Basin, £8.66 Best traditional pudding basin with lid: Mason Cash Innovative Kitchen Pudding Basin with Lid, £10.68 Best for individual puddings: Tala Set of 4 Pudding Moulds, £8.99 Best with handles: Master Class Pudding Steamer, £19.96 Best plastic pudding basin set: Lakeland 3 Plastic Lidded Pudding Basins, £7.99 How to choose the best pudding basin On the face of it, pudding basins are little more than a simple bowl, but there are a few things to consider before you buy one. Aside from the traditional method in a saucepan, there are lots of ways to steam a pudding. You can use a pressure cooker, microwave or bake in the oven in a water bath. But not all pudding basins are suitable for all methods of cooking, so it’s worth having a think about which methods you’re likely to use before choosing your basin. Pudding basins are available in lots of sizes. A one-litre pudding basin is the average size, but they come in anything from small individual portions up to much larger 1.5-2-litre basins for several portions, so consider the size of puddings you’re likely to make. Other factors to think about are whether you want a basin with handles or a lid and when it’s not being used for steaming, if it can double as a mixing bowl or be used to heat things in the microwave. Best pudding basins to buy in 2024 Mason Cash Heritage Pudding Basin Available from Nisbets (£7.18) Star rating: 5/5 The Mason Cash brand is synonymous with pudding basins: they’ve been manufacturing them since the early 1800s so they know a thing or two about what makes a good one. This 900ml pudding basin is part of their Heritage range with a simple text design on the front. It’s big enough to make a pudding for four and has a pronounced rim which makes it easy to seal your pudding with string. We made a lovely light and springy syrup sponge in this basin and the pudding released without sticking. The vented base ensures bubbles don’t get trapped beneath it when steaming. It is microwave, dishwasher and freezer safe too. Available from: Nisbets (£7.18) Mermaid Silver Anodised 6”/2 Pint Pudding Basin Available from Samuel Groves (£25), Amazon (£15.99) Best metal pudding basin Star rating: 4/5 This sturdy metal pudding basin is big enough to make a large six-portion pudding. It has a generous rim which makes it easy to secure string in place when tying foil and baking paper on top. Our syrup sponge was well risen with a light fluffy texture, but the syrup had bubbled up the sides during cooking instead of staying in the bottom of the bowl. The pudding turned out easily, although some of the sticky syrupy sponge was left in the basin and had to be scooped out with a spoon. It’s not dishwasher or microwave safe, but it is oven safe up to 240C. Available from: Samuel Groves (£25) Amazon (£15.99) Falcon Enamelware Bowls Available from Falcon (£44) Best multipurpose set Star rating: 4/5 There’s no denying this is an expensive set, but if you’re looking for bowls that you can use for more than to steam a pudding, this set offers that versatility. They make great cereal bowls, soup bowls and small serving dishes or you could make individual portions of crumble in them – you could even take them camping! Each bowl is about the right size for a two-person serving of steamed syrup pudding or an individual savoury pudding. Our syrup pudding cooked well, it was light and fluffy, but did require a bit of shake to release from the bowl. They’re oven, dishwasher and freezer safe and can even be used on the hob. Available from: Falcon (£44) KitchenCraft Home Made Ceramic 1.5 litre Pudding Basin Latest Deals Best for extra-large puddings Star rating: 3.5/5 If you’re looking for a very large stoneware pudding bowl, this will fit the bill. Despite the name stating that this is a 1.5 litre basin, it’s really big and is actually closer to two litres in volume, so for most standard pudding recipes you’ll need to increase the quantities and the cook times too. But it’s a sturdy stoneware bowl with a thick rim that makes it easy to seal with string. If you’re planning on steaming in a saucepan, keep in mind it’ll need to be large to accommodate the 20cm diameter and 12cm height of this basin. We made a fluffy steamed syrup sponge that released easily from the basin and the large size means it’ll come in handy as an extra mixing bowl. It’s also dishwasher, microwave, oven and freezer safe. Latest Deals Mason Cash Innovative Kitchen Pudding Basin with Lid Available from Mason Cash (£13), Amazon (£10.68) Best traditional pudding basin with lid Star rating: 4.5/5 This 900ml stoneware basin comes with a useful lid: you can’t steam a pudding with the plastic lid on but once you’ve made your pudding, the airtight lid pops on top for easy storage or transporting. This lid even features a date dial to help you keep track of when you made the pudding, or when you’re not using it for puddings, it can be used to store leftovers. Our steamed syrup pudding cooked well and was light and fluffy. There was some minor sticking of the syrupy cake on the base but on the whole it was a great result. The rim isn’t as pronounced as on some other basins, but we didn’t struggle to tie string around it securely. The vented base helps bubbles to escape from underneath during steaming and it’s freezer safe. Available from: Mason Cash (£13) Amazon (£10.68) Tala Set of 4 Pudding Moulds Available from Tala (£12.50), Amazon (£8.99) Best for individual puddings Star rating: 4.5/5 This set of four metal moulds make individual puddings, which is the perfect way to serve puddings if you’re trying to impress. Tying string around these small moulds wasn’t as fiddly as we expected, and the string sits neatly just below the rim at the top. Our syrup sponge cooked beautifully and turned out of the mould with minimal sticking. They’re dishwasher safe and can be used for plenty of other culinary creations, including moulding a serving of rice, making single-serve summer puddings or baking decadent chocolate fondants. Latest Deals Master Class Non Stick Pudding Steamer Available from Amazon (£16.66), Ocado (£25), Harts of Stur (£19.96) Best with handles Star rating: 3/5 This sturdy non-stick pudding basin stands out for having two handles which are helpful when removing it from a steamer or pan. However, the protruding handles combined with the large two-litre basin size mean you’ll need a very large saucepan – at least 26cm wide and 16cm deep to accommodate it. The lid can be used during steaming and locks into place, however we achieved a better result using an old fashioned baking paper and foil lid because the metal lid doesn’t form a very tight seal. If you opt for this basin, the large size means you’ll have to increase the quantities in most standard recipes and cook times will be longer too. But the non-stick surface works well and it comes with a 10-year guarantee as well as being dishwasher safe. Available from: Amazon (£16.66) Ocado (£25) Harts of Stur (£19.96) Lakeland 3 Lidded Pudding Basins 1.3L Available from Lakeland (£7.99) Best plastic pudding basin set Star rating: 3/5 This set of three plastic pudding bowls with lids is a good option if you’re planning on gifting puddings. The bowls are freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe so are perfect to use if you want to make puddings in advance and freeze them before reheating in the microwave. We didn’t use the supplied lid when steaming: we’d recommend you use the lid just for storage and steam with foil and baking paper tied on top as a lid. Our syrup sponge took longer than the ones cooked in stoneware or metal basins. The texture of the sponge was denser and chewier than others, and the syrup bubbled up the sides of the pudding. However, the bowl shape doesn’t distort during steaming and the pudding turns out easily. For perfect results we’d suggest steaming your pudding in a stoneware basin and transferring to one of these plastic ones to transport, freeze or give away. Available from: Lakeland (£7.99) How we tested pudding basins To try out this selection of pudding basins, we opted for a British classic and family favourite, steamed treacle sponge. We looked at how well the pudding cooked and if it stuck to the basin or turned out nicely. We took price into account as well as the material, size and ease of cleaning. We also considered whether the basins had other uses aside from making steamed puddings. Related reviews Best spatulas Best flour shakers Best pastry brushes Best icing turntables Best measuring sets Best piping bags Best cooling racks Best baking sheets Best stand mixers Best cooling racks Best cake tins Best cake storage tins
Second hand appliances: where to buy refurbished gadgets
Buying second hand or refurbished appliances is always worth considering, and with many retailers offering warranties on these items, it’s not as risky as you might think
When it’s time to upgrade your home appliances, you don’t always need to break the bank to get great quality. Buying second hand or refurbished is the perfect way to stretch your budget and get more value for money. In theory, higher quality appliances should perform better and may even last longer than budget appliances, so opting to ditch the cheap and cheerful options in favour of second hand or refurbished, could pay off in the long term. It’s not all about money though, sustainability is another core reason to shop this way. Not only does it help keep products out of landfill, but it reduces the demand for raw materials including water, and reduces carbon emissions. The positive environmental impact means the more we consume second hand and refurbished appliances over brand new, the better. Where to buy second hand and refurbished appliances Backmarket This is a website dedicated to selling refurbished tech, but they also sell kitchen and home appliances too. Everything sold on the website has been professionally refurbished to a rigorous standard and comes with a 12 month warranty. Find more here Amazon Renewed It describes itself as a “destination for refurbished, pre-owned, and open box products”. Products sold through Amazon renewed have been inspected, tested, cleaned, and categorised into one of four conditions. Plus everything comes with a 12 month warranty. Find more here Ebay refurbished Unlike traditional ebay sellers, ebay refurbished sellers are quality-vetted and have to adhere to a strict grading and service criteria. Products come with a minimum 12 month warranty, plus free shipping and free returns. Find more here Appliances Direct refurbished A great option for large kitchen and laundry appliances. All products are tested by expert engineers at their dedicated refurbishing depot in Swansea, and are graded into different categories depending on their cosmetic condition. Refurbished appliances come with a six month parts and labour warranty. Find more here Appliance manufacturers A small number of appliance brands themselves have dedicated refurbished sections on their own websites. But they’re not always that easy to find and there’s often very limited products available. We suggest you search the brand name with the word refurbished, and usually this will lead you straight to the brand's refurbished appliances page. Some brands that sell refurbished appliances include Dualit, Ninja, and Vitamix. And you can sometimes find kitchenware and cookware on Ikea re-shop and re-use. Charity shops As well as physical shops, some charity shops have dedicated online selling platforms, such as ebay shops. Second hand appliances in charity shops, or sold via their online platforms have to be PAT tested before being sold, so you have the peace of mind of knowing that the item you’re buying is safe. But unlike professionally refurbished appliances, appliances sold by charity shops are pretty much sold in the condition in which they were donated, and don’t come with a warranty. The plus side is that they’re often very cheap, the downside is that there could be missing parts or the appliance may no longer be performing as originally intended. Online marketplaces Websites like ebay, Gumtree, Facebook marketplace and the like, are all excellent places to source good quality second hand appliances. Many people sell high quality appliances for reasons such as moving house, or unwanted gifts, so there are bargains to be had. Always follow the safety rules set out by the website to ensure you stay protected. If possible, meet the seller in person and inspect the item before handing over any cash. If the item is being posted, paying through sites such as PayPal can offer additional protection. Second hand favourite finds We’ve been shopping around, to see if we could find any really good refurbished deals and at the time of writing, these are our top three favourites. Sage Barista Touch Impress £1,199.95 £769.99 at Backmarket The Sage Barista Touch Impress is currently the best semi automatic bean to cup coffee machine in our best bean-to-cup coffee machines list. At almost £1200 brand new, it’s a pricey choice. But at the time of writing, we found this model on Backmarket for £769.99, which is a saving in excess of £400 by buying refurbished. undefined Ninja Double Stack air fryer £269.99 £159 at eBay Refurbished The Ninja Double Stack air fryer is top of our list of the best dual drawer air fryers. We found this air fryer on ebay refurbished for £159 instead of the usual £269.99. For those with a tight budget, a saving like this could move this expensive air fryer within reach. undefined More on sustainability BBC Good Food sustainability glossary How to have a greener Christmas 10 ways to eat out sustainability 10 ways to cut your carbon footprint What biodegradable really means How to compost food at home Six pieces of food packaging to avoid Top sustainable wines for 2020 Your guide to energy-efficient cooking Priceless tips for reducing cooking costs
A good pair of kitchen scissors transforms simple kitchen tasks: we've reviewed the best ones to buy.
A good sharp pair of kitchen scissors has a multitude of food preparation uses and is often an under-utilised kitchen tool. It’s all too easy to relegate your kitchen scissors to the very basic tasks like opening packaging or cutting your greaseproof paper to size. But for lots of foods that require chopping or slicing, scissors can offer a safer, easier alternative to a knife, and they’re a valuable kitchen tool. Kitchen scissors are great for cutting meats like chicken and bacon into pieces. For tasks like cutting chicken thigh meat off the bone, using scissors eliminates the danger of slipping with a sharp knife so it’s safer and often easier, too. You can even use them to cut a pizza into slices or trim the pastry on the top of a pie. The more you use kitchen scissors for food preparation, the more different uses you’ll discover. For more like this, visit our product review section for over 400 buyers' guides and find reviews of the best smoothie makers, best garlic crushers, best blenders and much more. Best kitchen scissors to buy at a glance Best overall kitchen scissors: Japanese Multi-Purpose Kitchen Scissors, £19 Best scissors for fine cutting: Victorinox Multipurpose Kitchen Shears, £22 Best herb stripper scissors: Oxo Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors, £17.49 Best budget scissors: Anecity Heavy Duty Kitchen Scissors, £13.99 Best premium scissors: ProCook Multi-Purpose Stainless Steel Scissors, £29 Best scissors for colour options: Kuhn Rikon Household Shears, £13.95 Best scissors for tough jobs: Joseph Joseph PowerGrip Kitchen Scissors, £16 Best scissors for small hands: Brabantia Kitchen Scissors, £7.99 Best scissors for larger hands: Big Green Egg Kitchen Shears, £22 Best scissors for safety: Viners Assure 8” Scissors, £10.09 Best kitchen scissors to buy Japanese Multi-Purpose Kitchen Scissors Available from Sous Chef (£19) Best overall kitchen scissors The sharpest of all the scissors we tested, this pair of Japanese scissors slice through thick woody rosemary stalks with ease. The sharp pointy tip to the blades means they are equally effective at finely cutting leaves and soft herbs. When used to spatchcock a chicken they cut confidently through tough bones and are just as good at cutting through meat as well as fine snipping to remove meat from the bone. They have a serrated mid-section which grips securely onto bottle tops for easy opening and also cracks open hard nuts with little effort. Our main gripe with these scissors is that all the text on the packaging is in Japanese, so there’s no care and cleaning information, and people with larger hands may find the handle a little small. Available from: Sous Chef (£19) Victorinox Multipurpose Kitchen Shears Available from Victorinox (£22), Amazon (£19.68) Best scissors for fine cutting With a very tapered and sharp point, these scissors are a great choice for tasks like finely snipping soft herbs or for more detailed precision cutting of meat away from the bone. They didn’t cut thick woody rosemary stalks very easily, but cut through finer chicken bones without a problem. The handles are available in black or red – we didn’t find them the most comfortable to hold but on the plus side Victorinox claim they’re made of unbreakable plastic, so they should last. There’s an integrated nut cracking tool that doubles as an aid for opening screw cap bottles but we found it doesn’t always grip securely enough to be able to open bottles or crack nuts. Available from: Victorinox (£22) Amazon (£19.68) Oxo Good Grips Kitchen and Herb Scissors undefined Best herb stripper These scissors have micro-serrated blades which are sharp enough to cut through thick woody rosemary stalks. The two integrated herb strippers are perfect for removing herbs from different size stalks and made short work of stripping rosemary and mint leaves from the stalk. When spatchcocking a chicken they cut through the bone with no problem and the non-slip cushioned pads on the handles make them comfortable to use even when doing these tougher jobs. They’re also effective at cutting meat from the bone with a sharp tip allowing for easy access into awkward spots. The blades separate for easy cleaning as they pull apart when the scissors are opened fully, but this does mean it’s easy to separate them by accident. undefined Anecity Heavy Duty Kitchen Scissors Available from Amazon (£13.99) Best budget scissors These budget scissors are a good all-round choice. They’re sharp enough to cut thicker herb stalks as well as soft herbs and leaves, but they’re not as good at delicate snipping as some of the other scissors we tested. When used to spatchcock a chicken we found them to be less effective on thicker chicken bones but they can cut through smaller bones and meat easily. They’re suitable for left- and right-handed users, come with a handy blade cover for safe storage and they’re dishwasher safe. There’s also an integrated bottle opener plus a scraper for removing fish scales on the back of one of the blades. The serrated section in the middle of the handles grips tightly onto hard-to-open bottle lids and can also be used to easily crack open hard-shelled nuts like walnuts. Available from: Amazon (£13.99) ProCook Multi-Purpose Stainless Steel Scissors Available from ProCook (£29) Best premium scissors Nothing defeated these scissors. They spatchcocked a chicken with ease, glided through mint, and dealt effortlessly with woody rosemary stalks. Made of stainless steel, they’re surprisingly light and easy to handle, too. There are other tasks the scissors can take on: you can crack nuts and open lids thanks to the clever design. We particularly liked the little spokes on the end of the handle, which means you could effortlessly lift a difficult-to-open ring pull. They come apart easily so each blade can be thoroughly cleaned, but they are not suitable for the dishwasher. These aren’t cheap, but they're worth it. Available from: ProCook (£29) Kuhn Rikon Household Shears Available from Kuhn Rikon (£8.37) Best scissors for colour options These scissors are available in green, red, yellow, grey or a quirky avocado design. They’re a great option if you’re looking to colour code your kitchen scissors, perhaps you want different scissors for meat and non-meat foods. The sharp blades cut through thick woody herb stalks easily but are equally effective on delicate mint leaves and chives. The size of the integrated herb stripper makes it best for herbs with thinner stalks. They waste no time cutting through chicken bones and meat, but the rounded tips mean these scissors are less suited to more detailed trimming near the bone. For easy cleaning after using on poultry just open them fully to separate – but it’s so easy you can end up separating them accidentally. They’re suitable for left- and right-handed use. The handles have a non-slip grip but they feel hard and somewhat uncomfortable during use and the size means they’re better suited to smaller hands. Available from: Kuhn Rikon (£8.37) JosephJoseph PowerGrip Kitchen Scissors Available from John Lewis (£16), Amazon (£15.94) Best scissors for tough jobs Good for cutting through bones, these scissors have an extra thumb grip which allows you to use both hands when extra force is required for tough jobs, and we found the handles comfortable to hold. They have a serrated edge for superior cutting, but the tip isn’t as sharp as some others so they are less suited to more detailed jobs like trimming meat from the bone or fine snipping herbs. There’s a blade notch for gripping items like flower stems which we found helpful when cutting thick woody rosemary stalks. Although it works, the integrated herb stripper is more awkward and fiddly to use than some others because you have to poke the end of the stalk through a hole in the side of the blade. The blades separate for easy cleaning by opening the scissors fully, but like the other scissors that come apart using this method, it’s easy to separate them by accident. Available from: John Lewis (£16) Amazon (£15.94) Brabantia Kitchen Scissors undefined Best for smaller hands These basic scissors don’t come with any extra features or gimmicks, but the handles have a comfortable non-slip rubbery grip that’s a good size for smaller hands and they’re suitable for both left and right handers. They aren’t built for tough jobs like cutting thick woody stalks or thick chicken bones. But they’re useful for light kitchen jobs including cutting soft herbs such as mint and chives, and they can cut through fine bones as well as meat. They’re a good affordable option for general use and they come with a five-year guarantee. undefined Big Green Egg Kitchen Shears Available from Big Green Egg (£18) Best for larger hands With one large, looped handle and one straight handle that’s textured for a secure grip, these scissors are ideal for large hands. For smaller hands, they also work well for two-handed cutting when extra force is required. In use, they remind us of secateurs – they’re sprung so they remain in the open position unless locked closed. They’re sharp enough for thick woody rosemary stalks but don’t feel easy to control when cutting delicate herb leaves and chives. They can effectively cut through meat and thicker bones but, again, lack the delicate control for finely cutting meat away from the bone. For simple easy cleaning they’re dishwasher safe. Available from: Big Green Egg (£18) Viners Assure 8-inch scissors Available from Amazon (£10.09) Best for safety For maximum safety, these scissors have a squared tip. However, this does mean they’re not ideal for cutting things that require a fine point, such as snipping meat from the bone. For soft herbs and leaves the blades cut well but the chunky shape and squared tip don’t make them well suited to lots of this type of fine cutting. They have a non-stick blade coating to reduce cutting friction but we found that for some foods like chicken this meant the blades didn’t grip and slipped off too easily. They come with a lid opener and nutcracker built into the handles which grips bottle lids securely and easily cracks walnuts open. If you’re looking for very sharp scissors that can tackle tougher jobs like bones and woody stalks, these aren’t the scissors for you. But for general and lighter cutting jobs, they provide a safer alternative to very pointed scissors and they come with a 10-year guarantee. Available from: Amazon (£10.09) How to choose the best quality kitchen scissors There are several simple elements to consider when buying kitchen scissors: Kitchen scissors range from basic scissors, to multipurpose tools with several functions. Common extra features include integrated bottle openers, nut crackers and herb strippers, so it’s worth having a think about how many of these additional features you’ll use when deciding which pair to buy. Aside from sharpness, one of the most important things to consider is handle shape. Would you prefer both handles to be the same size or one side to be bigger with a smaller thumb handle opposite? Think about other pairs of scissors in your house and what you prefer as well as what is most comfortable for your hand shape. It’s also worth checking how easy they are to clean, especially if you plan to use them for raw meat and poultry. Some kitchen scissors are dishwasher safe, others have blades that come apart easily so you can thoroughly clean each side and nothing will get trapped between the blades. How we tested kitchen scissors We gave all the scissors a thorough test by cutting through a chicken to spatchcock it. At the other end of the spectrum we cut up delicate herbs including chives, mint and rosemary. For those with an integrated herb stripper, we used it to strip rosemary leaves from the stalk and also tried out any additional features like bottle openers and nut crackers. During use we were assessing handle comfort as well as the blade sharpness, and finally we noted how easy they are to clean. Related reviews Best meat thermometers Best pressure cookers Best slow cookers Best toasters Best dehydrators Best hand blenders
Recreate holiday memories at home with a perfect paella – read our reviews of the best paella pans, from traditional carbon steel to cast iron and stainless steel.
For many of us, paella conjures up images of sun-soaked Spanish holidays by the sea, and making it at home recreates those memories. The word 'paella' is the original old Valencian name for the pan itself – versions of the dish were cooked over an open fire by farm workers and labourers for their lunch. Paella remains a widely popular dish in Spain and is often cooked for large gatherings and occasions. It’s a great one-pot dish that can feed the whole family. Read on for our roundup of the best paella pans to buy. Visit our reviews section and discover more than 600 practical buyers' guides offering unbiased advice on what equipment is worth investing in. Find everything from counter-top appliances such as the best air fryers and best stand mixers, through to more cookware reviews like the best non-stick frying pans, best saucepan sets and best cast iron skillets. Jump to: Best paella pans at a glance Best paella pans to buy How to choose the best paella pan How we tested paella pans Best paella pans at a glance Best overall paella pan: ProCook non-stick paella pan, £18 Best for beginners: Prue's World paella pan, £14.99 Best for big families: Sous Chef enamelled eight-person paella pan, £21 Best non-traditional paella pan: Stellar paella pan, £94.96 Best cast iron investment: Staub cast iron paella pan, £199 Best large traditional: Vaello Campos carbon steel paella pan, £18.50 Best small traditional: Samuel Groves carbon steel paella pan, £70 Best hob to table serving pan: Kuhn Rikon Black Star serving/paella pan, £214.95 Best paella pan with a lid: Judge paella pan, £52.62 Best paella pans to buy ProCook non-stick paella pan Available from ProCook (£18) Best overall paella pan Pros: Non-stick Dishwasher-safe Oven-safe up to 260C Cons: Not compatible with induction or hot plates This budget-friendly pan is a great all-rounder that's made from carbon steel with a non-stick coating. The 38cm diameter makes it a great choice for four-to-eight-person recipes, and although the deep sides aren’t traditional, they do help contain the food while stirring. The non-stick coating works well and we achieve some crisp socarrat on the base of the paella without any sticking. It's easy to clean, but as an added bonus it’s also dishwasher-safe. As with most paella pans, you’ll need to use oven gloves because the handles get hot, but it’s oven-safe up to 260C, making it a multi-purpose pan that can be used for everything from fry-ups to flatbreads or pasta bakes. Some seasoning is required before the first use (and on a regular basis thereafter), but it’s quick and simple to do. This pan is not compatible with induction or hot plate hobs. Available from: ProCook (£18) Prue's World paella pan Available from Lakeland (£14.99) Best paella pan for beginners Pros: Non-stick Bamboo handles Compatible with all hob types Cons: Stains easily This 36cm carbon steel paella pan has an effective non-stick coating and doesn’t require any seasoning before use, so it’s an excellent choice for novice paella cooks. It’s big enough for a four-person recipe and we're able to create a crispy socarrat bottom in places without any of it sticking to the pan. The turmeric in our paella recipe stains the non-stick coating though, so if you’re precious about pristine pans, that may be off-putting. It has bamboo handles and they do get quite warm, but not as hot as most traditional pans with metal handles, making it a safer choice. It can be used on all hobs including induction, and the non-stick coating makes it a great choice for a whole host of other dishes, like curries, Spanish omelettes and risottos. The bamboo handles mean it isn’t dishwasher-safe and can’t be used in the oven or grill either, but it’s easy to use and good value for money. Available from: Lakeland (£14.99) Sous Chef enamelled eight-person paella pan Available from Sous Chef (£24) Best for big families Pros: Attractive Oven-safe Enamelled coating Sturdy build Cons: Not suitable for induction or ceramic hobs Non-stick was less effective The 33.5cm diameter base (38cm diameter at the top) makes this a whopper of a pan that can easily accommodate enough paella for eight people. Made in Spain, this enamelled paella pan has an attractive black-and-white design that gives it a more modern appearance than other pans on the list. It’s oven-safe but not suitable for ceramic or induction hobs. To ensure it heats evenly across the wide base, use it on a large ring, ideally a large gas burner. The enamelled coating stops it rusting, doesn’t require seasoning and makes it low maintenance, but it doesn’t have very good non-stick properties: our paella sticks quite badly to the bottom. It’s not dishwasher-safe, so you have to give it a good soak and scrub after cooking. Having said that, the sticking will depend on the contents of your recipe. Overall, this is a sturdy, well-made pan that’s built to last and it makes a great paella. Available from: Sous Chef (£24) Stellar paella pan undefined Best non-traditional paella pan Pros: Compatible with all hob types Oven-safe up to 240C Lifetime guarantee Dishwasher-safe Cons: Not compatible with induction or hot plates No non-stick coating If you’re in the market for a paella-style pan that can be used regularly for lots of other meals, this 30cm stainless steel one is a good choice. It can be used on all hobs and is oven-safe up to 240C, so it's also perfect for curries, casseroles, bolognese and risotto – it won’t sit gathering dust while you’re not making paellas. It doesn’t have a traditional paella pan shape and it’s made of stainless steel, but it’s well-built, sturdy and comes with a lid and lifetime guarantee. The main drawback is that it’s not non-stick – when we use it to make paella, there's a layer of rice welded to the bottom of the pan at the end of cooking. Thankfully, the heavy gauge stainless steel stands up well to being scrubbed and is also dishwasher-safe. With regular seasoning, sticking should become less of an issue. undefined Staub cast iron double-handled frying pan undefined Best cast iron investment Pros: Retains heat well Suitable for all hob types Sturdy and built to last Cons: Heavy More expensive than most Handles get hot Cast iron isn’t traditional for a paella pan, but is excellent at retaining heat, making this an ideal hob-to-table pan. This is one of the most expensive pans on our list, but cast iron should last a lifetime so it’s worth the investment. The clean lines and matte black finish give it a modern, rustic style that’s very different to most paella pans. This 26cm pan is just big enough for our four-person paella recipe and it sits comfortably on most large hob rings. Not only is it suitable for all hob types, it can also be used in oven, under the grill and even on the barbecue. It requires a small amount of seasoning before use and we don’t experience much sticking when making our paella, but it does produce some of the desirable crisp socarrat base – this comes away from the bottom of the pan easily with a plastic spoon. This strong and sturdy pan maintains a good, even heat but the handles get hot. Due to the cast iron, it's also much heavier than other pans on this list. It’s a good-quality pan that would make a great gift. undefined Vaello Campos carbon steel paella pan Available from Amazon (£16), Borough Kitchen (£21) Best large traditional paella pan Pros: Can cook large volumes Best for gas burners and BBQs Cons: No non-stick coating Not suitable for induction cooking Manufactured in Valencia, the home of paella, this authentic traditional paella pan is a substantial 38cm and big enough for six-to-eight-person recipes. It’s not suitable for induction hobs and the base isn’t completely flat, so we wouldn’t recommend it for electric hobs either. It will work best on a large gas burner, but can also be used on a barbecue. Carbon steel isn’t non-stick, so the pan needs seasoning before use and oiling to stop rust forming. We do experience some sticking when making paella despite having seasoned it first (this pan is not dishwasher-safe). But, over time the seasoning will build up and the non-stick properties should improve. The handles get warm but not too hot to touch, and we're impressed with the socarrat that forms at the base of the pan. Available from: Amazon (£16) Borough Kitchen (£21) Samuel Groves carbon steel paella pan Available from Samuel Groves (£70) Best small traditional paella pan Pros: Range of sizes to choose from Well-made, sturdy build Compatible with all hob types Dishwasher-safe Oven-safe up to 260C Cons: Not dishwasher-safe This traditional-style carbon steel paella pan looks and feels very authentic, but is actually made in England. We try the 30cm pan, but it’s available in six sizes, from 20cm to 46cm, so there are plenty of options to choose from. It’s a good weight and the thick steel feels really well made and sturdy. It’s oven-safe and is suitable for all hob types, including induction – the flat base means it’ll work well on electric hobs. It does require seasoning before use, but this is an easy process. With regular seasoning, it’ll develop a good non-stick coating. As with all carbon steel pans, it will rust, so it needs oiling and can’t be washed in the dishwasher. The pan heats evenly, but the handles get hot so you’ll need oven gloves. It’s just big enough for a four-person recipe, and we do manage to create some crisp socarrat on the base of our paella. Most of it lifts away easily with a plastic spatula, but there is a little sticking. Available from: Samuel Groves (£70) Kuhn Rikon Black Star serving pan Available from Kuhn Rikon (£214.95), Amazon (£214.95) Best hob-to-table serving pan Pros: 10-year guarantee Suitable for all hob types Retains heat well Effective non-stick Cons: Not dishwasher-safe Requires lengthy seasoning process This is the most expensive pan on our list – it’s made in Switzerland from heavy gauge iron, comes with a 10-year guarantee and should last a lifetime. The quality is excellent and it’s a durable pan that looks great as a serving dish, too. It’s suitable for all hob types, plus the oven and grill, and has excellent heat retention properties so it’ll keep food warm at the table. It’s a versatile pan that can be used for plenty of foods and recipes, including searing meats, making crisp rosti, curries and paella, or simply to serve other foods. It requires a lengthy 30-minute seasoning before use, but after this, none of our paella sticks to the base of the pan and it cleans really easily with just water. There is a little turmeric staining in the base after cleaning, though. It’s not dishwasher-safe and it’s recommended that you do not use any detergent when hand-washing. It's important to let this pan air-dry and oil it again once fully dry. It does require a bit of special treatment, but for such a good-quality pan, we think it’s worth the extra care. Available from: Kuhn Rikon (£214.95) Amazon (£214.95) Judge paella pan undefined Best paella pan with a lid Pros: Oven-safe up to 210C Compatible with all hob types Dishwasher-safe Cons: Slower to heat versus other pans Paella rice sticks easily Handles get hot Most paella pans don’t come with a lid, but if you would prefer one, this stainless steel pan is a good option. This 30cm pan can easily accommodate four to six portions. It distributes heat evenly, but is slower to heat up than some of the thinner carbon steel pans. It’s oven-safe up to 210C and suitable for all hob types, so it's a versatile option that can be used for plenty of other recipes, like pastas and risottos. The lid allows you to keep the moisture in casseroles, too. It doesn’t require any seasoning before use, but that means it doesn’t have non-stick properties – some of the paella rice sticks quite badly to the base, which requires soaking after use. On the plus side, it’s dishwasher-safe. Despite being air vented, the handles still get hot when used on the hob. We make a good paella with some socarrat on the base and the lid is useful for stopping the leftover paella from drying out while it cools. undefined How to choose the best paella pan Traditional paella pans are made of carbon steel. They have two metal handles, a wide, flat base and shallow sides. The wide, flat design allows the liquid to evaporate easily and a crisp, crusty base to form on the bottom of the pan – this is known as ‘socarrat’ and is a highly desirable part of the dish. If you're a regular paella-maker, this design is going to produce better paellas than a standard non-stick frying pan or casserole dish. These days, paella pans come in all materials, from traditional carbon steel to cast iron and stainless steel. Each has different care and cleaning requirements. It it is possible to buy paella pans that come with a lid, but the vast majority don’t. How to season a paella pan Carbon steel paella pans and some others, such as cast iron, will need seasoning before use. This is a simple process that involves heating oil in the pan, then allowing it to cool. These pans will need seasoning regularly to build up a non-stick coating that will improve over time. They usually aren’t dishwasher-safe as this would remove the oily coating. Cleaning should be done gently by hand and without much detergent. Some carbon steel pans now come with a non-stick coating, which often means they don’t need much, if any, seasoning and they’re dishwasher-safe. What paella pan to buy It’s worth considering what size paella pan would suit your needs. Pans come in a huge variety of sizes, but if you intend to use it on the hob and don’t have a particularly large burner size, then you won’t get the most out of one of the very large pans. Similarly, if you hope to use a larger pan in the oven and grill, check it’ll fit first. If you're new to making paella, check out our 10 tips for next-level paella or watch our step-by-step prawn & chorizo paella video. Many paella pans are oven-safe, can be used under the grill and even on the barbecue, making them versatile pans that aren’t limited to paella. Use your paella pan on the hob for fry-ups, pancakes, risotto or bolognese; it can also be used for grilling meat or cooking pasta bakes. If it’s barbecue-safe, use it for vegetables or cooking on a campfire. How we tested paella pans Unsurprisingly, we put all of the paella pans to the test by making our chicken & chorizo paella. While making the paella, we assessed several areas of the design and usability for each pan, including how quickly it heats up and how evenly the heat is distributed, as well as whether it has good non-stick properties. We also noted whether the handles got hot and how easy each pan was to clean. Before use, we seasoned those that required it and assessed how easy this process was. We also took into account what heat sources the pan could be used on and other notable features like weight, quality and value for money. Related reviews and articles Best sauté pans Best griddle pans Best pancake pans Best cast iron skillet pans Best popcorn makers How to store pans How to care for non-stick cookware More product reviews Best stainless steel frying pans If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability, please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
How to recycle your electricals and appliances
If you have old gadgets to get rid of, here's how to avoid creating e-waste with options for recycling, repairing and donating to charity
When it comes to kitchen appliances, here at Good Food we test hundreds every year to bring you helpful reviews so you can spend your money wisely. We all love a shiny new appliance, whether it’s the next best kettle or that stand mixer in a vibrant colour, but often, we don’t pay enough attention to what happens to the old one. Thankfully, the government's new ‘right to repair’ law should bring about changes to how some products are made. It requires manufacturers to build products so that they’re easier to repair when they go wrong, thereby extending the life of the product. But at the moment this only covers some appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers and TVs. In the meantime, there are plenty of appliances and electricals that either break or become outdated within a very short space of time. In this instance, we need to be clever about what we do with them so that we don’t perpetuate the e-waste problem. E-waste: what is it? E-waste is the term used to describe any and all electronic and electrical devices that are no longer used. So this could include large appliances like washing machines and ovens, as well as smaller items such as blenders, toasters, mobile phones and stereos. Basically, anything with a plug or battery that you’re looking to dispose of can be regarded as e-waste. According to the Health and Safety Executive, an estimated two million tonnes of waste electric and electronic equipment are discarded by householders and companies in the UK every year. This is a mighty waste problem and we all need to do our bit to direct these items into the correct avenues for recycling and reuse. If dumped into landfill, toxic substances that are present in some electricals – such as lead and mercury – can leach into soil and water, so we want to avoid this at all costs. What to do when an appliance breaks Always check the warranty. Even if you think you’ve had it longer than the warranty period, some brands may still offer a repair for a small fee, or be able to sell you a replacement part. Depending on the appliance this could cost less than a total replacement, plus it’s more eco-conscious to repair rather than replace. If the brand can’t repair it, there are plenty of independent appliance repair companies who’ll come out and take a look. Have a look online for trusted and recommended traders in your area. Even some major companies offer an independent appliance repair service for larger items like cookers, microwaves, washing machines and dryers. What to do with your old working appliances We upgrade electricals and appliances for a variety of reasons, but not always because the old one is broken. So if your electricals still have life in them, you may be able to donate them to a worthy cause instead of recycling. Many (but not all) charity shops accept working electricals and you can donate smaller items by taking them directly to shops – just check that they accept electricals before dropping off. Some even take larger appliances like washing machines, dishwashers and microwaves. Certain charities will collect them from your house for free – simply book a collection online. You can list any item on online listings such as Facebook Marketplace or Freecycle. It’s good courtesy to make sure it’s clean, and to list any faults or damage in the advert. Recycle Your Electricals is a useful resource that not only provides information on recycling electricals, but also lists organisations that may welcome electrical donations. Similarly, the Reuse Network will point you towards your nearest charities and community projects that’ll accept and reuse your working electrical items. Which retailers recycle electricals? Taking broken electricals to the local refuse centre isn’t your only option. Lots of retailers accept and collect old electricals for recycling as well as reuse. Currys will remove and recycle large appliances when they deliver your new one, prices start at £15 for this service. Or, smaller items, such as kettles and TVs, can be dropped off to a store for recycling. For some tech, like laptops and mobile phones, they offer a trade-in service – you’ll get a voucher to redeem against your next purchase. For £20, AO will come and collect large appliances like fridges and washing machines even if you’re not buying your new one from them. In most B&Q stores, you’ll find a bin where you can drop off small electricals and batteries for recycling. If you’re buying a large electrical item from them, they’ll collect your old one for £44. For £19.99, Argos will take your old appliance away for recycling when they deliver your new one. Or you can take small electrical items into stores if you’re buying a like-for-like replacement from them. Battery recycling According to recycle-more.co.uk, in the UK we throw away a staggering 600 million batteries per year. Whether they’re from your children's toys, TV remote, or your kitchen scales, we’re all constantly replacing batteries, and it’s important that the used batteries are properly disposed of as they can contain hazardous substances and should never be put in your general waste bin. Thankfully, all shops that sell over a certain amount of batteries per year must provide battery recycling collection points in store. This includes most large supermarkets as well as lots of DIY stores and some high street shops, too. Recyclenow.com provides a handy tool – just input your postcode to find your nearest shop with a battery recycling bin. Some local councils will also collect batteries, but they need to be kept separate from your other recycling. Check the waste and recycling information on your local council’s website to find out if they do collect, and any requirements they have for collection. Discover more about sustainability... Green kitchen swaps 7 ways to drink sustainably 10 ways to eat out sustainably The facts about food miles A guide to green and ethical labels More ways to cut down on kitchen waste How to be a better recycler How to reduce food waste 5 nights of waste-free family meals 10 tips for reducing your single-use plastic waste One week of low-waste family meals Reduce, reuse and recycle your plastic packaging
Sleek and well-made, the Zwilling Enfinigy Table Blender is an attractive addition to any kitchen. Read our full review to find out how it performed.
Zwilling Enfinigy Table Blender summary The Zwilling Enfinigy Table Blender has a smart, minimal, fuss-free design that’ll look great in most modern kitchens. Available from Zwilling (£199) It’s a compact blender that’s available in matte black or silver with a number of other matching appliances available in the range, including toasters and kettles. Read our full review of the best blenders How easy is the Zwilling Enfinigy Table Blender to use? While it’s switched off the blending options aren’t on show so it looks neat. The backlit display lights up when it’s switched on, revealing the available settings. Then you can use the central dial to toggle through the options, which include 12 speeds, pulse and pre-set programmes for smoothies, ice crushing, cocktails and cleaning. The start and stop button is in the middle of the dial. The 1.4 litre jug isn’t huge, but it’s big enough for most blending tasks. And as it’s made from tough BPA-free Tritan plastic, it’s lightweight and can withstand both hot and cold ingredients. For safety the blender won’t switch on if the lid isn’t firmly in place. But for times when you might need to add ingredients during blending, there’s a removable cup in the lid. It also comes with a tamper that can be inserted into the lid to allow you to stir ingredients during blending. It's intuitive to use and there’s barely any need to consult the manual, which is handy since it provides no details on the best size to chop foods before blending or any recipes. That said, there are some recipes available on the Zwilling website. Results The ice crush programme takes just 15 seconds and produces evenly crushed, snowy ice, but can’t cope with more than 150g ice cubes at a time. We used the 30 second smoothie programme for a berry smoothie as well as a hard vegetable smoothie and it powered through even the toughest ingredients. But for totally smooth results you may want to run the programme for a second time. Tomato sauce was no match for the high speed setting, giving us a lump free sauce in just 30 seconds. The blades aren’t detachable and the jug can’t go in the dishwasher, but thankfully the cleaning programme does a great job at getting rid of most residues. How sustainable is the Zwilling Enfinigy Table Blender? In terms of sustainability, there’s a five year warranty available and you can buy a replacement jug should yours break. But on removing it from the box we were disappointed that it comes encased in two big chunks of hard-to-recycle polystyrene. Conclusion It might be an expensive blender, but it’s a good all-rounder that has a sleek, contemporary appearance, perfect for modern, minimal kitchens. Available from Zwilling (£199) Zwilling Enfinigy Table Blender specifications Warranty: 5 year Blade material: Stainless steel Speed settings: 12 variable speeds, pulse, smoothie, cocktail, ice crush, clean Jug capacity: 1400 ml Wattage: 1200W Product weight: 3900g Additional attachments: tamper Related reviews Best personalised water bottles 8 of the best kitchen sieves Best food processors Best mini choppers Best smoothie makers Best spice grinders Best hand mixers Blender recipes Soup recipes Smoothie recipes 8 new ways to use a blender Super berry smoothie Mango and passion fruit smoothie Spiced carrot and lentil soup Three-minute blender banana pancake If you have any questions, suggestions for future reviews or spot anything that has changed in price or availability please get in touch at goodfoodwebsite@immediate.co.uk.
Braun MultiMix 3 HM3100 hand mixer review
Read our full review of the Braun MultiMix 3 HM3100 hand mixer.
Braun MultiMix 3 HM3100 hand mixer summary This Braun hand mixer comes at a great price and while it’s not much to look at, the handle is comfortable and well-balanced. Its best feature is the variable speed: you’re not restricted to the five speeds marked on the dial, it can instead be stopped in any position allowing for micro-adjustments to the speed level. The two wire beaters initially don’t look as sturdy as others we’ve reviewed but they cope efficiently with thick buttercream, egg whites and cream. Although the mixer sounded like it was struggling when mixing bread dough, the performance was good and it mixed the dough without a problem. It’s easy to wipe clean and the attachments can go in the dishwasher, but the button to eject them requires a bit of force. What were our first impressions of the Braun MultiMix 3 HM3100 hand mixer? On opening the box, there was a welcome lack of polystyrene or heavy plastic packaging, just a few plastic bags to recycle. The mixer itself is made of chunky white plastic that looks to be designed for function rather than form. Having said that, the simple shape and lack of detail means it’ll be easy to keep clean. The handle features a rubber top that gives it good grip and there’s a nice groove for your forefinger underneath. The speed dial has five speeds marked on it but is infinitely variable so you can position it anywhere between the numbers to select precisely the speed you want. The on/off switch is separate to the speed switch which means you don’t have to move up through the speeds to get to the fastest – you can set the speed first, then switch it on. The wire style beaters don’t seem as sturdy as others we’ve reviewed, but the dough hooks are more heavy-duty. Read our review of the best hand mixers for bakers. How is the Braun MultiMix 3 HM3100 hand mixer to use? In use the Braun felt lightweight and although most of its weight sits towards the front, it didn’t feel unbalanced. The handle is comfortable, but the power cord sticks up at the end so it can catch on your wrist. Unless you change the speed, it’ll start on the last one you used, which more often than not is a fast setting, so when mixing anything that requires a slow speed you’ll have to remember to check the speed setting before switching it on to avoid a messy disaster. Despite having a whopping 500W of power, it did sound like it was struggling when mixing a heavy bread dough, but it did the job nonetheless and the thick dough hooks brought the dough together nicely. It was fast to whip up cream and egg whites and coped well with a thicker buttercream mixture. The eject button to release the attachments requires a bit of force, but thankfully it’s large enough for both thumbs. Our verdict This simple and inexpensive hand mixer is certainly up to the job and with fully variable speed control it allows for very precise speed adjustments, making it easier to avoid over-whipping. Braun MultiMix 3 HM3100 hand mixer specifications Attachments: twin beaters and two dough hooks Eject button: yes Speeds: variable, plus turbo function Weight: 820g Size: 20.5 x 7.5 x 20cm Wattage: 500W Dishwasher-safe parts: yes Related reviews Best hand blenders Best stand mixers Best cooling racks 23 pieces of essential baking equipment Best flour sifters Best cake tins
Read our full review of the impressively speedy Smeg HMF01 hand mixer.
Smeg HMF01 hand mixer summary There’s no denying this Smeg mixer is an expensive option. But it’s well built, and we found it comfortable to use. With a choice of six colours and a distinct retro style, it has a quirky appearance that sets it apart from others on the market. On test it was impressively speedy at whipping cream and didn’t struggle with tougher tasks like mixing bread dough or making buttercream. With nine speeds to choose from, it offers plenty of control and the backlit screen on the handle shows how long you’ve been mixing for. It comes with dishwasher-safe whisks, beaters and dough hooks, plus a handy cotton bag to store them in. We also like the trigger below the handle which makes ejecting the attachments very easy. Read our review of the best hand mixers for bakers What were our first impressions of the Smeg HMF01 hand mixer? This retro-styled hand mixer has a pleasingly curvy design and comes in six colours from muted white or cream, to pastel green, pastel blue or striking black or red for a bolder look. Our first impressions are that the attachments are very sturdy and we were pleased to see fully recyclable cardboard packaging. It even comes with a cotton bag to neatly store the attachments so they don’t get lost in your cupboards. The handle features a comfortable rubber grip on the underside, and we love the easy-to-use trigger switch to eject the attachments. The three buttons on the handle include an on/off button as well as buttons to decrease and increase the speed, but we’re concerned that dirt and grime could build up around the edges of these buttons over time. When it’s switched on, a backlit display magically appears in the silver handle to show the current speed level. Furthermore, there’s a timer that displays the amount of time you’ve been mixing for, perfect for meticulous bakers who want to mix for a precise length of time. How is the Smeg HMF01 hand mixer to use? Despite its bulky size, the Smeg hand mixer feels light in use and comfortable to hold. The nine speed levels offer a great degree of control, no matter what you’re mixing. The trigger switch is such a great way of ejecting the attachments that we wish more mixers would ditch the standard button and opt for a trigger. All removable parts can go in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. The sturdy dough hooks bring the heavy bread dough together with ease. We enjoyed having the choice between the wire whisks and what Smeg calls Optimus whisks, which are a more heavy-duty beater. The wire whisks are excellent for egg whites and were very fast to whip cream. We used the Optimus whisks for buttercream which worked well. Our verdict The Smeg is very expensive, but the comfort in use, coupled with the sturdy design and excellent performance mean that if you’ve got the budget for it, you’ll be rewarded with a great mixer. Available from: Currys (£149) Smeg HMF01 hand mixer specifications Attachments: two wire whisks, two Optimus whisks and two dough hooks Eject button: trigger Speeds: nine, plus turbo Weight: 960g Size: 22 x 8 x 18cm Wattage: 250W Dishwasher-safe parts: yes Related reviews The best hand blenders for making soups and more The best stand mixers for baking lovers The best cooling racks for bakers 23 pieces of essential baking equipment The 8 best flour sifters for bakers 16 of the best cake tins for showstopping bakes