If you’re someone who loves nothing more than a cosy night in, and earning brownie points by preparing the perfect Valentine’s day dinner then it’s best to do it right. Have a read to see which treats tickle your fancy and the best way to cook them.

Melted chocolate...

A Valentine’s classic, whether it’s the heavenly chocolate-dipped strawberries or your own more creative way of using melted chocolate, it’s the perfect treat to have on your romantic evening. The most traditional, (yet crafty!) way of melting chocolate, is putting it in a dish over boiling water, but we’ve got a hob so gentle, that you can melt chocolate straight onto the pan- the induction hob. If you want the full effect go for a model which has a lot of power levels, like the Neff T43T20N0. You’ll have batch of melted chocolate goodness in no time.

Pie Perfection

You’ll impress your other half trillions by slaving away and cooking the perfect heart shaped pie on Valentines; but with the new cooking functions available, it’s actually a lot easier than you think. You could cook a hearty steak and ale pie, or a sweet cherry one.

Just make sure you cook it in an oven which has top, bottom and a fan element. This is because the fan cooks the pie through evenly while the top element browns the top of the pie and the bottom one crisps the base. Or you could have a look at an oven which has a pizza function which uses the fan and bottom element in a similar way. The Smeg SCP112PZ8 has all these fun features.

Slow cooked

If you’re cooking for someone who loves a more traditional dish, you absolutely have to use the slow cook function. You’ll cook the most delicious slowed cooked beef in red wine stew.  It’s also one of the easiest ways of cooking; all you do is pop all the ingredients in a dish and put it in the oven. All the flavours and juices mix together to create beautifully flavoursome and succulent food. And because it’s slow cooked there’s hardly any chance of you overcooking the stew. Take a look at the E0C68000X to get your perfectly cooked stew today.

If you want some more tips on the best oven functions for different types of cooking, have a read of my Buying Guide.

If you’re into keeping up appearances, this season’s cooking appliances are not to be missed. Combining effortless beauty with up to the minute technology, these new kids on the block are so nifty they’re worthy of a place in Hyacinth's kitchen.

"The Bouquet residence, the lady of the house speaking!"

No need to shout about your new appliances, with a centrepiece as good looking as the Whirlpool AKR804/IX Island Cooker Hood, it’ll be the first thing the neighbours spot. 

Designer lighting? No. An efficient cooker hood with 3 variable venting speeds.

Candlelit suppers on the cards? Forget about a lengthy wait for dinner. With the immediate response you get from the Siemens IQ-700 EH679ME11 Induction hob, those fillet steaks will be seared in seconds. Your guests will be too busy wondering where you keep the Mercedes, sauna, and room for a pony.

Why not melt some chocolate for dessert and wow them with just how fast this bad boy is?

The periwinkle china’s laid out in the dining room; all that’s left to do is cook the soufflés. Keep your cool, because the Smeg Linea-elite SCP115 electric oven will literally do it for you. There are 10 automatic cooking programmes which know exactly how much heat to use for different dishes so you’ll never be caught short. Simply allow the smart chef function to automatically adjust the temperature and cooking time, and it’ll cook those soufflés perfectly.... do make sure you take all the credit, of course!

The glass finish on this beauty could pass for a bespoke mirror.

And when they've all left, the pyrolytic cleaning fucntion on this oven takes all the hard work away. Just switch it on, and your oven will look brand spanking new again.

They'll never know!

So January is well underway, the belts are getting a little tighter and the blues are starting to wear a little thin. What better way to cheer yourself up than to find yourself a tidy little bargain. While January might be the month of quick sales, these products offer you something more than a flash in the pan. I’ve put my expert knowledge to use and scouted out some of the best deals you’ll ever find on appliances.

Did you know that you can actually get an oven that doubles as a microwave? Two appliances in one! The Neff C57M70N0GB gives you an electric fan oven, a microwave and a quartz grill all in one. You can even make use of both cooking times at the same time. Roast the outside, microwave it so it’s cooked through and get a lovely golden brown colour on top. In half the time too! What’s more, you’ll even save on space. No more bulky microwave cluttering up your work surface.

Speaking of ‘two for ones’, we also offer pack deals, so you can fit out your kitchen with some products that suit each other beautifully. This Beko pack deal combines the HIC64102 ceramic hob and the OIF22100X electric oven. Amazing value as these two products will provide all the cooking power and space you could need. There’s also a gas version if you prefer a more traditional style of cooking.

Lastly, when you buy it’s important to get something that’ll last you. Keeping your eye out for the brands that are known for longevity and decent quality is key, though it’s the ones that won’t cost the earth that you need to be aware of. Bosch, Hotpoint, Electrolux are all recognised brands that are trusted the world over, yet won’t break the bank. Just another friendly tip from your expert friends at Appliances Online.

Good luck and happy hunting all you bargain-hunters.

No, not the popular American TV show, but the man ‘who knows how’ from AEG, Raymond Laidlaw.

In awe, impressed, wowed – these are all words you could use to describe the looks on our faces during our latest training adventure to AEG’s training facility.

So, let’s start from the very beginning, as I’m sure you’ve heard it’s a very good place to start. Last month, a group of enthusiastic Appliances Online employees ventured on a treacherous journey down the length of the M6, all the way to Luton.

Why? To take a sneaky peek into the world of AEG, Electrolux and Zanussi. And what a world it was.

Upon entering AEG towers, we were showered with hospitality from AEG’s main man – Raymond!

This man is the epitome of an appliance guru. If there’s something you need to know about cooking, cooling or cleaning, Raymond has the answer.

“What’s the difference between a Zanussi Jetsystem washing machine and Zanussi Jetsystem+ washing machine?” I asked.

“Easy” said Raymond, “both systems have all the great features you’ve seen, such as water and energy saving technology, however, the Jetsystem+ automatically reduces programme times for smaller loads.”

Wow. We were impressed. Not only did Raymond know all the facts, he also helped us to understand our customers, to learn how to help them select the best possible appliance for them. Appliances may not seem personal at first glance, but you have to live with them day in day out, so it’s important that we help you get the best one for your lifestyle.

Once all the hard work was out the way, playtime ensued. The omelette making challenge a la Saturday Kitchen was underway. More than 20 eager chefs lined up, pan in hand, ready to set the bar and claim the coveted title of ‘Fastest Omelette Maker 2011’.

Dirty looks were thrown, some eggs were unfortunately broken, but the group emerged triumphant as experienced masters of AEG’s induction hobs.

All in all, a fantastic two days were spent cooking, eating, learning, eating, developing and, yes, eating a little bit more – we really do love Raymond!

A new season, a new fashion week and more excitingly new products on Appliances Online.  Oh yes, strutting their stuff on the site are 26 fantabulous new products all waiting to make you gasp with amazement. I have struggled to pick my favourite three to dazzle you with but after careful consideration the winners are...

If Valentino designed dishwashers...

Smeg DF6FABNE1 Standard Dishwasher Freestanding Black

You would get the Smeg DF6FABNE1 of course. This retro black dishwasher is dripping with style and is the pinnacle of dishwashers today. 13 place settings, 9 programmes and 5 washing temperatures are just the start.

Always a trend setter this model uses the top of the range Orbital Wash System which consists of a double spray arm that will distribute water evenly throughout the cavity. And for good form the jets are perfectly shaped to direct the water with precision to ensure a tip-top wash quality and masterfully reduced noise level.

In a rush? Hello Quick Time, this feature reduces up to 55% of all programmes’ wash cycle time. It works by using higher temperatures and an intense mechanical spray action,so if you want all your plates clean for that short-notice dinner party you won’t have to wait long.

But honestly this is only a taster to hat the DF6FABNE1 can do, take a closer look yourself to really relish the banquet.

Stunning daaaarling, just stunning!

Neff Series 3 T62R36S1 Gas Hob Built In Black

If looks were all that mattered in the world then the T62R36 would get on just fine. It has an imposing matrix feel with richly textured cast iron pan supports which contrast superbly against the sleek black tempered glass, making the hob fashionably futuristic.

Looks, of course are not all that matter, which is why the sought after cast iron supports will keep the hob in pristine condition for longer as they are durable and reliable. The tempered glass looks fine and clean but is also heat and impact resistant so won’t be hugely affected by your cooking.

The varying burner speeds will make cooking fun again as you’ll be able to choose the ideal heat to create the perfect dish. Are you a woker? Fryer? Boiler?  The high speed and wok style burners will be great for the perfect sizzling stir fry or a fast fried steak as they give off an intense heat quickly. Or do you prefer a leisurely simmer for a lovely poached egg on a Sunday morning? Then the economy burner will do the trick.

Just a microwave? Guess again..

Smeg FMC24X-2 Microwave Built In Stainless Steel

And for the grand finale (drum roll please), I present to you the Semg FMC24X-2.  This electronic combination microwave and grill will be just great for anyone who loves cooking but who has limited space in their kitchen, or you may have a gigantic kitchen and you just want a down-right fantastic microwave, why not?

The stainless steel finish and interior gives this model a sexy, sleek look and to keep it looking fine and well finished it has anti-finger print stainless steel so no mucky marks to contend with.

Coming with five power levels, 900W and a 24 litre capacity it is competent and then some. The Circulaire feature gives an even heat distribution so you will get similar cooking results to using your oven only better. You won’t have to preheat the microwave and it cooks 10% quicker than a normal oven. Plus, to top it all off all foods can be cooked on this function, especially chilled foods such as pizza. Mmm pizza, but that could be messy couldn’t it? Well Smeg have already thought of that, which is why with this model you get a non-stick pizza dish, perfecto!

That’s just a few of the best products from Appliance Online, but there are loads more on the site just waiting for you to have a gander...