Hotpoint have been providing you with fantastic appliances for over 100 years, they were formed in 1911 in the UK, and it wasn’t long before they were a household name!

Hotpoint are now well-known for their fridge freezers and washing machines, but the Hotpoint name actually originated from an iron. The founder Earl Richardson was given the idea by his wife, when she was tired of having problems ironing pleats and frills because the only irons available were either the ones which heated on the stove or the early electric irons with heating elements in the middle.  So Richardson invented an iron that was ‘hot all the way to the point’, and gave it the name HOTPOINT.

Since then Hotpoint have made it their aim to listen to you, their customers and provide you with intelligent product solutions to ensure you live in comfort and style in your home.

The kitchen is the heart of any home. So Hotpoint appliances are designed with you and your family in mind.  Every product and feature is carefully thought out and created to assist you in the home and make everyday household tasks run as smoothly and efficiently as possible.  Every Hotpoint appliance is designed to give you complete peace of mind – just check out their amazing range and see the difference Hotpoint appliances can make to your daily routine!

For example their washing machine come packed with features to help you save water, energy and time, whilst caring for your delicate fabrics and keeping your bold coloured garments bright. Models like the Aqualtis AQ113D697E are also designed to be incredibly quiet, to fit in with your busy lifestyle.

Hotpoint fridge freezers come in a choice of heights, widths, styles and colours to choose from incorporating a host of useful features, so you can be assured your food will be kept in optimum condition. Whether you choose a Quadrio 4 door model like the FF4DK a US style side by side, or a standard combi-model, you will be sure to create a stylish focal point in your kitchen!

Hotpoint is the number one white goods brand in the UK and has been voted the UK’s most trusted domestic appliance brand.

If you don’t already know, the team at Appliances Online are experts in their field. Each category has a designated expert who’s on hand to answer any questions you might have. Intrigued? I know I am. 

This week we’re catching up with cleaning guru, Lucy. (Cleaning includes washing machines, washer dryers, tumble dryers and dishwashers, although you’ll soon see which Lucy’s favourite is).  She’s the product trainer at Appliances Online and what she doesn’t know about appliances isn’t worth knowing. Let’s see what she has to say about the cleaning products of 2012...

A: Hello Lucy. First things first, Appliances Online sell a lot of different types of appliances. What is it about cleaning that peaks your interest?

L: My favourite cleaning appliance is a dishwasher because it’s an appliance I truly appreciate. When you think about it, most people have never lived without a washing machine, oven or fridge freezer, but pretty much all of us have lived without a dishwasher at some point. Now I’ve got a dishwasher, I really value the benefits.

A: A lot of people think a dishwasher is expensive to run, in terms of it wasting a lot of water, but this is a common misconception. Tell us more.

L: Well Amy, that’s what so interesting about dishwashers. Dishwashers on average save between 30 and 40 litres per wash load compared to washing up by hand! 

A: Not to mention, the lack of washing up by hand must keep your hands nice and soft?

L: Absolutely!Dishwashers are much more hygienic because they wash your dishes at around 70°C, killing bacteria – a much higher temperature than your hands could stand. Just think how much bacteria builds up on your sponge if you wash up by hand.

A: So, which dishwashers would you recommend for a first timer like me?

L: Well Amy, that completely depends on your budget. The best models out there have to be Siemens. They’re packed full of features and functions and they’re soo energy efficient, so cheap to run. The IQ-700 SN26T595GB is a favourite, it’s A+++ energy rated and has a HydroSensor to utilise every drop of water. If you want something a little bit more affordable, I’d go for the Hotpoint Aquarius FDL570G. It can hold 12 place settings so it’s suitable for cleaning up after a family of 4 and it even has a 25 minute quick wash for when you’re in a rush.

A: A quick wash is a feature that would definitely come in handy at my house. Thanks for your time Lucy.

Well, I’ve certainly learnt something new. I hope you have too. Keep your eyes peeled for the next expert interview. Who will it be?

£400 is a whole lotta dollar to spend on whatever you want. What would you spend £400 a year on? I asked the content team for their suggestions. A new laptop maybe? A holiday? Decorating? A cowboy training course? (We’re an odd bunch...)

So where can I find this elusive £400 then?” I hear you ask. 

Simples. It’s in your freezer. Honestly. 

A recent report by Sheffield Hallam University reveals that a selection of frozen food for a family would cost £15.45, but the same items bought fresh would set you back £23.25. That’s a saving of £8 – enough for a little extra treat like a bottle of nice wine/some magazines/[insert your perfect little extra treat here!]. 

Over the course of a year, this amounts to a saving of £405.50 – a huge amount of extra cash to splash. 

In the past, the belief has been that fresh food is more healthy, but research has shown that the nutritional value of many frozen foods is just as good as fresh. Just think how freezing can lock in tastes and flavours. 

So, if you’re saving £400 a year on your grocery shopping, it’s a great excuse to treat your kitchen to a new freezer where you can store your frozen goodies. 

I’d go with the Hotpoint HZ2022. There’s a 134 litre capacity, so you’re never going to struggle for space for your frozen pizza, broccoli, carrots, spinach, sausages, chocolate chip ice cream....you get the idea. 

Remember how I mentioned that freezing can lock in flavours? Well, be sure to make use of the Super Freeze button– it makes the temperature of the freezer extremely low, so it’s ready for whatever food you throw at it when you load it up after your weekly shop.

And with an A+ energy rating, you’ll be saving even more money. In fact, this model costs less than £2.50 a month to run. Bargain indeed! 

So next time you’re at the supermarket, think frozen rather than fresh. That laptop/holiday/new bedroom/shopping spree will be yours before you know it! 

No doubt by now you’ve landed yourself a bargain in the January sales, whether it’s a flat screen telly, a corner sofa or a whole new wardrobe. I don’t blame you for braving the crowds either – January is typically the month for counting the copper, so it’s always good to find a solid gold deal or two. 

If you came back from shopping with bags heaving with new clothes, the last thing you want to do is let them go to pot within a few weeks of wearing them. This can happen if your washing machine or tumble dryer isn’t equipped to take extra care of those different fabrics. So, with that in mind, let’s have a gander at what to look out for when you’re washing and drying those new outfits.

First things first, check the clothes care labels. It makes sense to treat delicate items... delicately. If you keep putting your brand spanking new jumper on a red hot wash with a high spin speed, you’re going to end up ruining the poor thing. Make sure you pick a Wool/Handwash cycle for your woollens and silks. If your washing machine doesn’t have this or you’re in the market for a new model, take a look at the range of washing machines here that do. One in particular caught my eye – the Hotpoint AQ113D697I. This one’s Wool cycle is endorsed by Woolmark themselves, and it even comes with specialised programmes for coloured, white and dark clothes.

If you’ve recently invested in a load of gym or sportswear, look out for special sports cycles like the Sports Wear programme on LG’s F1281TD washing machine. These cycles are designed to take extra care of breathable fabrics, while giving a deep, efficient clean.

Last but certainly not least – tumble drying. There’s nothing worse than taking new clothes out of the dryer to find them creased and crinkled to within an inch of their lives. So, it’d be a good idea to take advantage of sensor drying. By using special sensors in the drum, models with this technology stop automatically once the right dryness level has been reached, making sure your new load of clothes are never over-dried. Don’t forget anti-crease and easy iron programmes too – these can help to prevent tangling and deep creases. You can find these lovely features on the Beko DCU8230.

These little tips may seem insignificant, but they can make a big difference when it comes to looking after your glad rags.

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.