Even if you don’t watch the show, you’ve surely heard of the Great British Bake Off. Arguably, it’s more than just a cooking show – in recent years, it’s become a cultural touchstone. And predictably, September is generally marked by anyone in their own modern kitchens using them to get fantastic baking results. High-tech appliances can make this a whole lot easier, and as an official Neff Partner here at Kitchen Design Centre, we can personally attest to the supreme quality and functionality of their trademark Neff ovens. This week, we share the secrets of making the most of their many various settings, to make sure you get the best baking results!
Like most types of cooking, if you’ve never baked before, it can seem like a bit of a daunting task. Thankfully, Neff ovens come with an in-built Baking and Roasting Assistant, an innovative system that’s designed to make baking even more convenient in as many ways as possible. Just one example involves serving up cooking suggestions at just the press of a button. If you’re already clear on your recipe, meanwhile, the Neff Baking and Roasting Assistant can also recommend the ideal heating mode, temperature and time to ensure you get perfect results each time. (We’ve always found it particularly helpful for delicate foodstuffs, like our treasured pastries!)
As well as a Baking and Roasting Assistant, your Neff oven also has a dedicated bread-baking setting, handy if you’re thinking about a classy lunch with the family. Varying between 180C and 220C, it’s ideally suited to baking crusty bread with an open texture, so you’ll end up with beautifully soft and fluffy results! Meanwhile, if you’re more experienced or simply more ambitious, the aptly-named Dough Proving function is designed to provide a warm and moist environment that’s ideal for proving yeast dough. It also does a great job of improving the texture and quality of pastry foods like cakes and breads.
One of the most popular and well-known features of Neff ovens is their Circo Therm technology, which is fantastic for all things baking. Essentially it’s Neff’s patented fan technology, which works by drawing in air from the oven using a powerful stainless steel fan. It then heats up this air before forcing it directly back into the oven cavity through carefully placed ducts in the rear wall. Now, when it comes to baking, there are several ways this technology comes in handy.
The first is through Circo Therm Eco, which optimises for cooking and baking on one level, for maximum efficiency – perfect for breads and cakes! Meanwhile, Circo Therm Intensive neatly combines CircoTherm technology and a bottom heat setting to create the ideal conditions for foods that need a crispy underside. It’s especially helpful for one-stage pastry like lemon meringue pie, removing any need for blind baking. (If you’re not sure what blind baking is, it’s essentially the term that’s used for baking the pie crust or other pastry without the filling).
Meanwhile, the Top And Bottom Heat option provides conventional cooking heat sources at – you guessed it – the top and bottom of the oven. We won’t go too much into the science of it, but basically it causes heat to travel to the centre of the oven by means of natural conduction, making it ideal for baking pastries and scones.
If you’ve yet to get in on the baking action, there’s still a couple of weeks to go for the final of the Great British Bake Off, so you can still tune in and get some inspiration! And if it’s captured your heart already, we’ve previously posted about how to design the best kitchen for baking. Kitchen design is a personal passion for every one of us here at Kitchen Design Centre – so whatever your vision for your dream kitchen, our friendly designers are here to help. Feel free to pay us a visit at any of our award-winning designer kitchen showrooms in Manchester, Blackburn or Barrowford, and one of us will be only too happy to sit down with you for a cuppa and a chat, to see how we can make your vision a reality!
TRADITION MEETS MODERNITY IN OUR LIVERPOOL SHOWROOM
In our Liverpool showroom, we’ve masterfully blended the best of traditional and modern design elements to create a unique, timeless kitchen display. This space is a perfect mix of classic elegance with contemporary functionality, and the focal point is the stunning L-shaped island, which serves as both a practical workspace and a social hub. Its clever design seamlessly links into a media wall and presentation area, incorporating the essence of modern open-plan living.
The colour scheme is a sophisticated mix of Concept130 Roma Graphite shaker cabinets paired with Montreal light fine oak handleless units and taupe trim handles. This combination offers a perfect balance between traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, perfect if you appreciate the classics but want something a little more updated.
Standout appliances:
Neff 30cm Wine Fridge
Neff 80cm Induction Hob
Neff Single Oven
Neff Tall Integrated Fridge
Neff Dishwasher
MODERN MINIMALISM AT ITS FINEST IN OUR URMSTON SHOWROOM
Our Urmston showroom display showcases a bold, modern kitchen design that effortlessly blends both form and function. The handleless units create a streamlined, uninterrupted flow throughout the space, perfectly complemented by the ultra-matt black finish on the worktops. This pairs beautifully with the elegant black ribbed-veneered door for the focal wall.
This minimalist design approach offers a chic, contemporary vibe, ideal if you love the clean, clutter-free aesthetic. To enhance this look, we’ve used warm accent colours that break up the monochrome palette, adding a sense of inviting depth and warmth to the overall space. The subtle, extravagant marble panels add a touch of quiet luxury, their natural veining providing visual interest and texture against the sleek black surfaces, especially when lit by warm LED lighting. This fusion of modern materials and timeless elements, such as marble, creates a display that is both stylish and practical!
Standout appliances:
Neff N90 Ovens with premium 6.8” touch screen display and Twist Pad Flex control
Neff Flex Induction Hob
Silgranit Blanco Sink
Quooker Tap
THE BARROWFORD SHOWROOM’S HARMONIOUS AND ELEGANT DISPLAY
In Barrowford, we’ve embraced a calming, earthy palette that combines functionality with elegance. The display features Hampton Ash wood doors painted in a Natural Umber shade, mixed with Scala Olive green flat doors, and completed with a mix of antique brass handles. The warm, neutral tones of the Natural Umber give this kitchen a wonderfully cosy feel, making it a welcoming space for both cooking and entertaining.
One of the key features of this display is the 30mm Vanilla Noir quartz worktop, which stands out with its dark, characterful design. The designer bench seating includes pullout storage to maximise space without sacrificing style. The bifold worktop unit and sliding doors on the island showcase smart storage solutions. Finally, the open shelves add a touch of rustic charm!
Standout appliances:
Neff Collection Oven
Neff XL Fridge Freezer
Quooker Classic Fusion Tap
Double Bowl Tartufo Sink
THE BLACKBURN SHOWROOM’S SLEEK AND MODERN MASTERPIECE
Our new Blackburn display is a testament to a modern, streamlined design. It features a bold black and oak colour scheme, seamlessly blending practicality and contemporary aesthetics. The tall units are clad in a Black Velvet Oak, adding depth and contrast to the sleek black wall units. The Toronto base units and matching worktops are finished in Natural Vintage Oak for a beautiful and cohesive end result.
One of the standout elements of this display is the quirky curved breakfast bar, a unique feature that blends functionality with style. Raised planters behind the bar add a touch of greenery; perfect if you love bringing natural elements into your kitchen.
Standout appliances:
Neff 60cm CombiZone Black Induction Hob
Integrated Design Hood
Neff Fully-integrated dishwasher
Neff Integrated Frost Free Under Counter Freezer
More from the team’s annual trip to Germany to the headquarters of Hacker Rodinghausen showroom.
Staff from all of our showrooms attended to view the new exciting ranges of kitchens and colours that are available from now. They were given a full factory tour & took part in product workshops. It was an intensive 2 x day trip however they had a fabulous time.
Head to our stories for more details or head over to our website to book your free design appointment
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