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!
Little kitchen decisions that make everyday life SO much easier 🙌🏼
We positioned the dishwasher right beside the drawers where we keep our plates, bowls and cutlery, and honestly… it’s made unloading so much quicker!
It might seem like a small detail when planning your kitchen, but getting the layout right can make such a difference to how your kitchen works day to day.
One to remember if you’re planning a kitchen 👀
#kitchendesign #KitchenLayout #KitchenIdeas #KitchenHacks #kitcheninspo
Introducing Beth Ainsworth to our Blackburn showroom. Beth brings fresh ideas and plenty of enthusiasm to kitchen design. Off the clock, I’m most likely in the gym.
We’re passionate about tailoring our designs to fit your lifestyle, so whether you want a space to entertain or a family-centric kitchen to spend quality time together, our designers know exactly how to make your dream kitchen a reality.
When you book an appointment, you’ll be introduced to your personal kitchen designer, who will sit down with you in our dedicated meeting space to discuss what you want for your dream kitchen. Then, when you’re happy with the final design, they’ll become your dedicated project manager as they oversee every aspect of the installation, guaranteeing exceptional customer service as we deliver the kitchen of your dreams.
Our Summer Sale is officially ON! ✨
If you’ve been dreaming about a new kitchen, there’s never been a better time to make it happen. From timeless designs to modern family spaces, now is the perfect opportunity to save on the kitchen you’ve always wanted.
Visit our showroom or link in bio to get in touch to find out more.
AS SEEN ON GEORGE CLARKE’S BEAUTIFUL BUILDS: FROM DATED LAYOUT TO DREAM ENTERTAINING SPACE
When Katherine and Andrew purchased their property, they always knew a full renovation would follow.
With both the outdated kitchen and untouched garden requiring significant transformation, the project soon became part of Channel 4’s George Clarke’s Beautiful Builds – it was an opportunity they felt perfectly aligned with their vision for the property.
While searching for a local kitchen specialist, Kitchen Design Centre immediately stood out thanks to its long-standing reputation, glowing customer reviews and welcoming showroom experience.
The brief focused on creating a sleek, contemporary kitchen that would feel open, social and highly functional, while complementing the wider architectural renovation of the home.
The finished design delivers a beautifully balanced space that combines clean lines with luxurious detailing.
One of the standout features is the striking worktop design. The waterfall edge peninsula creates a bold focal point within the room, while the continuation of the material across the side panels introduces a seamless, premium aesthetic.
Functionality was equally important throughout the design process, with carefully considered storage solutions and high-quality appliances helping to simplify everyday living. Among Katherine and Andrew’s favourite additions is the Neff oven, praised for both its versatility and pyrolytic self-cleaning function.
The completed result is a sophisticated contemporary space that completely transforms how the home looks, feels, and functions, perfectly reflecting Katherine and Andrew’s original vision from the moment they moved in.
More details in our bio
SUMMER JUST GOT EVEN BETTER FOR YOUR DREAM KITCHEN!
You don’t have to keep waiting for your dream kitchen. With flexible finance options on kitchens over £20,000, it’s ready when you are. Spread the cost of your kitchen plans and move forward in a way that works for you this summer.
With our exclusive Quooker offer, when you purchase any Quooker Tap and Tank system with a kitchen over £20,000, you’ll receive a FREE Quooker CUBE worth £1,250, plus free installation worth up to £384, and 4 free CO₂ cylinders worth £70. It’s everything you need to enjoy chilled, filtered, sparkling and boiling water straight from your tap.
And when you step into our showrooms, there are even more opportunities waiting for you, including exclusive savings on selected ex-display kitchens and up to 50% off selected stock appliances. Don’t miss this rare chance to secure something special, with design and value combined.
That said, like all great things, these summer offers are only available for a limited time — once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Book A Free Design Appointment
