The best kettle will keep your cups of tea topped up and your pasta boiling in record time. Short of investing in the best boiling water taps, there’s nothing more effective when it comes to speedy brews, and we’ve reviewed ten of the very best from Swan, Smeg, De’Longhi, Morphy Richards, Bosch, Russell Hobbs, and Dualit.

While they all do the same job, there are so many different styles of kettles to choose from. It’s the hardest-working appliance in your kitchen, so investing in the best kettle that really takes your fancy is a decision that will pay off in the long-run. You can also pair it with a toaster to complete your morning routine, and display your matching set in your home for years to come.

You can buy a kettle for as little as £20, but many of the best kettles in our guide cost upwards of £50. For the added cost you’ll get smart features such as multiple temperature settings, and stylish designs to keep your counters looking in top shape.

How we pick the best kettles

Our reviewer Ysanne was previously editor at Beautiful Kitchens magazine and has hands-on experience with dozens of kettles. Our small appliances editor Millie has also tried a handful of these kettles in her own home. Both know how to detect common issues like noisy kettles and limescale build-up for hard water kettles, and we have taken care to include a range of kettles that will work for every budget. Some of the kettles in our guide can be bought for well under £30, but the more expensive ones can cost over £100 and feature variable temperature, water filters and other extras.

What is the best kettle in 2021?

Our overall best kettle was the De’Longhi Ballerina Kettle, which we rate for its usability and temperature-control functions. The Dualit Architect kettle also wins our approval for its sturdy build and good looks, and the Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Kettle is the quietest kettle we tested. Read on to discover more of our test verdicts.

Why do I need a kettle?

Kettles are for more than just brewing cups of tea. Investing in a kettle will make dinners so much easier, from boiling paster to blanching tomatoes. Some kettles with in-built water filters, which is great for those with limescale buildup or concerns about their local drinking water. Large capacity kettles are perfect for filling up hot water bottles or par-boiling potatoes for a Sunday roast, and even if you don’t use it so much, a small kettle can pack plenty of style into a compact kitchen.

Best kettles

1. De’Longhi Ballerina Kettle

Best kettle overall

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Pyramid
Colours: Green, black, white
Features: 360° swivel base, anti-limescale filter, water level indicator
Reasons to buy: The beautiful design and quality construction
Reasons to avoid: No button to open the lid

The De’Longhi Ballerina Kettle pairs with our guide to the best toasters perfectly, because its two- and four-slice counterpart also sits in the top spot. Why? Well, for a start it has a stunning design that really catches the eye and looks beautiful on any kitchen counter. We had numerous comments from friends and family when testing, and it’s more that just easy on the eyes, too.

With a water level indicator and a light-up switch to indicate that it’s on, the De’Longhi Ballerina Kettle is ideal for practical use around the kitchen. The 1.7 litre capacity is also perfectly suited to serving mugs of tea, or filling up a whole teapot.

Our one gripe is that the lid has to be lifted away. Other options in our guide (such as the Bosch TWK7203GB) have a button to lift up the lid and open up the kettle for easy refills, but the De’Longhi requires both hands.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

2. Bosch TWK7203GB

Best kettle for tea

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Jug kettle
Colours: Black, white
Features: Keep warm, variable temperature, smart display
Reasons to buy: Delightful to use, with tons of smart features
Reasons to avoid: The look isn’t for everyone

We love a bit of hi-tech style, so it’s no surprise we were impressed by the unique touch-control panel on this kettle. At just 1kg, it’s light, easy to fill and holds an impressive 1.7L when full. The base features a simple power-on graphic that, when gently pressed, allowed us to switch the kettle on and off in the same way as we would our smartphone or tablet. Nice.

There’s also a funky, futuristic blue-light slider that illuminates to indicate a chosen temperature, from 70˚C to 100˚C. While it wasn’t quite the quickest to boil, it was pretty speedy at just over two-and-a-half minutes. And if you get distracted, like we often do, there’s an ingenious keep-warm function. This maintains the desired water temperature for 30 minutes after the kettle has boiled.

It also has the obligatory 360˚ base, meaning it’s comfortable to pick up from any angle. There’s a lovely large flip lid and a removable limescale filter, too. Sure, it’s got a slightly bigger footprint that most of the models we tested. But we think its elegant lines and steely good looks mean it’s an absolute keeper, however much worktop space you might have.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Bosch TWK7203GB Sky Kettle review

3. Swan Nordic kettle

Best on-trend kettle

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Scandi design
Colours: Green, blue, grey, white
Features: Matt finish, soft touch, Scandi design, 360˚ rotative cordless base
Reasons to buy: Great value with a soft-touch finish
Reasons to avoid: The ‘on’ light is very subtle

Available in either cool white or slate grey with contrasting wood-effect comfort handle, this highly attractive kettle is a great choice for anyone that loves a bit of Nordic design. The boil-dry protection mode, which prevents it from being accidentally switched on if there’s no water in it means you won’t need to worry about accidentally damaging it either. There’s also a limescale filter, which helps to keep drinks delightfully scum- and impurity-free.

It holds 1.7 litres, enough to fill around 7-8 cups depending on your ‘portion sizes’, and it boiled a litre of water in just 2 minutes 45. The end of the on lever glows an agreeable bold blue colour while it’s boiling and the handle has a lovely soft feel to it. It has a lovely drip-free pour, too, which we found very pleasing.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4. The Funky Appliance Company Funky Kettle

Best matching kettle and toaster

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Upright kettle
Colours: Stainless steel, rose gold, cream
Features: Button to open, sturdy metal design, easy-pour spout
Reasons to buy: It makes a great pair with the matching toaster, which is equally high-quality
Reasons to avoid: The colour range is lacking

The Funky Appliance Company’s aptly-named Funky Kettle hit the spot when we were hunting for a great kettle and toaster combo. It’s surprisingly hard to find a matching set where each component delivers great performance, but the Funky Kettle and its matching Funky Toaster were the perfect brunch duo.

We loved the exterior, which is quirky and reminiscent of the SMEG, even down to the stainless steel design. The lever clicks down easily, illuminating the back panel which shows the water line and shuts off when water has reached a boiling point. While it may not have a place in the best kettle roundup, the toaster could take frozen and fresh bread and toast evenly on each side, every time.

The spout makes pouring very easy, and refilling is simple thanks to the button on the top of the lid that pops open. Even the handle was ergonomic, but we do wish the colour selection was a bit more fun.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

5. Morphy Richards Verve Kettle

Best large kettle

Image credit: Morphy Richards

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Upright large kettle
Colours: Black, white, cream
Features: 360 base, sleek look, window panel
Reasons to buy: Amazing value for a large kettle
Reasons to avoid: Hard to use for smaller quantities of water

The Morphy Richards Verve Kettle has a 1.7 litre capacity, meaning it’s great for making many cups of tea in one go. It comes in cream, white or black and has an optional matching toaster, which is also a top buy. The kettle comes with a limescale filter that can filter your drink as it pours. It comes with a sleek and discreet 360 base that will work on any counter. The kettle itself lights up, and you can see your water heating and eventually boiling through the back panel near the handle.

We found that the Morphy Richards Verve Kettle takes a while to get going, which is mostly because of its large capacity and therefore the tendency to overfill for the amount of tea you need. For example, the first marker on the transparent gauge is for three cups, so when you fill it for just one person it’s hard to know if it’s full enough. This kettle is also easier to pour when it’s more full. It is quiet though, and the look is great.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

6. Dualit Architect Kettle

Best for style and substance

Capacity: 1.5 litres
Type: Stylish and sleek
Colours: Silver, black, grey
Features: Interchangeable design, easy to read, circular spout, no splashes, quiet boiling
Reasons to buy: It’s a kitchen classic that will last forever
Reasons to avoid: You have to pay extra for panel kits

If you’re the kind of person that likes to switch up your home décor with the seasons, then this model with interchangeable panels is for you. The (already beautiful) steel exterior can be further enhanced with easy-to-fit panels that encase the bottom and lid. The panel kits can be bought separately, and range in price from £12.50 for plain colours and metallics to £24.95 for specially commissioned designs from the likes of Bluebellgrey, Charlene Mullen and Kit Miles, whose floral Biophilia design is our current must-have.

As we’ve come to expect from Dualit products, the kettle is also beautifully built and ergonomic to use. The lid had a nice soft-open action, meaning it’s easy to refill without the risk of steaming your hand. The water indicator under the handle lit up when we started boiling, and has easy-to-read levels from two cups cup to a maximum of 1.5L. We particularly liked the unique circular pouring spout, which ensured free-flowing water with no splashes.

It’s not the lightest kettle we tested but feels stable and secure on its base. There’s an integrated cord store and it boils quietly, if not overly speedily, for such an impressive looking machine. An internal filter meant boiled water was crystal clear and scum-free, even though the water from our tap tends to be harder than action hero Jason Statham on a tough day at the office.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

7. Russell Hobbs K65 Anniversary Kettle

Best classic kettle

Capacity: 1.2 litres
Type: Classic design
Colours: Copper, silver
Features: Quick boil, long and streamlined spout, discreet base, auto shutoff
Reasons to buy: Classic stovetop design will look great in your kitchen
Reasons to avoid: The spout is very long, so pouring takes adjusting to

The Russell Hobbs K65 Anniversary Kettle has a flat and discreet base and a classic design that resembles a cooktop kettle. The long streamlined spout is a pleasure to pour, and it automatically shuts off when water is boiled.

We enjoyed how fast this kettle boiled, and both the silver and copper designs are sleek and sophisticated. Many kettles have a larger capacity than the 1.2 litre design so it may struggle to cater to families or fill up a pot for boiling rice or potatoes.

Featuring a quiet boil – it apparently makes 75% less noise when boiling than other Russell Hobbs models – this is kettle is a great fit for open-plan spaces where a loud kettle can be a real distraction. In addition this kettle has an auto-shutoff to prevent it boiling dry, although since the water window on the side is clear and lights up, you can clearly see how much water there is when it starts to boil anyway.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

8. Smarter 3rd Generation iKettle

Best app-controlled kettle

Capacity: 1.8 litres
Type: Smart kettle
Colours: White, silver
Features: App compatibility, keep warm, schedule, smart speaker, water level indication
Reasons to buy: It’s possible to use this kettle remotely
Reasons to avoid: No on-board adjustments, so you’ll need to have your phone handy to use it

The Smarter iKettle is well-named. While it lacks the on-board controls of the Bosch Sky kettle, you can control the temperature using a smartphone app or even a smart speaker. You can also schedule it, and switch it into keep-warm mode. It’s an extravagant appliance, but when you’re working from home and drink a lot of tea, the remote access is a bit of a blessing.

We enjoyed the button, which you simply press to open the lid and refill. The metal design also felt high quality, but if you don’t get on with smart tech, this one’s not what you need. While pairing was easy enough, the rest of the controls are left to you to figure out.

Pouring was easy and the handle was ergonomic, so if you like your smart tech, this is a top pick.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Read our full Smarter 3rd Generation iKettle review

9. Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Kettle

Best quiet kettle

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Pyramid kettle
Colours: Polka dot, heart print
Features: 360 base, “on” light, washable anti-scale filter, quiet boil
Reasons to buy: It’s easy to pour and looks lovely in country kitchens
Reasons to avoid: The plastic paddle looks a little cheap

The Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater Kettle is the quietest one we tested. It heats and boils virtually silently, which means you’re unlikely to be disturbed if it’s used when you’re in a call or early in the morning. It’s also a treat to look at, with a retro-contemporary design that comes in either a multi-coloured polka dot or a love heart pattern. There’s also a matching toaster available, which we really enjoyed testing. The spout of this kettle makes pouring a treat, and the overhead handle is easy to hold and tactile.

Russell Hobbs claims this kettle has 70% quieter boil technology. You can tell when this kettle is finished boiling by the audible click it makes when switching off. It is on the expensive side for a less smart option, but there are plenty of matching Emma Bridgewater mugs and plates available to make the design even sweeter. With a 1.7 litre capacity, it’s also fairly large, despite its cute and shorter pyramid design.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

10. Smeg KLF04 Variable Temperature Kettle

Best retro-style kettle

Capacity: 1.7 litres
Type: Retro
Colours: Red, blue, white, and more…
Features: Variable temperature, limescale filter, cord storage, keep warm
Reasons to buy: Sturdy and high-quality, with that classic look
Reasons to avoid: That price

Don’t let the fun candy colours and retro design of this kettle deceive you – it’s deadly serious about boiling. The sturdy 360˚ swivel base makes it easy to use whether you’re left or right-handed, while anti-slip feet means it stays firmly put on the worktop. An audible beep can be heard when you first switch it on and similarly when the water has reached the chosen temperature.

As it’s another variable temp kettle, we decided to take it through its paces with three different teas. We tried black, white and green to see if we could taste the difference. While we’re not real connoisseurs, we did definitely feel that the lower temps suited both the white and green teas we tested. It gave them what we can only describe as a softer, more rounded taste than they had when made with fully boiled water.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 star

How to buy the best kettles for you

How much should I spend on a kettle?

How much you spend depends on what features you’re after. Prices tend to rise the more stylish and feature-led the kettle is. If you just want a bog-standard model that boils fairly quickly and quietly, there are kettles available from £15 and above.

See the best coffee machine for more morning essentials

Designer looks come at a price, though, and many with more thoughtful, elegant designs can cost upwards of £50.

What are the main features to look for in a kettle?

Image credit: Lizzie Orme

Top of our must-have list is that it’s easy is it to hold, fill and pour. If you often refill a kettle as soon as it has boiled, choose one with a flip-top lid you don’t have to take off manually. This is really important to avoid the risk of scalding yourself on steam when you open it.

We’d definitely suggest a cordless model on 360˚ swivel base, for ease of use. A cord store will keep things tidy on a worktop, and an easy-to-view water indicator is handy.

While kettles don’t come packed with tech, some have variable boil temperatures. This is great if you’re a tea aficionado who knows their oolong boiling temp from the one that’s right for standard black tea. That’s 80-85˚C and 100˚C, respectively, if you’re curious.

I live in a hard water area. What’s the best kettle for me?

Filters that reduce limescale are invaluable if you live in a hard-water area and don’t want to be descaling your kettle on a regular basis.

Just be aware that models that feature a Brita filter, for instance, generally have a smaller capacity. That’s because of the room taken up by the filter and its holder. The cost for replacing the filters once a month can add up, too. However, it will mean you don’t need an extra water filter jug on the worktop.

The post Best kettle 2021 – reviews of the top 10 electric kettles appeared first on Ideal Home.

Buying the best coffee grinder for your kitchen will ensure that you get an endless supply of rich and fragrant coffee grounds to keep your filter (or portafilter) topped up. Every coffee bean demands a different optimum grind, so buying a burr coffee grinder will ensure that you always have the perfect cup of coffee, no matter the bean. The best coffee machine is only as good as the beans you put in it, and you will find that the fresher the grind, the more enjoyable the brew.

Another perk of investing in the best coffee grinder is the long-term savings. While there is an up-front cost involved, it is far less expensive to buy coffee beans than ground coffee, so you will find that you save money in the long-run when you pick up one of our manual or burr grinders.

Why do I need the best coffee grinder?

If you love the aromatic taste of coffee beans, then you’ll need a great coffee grinder. This will give you more precise control over how you prefer your coffee, and retain the freshness and flavour. The blunted edges on coffee grinders are much more reliable than those of food processors or blenders which won’t be ideal.

How much should I spend on a coffee grinder?

How much you spend all depends on how much coffee you regularly grind. Most good burr grinders start from around £35, while top of the range models can go up to £900. However, these will have more advanced grinding features, excellent results and quality design. 

Best coffee grinders

1. Smeg CGF01 Coffee Grinder

Best high-end coffee grinder for the aficionado

Type: Electric burr grinder
Capacity: 350g
Grinding levels: 30
Reasons to buy: Stylish retro design, plenty of settings, easy to maintain
Reasons to avoid: Costly price, too large for small countertops

For those who want to splash out on a top-notch coffee grinder, this Smeg model is a great option. With its signature, 50s retro design and quality build, it certainly makes an eye-catching addition to any kitchen.  Set-up is easy by simply pouring the beans into the hopper at the top and 

slide over the chrome level to the setting you need – from fine, medium and coarse. Then set your preferred setting using the dial before pressing the Start button. The grinder immediately gets to work, producing aromatic, ground coffee straight into the container in seconds. This can also be sealed to keep its freshness for future use. 

The main feature here is the 30 grinding levels that you can choose from at just a twist of the dial. While this may seem a bit much, true coffee fans will enjoy experimenting with the different types of brews. As to be expected, the Smeg coffee grinder performs exceptionally well, and you can really taste the rich and flavoursome coffee.

Compared to other grinders, it has a large capacity, which is ideal for endless cups. Just make sure you have enough counter space! It also has an expensive price tag, so if you’re not likely to use all the features, this may not be practical. However, if fresh-tasting coffee is your forte, this is a great investment. 

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

2. Melitta Molino Coffee Grinder

Best value coffee grinder

Type: Electric ceramic burr grinder
Capacity: 200g
Grinding levels: 17
Reasons to buy: Has cup quantity selector, quiet, value for money, easy to clean
Reasons to avoid: Some may not favour the plastic container, can be messy

Melitta is well-known for making top quality coffee grinders, and if you’re after an affordable burr grinder, this model is the perfect choice. It has a simple yet stylish design that is compact to fit any space. 

The convenient 17 different grinding settings ranges from extra fine right up to very course. So you have more than enough options to suit your coffee moods. 

More so, if you’re after simplicity, this grinder is very easy to use. Simply pour the beans in the container above, use the rotary dial to set your grinding level before using the push button to start the process. For a compact grinder, it performs well, producing consistent results with each setting. In fact, it excels in grinding very fine coffee which is perfect for cold brew or French press fans. In addition, it is quiet, which is always a bonus!

The plastic container to collect your coffee is removable and easy to clean. However, the plastic seems light and not as durable as other grinders. The only thing that lets it down is it can leave behind a mess of coffee dust all over the countertop after use, so just bear in mind. 

But overall, it’s a great, little coffee grinder with a decent choice of grinding levels at an affordable price. 

Ideal Home’s rating: 4 out of 5 stars

3. Le’Xpress Stainless Steel Traditional Coffee Grinder

Best manual coffee grinder 

Type: Manual
Grinding levels: 3
Reasons to buy: Affordable, traditional steel design, multi-functional
Reasons to avoid: Has three grind settings

If you fancy a more traditional, hand-powered coffee grinder (and don’t mind the elbow grease!), this manual grinder is ideal. Not only does it look the part with its stylish, stainless steel and wood trim design but it also does a cracking job. It only has three grinding levels – fine, medium, coarse, which is sufficient if you have those preferences.

It’s simple to operate by turning the crank arm clockwise to grind your coffee beans, at your own convenience. It has a handy, clip-top canister underneath to collect your ground coffee, which also has a silicone bung to retain the freshness. What’s more, you can use it to also grind hazelnuts, spices or any other ingredients for your recipes.

More suitable for a small household, the Le’Xpress coffee grinder is simple to use, attractive and most of all, gives you the satisfaction of grinding your own beans!

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

4. Barista & Co. Core Electric Grinder

Best stylish espresso coffee grinder

Type: Electric stainless steel burr
Capacity: 240g
Grinding levels: 40
Reasons to buy: Slimline design, easy to operate, additional accessories
Reasons to avoid: More suitable for cold brew 

If you’re after chic and sleek, this filter and brew coffee grinder fits the bill. Fairly new on the market, this top quality coffee grinder could give the more established brands a run for their money. With its modern, slimline design in black, it looks great for compact spaces. 

Easy to use, simply fill the hopper with your beans and adjust your grind size at just a twist. Best of all, the grinder comes with a generous 40 settings to achieve that perfect aromatic blend. By selecting either the plus or minus button, you can choose your grind time from 1—50 seconds or default, before pressing the button to start grinding your coffee. The results produce a consistent grind size, particularly for cold brew and espresso flavours. 

It also comes with handy accessories such as portafilter attachment, measure scoop and cleaning brush. What’s more, the parts are all removable and easy to clean. 

Overall, this Barista & Co grinder is an impressive, sleek grinder that performs well and easy to maintain. Bear in mind, it’s not a specific espresso grinder, so if you’re a fan then this may not be ideal. However, it has a wide range of levels that will give you your money’s worth.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

5. Sage The Smart Grinder Pro 

Best coffee grinder for precision

Type: Electric burr
Capacity: 450g
Grinding levels: 60
Reasons to buy: Dosing IQ tech for grind precision, choice of grinding filters, large capacity
Reasons to avoid: Expensive

Coffee connoisseurs who know their bean will appreciate this Smart coffee grinder by Sage. Designed with high-tech features, it comes with a ‘dosing IQ’ of 60 (yes 60!) programmable grinding settings to get the most out of your bean. Ranging from ‘coarser’ to ‘finer’, you’ll find the perfect espresso for everyone’s tastes. 

The LED blue-backlit display is stylish and user-friendly. You can easily select your program, grind size and time. What’s more, you can select the number of shots or cups you need at just a press of a button. It also has a start/pause/cancel in one button. 

It’s large bean hopper can hold up to 450g capacity, perfect for large households who love their coffees! The bonus is, you can also grind directly into a portafilter, airtight container, or paper filter of your choice. 

Bear in mind, it is a lot more expensive than entry-level burr grinders. However, it’s a superb, smart coffee grinder that literally does all the work so you won’t have to!

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

6. De’Longhi Coffee Grinder

Best coffee grinder for filter coffee

Type: Electric burr
Capacity: 12 cups
Grinding levels: 17
Reasons to buy: Not too expensive, generous capacity, adjust by cups and coarseness
Reasons to avoid: The finest setting is not fine enough for some

The sleek and blocky design of the De’Longhi Coffee Grinder will list happily in the corner of your kitchen, next to the finest coffee machine. It has a dial at the front which allows you to choose the amount of cups you’re grinding for, and a dial at the side to choose your ideal coarseness.

Some have complained that the finest setting is not as fine as shop-bought coffee grounds, but the ideal coffee grind will depend on the specific bean.

We like the large capacity, both up top and to hold the grounds. It makes enough for 12 cups in one go, so whether you are making filter coffee or a few cups at once, it’s a good choice.

How to buy a coffee grinder

There are three main types of coffee grinder available. Blade grinders have blunt edges and operates like a food processor. These are usually smaller and compact in size. Burr grinders are the more popular as they give even and precise grinding results. They work just like a pepper mill as the coffee beans are ground by passing through two metal objects. Burr grinders usually have a number of grinding settings to choose from, larger in size, noisy and more expensive. If you enjoy grinding by hand, manual grinders are smaller and inexpensive. Again, these work like a pepper mill by grinding beans between two burrs. 

What features to look out for?

Depending on your coffee needs, It’s worthwhile checking out what features you need before purchasing. The number of grinding settings determines how many brew styles you’ll use. Less than 30 is sufficient if you’ll only use standard brews like French press or pour over. Capacity of the hopper will determine your cup quantity, and the speed will affect the time it takes to grind your coffee. 

What are the grind sizes for different types of coffee?

Typically, these are the best grind levels for your favourite coffee:

• Very fine – Turkish coffee and espresso
• Fine – Espresso
• Medium fine – Light espresso
• Medium – Light pour over/drip coffee
• Coarse – French press
• Very coarse – Cold brew

The post Best coffee grinders 2021: burr coffee grinders for delicious brews appeared first on Ideal Home.

Be still our beating hearts… this stunning barn conversion has our pulses racing with its explosion of laidback interiors, smart layout ideas and lush countryside views.

Set in the village of Ascott-under-Wychwood in Oxfordshire, Meadowbank Barn is a four-bedroom, three-bathroom property that oozes charm, with a relaxed decor that’s almost New England in its style. In fact, it’s so beautifully decorated that it’s even been featured in a number of interior publications.

That’s no surprise when you learn it’s been renovated to an exacting standard by a renowned local interior designer and includes a contemporary extension and separate one-bedroom annexe.

What we love most about it though, is that despite having an open-plan layout, every area is very defined. The dining room, living area and kitchen all flow from one to the other, but each display their own individual style and space.

Meadowbank Barn exterior

Image credit: Knight Frank

Here it is, Meadowbank Barn in all its glory. Built-in traditional Cotswold stone, you can see that there’s plenty of glazed doors and windows to allow light inside.

Living room

Image credit: Knight Frank

After some blue living room ideas? Then you’re in luck, as this space shows how small hits of blue can really punctuate a palette of neutrals to create a relaxed setting with subtle pops of colour. We’re not sure what we like best about this area – the white panelled walls, mid-century desk tucked into an alcove, or the mix of striped and patterned upholstered seating.

This space is open-plan with the dining room and kitchen. Each space is in the same colour palette to tie them all together.

Kitchen-diner

Image credit: Knight Frank

On to the kitchen-diner where one end hosts a large dining table, while the other features a fully-fitted kitchen. Integrated appliances, a range cooker and a central island unit with breakfast bar ensure this kitchen has every base covered.

If you’re stuck for kitchen ideas note the wine rack at the end of the island, the gorgeous glass pendant lights and the scaffold shelves over by the cooker.

Wondering what the door in the corner is, with the blackboard on it? It’s exactly as the sign above says – a walk-in larder!

Image credit: Knight Frank

At the other end of the room you can see some good dining room storage ideas. A large built-in coat rack area sits next to the stairs, with cubbies for shoe storage, a cushioned bench to sit on when taking shoes on and off, and more cubbyholes overhead for storage baskets.

To the left, the dining table is a statement in itself, with beautifully upholstered chairs and a black and glass pendant light overhead. 

Bedrooms

Image credit: Knight Frank

Upstairs there are four bedrooms, with the master including an en suite with a separate shower and a walk-in wardrobe.

How luxurious does this design feel, with its scalloped-shape headboard, sparkling glass pendant lights in place of lamps, and layers of bedding and pillows? We’d happily have this as our room to retreat to each night.

Image credit: Knight Frank

We couldn’t resist showing you a sneak peek of this deep blue-coloured bedroom as well, with its striking wallpapered ceiling, blue-painted wall panelling and smart fabric headboard. Notice the sliding doors into the room too, which maximise space even in rooms like this.

Outside space

Image credit: Knight Frank

Slide back those bi-fold doors and step out into the gorgeous secluded garden, which has an attractive alfresco dining area. We love the mix of stone and cladding used on the barn, which creates a real contrast of textures.

As if all that wasn’t enough, Meadowbank Barn also offers a completely separate annexe, which is currently used as a design studio. It has a good-size sitting room with log burner, a kitchen-diner, double bedroom and shower room with separate WC. Perfect for letting out on Airbnb or using as a home office – or even just for friends and family to stay in when they visit.

If you’re as in love with this property as we are, you can find out more over at Knight Frank, where it’s up for sale for £975,000.

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Made by Gozney, the company behind the super popular gas-powered Roccbox (which many pro-chefs swear by), the Gozney Dome premium outdoor oven has been three years in the making and is the brand’s latest launch. When the Dome first became available this summer, the initial stock sold out instantly. While the next drop of stock is still unconfirmed, you can now register your interest to find out when that is.

Touted as more than just a pizza oven, the Dome promises to make great pizza, as well as roast, smoke, steam and bake a wide array of dishes, both quickly on a high heat, as well as low and slow. We were keen to give the Dome a thorough test and see how it fared against other buys our best pizza oven list.

We managed to get our hands on a Dome on loan for a few weeks. Our main aim was to put it through its paces and basically see if it lived up to all the hype.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5/5 stars

The Dome can be placed on any heat-proof surface, but as it weighs 58kg, it’ll need to be one that can bear such a hefty load, and as such, it isn’t something you’ll want to have to move around once in place. Gozney sells a stand that has been made specifically for the Dome. At £289, it’s not cheap, but it raises the Dome to a really comfortable height, so you don’t end up constantly bending to look inside.

It’s extremely sturdy, features two drop leaf side tables, two further shelves underneath and handy ‘S’ hooks for hanging all sorts from. Finally, it features lockable castors so you can move it around on a flat surface without too much trouble, which is a huge bonus for something so heavy.

Reasons to buy:

• Easy to use
• Look super stylish
• Extremely versatile – you can cook so much on it
• Integrated thermometer
• Makes delicious stone-baked pizzas in 60 seconds

Reasons to avoid:

• Expensive
• Lots of extras (which cost extra)
• Not the best choice for novices

Gozney Dome

While it looks like a modern pizza oven, the Gozney Dome outdoor oven is that, and plenty more. It comes in two colourways – cream and olive green – and also two fuel choices: just wood or dual fuel (wood or gas). You can also use charcoal in either, but for that you’ll need a charcoal box which you’ll need to buy separately.

The Dome is relatively easy to use, but if you’ve not used a wood oven before, it may take some getting used to.

Fuel-wise, you should use small chunks of kiln-dried wood and natural firelighters for a wood fire, while Gozney recommends you use at least a 9kg (ideally a 13kg) tank of gas. Consumption works out at around two hours per kg.

Dome specs:

• Type: wood (kiln-dried) or dual fuel (kiln-dried wood or gas).
• Pizza size: 16in/40cm
• Oven opening size: H12cm x W41cm
• Cooking surface: W55.8 x D45.7cm; 3cm thick cordierite stone
• Overall dimensions: H19cm x W55cm x D47cm
• Weight: 58kg
• Temperature: 500ºC/950ºF

What’s in the box?

The Gozney Dome arrived in a huge box, weighing over 68kg in its packaging

It comes with a detachable flue and cap, a digital thermometer, display unit and batteries, two temperature probes, an air vent/ashtray and a dock and accessory port (more on that later).

It does not come with the stand, or any accessories like a pizza placement peel or a fuel-turning peel. These are available to buy separately at £75 and £59 respectively.

They’re both pretty essential pieces of kit to have (and the pizza peel is by far the best I’ve ever used) so it’s a shame Gozney don’t include these in the price, but if that seems too pricey, you can easily find similar versions elsewhere for less.

It also doesn’t come with a weatherproof cover, which – unless you buy the stand and are able to wheel it into a shed or garage when not in use – is a must-have too.

Setting up the Dome outdoor oven

The Dome was delivered to my front door in a mammoth box. Living in a terraced house, we don’t have direct access to the back garden from the front, so it took my husband and I the best part of half an hour to move the beast through the house and outside into the back.

The box has plastic reinforced carry handles on either side which sadly didn’t last long and made the carrying it all the harder once broken. This is categorically NOT a one person job and might even be too much for those who aren’t accustomed to lugging heavy weights.

Assembling the oven

The Dome requires just a few simple bits of assembly and then it’s pretty much ready to go. We both took it out of the box using the single use lifting straps and put it on the stand where it sits snugly. The Dome needs to sit on a heat-proof surface with 30cm clearance around the back and sides and at least 100cm clearance at the front. So while the stand is a great option, you don’t necessarily need it.

As the instructions suggested, I assembled the flue, inserted the steam plug and ashtray and added two AA batteries (supplied) to the temperature display unit. The display then just needed to be turned on, connected to the sensor lead and slotted into place on the front of the Dome.

Duel fuel ovens also need an AAA battery installed into the ignition module. None of the set up is very taxing or time consuming and is explained clearly in the instructions.

Understanding the fuel set up

The Dome dual fuel oven gives you the option of cooking with wood or gas, with means it has two holes in the cooking stone, one on either side. The hole on the left is the gas outlet, while the one on the right is where airflow can be regulated when cooking with wood. This also leads into a small drawer where you can collect any ash after use.

Depending on which fuel you use, there are three additional pieces of kit that you need to install. An air inlet puck, a burner guard and a stone puck – the latter is placed over the hole that you’re not using to give you an uninterrupted cooking space.

For instance, when you’re cooking with gas, you should have the burner guard (a metal ring) placed on top of the gas hole and the stone puck covering the right hand side hole. The burner guard ensures nothing falls into the gas inlet. You’ll obviously need to connect the gas regulator connected to the rear of the oven, too but this is all clearly explained in the instructions and isn’t difficult if you’ve cooked with gas before.

When cooking with wood, you should have the stone puck covering the gas inlet and the mesh puck covering the ash chute, again so no debris falls into the chute. This all may sound fiddly and far more complicated than it is. After doing it a couple of times, I found it became second nature.

Before using it to cook, though, Gozney recommends seasoning the cooking stone. Not doing this may damage or even crack it. Seasoning just means firing up the oven on a medium to low heat for around 30 minutes. Once that’s done, I was good to go.

What is the Gozney Dome Outdoor Oven like to use?

To light a wood fire, you stack kindling or smaller pieces of wood in a Jenga-style tower around a natural firelighter

Which is better to cook on? wood or gas?

This is the third wood-fired pizza oven that I’ve cooked on, so I’m no stranger to lighting a wood fire. It takes some getting used to but once you’ve mastered it, it’s a very satisfying experience and it’s perfect for those who like to tinker, poke and prod the flames when cooking.

Wood gives food – particularly pizzas – a specific wood-fired taste that you don’t get with gas. However, gas don’t takes half the time it takes a wood fire to get up to the temperature you need to make pizza. So wood is preferable if you have the time, gas is best if you fancy a quick fix or you’re not cooking lots.

Cooking with wood

When building a wood fire, I would always advise that you don’t improvise with the ingredients. They probably won’t work, they likely won’t last and worse still, they might even damage the oven you’re using. Gozney recommends using natural firelighters. From experience, the chemical ones blast out horrid, foul smelling smoke so are best avoided. Kindling wood is a handy must-have too, as are small pieces of kiln-dried wood.

I placed a firelighter in the centre of the oven, then stacked kindling around and upwards Jenga-style. Once lit, and when the fire got going, I added some kiln wood. Then (as per the instructions) I moved it over to the left hand side using the turning peel.

After half an hour or so, I moved it to the other side, to sit on top of the metal mesh puck, then added more wood. I then opened the ash tray fully by turning the control dial to the open position. This allowed oxygen to get to the fire which boosted the heat and flame.

To make the best pizza, you need to do it in an extremely hot oven, around 450ºC. Ideally the flames should be rolling over the top inside of the oven, too. The majority of pizza ovens don’t feature a temperature gauge. This  means there’s a lot of guesswork as to whether the oven is hot or not. That is, unless you have a (separate) infrared thermometer. The Dome however, has a digital temperature gauge, which gives an accurate reading every time and stops you from having a soggy-bottomed pizza.

All in all, I would recommend you sit down and have a good read of the booklet the oven comes with before you light it up. It’s packed with lots of essential information and handy tips that will make your enjoyment of the oven all the better.

Cooking in the Gozney Dome outdoor oven

In the pizza goes…

Making pizza was a cinch. If you’ve done it before, you’ll know that success is all in the prep. Have everything ready to go so you can make everything run smoothly as pizzas take so little time to cook. After prepping my dough and adding my toppings, I placed my topped base on a wooden chopping board, ready to go.

From the board, I slid my prepped dough onto the pizza peel and then popped it straight into the oven. Again, I’m fortunate enough to have done this a good few times so I tend to know what consistency the dough needs to be for it to work. Too wet and it’ll stick to the peel. In all honesty, a LOT of pizzas were harmed in the making of this pizza chef..!

Once in the oven, you can instantly see the crust bubble up. Using the turning peel, I edged the pizza slightly clockwise every 20 seconds or so until it was cooked. Two more pizzas followed, all with different toppings. I also made a Pizza Bianca (a base topped with fresh rosemary, EV olive oil and Maldon salt) for good measure. And yes, they were all delicious!

The finished pizza. The first of many!

What else can you cook in the Gozney Dome Outdoor Oven?

The following day, I cooked a large steak in the oven, this time using gas. And oh, is it easy to use! Much like a regular gas hob, you push in the gas dial and turn the dial 90º to the left to light the pilot light. Once that’s on, you whack it up to full flame. After 15-20 minutes, the temperature had reached 400ºC and it was ready to cook on.

Unlike pizzas, it’s best not to cook other things directly on the pizza stone.  If you do, you run the risk of staining it and the surface can become greasy and possibly catch fire. For this you’ll need a cast iron pan or skillet. The Gozney team kindly provided me with one (unbranded) but they’re widely available to buy. Make sure you buy a pre-seasoned one or remember to season it yourself before cooking.

I put the empty pan in the oven and while that was heating up, I placed the two external probes into the steak. The trick is to get the probes into the coldest part of the steak. And to always remember to take the meat out of the fridge for at least half an hour before cooking. The other end of the probes are then plugged into the oven beside the temperature display.

When you have one or both probes attached, the temperature gauge display flips between the oven temperature and the probes. The booklet features a list of optimum internal temperatures for meat, poultry and fish so you’ll know when it’s perfectly cooked.

Here’s one Gozney made earlier…

The steak took around 10-15 minutes to cook and I turned it occasionally. Following one of the brand’s recipes, I aimed for an internal temperature of 51°C for a medium rare steak. Once the probes hit that mark, I took the meat out to rest.

Bear in mind, when cooking anything other than pizza, you’ll need to invest in a good quality thick, long armed oven or barbecuing glove. My kitchen glove wasn’t nearly enough protection as the oven reaches crazy hot temperatures.

Unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of the steak when cooked. Total greed fail. Led by hunger, I completely forgot to snap it before it was scoffed the second it hit the dinner table.

I also cooked corn on the cob in the oven. Using a rack from a roasting dish I owned, I turned it upside down to make a grilling rack for the cobs. They, too, came out perfectly cooked and deliciously slightly charred.

If you’re a fan of cooking on direct heat, you may still not want to part with a basic charcoal barbecue. Despite that, the Dome certainly certainly fares well against any best BBQ on the market right now.

Corn on the cob cooking on an upturned grill rack in the Gozney Dome outdoor oven. Cooked using gas, instead of wood.

What else can you cook in the Gozney Dome outdoor oven?

You can use the Gozney Dome outdoor oven to cook a wide array of dishes. The company will be bringing out a while array of extras you can buy to widen its cooking opportunities. Extras include an oven door for low and slow cooking, as well as a steam injector that ensures a super crispy crust when baking bread.

A host of new attachments (all bought separately) promise to make the oven all the more versatile. Unfortunately, none of these were available to me at the time of reviewing so I was limited to just making pizzas and roasting meat and vegetables.

Cleaning the Gozney Dome outdoor oven

Cleaning the Gozney Dome outdoor oven is incredibly easy. Much like a domestic pyrolytic oven burns off dirt at a very high temperature, so does this. So if a bit of cheese pops off your pizza onto the stone, don’t despair. It’ll eventually burn away.

After burning wood, there will be a little ash left over, but when the oven is completely cool. To clean the ash out, remove the mesh puck and sweep all the ash down the hole into the ash tray, which slides out like a drawer.

The oven I tested suffered from a lot of smoke staining to the outside (just above the oven opening). The booklet suggested this was because I had overfed the fire. Oddly though, this happened when I used both wood and gas. Regardless, the exterior of the oven can be cleaned with kitchen roll or a damp cloth.

Is the Gozney Dome outdoor oven with the money?

This is all really down to personal preference. If style and performance are really important to you and you’re willing to pay top dollar for both, then yes, I’d definitely recommend it. It’s a fantastic piece of cooking equipment. And now that we’re all spending more time outdoors, it’ll raise your entertaining game to a whole new level.

The wood only version is cheaper, but for an extra £300, dual fuel will give you the option of cooking with gas if you don’t have the time to build a wood fire.

Provided you plan to use it often and it’s replacing an old barbecue or pizza oven, it’s a superb investment. It’s made to commercial specifications, built to last and you know when you see it, that you’ll be using this for decades.

My only gripe – and why I haven’t given it top marks – is that Gozney is charging so much for all the extras. These extras may have all been made to commercial grade spec, but they are still being sold to a residential audience.

The verdict: should you buy a Gozney Dome outdoor oven?

If you’re a good cook and keen to expand your outdoor cooking repertoire, then you should buy a Gozney Dome outdoor oven. It is, by a long shot, the best outdoor oven I have ever used at this price point.

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