October/November 2022
ertonline.co.uk
Miele’s Scout RX3 robo vac. Left, its ‘PerfectFresh Active’ refrigerator
The smell of sizzling bacon As is ever the case in the white goods halls at IFA, you can eat your way around the show. Even though it was its first year showcasing at IFA, Product Care Group – license partners to Spectrum Brands on Russell Hobbs and George Foreman – capitalised on this with cooking demos. While I was there, it was the smell of sizzling bacon that drew passers-by, wafting gently across from its SatisFry Air & Grill Multi Cooker. Its multiple cooking functions, such as slow-cook, roasting and baking, make it the perfect alternative to switching on the oven, especially if you’re just cooking one or two small items: a definite nod to sustainability. Russell Hobbs’ mini
coolers,
Sustainability was also the focus for Miele, both from an energy saving point of view and minimising food waste. Once I’d torn myself away from its robot vacuum cleaner, the Scout RX3, which was happily whizzing around a raised floor area like a battery-powered pup, the main attractions were its K4000 series freestanding refrigerators and cooking appliances. The eco appeal of the former is clear; each is equipped with a ‘PerfectFresh Active’ system in which the combination of a temperature of around zero degrees with humidity and a fine mist of water keeps fruit and veggies fresh for longer. However, the sustainability angle of its cooking was less evident: it comprised induction hobs with integrated downdraft extractors, which are more efficient and quieter, as well as a host of new ovens, including entry-level models, which, like the fridge freezers and hobs, have been tested to last 20 years or more. The message is simply that longer-lasting appliances mean you won’t have to replace them as often.
LG occupied a substantial amount of space, with newly launched products and popular models. Some were not yet scheduled to launch in the UK or EMEA, but incorporated to demonstrate the scale of innovation. While from a distance, it appeared as though the showcase had its own nightclub, this turned out to be the MoodUp Fridge (middle)! It was a lot of fun, and did seem to have a more practical angle than ka itchen disco. After all, who hasn’t seen homeowners struggling with the concept of buying a bright red fridge for a splash of colour, only to end up buying a ‘safer’ choice of stainless steel or black for greater perceived longevity? Reassuringly, when the MoodUp’s door panels are switched off, it’s soothing grey and white.
Also on show was the bottom- freezer refrigerator destined for the European market, complete with an improved condenser and heat exchanger for more efficient and even cold air, and ‘DoorCooling’, which sends out cold air from the top of the compartment so hard-to-reach areas stay chilled. Plus, the
brand’s Inverter Linear Compressor delivers a 10 per cent reduction in annual energy consumption compared to other A-rated LG fridges.
table top
dishwashers and microwaves were also a big hit at the show, including its four-in-one air fryer digital combination microwave. It boasts nine air fryer settings alongside grill and bake functions, and arrives in the UK next month.
Another consumer trend – that of switching from cafés to making barista-style coffee at home – was evidenced by its Attentiv Coffee Bar machine. The multi-tasking SDA is able to create everything from cappuccinos to cold brew, although it’s not clear if it’ll write the wrong name on your coffee cup too! Either way, it’s yet another clear sign that consumers are asking for more from their appliances – although whether they’re up to the task of planet- saving remains to be seen.
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