Category Archives: Built-in appliances

AEG Launches PizzaExpert

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AEG Launches Pizza ExpertOven for Restaurant‑Quality Results at HomeAEG has introduced its new PizzaExpert oven, developed in response to Electrolux research showing that while 72% of Brits regularly eat pizza, only 36% have ever made one at home. The brand’s goal: make authentic, pizzeria‑style results achievable in a standard built‑in oven.Heating up to 340°C, the PizzaExpert delivers a crisp base, airy crust and evenly cooked toppings in around 2.5 minutes. The oven uses precise temperature control, optimised airflow and targeted heat distribution to replicate professional conditions.AEG says it is the only domestic oven approved by the Scuola Italiana Pizzaioli, the internationally recognised school for professional pizza craftsmanship. It ships with dedicated accessories including a cast‑iron pizza tray and Pizza Peel for safe handling.Beyond pizza, the oven retains full everyday functionality with Hot Air, Grill, and a suite of automatic cooking programmes with pre‑set recipes.The PizzaExpert marks AEG’s latest push into premium cooking performance, tapping into the growing consumer appetite for high‑temperature, specialist ovens within the mainstream built‑in market.

Fisher & Paykel Unveil New 30” Steam Assist Oven at Milan Design Week 2026

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Fisher & Paykel returned to Milan Design Week with a standout showcase centred on its State of the Art Collection—a design‑driven suite that continues to push the boundaries of premium built‑in cooking. This year’s hero launch was the brand‑new 30” Steam Assist Oven in Minimal Style, making its global debut in Milan and anchoring the brand’s evolving cooking ecosystem.Ritual, Refinement and the Future of Cooking

Fisher & Paykel’s messaging in Milan centred on a simple but powerful idea: routines become rituals when design removes friction. The new Steam Assist Oven embodies that philosophy, pairing precision performance with seamless integration into surrounding cabinetry. The result is an appliance that feels less like a machine and more like a natural extension of the kitchen environment.

The Minimal Style aesthetic—clean lines, flush integration, and a restrained material palette—continues Fisher & Paykel’s long-standing commitment to quiet luxury. It’s a look increasingly favoured in high-end European kitchen design, and Milan proved the perfect stage for its introduction.

A Flagship for the State of the Art Collection

The new 30” Steam Assist Oven sits at the centre of Fisher & Paykel’s premium built‑in line-up, complementing companion products such as:

– Integrated cooktops 
– Column refrigeration 
– Minimal Style warming drawers 
– Precision‑engineered ventilation solutions

While the LinkedIn post focused on the oven, the wider stand at Milan showcased how these appliances work together as a cohesive ecosystem—something Fisher & Paykel has been refining for years.

Why This Matters for the Trade

For retailers, designers and specifiers, this launch signals several key trends:

– Steam remains the premium cooking battleground, with brands investing heavily in hybrid steam‑assisted technologies. 
– Minimalist integration is accelerating, especially in the luxury segment. 
– Milan continues to be the proving ground for design‑led appliance innovation, and Fisher & Paykel is positioning itself firmly within that space.

With the State of the Art Collection expanding, expect further product rollouts aligned to this design language and performance philosophy.

The 2026 iteration of Lhov introduces enhanced voice assistant.

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The Lhov remains the only appliance to integrate induction cooking, a full‑size oven and patented extraction in one unit — including extraction directly from the oven cavity, a first for the industry.

At EuroCucina, Elica also highlighted upgraded voice control, allowing users to manage cooking programmes, extraction and oven functions hands‑free. The brand positioned the new Finish matte White finish.   as part of its push toward seamless, design‑led kitchen integration.

LG’s new built‑in products

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LG’s new built‑in products were developed specifically for European homes, with a focus on platforms, user experience, and seamless integration.

Highlights include:

– Minimalist exteriors with reduced parting lines 
– Matte finishes designed to harmonise with European cabinetry 
– Top‑mounted freezer refrigerators, redesigned with multi‑level shelving and easy‑clean drawers 
– Fit&Max design philosophy — optimising space and usability (Fit) while maximising smart functionality and efficiency (Max)

This approach positions LG to compete more directly with established European built‑in specialists.

Whirlpool Introduces MattProtect: A More Durable Induction Hob Surface

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Whirlpool is expanding its cooking portfolio with the launch of MattProtect, a new induction hob surface engineered for enhanced durability and easier day‑to‑day maintenance. The brand positions this finish as a step-change in surface resistance, aimed at consumers who want premium aesthetics without compromising robustness.

Matte Finish Built to Last
The MattProtect surface delivers three times more resistance to halos, scratches and impacts compared with standard vitroceramic glass. It also reduces visible marks, helping users keep the hob looking clean with less effort — a key selling point in a category where maintenance and appearance strongly influence purchase decisions.

FlexiCook and 6th Sense: Whirlpool’s Signature Technologies
The new model integrates FlexiCook, Whirlpool’s adaptive cooking system that automatically detects pan position and adjusts the active zone and power level accordingly. 
It also includes 6th Sense assisted functions such as Keep Warm and Melt, which automatically regulate power for precise, low‑temperature tasks.

Elica’s Virtus Oven Line Wins Red Dot Award 2026 for Product Design

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Elica has once again been recognised on the world stage, with the Virtus oven line winning the Red Dot Award 2026 – Product Design in the Kitchen and Household category. The achievement strengthens Elica’s position as one of the most design‑driven brands in the built‑in cooking sector, continuing a trajectory that consistently blends architectural styling with advanced performance.

The Red Dot Award remains one of the most influential international design competitions, judged annually by an independent panel of global experts. Products are evaluated on innovation, aesthetic quality, functionality, and the ability to elevate everyday use through thoughtful design. Winning in the Product Design category signals that the Virtus line not only meets these criteria but stands out among hundreds of global submissions.

Elica’s Virtus ovens reflect the brand’s ongoing commitment to refined materials, intuitive interfaces, and a cohesive design language that aligns with modern kitchen architecture. The Red Dot jury’s recognition highlights the continuity of Elica’s design philosophy — one that prioritises clarity, precision, and a premium user experience.

For Elica, the 2026 award reinforces a long‑term design path that continues to resonate with both consumers and the wider design community, further cementing its role in shaping the future of cooking appliances.

ASKO Brings “Precision Matters” to Life with Immersive Installation at EuroCucina 2026

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ASKO used this year’s EuroCucina to sharpen its design message with a showcase built entirely around its guiding philosophy: “Precision Matters.” The brand delivered this through an immersive, multi‑sensory environment that connected art, engineering, and Scandinavian craftsmanship.

At the centre of the stand was a striking interactive installation developed with Cosmodernism, the art project led by Kamil Czapiga. The piece visualised how pigment responds to controlled heat — a live, evolving demonstration of the accuracy that underpins ASKO’s Celsius oven technology. It offered visitors a rare look at the science behind the brand’s temperature‑led cooking approach.

That theme of meticulous control carried across the wider presentation, including the latest Celsius ovens, the next‑generation Scandinavian Laundry Care 2.0 range, and ASKO’s award‑winning dishwashers and wine climate cabinets. Each product line reinforced the same message: performance shaped by care, and quality defined by detail.

Midea Targets UK Growth as Market Opens New Space

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Midea’s European leadership says the UK is now firmly in its sights — but only because the timing is finally right. 
“We identified the UK and Italy as important markets,” says Larry Yuen. “But timing matters. We wanted the right organisation, products, and service structure before entering. Now we feel ready.”

That readiness comes with selectivity. 
“We are not going to work with everyone,” Yuen adds. “It has to be a two‑way decision. Retailers choose us, and we choose them. We want partners who believe in the brand and want to grow with us. It’s about total margin — balancing volume and profitability so retailers can build a sustainable business.”

Mauro Correia sees a market undergoing rapid change — and opportunity. 
“Some traditional suppliers have had very tough moments in recent years,” he says. “That creates space for companies that can bring innovation and competitiveness at the same time.”

Given Midea’s scale, investment power and long‑term European ambitions, few in the trade would bet against the group converting this momentum into meaningful UK market share. And with a revitalised Teka brand now back under the same roof, the combined offer is broad enough to make many kitchen specialists take a fresh look.

Gaggenau Presents Presence at Milan Design Week 2026

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Gaggenau returned to Milan Design Week with Presence, an immersive architectural installation staged within the iconic Villa Necchi Campiglio. The showcase marks the third chapter in the brand’s ongoing Milan series, following acclaimed editions in 2024 and 2022.

Blending architecture, culture and culinary craft, Presence continues Gaggenau’s exploration of how design can shape sensory experience. Culinary excellence remains central to the brand’s identity, and this year’s edition features a standout collaboration with three‑Michelin‑star chef Tohru Nakamura, whose creations were conceived to complement and elevate the installation’s spatial narrative.

Below is a curated selection of images from the Presence installation at Villa Necchi Campiglio during Milan Design Week 2026.

Samsung’s “Design is an Act of Love” showcase at Milan Design Week 2026

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Samsung’s “Design is an Act of Love” showcase at Milan Design Week 2026 just gave us a glimpse of the next generation of white goods. The 2026 Bespoke AI lineup moves away from clunky appliances toward “invisible” tech that acts like high-end furniture.
Here are the highlights from the White Goods Now team:
1. The Extractor Induction Hob
The overhead range hood is officially a relic. This all-in-one unit features:
Integrated Suction: A powerful vent in the center of the cooktop pulls steam and odors down instantly.
Flex Zone Plus: No fixed rings—place any size pot anywhere on the surface and the AI detects it.
2. Bespoke AI Single 1Door Fridge & Freezer
Perfect for that seamless, built-in kitchen aesthetic:
Zero Clearance Fit: Requires only a 4mm side gap, allowing it to sit perfectly flush with cabinetry.
Auto Open Door: A touch sensor pops the door open for you—ideal for when your hands are full of groceries.
3. SmartThings: The “Brain”
The entire lineup is connected via SmartThings, focusing heavily on AI Energy Mode. The system learns your habits to optimize power usage, running heavy cycles (like the dishwasher) during off-peak hours to slash utility bills.
The Verdict: Samsung is making the kitchen smarter and sleeker. These aren’t just tools; they’re intuitive assistants designed to blend into your home.