What’s so special about De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next?

The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is a fully automated machine, which is perfect for those who want quick and easy, specialty made coffee at home. The machine sits in the higher end of the entry tier for automatic machines, however performs like a mid-high tier machine. This coffee machine is great for busy parents, or those who have long morning commutes and desire a quick pick-me-up before the day starts. It is also fully customisable with 13 drink options and can store three user profiles. Plus, if you’re like me and find milk frothing an impossible task, the machine features a carafe for perfectly frothed milk at the touch of a button.

De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next features and size

• Size: 240 x 440 x 360 mm
• Weight: 9.6 kg
• Milk carafe with LatteCrema Hot Technology
• 3 user profiles for advanced personalisation
• Soft touch buttons
• 2.4′ TFT colour display
• Twin shot
• Can use beans and pre-ground coffee
• Programmable water hardness
• Water filter included

How to use the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next

You will need to put some time aside to set up your coffee machine and to give it all the attention it deserves. The machine set up is made easy with an instructional display that will guide you through every step of the process.

On first use, it will guide you through a standard setup. This includes filling the water tank, running through a rinsing cycle, and testing the water hardness level. You also have the option to install a water filter, which is included in the box. While a lengthy process, the instructions are detailed and you have the option to go back to previous instructions in case you missed a step. You only need to go through this process once, and then you’re all set!

At first use, the De’Longhi machine recommends making 4-5 coffees before drinking to obtain the ideal result in a cup. Use this as an opportunity to play around with size and intensity to see what you like best. The machine also has an option to use pre-ground coffee instead of beans. Once you find a coffee setting that you like best, you have the option to save this profile for future use.

As for beans, I used the Dhuwa Coffee Beans Kickstart Blendfrom Woolworths, however De’Longhi have their own signature and specialty blends that you can purchase.

Results from our test

As someone who doesn’t have a lot of time in the morning, I loved using the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next for a quick and easy coffee before my commute. I found the display beginner-friendly, and the machine easy to use. After many coffees – and a lot of caffeine – I found myself buzzing with excitement after every brew.

It took me around 10 coffees to figure out what settings I liked to use and to create my user profile. I don’t have anyone else in my household who likes coffee, but there are two more user profiles available if that changes, or if I feel like shaking things up a little bit. Plus, with 13 drink options, variety is just a button away!

Ultimately, the whole coffee making process takes around three minutes, including the machine warm up and clean up process. As for physical labour, I spent at most 30 seconds with the machine, including turning on and off the machine, choosing my coffee profile and filling the carafe with milk. This meant the rest of the time was reserved for cleaning and putting my energy into other tasks. I found this process so much more beneficial for my time compared to using a manual coffee machine which needed a lot of time and attention to make the perfect coffee.

The machine itself is wider than a standard pod machine but still small enough to fit on most kitchen benches., Those with small kitchen spaces like myself might not benefit from such a long machine taking up their island space. Gratefully, I have my own separate coffee table set-up (I highly recommend this, you’ll feel like your own personal barista) so it wasn’t an issue for me. I would also recommend keeping a container nearby as the machine expels water before and after use. If you do forget however, the machine will let you know when the drip tray is ready to be emptied.

Overall, is the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next worth it?

Absolutely. While the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is a large machine, if you have the space, this machine is going to be a gamechanger for your home. It has already saved me so much time and money as I no longer need to buy coffee’s out. Plus, the barista-style results are a delicious bonus.

Where to buy the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next

The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is exclusively available online. Normally priced at $1,149, De’Longhi is offering it to our readers for just $899. Simply use the code “HOME” at checkout.

• Magnifica Evo Next, price $899 (usually $1149), De’Longhi

The post I was hopeless at making coffee, until I found the perfect machine appeared first on Home Beautiful.

What’s so special about the King Living 1977 sofa?

The colour (Mangrove) – a beautiful dark foresty green, is perfect for a house with children and a dog with free reign over all the furniture. The fabric, so soft and tactile – hard-wearing enough my dog won’t ruin it but so, soooo soft I still catch myself running my hands over it at night whilst watching TV. And most importantly – what it felt like to sit in it. Like a hug. Like a big, soothing, cocooning, supportive hug.

“From the moment I sat on it, I knew this baby was coming home.”

King Living 1977 sofa materials and size

• King steel frame and postureflex® seating system backed by a 25-year steel frame warranty
• CFC-free foam and fibres
• Stretch ‘Leura’ boucle fabric: 100% Polyester
• Quilted ‘Tempest’ fabric: 99% Polyester, 1% Spandex
• 3 modules with chaise: H710 x W2680 x D960mm
• Ottoman: H380 x W700 x D680mm

How to use the King 1977 sofa

This is a product review, so we need to cover all bases here, and we all know how to use a sofa, but the important consideration is how YOU use a sofa. Be honest about the time you spend on it and the attributes it needs to provide for you in terms of comfort, support and flexibility. For now – I’m happily ensconced in the corner of the sofa, legs stretched out on the matching ottoman. Perfectly relaxed, (and back supported!) refining and curating my final living room look. … I’m still searching for the perfect cushions to tie in with my new colour scheme.  

Results from our test

Within 24 hours of discovering the sofa online I had corralled the friend – who I knew was a “shopping enabler” – for a weekend visit to the showroom. Our mission: to discover it was as good IRL as it looked online. The hook: it was on sale with a whopping 50% off.

I’ve bought expensive feather-filled sofas. They look beautiful. Then you sit on them. The constant need to replump cushions killed me. So that one was sold on Marketplace to make space for a new one. Next time I chose a classic looking, high density foam one. The seat cushions didn’t need replumping but my back always hurt sitting on it. Propping oneself up with 2 cushions behind,  to sit perfectly straight. A relaxing night bingeing TV on the sofa this did not make.

Saturday morning arrived and we were first in line waiting for the shop to open – we were going to see if this sofa lived up to the hype I was building. And from the moment I sat on it, I knew this baby was coming home. The shopping enabler tried to talk me down off my shopping high. And then she sat on it herself… and started trash-talking her own sofa and thinking about where she could put one in her house.  And once I discovered that you could buy removable covers to switch up your look – I couldn’t hand over my money fast enough.

Overall, is the King 1977 sofa worth it?

Absolutely. The 1977 sofa is like all my living room dreams bundled into one beautiful, stylish piece. I admit – changing up the looks within my home is something I thoroughly enjoy doing – I’ve been known to completely restyle and rearrange the entire room in under an hour – so the fact that this sofa has triggered a living room reset for me doesn’t disappoint me.

Where to buy King Living 1977 sofa

• King Living SUMMER SALE, 3 module packages from $2490
• King Living, 3 module packages usually from $3910

The post My new King Living 1977 sofa sparked a makeover of my whole living room (and I’m not mad about it…) appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Cleaning floors isn’t exactly rocket science, but the last frontier that wet floor cleaners such as Dyson’s Wash G1 aim to conquer is the business of washing away spills and solids in one hit. It sounds oddly specific, but if you’re a passionate (read: messy) cook, have small children or indoor pets, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

Take, for example, the feeding of a baby. At the conclusion of every meal, there’s a mess on the floor to contend with. It could be saucy spaghetti strands, sticky rice (that stuff spreads) or steamed pumpkin. You really don’t have much choice but to get down on your hands and knees and pick up the solids one-by-one before hauling out the mop and bucket to finish the job. Until now. Dyson’s Wash G1 is designed to pick up both wet and dry messes and wash your floors at the same time – all without using suction.

Explaining how this works isn’t easy, but I’ll give it my best shot. The cleaning head basically has two microfibre rollers that spin in opposite directions to pick up debris as they mop and polish your floors. Meanwhile, clean water flows into the head and across the rollers while dirty water is simultaneously extracted and stored in its own designated tank. Solid debris is also filtered into its own tray that can be emptied into a bin at the conclusion of each clean. But does it really work? Is it really worth the $999 price tag? Dyson graciously lent me a review model so I could put it to the test in my own home on my own timber and tile floors. Here’s what I think. 

What’s so special about the Dyson Wash G1?

Hard floor cleaners, or wet floor cleaners, are designed to make cleaning your floors a breeze. The Dyson Wash G1 essentially does the job of a vacuum cleaner (albeit without suction) and a mop in one, with the added advantage of being able to pick up chunks of food and debris like pasta, peas or pet kibble, which would normally have to be picked up manually prior to mopping. Hard floor cleaners also have a motor that ‘drives’ the device as you use it, allowing the head to glide along the floor with little physical effort from the user.

How to use the Dyson Wash G1

1. Fill the clean water tank with water. Optional: add a low suds detergent to the water. 
2. Turn on the machine and use the onboard screen to adjust the amount of water used. 
3. Watch as messes are cleaned up right before your eyes. 
4. Once cleaning is complete, place the machine back on the charging dock. 
5. Empty the dirty water reservoir and refill the clean water reservoir. Replace back into the machine.
6. Select ‘Self clean’ cycle. Empty and rinse the debris tray.
7. Every few uses, check the rollers for debris and wash if necessary.

Results from our test

I fell hard and fast for the Wash G1 once I had it out of the box and set up. It took away a pinch point that had been bothering me for such a long time: post-toddler mealtime clean ups. Now, our family could simply enjoy meals together, no matter how messy things got. Toddler’s ‘yeeted’ (slang for throwing an object with force) an entire bowl of spaghetti on the floor? No worries. Accidentally knocked a cup of milk over while getting brekkie ready? No worries. I can’t stress enough how liberating it is to not have to worry about my floors, or wrecking my knees kneeling under the table picking up food scraps.

The ease of use extended to cleaning large swathes of my home. I promptly set about cleaning the tiled floors downstairs. It probably took me less than 15 minutes to cover the kitchen, dining and living zone. It was a breeze, but I noted some small dried-on stains on the tiles that just did not budge despite setting the machine to the highest water level. If I was using a spin mop or a flat mop, a bit of elbow grease would have made quick work of these spots, but you can’t apply any extra force with the Wash G1. It just doesn’t work like that.

Then it was time to do upstairs. Weighing in at just under 5kgs, this machine isn’t exactly heavy, but it is cumbersome to lug up the stairs. However, once I got it up there, it made light work of the bedrooms and bathroom. I’d washed and dried my hair that morning, so it had its work cut out picking up loose strands. It did eventually capture the bob-length hairs, but it did take three to five sweeps to do so. To clean the floors upstairs and downstairs required about three water changes.

Once finished, I lugged it back down the stairs. I am a domestic goddess, I thought, marvelling at my sparkling floors. As I placed the machine back on the dock, it prompted me to initiate the self-cleaning function. I’ll get to that later, I told myself. Big mistake.

Everything was fine and dandy, and I was pretty much a convert. I must admit, the next morning did I wake up to a very sore arm – turns out doing the entire house is a workout even if it feels like the machine is driving itself across the floor. I found myself actually getting excited about mess on the floor. Oh yes, another chance to whip out the Wash G1. That entire first week, I reached for it over my trusty stick vac and spin mop. I got so caught up in the joy of the appliance that I made one grave, grave error: not emptying the debris tray and not running the self-cleaning function. But more on this later …

How does the Dyson Wash G1 compare to other hard floor cleaning methods?

As much as I love the Wash G1, it won’t replace your vacuum cleaner, mop and bucket or even your flat mop – despite what the marketing materials suggest. Why? Because these old fashioned floor cleaning methods are affordable, multipurpose (you can clean skirting boards, kitchen cupboards and walls with a spin mop, for example), cheap to buy and, most importantly, easy to clean.

Who will love the Dyson Wash G1?

I’m not convinced that the Dyson Wash G1 will satisfy those who already clean their floors using an old-fashioned mop and bucket. I believe those who usually reach for a flat mop or a steam mop are the most likely to enjoy the Wash G1, simply because it offers the same kind of convenience, manoeuvrability and cleaning power. The Wash G1 is also likely to appeal to those with hybrid, vinyl or wood floors, as the machine uses just the right amount of water to get your floors clean without saturating them, and the quick-dry means a perfect, streak-free finish every time. 

But the group who will love this appliance the most? Parents and pet-parents. Cleaning up after messy meal-times, and tidying up spills and little accidents, is a breeze with the Dyson Wash G1. 

I have a confession to make…

Okay, so the glossy brochure part of this review is officially over. Now let’s get down and dirty – literally. After a week of gloriously slurping up messes effort free, I began to get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Those ‘self-cleaning’ prompts? I’d ignored them one too many times. Why? Well, I was in a  rush to tidy up the kitchen and then make a start on bath and bedtime. Also, the clean tank was empty (or was the dirty tank full?) and it just wasn’t convenient to empty and refill the canisters then and there and well… life happened. Anyway, so there I was, entering the garage where I keep all my cleaning supplies and I noticed it. The smell. And it was coming from the Wash G1. 

What happens when food scraps, spilt milk and stagnant water are left to sit in a dark corner where, let’s be real, air doesn’t circulate? I’m sure you can guess. I know, I know, this was 100 per cent my fault, but I’m including this embarrassing slip-up in my review because I believe the type of person this appliance was designed for – i.e. busy people – could easily make the same mistake. Plus, the wash-up that ensued was nothing short of horrific. 

Dyson recommend emptying the clean and dirty water tanks after each clean to avoid stagnant water. They also recommend initiating the ‘self-cleaning’ cycle after each use. The rollers, brushes and base of the charging dock should also be cleaned and dried once a week.

What I should have done

Cleaning the Dyson Wash G1

Before attempting to clean the Wash G1, I watched a series of soothing how-to videos on Dyson’s website. This’ll be a piece of cake, I told myself. Here’s my first person account of cleaning the unit…

Cleaning the debris tray

First I had to slide out the debris tray. It almost sounds quaint, debris tray. But what was inside was more akin to primordial slime than debris. I couldn’t just tap the contents into a bin as I’d imagined, I had to scrape off the smelly grey sludge and scrub every nook and cranny with a detergent-laden brush. 

Cleaning the rollers

Then came the microfibre rollers. Initially I rinsed them, added a touch of gentle laundry detergent and shampooed them thoroughly. I rinsed again. But upon lifting the roller to my nose, I couldn’t deny that the distinct smell of sour milk was still there. So I popped them in a bucket of Napisan for 30 minutes before rinsing them clean again. Thankfully this removed the odour.

Cleaning the brushes

And then it was time to turn my efforts to the machine itself. I wiped down the base of the machine (where all of the rollers and brushes attach) first with a damp cloth and a slosh of white vinegar (I was desperate to eliminate the odour). Then I wiped it down with a damp cloth and a drop of dishwashing liquid. Then I hand-washed the water canisters and hand dried them before refilling the clean tank and placing it back on the machine. All in all, there were over ten different parts that needed to be pulled apart, hand washed, air-dried and reassembled.  

Drying the rollers

It’s also worth noting that the rollers take a long time to dry. It’s winter now, so the weather isn’t exactly in my favour, but I put the rollers outside at 12pm on an overcast day and they still weren’t completely dry by 4pm the following day. I don’t see this being an issue in summer but, because they cannot be tumbled dried, if you’re planning to use this appliance regularly, you may want to purchase an additional set of rollers.

Overall, is the Dyson Wash G1 worth it?

The biggest advantage that the Dyson Wash G1 has over old-fashioned floor cleaning methods is that, if there’s a mess, it’s just so convenient to grab, clean up and move on with your life. The floor also dries super quickly, which is important if you have young kids running around. If you have young children or messy pets, you may find this appliance well worth the price tag.

But, and there’s a big but, I believe any time saved using this appliance is used up again every time you have to pull it apart to wash and maintain it. The entire cleaning process – which Dyson recommend undertaking once a week – took me about 30 minutes (not including time for air-drying) and the whole time I couldn’t help but think: I should have just gotten down on my hands and knees and picked up the mess myself.

Where to buy the Dyson Wash G1

• Dyson, $999 (and when you buy directly from Dyson you’ll also receive two additional rollers valued at $49, for free)
• The Good Guys, $999
• David Jones, $999

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I dug through the archives for the motivation I once had – circa lockdown 2019 – for baking. During lockdown, I was baking every other day, from banana bread (obviously), mochi doughnuts, and poppyseed bagels to even snow skin mooncakes (alas, this one was well above my skill level). But as soon as life became normal again, I retired the tools – along with the baker in me.

So, with the goal of making more dairy-free goodies to enjoy in mind, I decided to give baking another go. However, the thought of bulky tools and a tiny kitchen made my skin crawl. That’s when I stumbled across KitchenAid’s Go Cordless range. I gained a sliver of hope – maybe I could rekindle my love for baking again.

It was the Cordless Go hand mixer that piqued my interest the most. I recall the pains of finding enough space for a large mixing bowl and accompanying ingredients right next to the power socket (which was always tucked behind the coffee machine, of course). Not to mention the tangled mess and awkward angles that came with the joys of baking with very little counter space. With the convenience this hand mixer promises and KitchenAid’s glowing reputation for making high-quality kitchen appliances, I was ready to put the hand mixer to the test – by baking a dairy-free lemon loaf.

What’s so special about the KitchenAid Go Cordless hand mixer?

It’s in the name – this handy tool is cordless! And it is this exact feature that I was most excited about. But as I began testing this hand mixer, it was the beaters itself that caught my attention. The beaters are no Plain Jane – they’re turbo beaters. The turbo beaters are designed without an inner post, meaning they work more efficiently at mixing without getting clogged up like traditional beaters. Plus, they’re dishwasher-safe, which is a non-negotiable when it comes to baking tools.

Key features:

• Cordless design, mix wherever your heart desires
• Battery compatible with entire KitchenAid Go Cordless range which includes a food chopper, hand blender, portable blender, coffee grinder and handheld vacuum
• Long-lasting rechargeable battery offers 60 minutes of mixing time with one charge
• 7 speeds with soft-start feature
• Stainless steel, dishwasher-safe turbo beaters
  

How to use the KitchenAid Go Cordless hand mixer

If you pick up the hand mixer with a battery bundle, you’ll be pleased the battery comes with a bit of charge. This means you can use the hand mixer as soon as it arrives on your doorstep. Simply pop the two turbo beaters into place and attach the battery to the base of your hand mixer, and you’re ready to go.

There are seven speeds to choose from. And don’t worry; there is a soft-start feature for no-splash operation.

Once you’re done, you can remove the battery and place it on charge. Remove the beaters from the hand mixer and pop them in the dishwasher for easy clean-up.

Results from our test

Though it does sound a bit dramatic, using this cordless hand mixer made me fall in love with baking again. While I will never claim to be the world’s best (or most passionate) home baker, you’ll now find me whipping up a sweet treat more often. The cordless convenience of this hand mixer is what changed the game – having the liberty to use the hand mixer wherever I wanted within the kitchen (or even on the couch), meant I was no longer dealing with the tangling mess of cords or juggling with the tiny bit of counter space next to the power socket.

The beaters also did a stellar job mixing lemon frosting for my loaf. See below for the results!

What do the experts think about hand mixer?

Most reviewers loved the cordless design of the tool, as well as its easy maintenance and sleek design.

“Really happy with the performance of the KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer. I bought this to take in our caravan. Pleasantly surprised at how it has handled creaming butter and sugar and mixing of cake mixes,” said a five-star reviewer.

“I have limited kitchen space for appliances and I have recently purchased The KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer to allow me to quickly and effortlessly whip up my cooking as needed. A reliable machine which is light and easy to manage. Cleaning is so simple, and the charge is more than adequate, and it seems to last forever with no delays. I love the fact that I can quickly grab a hand mixer without needing to find a power point. Easy to store and highly recommend,” stated another five-star reviewer.

Overall, is the KitchenAid Go Cordless hand mixer worth it?

While this hand mixer is a bit more expensive than its corded counterparts, the cordless design makes it well worth the price. Along with KitchenAid’s state-of-the-art design, you know this will be an investment that will last for years to come.

Where to buy the KitchenAid Go Cordless hand mixer with battery

• $199 (usually $268), KitchenAid (with battery)
  

Where to buy the hand mixer

• $198.95, Kitchen Warehouse
• $199, Myer
• $199, The Good Guys
  

Where to buy battery

• $69, The Good Guys
• $69, KitchenAid
• $69, Myer
• $69, Bing Lee
• $69, Betta

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What’s so special about the Breville Paradice 9?

True to its name, this food processor makes short work of laborious tasks in the kitchen like chopping and dicing – particularly when you’re preparing meals in bulk or feeding a lot of people. What’s so special about the Breville Paradice 9 is its unique dicing attachment dices vegetables in one swift movement, collecting the food in a see-through bowl in seconds, saving time with endless chopping carrots, celery and other vegetables. The best part is that it is stored in its own caddy so you can leave it behind in the cupboard when using the Paradice 9 for other things.

Breville Paradice 9 materials and size

The Paradice 9 has:

• A hefty, stainless steel base with non-skip rubber feet to stop it moving around during use
• The base measures W17.5 x D22.5 x H39cm
• The chopping and mixing blades are made from steel or plastic and colour-coded for easy use and storage
• The main bowl is BPA-free plastic and holds a maximum of 9 cups
• 625W motor

How to use Breville Paradice 9 food processor

My advice is to read the instructions before using the Breville Paradice 9. I had a head start because I grew up with a Breville Wizz in the house so I’m familiar with the functionality. If you’re unfamiliar, assembling it will take some concentration and care – those blades are sharp!
My other tip is to download the BILT app to your phone and add Breville Paradice 9 to your list of products. This will give you a handy guide to set up and pack away – there are a lot of moving parts and I couldn’t remember where everything goes so I referred to the app several times.

Results from our test

I love this food processor. Once you get the hang of how to lock and load, you can chop and mix to your heart’s content. I love the visibility you get adding ingredients like lemon juice and olive oil down the shute while the machine is running and that you can watch whether everything mixing to your liking. My dice always came out a bit wonky – not at all perfect like the pictures, but that might say more about my technique than the machine. If you load the vegetables into the chute more carefully than I did, I’m sure the results will be better.

I love that it doesn’t take up much space on the benchtop. We have a Thermomix too, which has twice the footprint and I appreciated the extra preparation space. I also loved how it whipped up my hummus and the spicy chilli sauce, which is easy to pour straight from the bowl. Clean-up is easy, though the dicing blade is sharp and fussy to clean properly. Breville recommends handwashing for longer life, with only occasional dishwasher use and to be honest, I’d prefer to be able to chuck it all in the dishwasher and not think about it again.

What do the experts (read: my Mum) think about Breville Paradice 9?

These days Mum doesn’t cook a lot but many of her signature dishes are still easy to prepare with the help of her beloved Breville food processor, so I’ve got loads more recipe ideas to try with the help of the Breville Paradice 9. When I asked what else she still uses it for the list was pretty impressive. “It’s fantastic for pastry,” she says. She’d always made her own, so pastry made in a food processor was mastered quickly and it remains the only way she does it. “You don’t have to rub it in or dice it or anything – you just put the flour in, mix it to sieve, add the butter in and away it goes,” says Mum. She also uses it to make the stuffing for the rolled roast of pork, at Christmas.

Did somebody say Christmas? Add this baby to your wishlist.

Where to buy Breville Paradice 9 food processor

Visit Breville to learn more about the Paradice 9 food processor now.

The post The Breville Paradice 9 might just make me a decent cook. Here’s why. appeared first on Home Beautiful.

What’s so special about the Gozney Arc?

A lot of research has gone into creating the Gozney Arc, and we think they’ve nailed it. Gozney has thought of everything needed for an enjoyable experience of making outstanding pizza at home, from the compact design, efficiency of the gas burner and ergonomics of the tools (the pizza cutter alone is a triumph of object design). Invest in the accessories from the get-go and it all starts to make sense. If you love pizza, this will be both a lifestyle win and an economic saviour for your household. If you cook four pizzas at home with the Gozney Arc every week, you’ll pay off the cost of your pizza oven in just six months!

Gozney Arc materials and size

• Commercial-grade construction
• Gas-fuled propane creates rolling flame with consistent heat to 500ºC
• Stone base cooks crisp, crunchy pizzas in less than 2 minutes
• 2-layer insulation
• In-built digital thermometer
• Easy-to-use controls
• Booster or wheeled stand with winged platforms and covers all sold seperately
• Internal size allows up to 14″ (35cm) pizza
• External dimensions: W480 x D564 x H342mm
• Internal dimensions: W377 x D462 x H173mm
• Weight: 21.5kg

How to use Gozney Arc

We can’t recommend highly enough the Gozney online resources for training, tips, recipes and technique guidance. Watch all of the videos and the rest is just practice to make perfect pizza. The hardest thing is getting your pizza-forming skills up to scratch – the pizza oven does the rest of the work for you.

Don’t overload the topping! This is a rookie mistake that your kids can make on a store-bought pizza base, but if you’re making your own dough (and why wouldn’t you?), an overloaded pizza base will collapse under the weight of heavy toppings. It’s no fun scraping a soggy mess off the stone floor of your pizza oven.

Hot tip:

Once your base is formed and topped, press the two peels into action – a broad, flat placement peel, then the smaller turning peel to keep it constantly moving in a circular motion. In no time you’ll have the quintessential stance of a pizza chef – feeding a pie into the mouth of a flame-hot oven. The more times you do it, the better you’ll become and the more fun you’ll have!

Experiment with different pizza recipes and getting your temperature right so that you cook the base without burning it and the top is cooked properly. We found that if the base is fine but the toppings need a little extra cooking, using the turning peel to lift the pizza high in the oven and finish it off worked a treat.

8 top tips for perfecting your homemade pizza

1. Make a double batch of dough and freeze half for next time, so you just have to defrost and go again.
2. Mise en plus: have all your topping prepped and lined up in bowls ready to go – particularly if you’re feeding a number of people.
3. Don’t overload your pizza toppings.
4. Use semolina on your benchtop when stretching and forming your pizza base to avoid sticking and aid the placement from benchtop to peel.
5. Keep your pizza moving – turn after just 30 seconds to avoid burnt sections and don’t stop until it’s all cooked.
6. Keep lifting the base to achieve “leopard spotting” and avoid burning.
7. Don’t walk away! It takes only 2 minutes to cook a pizza, so it needs your constant attention.
8. Test as you go – the pizza chef always eats last!

Where to put a pizza oven in your backyard

Because it has no door, your pizza oven needs to be positioned where it will be protected from wind. A strong gust will blow out the flame and constant wind will make the temperature fluctuate.

Gozney gas fitting doesn’t work?

If your Gozney pizza oven doesn’t fit your gas bottle, check the connection fitting next to the regulator. The latest models have a different thread, but your local Swap’n’Go outlet should have both types and you can simply swap old for new.

What do the experts think about Gozney Arc?

Don’t get fooled into thinking you have to get the largest pizza oven money can buy. You can only cook one pizza at a time, and in the Arc it takes no more than two minutes, so this is all you can handle to keep the pizzas coming hot and heavy. We think the Gozney Arc is the perfect design for a home pizza oven, so unless you’re a professional pizza maker and you want to invest in the Dome, which is larger, more expensive (at $2,999) and allows for wood-fired cooking, we don’t see any reason to even go to the Arc XL. Larger pizzas are more difficult to manage while cooking. The Arc does the job brilliantly.

Overall, is Gozney Arc worth it?

Sì! È meraviglioso! Now, all you have to do is convince Chris Bianco to drop by and give you a few tips #chefstablepizzaedition

Where to buy Gozney pizza oven and accessories

Get the gear. Gozney makes beautiful accessories that you can’t do without. If you’re getting the oven, our advice is to invest in the entire pizza-making experience with the right tools. You’re playing with fire here, so you want a safe, seamless process that’s enjoyable.

• Gozney Arc, $1199.99
• Gozney Balance Placement Peel, $139.99
• Gozney Balance Turning Peel, $149.99
• Gozney Pizza Cutter, $74.99
• Gozney Pizza Rocker, $69.99

The post Review: Gozney Arc pizza oven – my new obsession appeared first on Home Beautiful.

I can’t remember exactly how it happened, but on a trip to get bits and bobs for said house, I begrudgingly placed a newfangled “spin mop” into my trolley. Hey, it’s on special, I told myself, thinking it would be just as disappointing as any other mop I’d ever tried. But since that day, I haven’t looked back. The spin mop is hands down one of the best cleaning products I’ve ever used and I now sing its praises to anyone who’ll listen. Here’s my first person review of why the spin mop isn’t just like ‘any other mop’ and why you should absolutely believe the hype and promptly make the switch.

Which spin mop is best?

Full disclaimer: The spin mop I use, love and refer to in this review is the Vileda Easy Wring & Clean Turbo but I want to be clear, it’s not the brand I’m devoted to, it’s the spin mop mechanism. Other similar products on the market include the Vileda Advanced Rinse Clean (which has two water reservoirs, one for clean water and one for dirty water), the Sabco 2-Action Clean Spin Mop and the Oates Spin and Clean Compact Mop.

Some spin mops have smaller buckets which are easier to store and ideal for small homes and apartments, while others have larger buckets that make cleaning large spaces a breeze. My tip? When shopping for a spin mop take a look at how much mop-head refills cost and factor that into your decision.

If you’re on TikTok, you may have noticed that the O-Cedar spin mop seems to reign supreme. O-Cedar is Vileda’s US-based sister company. 

The best spin mops and floor cleaners to buy 2024

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Vileda Easy Wring & Clean Spin Mop and Bucket set, Big W

$57.50

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Floor cleaner 1L, Wash Wild

$14

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Sabco 2-Action Clean Spin Mop and Bucket system, Amazon

$45

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For All Australia universal cleaner 1L, For All Australia

$29.90

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Diggers lavender scented methylated spirits, Big W

$9.50

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Koala Eco natural floor cleaner 500mL, Koala Eco

$14.95

SHOP NOW

Oates Spin & Clean compact mop set, Woolworths

$43

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Vileda Turbo 2-in-1 spin mop refill set of 2, Amazon

$34.49

SHOP NOW

Next

What’s so special about spin mops?

Spin mops solve so many of the issues I had with traditional cotton string mops. They’re easier to use, easier to wring out, easier to clean and, with good care, the microfibre mop heads last a really long time. 

• Spin mops have detachable mop heads that are designed to be machine-washable and quick-to-dry
• Detachable mop heads mean you can change the mop head frequently and prevent cross-contamination from room-to-room
• Spin mops are lightweight to carry
• Wringing out a spin mop requires virtually no physical exertion as the centrifugal force created by the spinning mechanism draws out all excess moisture
• Spin mop heads are made from microfibre which can trap over 99% of germs using just water, meaning less money spent on harsh chemicals
• Spin mops are so versatile online cleaning gurus have been using them to wipe down kitchen cabinet door fronts, skirting boards, walls, bathroom surfaces and more
• Price-wise, spin mops are on par with traditional string mops, with prices starting at around the $40 mark
• Some spin mop buckets have two water reservoirs, meaning the clean water and dirty water never mix

How to use a spin mop

1. Fill the bucket with warm water up to the maximum water line. Optional: add your floor cleaner of choice.
2. Attach the mop head to the handle and dunk into the bucket of warm water.
3. Place the mop head into the spin wringer and pump the foot pedal. For a deep clean, pump the pedal 2-3 times. For a lighter, drier clean, pump the pedal 5-6 times.
4. Mop your floors then rinse, wring and repeat.

Results from our test

In case I haven’t made it clear already, I’m a big fan of spin mops. In terms of functionality, cleanliness and ease-of-use, I can’t think of a single reason anyone in the market for a new mop would opt for a traditional, non-spin version. 

Many traditional mop heads are attached to the handle, making them difficult to wash thoroughly and dry completely. They’re also a nightmare to store because you need to wait until the mop head is bone dry before it can be stored in a broom closet. Old-fashioned string mops also tend to be made from cotton, which swells in water, becoming far too heavy to launder in a domestic washing machine. 

Spin mop heads are completely detachable from the handle, meaning they’re super simple to clean (we’ll get to the nitty-gritty of cleaning a spin mop head in a moment). Spin mop heads are made from microfibre, which is scientifically proven to trap dirt, dust and over 99% of germs using just water. 

While spin mop manufacturers claim you only need to use water, I personally like to add a gentle cleaning solution to my mop water. In the past I have used a capful of methylated spirits, a drop of dish soap and a few drops of essential oil to clean my floors but recently I have been obsessed with (major understatement) an incredible universal cleaner, For All Australia, a product formulated and produced by a small, female-founded business in Melbourne, VIC.

Spin mops are also lightweight and designed to be machine washable, meaning you can reuse it time and time again. Brands like Vileda recommend replacing the mop head with a refill every three months but I’ve got a refill at home that’s about two years old and it still looks and feels brand new.

But let’s not forget about the other crucial components of a mop: the bucket and the wringer. I can’t tell you how many times I almost fell head over heels trying to step on a pedal to bring two rollers together to squeeze the juice out of an old-school string mop. Or what about the ‘press wringer’ where you dangle the strands of the mop head into the basket and huff and puff as you apply your entire body weight just to elicit a few measly drops from the mop head? No thanks! All of that unnecessary effort is completely eliminated with a spin mop, which requires just a couple of graceful foot pumps to let the centrifugal force of the spinning mechanism do the work for you. It works just like a salad spinner, but for your floors.

What’s better, a spin mop or a flat mop?

While other types of mops – such as spray mops or flat mops – are certainly convenient and fabulous for quick clean ups, I personally find that, when used over a long period of time, they tend to leave an almost undetectable layer of cleaning product on the floor that causes stickiness, streaks and even seems to attract more grease and grime. Spin mops are still convenient to use but they really leave your floors squeaky clean.

Overall, is a spin mop worth it?

Absolutely. I purchased my spin mop with my own money and I believe it’s worth every cent. Whenever friends tell me that they’re having trouble cleaning their floors or achieving a streak-free finish, the first question I ask is ‘What mop are you using?’ and if they don’t answer with ‘A spin mop’ I tell them to make the switch immediately. In fact, a friend recently told me they bought a spin mop (on my recommendation) and couldn’t believe the difference it made to the cleanliness of their floors after months of trialling cleaning product after cleaning product. 

How to clean a spin mop

While most spin mop manufacturers recommend replacing the mop heads regularly (about every three months) I believe it’s totally possible to use them for far longer than that. Here’s how I clean my spin mop head and keep it looking like new.

After I finish mopping, I drain and rinse the bucket and refill it halfway with clean water. I rinse the mop head thoroughly, replacing the water as necessary until the mop rinses clear. Then I detach the mop head and place it in a sink or bucket of warm water and a scoop of oxygen bleach (i.e. Napisan). Sometimes I also add liquid disinfectant such as Pine-O-Cleen or antibacterial laundry sanitiser (follow the product instructions for the correct dosing). 

I allow the mop head to soak for at least 30-minutes before placing it in the washing machine and running it on a warm to hot cycle (Vileda recommend a maximum temperature of 30 degrees celsius) with my usual washing detergent. If it’s a sunny day, I hang the mop head on the line to dry, but there have been times when I’ve had to pop it into my heat pump dryer and had no issues whatsoever.

Note: While many cleaning influencers soak their mop with chlorine bleach, manufacturers do not recommend this as it can degrade the microfibres, meaning they will shed lint and wear out much faster.

Where to buy a spin mop

Spin mops are available to buy at almost any store where cleaning products are available, including:

• Big W
• Woolworths
• Amazon
• eBay

More house cleaning tips

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The post An honest review of spin mops: the secret to effortlessly clean floors appeared first on Home Beautiful.

Where is Naxos?

Despite covering 430 square kilometres and being the largest island in the picturesque Cyclades group – which is made up of 220 islands in the southern part of the Aegean Sea – low-key Naxos is often excluded from the ‘European summer’ itinerary in favour of its neighbours, glamorous Santorini and party hub Mykonos. But at four times the size of these tourism-saturated isles, there’s so much more to explore: think uncrowded beaches, charming inland villages, artisanal boutiques, and traditional tavernas celebrating local produce and wine.

Greener and more fertile than nearby islands due to its mountainous terrain, the agricultural scene is so vibrant here that mythology says Naxos is blessed by Dionysus, the Greek god of winemaking, vegetation, orchards and fruit. Sprawling vineyards and fruit-bearing trees colour the lush valleys, while 40,000 olive trees are said to produce the island’s supply of olive oil – a staple ingredient splashed in nearly every Greek dish from tzatziki to moussaka. You can soak in the scenic countryside on a tranquil drive (or cortisol-inducing, if you’re travelling via a quad bike) to some of the 30 idyllic villages scattered up and down the mountains.

Places to visit in Naxos

In Halki, time-worn marble-paved streets are the first sign that the sleepy village has preserved its natural beauty and centuries-old heritage, even before you come across the quaint Byzantine churches or Venetian towers (the latter were erected when Naxos was under Venetian rule for three centuries from 1207).

Blooming bougainvillea, black cats lounging in sunspots and the peaceful attitude that permeates the village adds to the allure – as does the beautiful Vallindras Kitron distillery, where you can discover how Naxos’ iconic and tangy Kitron liqueur is produced from citron leaves.

The hillside village Apeiranthos also bears the marks of the Venetian era. Curved archways and pretty, narrow alleyways lined with stores and potted flowers lead to shaded town squares, where you can unwind with a cup of Greek coffee. And Filoti village, known for its goat’s cheese called arseniko, is nestled at the base of the tallest mountain in the Cyclades, Mount Zeus. According to ancient Greek mythology, the king of the gods was born on the nearby island of Crete, but raised on Naxos in a cave on the mountain that’s now named in his honour, which you can discover on a hike to the summit.

Then of course there’s the glittering coastline of Naxos, dotted with iconic architecture in crisp white. The phrase ‘beach hopping’ comes to life as time stills and you wander from the golden stretch of sand at Agios Prokopios to the bamboo umbrellas at Plaka Beach or Agios Georgios. Languid days spent beneath the sun, dining on delicious local produce and exploring the island paradise are bound to leave you feeling lighter – or perhaps that’s just the healing touch of Apollo.

• Portara, the Temple of Apollo, Chora. Mikri Vigla beach, Mikri Vigla. Ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Temple of Demeter, Sangri. Discover an ancient ruin from the 6th century BC. Visit Greeka for more.
• Pocket Gallery, old market, Chora. Peruse Greek art, design and contemporary ceramics. Fleur D’or, old market, Chora. Fish and Olive, Halki. Visit Fish and Olive.
• Nikos and Maria Restaurant, Plaka Beach. This taverna serves fresh seafood, traditional plates and Greek wine to your table right on the sand. Platanos Taverna Apeiranthos, Apeiranthos. Flamingo Restaurant, Chora. Doukato Restaurant, Chora.

What to do in Naxos

Fly into Naxos Airport from Athens, Greece; a one-way fare with Aegean Airlines starts at $115. Flight prices start from around $1740 for a one-way trip from Sydney to Athens with Etihad Airways. Expect at least one stopover. Chora (Naxos town) is a six-minute drive from Naxos Airport. There is also a ferry from Athens and many islands in the Aegean. The ferry from Athens takes three to five hours and costs start around $50*. Visit Flight Centre to help plan your trip and flights.

How to get to Naxos

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