Bosch HGV74W355A / HGV74W255A

Very happy ovenistas – We bought an HGV74W355A nine months ago and wish we’d bought it earlier. No problems to date and no regret whatever. We were very unhappy with our previous SMEG standalone but options are limited when it comes to electric oven/gas hob combos and we were led to believe that all free-standing ovens in the mid-level price range were much the same, given that manufacturers build to a price and source parts from the same handful of factories in China. That may or may not be so, but having plumped for the Bosch we’ve found it fantastic, it functions well and looks great. I think these stoves are assembled in Turkey, if that makes any difference. One reviewer says the stainless scratches easily. We are not too fussy but we make a point of treating it gently. After all, it's an appliance, not a concrete mixer. This model may now be discontinued – no idea why.

Poor quality stainless steel – I find the oven really great but the quality of the stainless is less than satisfactory. I cleaned the cook top the other day with a special stainless steel sponge that I also use to clean my stainless steel sink and pots etc. Never had an issue with it but on the cook top it left nasty scratches. Also the front is not just a wipe and dry like with my stainless steel fridge. Always looks a bit grubby. To me that's a sign of low quality stainless steel, I'm afraid. Quite disappointing considering the prize of it.

Good unit – With 8 programs the oven does a great job of various tasks. It cooks evenly and predictably. The tray runners are convenient but they tend to slide back if you are moving food around in a tray mounted on them. With side-mounting screws the hob is very easy to clean which is just as well as the brushed finish shows even minor spots. The storage drawer is very useful but don't expect to use it for warming: the oven is too well insulated. It's good to be able to grill with the door closed. Oven performance; clean lines Pressure from the hob burners could be higher given their size

Good quality upright – I love that it is dual fuel. The oven works really well with lots of different settings. We have cooked a pork roast in it and it came out with perfect crackling. The gas cooktop ignites easily and all the hobs are good sizes for different sized pots. The child lock only stops the oven from being turned on, it doesn't stop the oven door opening or the gas knobs from being turned so it seems a little pointless. I thought the door was supposed to be cool to touch but it actually does get hot when the oven is on. Overall however it is an excellent upright, good quality and cooks really well. Lots of settings for the oven which cooks really well (perfect crackling!), easy to ignite the gas hobs, height adjustable with the legs. Child lock only stops the oven from turning on. It doesn't stop the oven door opening or the gas knobs from being turned. Oven door gets hot. It doesn't have a splashback which I didn't realise until it was delivered.