Latest news with #Everdure
Times
2 days ago
- General
- Times
Our barbecue from John Lewis burst into flames at a family party
Four years ago my husband and I bought an Everdure gas barbecue from John Lewis for £649, which came with a five-year warranty. We also bought a cover for it from another company for £79. During a family gathering my husband was cooking dinner on the barbecue when the whole thing suddenly went up in flames and the plastic surrounding the grill started melting. It was so shocking. Our family had been milling around having a drink and a few of us quickly formed a line with buckets of water and we managed to put out the fire. My husband also managed to disconnect the gas cylinder from the barbecue. In retrospect we ought to have called the fire brigade because it was so dangerous. We are so grateful that no one was injured, but our three-year old granddaughter was particularly upset. This was the first time we had a problem with the barbecue. My husband is the one who uses it and he is very experienced. He emailed John Lewis to explain what had happened and after many weeks we were eventually offered a refund. We pointed out that we had also bought a special cover for the barbecue so we wanted to be reimbursed for that too, but we didn't get a response. After weeks of chasing, the company changed its mind and said it wouldn't give us any money back; it said the fire was our fault because we left grease in the barbecue. This isn't true; we are careful people who take care of our things. We have always cleaned it after use and removed any fat. No one came to inspect the barbecue and we were shocked that the company was now claiming that we had caused the fire. John Lewis has never acknowledged the seriousness of the situation which could have had fatal consequences, so we feel very let down. My husband and I have bought all our appliances from John Lewis, but we are left feeling like we can't rely on the company to help when things go address supplied I was pleased to hear that no one was hurt in this incident, but it could have easily been a very different story. It was worrying that the flames had melted the plastic of the barbecue, and made me question whether there could be a design fault with this model. I spoke to the product manufacturer, an Australian company called Shriro, which said it had not identified any inherent defects in the Everdure Force 2 model that could lead to a fire. It said: 'Shriro takes customer complaints seriously and is committed to the quality and safety of our products. All Everdure brands are safety tested and comply with applicable safety standards.' The company said that because the barbecue had not been inspected by an expert, it wasn't in a position to determine the cause of the fire. • Read more money advice and tips on investing from our experts Under UK consumer law, you are entitled to a refund, repair or replacement if an item you have bought is faulty. But because you had owned the barbecue for more than six months, the onus was on you to prove that it was defective when you bought it. But your barbecue was also under warranty, which supplements your consumer rights, so you wanted to claim under that. A warranty would typically cover repairs or replacements, but given your justified concerns about the safety of the barbecue you just wanted a refund. Companies would normally inspect items to decide whether the issue was covered under warranty, but this had not happened in your case. Warranty claims are managed by Shriro's distributors, one of which had supplied the barbecue to John Lewis. It was unfair that you had initially been promised a refund only for the company to change its mind without ever inspecting the barbecue. Eventually, John Lewis agreed to give you the refund. It said: 'We serve millions of happy customers every year and recognise that we don't always get it right the first time. We're really sorry that this hasn't been the case for this customer. We recognise the severity of the fire safety concerns and we have ensured that the case is being thoroughly investigated by our supplier.' It also gave you a £350 John Lewis gift card. You said: 'We would like to say a big thank you for your involvement, without which I'm certain we would still be being stonewalled.' In preparation for attending the Royal Garden Party in Edinburgh, I ordered three dresses from the retailer Karen Millen. I paid £328, plus £9 for delivery. The dresses arrived swiftly but sadly none were suitable. On Karen Millen's website it gives the option to be refunded back to your original payment method or to get a voucher, so I selected the former. This was my first time buying anything from Karen Millen and I found the returns process quite tricky to navigate. Once the dresses had been sent back, I had an email saying that my refund was on its way and also giving me an extra £32 as a 'gift card uplift'. I didn't know what this meant. That same day I received a gift voucher from Karen Millen for £358. I was confused because I had asked for a refund and not a voucher. This figure also didn't correspond to what I had paid. I immediately contacted the company and after lots of back and forth with various agents, I was eventually told that I had selected the voucher option so it wasn't possible to refund me in cash. I am convinced that I had not opted for a voucher. Each item had to be returned separately, so even if I had mistakenly opted for a voucher on one occasion, I'm certain that I didn't on the other two items. I have been in constant communication with Karen Millen since then but it won't resolve my complaint. I have become very frustrated by this situation and just want my money Stirling When returning items to Karen Millen the default option is to get the money refunded as a voucher, which also gives you an extra 10 per cent on top — in your case that would have been an extra £32.80, or £32 if they didn't round up. It didn't make sense that your voucher only added £30 on top and it seemed strange to me that a voucher was the default option. I wondered if shoppers could be caught out by this. The company said it makes the two options clear. It also said that the choice you make with your first return will apply to the other items from the same order. You were adamant that you had selected the refund option. Karen Millen has now agreed to cancel the voucher and send £328 back to your credit card and has also given you a £30 gift voucher as an apology for the inconvenience. I spoke to Karen Millen's parent company, Debenhams Group, which said: 'We offer customers the choice between a gift card or a refund to their original payment method to provide greater flexibility and benefits for our regular shoppers. We encourage customers to check their refund selection carefully to ensure it meets their needs.' • £1,523,404 — the amount Your Money Matters has saved readers so far this year If you have a money problem you would like Katherine Denham to investigate email yourmoneymatters@ Please include a phone number
Newsweek
24-04-2025
- General
- Newsweek
Best Pizza Oven
Vote for the best pizza oven! 12" Outdoor Pizza Oven | Bertello Photo courtesy of Michele Ursi/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of Michele Ursi/iStock by Getty Images Combining the power of wood and gas to push temperatures over 900 degrees Fahrenheit, the 12" Outdoor Pizza Oven by Bertello gets hot fast, retaining and circulating heat efficiently. The high heat and wood-fired flavor create delicious Neapolitan pizzas, featuring that hard-to-replicate crust with its dark charred spots. Start cooking on delivery with the combo package that features a peel and an infrared thermometer. Artisan 5-in-1 Portable Electric Pizza & Outdoor Oven | Ninja Photo courtesy of PeopleImages/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of PeopleImages/iStock by Getty Images Take your tailgate up a notch with Ninja's Artisan 5-in-1 Portable Electric Pizza & Outdoor Oven. With five pizza pre-sets and temperatures reaching 700 degrees, you can cook three 12-inch pies in less than 10 minutes while your guests mingle with drinks. The chef's window is a nice touch, letting you peek in as your crust bubbles up and browns to perfection. Dome | Gozney Photo courtesy of Gozney Photo courtesy of Gozney Designed to replicate restaurant-quality pizza, the top-of-the-line Dome boasts commercial-grade construction that is made to last. But don't let that scare you away if you're a beginner; the oven's digital thermometer and two built-in meat probes will let your friends think you're a pro. Its dual-fuel source of wood and gas kicks it up to 950 degrees so your 16-inch pizzas cook in just 60 seconds, too. Karu 2 | Ooni Photo courtesy of monkeybusinessimages/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of monkeybusinessimages/iStock by Getty Images Calling itself "the world's most powerful portable pizza oven," the Karu 2 is just under 34 pounds but still heats to 950 degrees with ease, thanks to its ability to use wood, charcoal and gas. So, go ahead and pack it up for your next camping trip to enjoy fresh pizza under the stars. Ooni's 60-day return window and five-year warranty make this oven a risk-free investment. Kiln S Series Oven | Everdure Photo courtesy of Everdure Photo courtesy of Everdure Modern and compact, the Kiln S Series Oven is easy to set up right out of the box and fits most benchtops. This Everdure oven runs on propane and has a U-shaped burner that crisps up your crusts quickly, only requiring you to rotate each 16-inch pie four or so times. Concerned about cleanup? The pizza stone is removable, making it easy to brush off once cool. Koda 16 | Ooni Photo by Ricardo Resende on Unsplash Photo by Ricardo Resende on Unsplash Follow the crowds of pizza lovers that have discovered the award-winning Koda 16. Praised for its ease of use and reliability, this gas-powered baby reaches an astonishing 950 degrees in only 20 minutes and bakes delicious pizzas in just one minute. Its large opening, L-shaped burner and wide base with rubber feet create a hassle-free experience when it's time to turn your crust. Live-Fire Pizza Oven | Breeo Photo courtesy of Revolu7ion93/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of Revolu7ion93/iStock by Getty Images If you like rustic and wood fired, you'll love the Live-Fire Pizza Oven from Breeo. Made of heavy-duty stainless and Corten steel, this model is built to withstand the outdoor elements, which makes sense since you can use it directly over a firepit. Users report that it can surpass a scorching 950 degrees, but the thick stone and bypass chimney provide a way to control the temperature for even cooking. Moderno 2 Pizze | Alfa Forni Photo courtesy of Alfa Forni Photo courtesy of Alfa Forni For authentic Italian pizza, check out the Moderno 2 Pizze. Its base includes a firebrick—made in Rome, Italy—that helps retain the high heat needed to simultaneously cook the dough and toppings. Whether you choose the wood, gas or hybrid-fuel option, Alfa Forni's Heat Genius Technology offers a flue system that continually circulates the hot air, maintaining the brick's heat for delicious leopard-spotted crust. Outdoors 12" Wood Pellet Pizza Oven | Big Horn Photo courtesy of FG Trade/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of FG Trade/iStock by Getty Images New to the pizza-cooking game? This super affordable oven from Big Horn is a low-risk way to build your confidence. Using wood pellets, you'll be able to reach over 800 degrees in less than 20 minutes, baking your first 12-inch pie in a mere 90 seconds. Try not to let the price fool you, though; this thing is constructed of stainless steel for long-term use. Palazzo | Forno Piombo Photo courtesy of PeopleImages/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of PeopleImages/iStock by Getty Images A dazzling centerpiece to any patio, the Palazzo brick dome oven is covered in beautiful mosaic tiles that can be customized to match your alfresco kitchen. Only 160 of these American-made ovens are produced each year, meaning it's an exclusive choice for only the most serious of chefs. This model reaches 950 degrees and holds heat for up to 36 hours, giving it a variety of uses beyond pizza. Pi Prime Pizza Oven | Solo Stove Photo courtesy of monkeybusinessimages/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of monkeybusinessimages/iStock by Getty Images Enjoy the sounds of crackling crust and sizzling toppings as you cook an artisan-level pizza in the Pi Prime Pizza Oven. The demi-dome shape paired with its gas-powered design preheats the oven in just 15 minutes and cooks pizzas in 90 seconds. Reviewers set this budget-friendly model (that is often discounted even more!) on par with high-level ovens that cost nearly two to three times as much. Roccbox | Gozney Photo courtesy of Gozney Photo courtesy of Gozney Known for its portable design with folding legs and its dual-fuel heat source, the mid-range Roccbox is a popular oven for experts and novices alike. Spend some time honing your skills with the equipped propane, and then upgrade to the detachable wood burner for even more flavor. With soaring temperatures as high as 950 degrees, which you can monitor via the built-in thermometer, your pizzas cook in minutes. The Duomo | Coyote Outdoor Living Photo courtesy of Revolu7ion93/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of Revolu7ion93/iStock by Getty Images Available in three different colors, the Duomo's eye-catching exterior stays clean and char-free through years of use, thanks to its high-end finishes. Safety features like an insulated dome that stays cool to the touch (even at 1,000 degrees) and carbon fiber handles provide extra peace of mind for family pizza nights. Extra perk: a four-piece tool set is included so you can start cooking on the day of installation. Volt 12 | Ooni Photo courtesy of FilippoBacci/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of FilippoBacci/iStock by Getty Images You don't have to wait for the weather to cooperate when you buy the Volt 12, an electric pizza oven that allows you to cook inside or outside. With two heating elements, this Ooni model still gets up to 850 degrees in 20 minutes, making 12-inch Neapolitan pizzas in under two minutes. Prefer New York style? Simply turn down the three dials to lower the heat. Wood Fired Pizza Oven with 2 Side Tables | Giantex Photo courtesy of FG Trade/iStock by Getty Images Photo courtesy of FG Trade/iStock by Getty Images Unlike most countertop models, this wood-fired pizza oven from Giantex stands on its own with two side tables and a convenient storage compartment for extra wood. It reaches a blazing 750 degrees after preheating for about 10 minutes, turning out pies with melty cheese and cupped pepperonis in minutes. A spacious interior and precise temperature control allow you to go beyond pizzas to roasting chickens, veggies and more. About Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards Our nominees are editorially driven with contributions from a panel of travel experts. The final list is determined by Newsweek editors. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For more details, read our terms and conditions. For any questions, please see our FAQs or email us at readerschoice@ Our Featured Panelists Lizzy Briskin is a New York City–based food, travel, wellness and lifestyle writer. Previously, she was the print food editor at Food Network and Real Simple magazines. She has a professional chef's degree from Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and a BA in English from Amherst College. She contributes to Wirecutter, Shape, People, Self, Bon Appetit, The Quality Edit, The Kitchn, Travel Weekly, and other outlets. When she's not cooking, eating, writing or traveling, she's training for her next marathon. Follow her on Instagram and at Misty Milioto is a freelance writer and editor with 22 years of experience working with publications across the country. Publications have included Sunset; U.S. News & World Report; and Modern Luxury's suite of 80+ regional publications, such as Aspen Magazine, San Francisco Magazine and Scottsdale Magazine. She also oversees a luxury lifestyle blog at She loves everything from exotic destinations and outdoor recreation to exploring the bounty of foodie goodness in New Orleans, where she is currently based. You can connect with her on Instagram. Julie Bielenberg is a Colorado-based writer producing over 75 pieces a year for outlets such as AAA, Family Vacationist, Rachel Ray in Season, Spoke + Blossom, USA Today, Vail Daily and numerous others. She has been the State's #1 agritourism for ten consecutive years and is always in search of field, farm, forest and forage. Julie has three children and two pandemic pooches and is married to an avid outdoorsman. Follow her on Instagram. An award-winning contributor to luxury lifestyle and travel magazines, Laurie Jo Miller Farr specializes in deluxe hotels and destination marketing. Based in New York City, she is a dual U.S./U.K. citizen, having spent half a lifetime in London. Formerly serving as the tourism promotion director for the city's official tourism boards in both NYC and Boston, she recently relocated from San Francisco, where she edited a weekly travel newsletter and co-hosted a podcast. Follow her @lauriejmfarr. Newsweek contributors speak from a variety of backgrounds and offer expertise in a wide range of subject areas.
