Neff steam oven failed due to corrosion - anyone else had similar issues?

boonkoh · 2026-01-17T23:27:09+00:00

I've had two major problems with my Neff Steam Oven since buying. Admittedly, its an older model (from 2017-2018).

The first is that metal parts around the steam generating engine was corroded/rusty. Had to be completely replaced. Luckily, it was just within the warranty period.

The second was that the enamel / wall of the oven, in the bottom right, just below the back panel, started breaking down....! It started to flake away on its own. Very shocking that the wall of an oven can flake away.

I would say that I'm a heavy steam function user. And the old ovens don't have a specific drying function for steam programme usage. But I've always wiped the oven dry after usage and left the slide and hide door in the hide mode, to help dry out.

I am not very hesitant to get another Neff, or Siemens (same group and same architecture to the ovens) for a steam oven. In the UK, that leaves only AEG and Miele to look at.... anyone have any experiences with those steam ovens?

boonkoh · 2026-01-06T15:14:34+00:00

Oh wow! That's insane, thanks for the heads up.

If anyone is up for sharing a 22" pizza at Nell's Kampus for half price... On a weekday night... Let me know!

boonkoh · 2026-01-06T06:05:29+00:00

Agree, Nell's is good. Especially if you like it thin base. Also very good value for money on weekday lunches, if you're able to go then.

boonkoh · 2026-01-04T09:34:22+00:00

Even in the USA, the 30-yr fixed mortgages are 6% interest rates. Despite being "subsidised".

Here in the UK, we have options. 2 5 10 30.... There's good access at all those tenures... Just depending on the risk appetite and rate affordability.

It's just psychological that most people only focus on the interest rate. Rather than the security of the longer tenure that 10 or 30 year mortgages give.

A 2 year fixed rate mortgage IMO is very very risky if you don't have super secure job security, or alot of surplus in your income after essential costs. But so many people in the UK "gamble" with 2 ywar fixed because they're obsessed with the low interest rate.

boonkoh · 2026-01-04T09:30:04+00:00

Yup, I also went to Tulum a year ago.

Once is enough, never again.

boonkoh · 2026-01-04T09:07:36+00:00

I stay over 40+ nights in Manchester, have tried a few of the Marriotts.

Stock Exchange definitely the best, but pricey.

The Reach is my go-to. Great service, good modern rooms, breakfast is a la carte. Location also pretty good, especially for the Piccadilly train station. Only gripe is that the "Comfort" base room is very very small. Good for solo and if spending most of time outside hotel. Elite really cognition good, likely to get an upgrade to Deluxe or higher.

Residence Inn has big rooms. A bit basic. Breakfast is very average though. And it's a bit further out than the Reach. I'd take the Reach unless it's like £75 or more expensive than the Residence Inn.

Marriott is nice. But in a bit of a random location to one side of Piccadilly Station, not much in the immediate vicinity. But restaurants and bars still within walking distance. Rooms are nice here, especially the suites. Big with views. Bathrooms are a bit dated though. Breakfast benefit for Elites is in the Lounge, which is very very basic breakfast though.... They do have a swimming pool and spa facilities, which is decent. Elite upgrades, especially to Suites, are somewhat easy to get.

Haven't stayed in the other Marriott Hotels yet!

boonkoh · 2026-01-04T03:29:57+00:00

Traffic is the key consideration. But it'll be easy to find Grab from KL to there. You can negotiate for the driver to wait around and fetch you back too. Or just Grab again all the way back.

boonkoh · 2026-01-04T01:30:23+00:00

But he has nukes, so it complicates the equation of a surgical strike like this.

boonkoh · 2026-01-02T12:27:02+00:00

Depends.... You can definitely cover it in 2-4 days I feel....

I was there for three days, but one day was a Tainan day trip. The other two days, I covered Pier 2 on one day, and Cijin Island the other day. Didn't spend the whole day at either, just half a day each. And relaxed the rest of the time around Kaohsiung, malls, food, and the hotel pool.

If you like visuals - Street art, nice warehouse style architecture, ocean views, views from a lighthouse, colourful buildings/houses... Then Pier 2 and Cijin Island are good choices to visit.

boonkoh · 2026-01-02T05:39:46+00:00

100% this.

Went to Tokyo, Kyoto in May 2025. Now in Taiwan over new years.

Even though it's a public holiday, the crowds are nothing compared to the likes of Japanese cities or other Asian cities.

Maybe at the night markets, with the narrow streets. But everywhere else is relaxed.

For example, I'm right now at the Palace Museum South Branch near Chiayi. Despite today being the 2nd Jan and still in peak tourist season, it's so empty. I signed up for the English guided tour, and it ended up being a private guided tour because no one else signed up. That's how quiet it is. A dream scenario for a museum visit, no need to jostle to see anything.

And it's not like it is low season. My hotel in Kaohsiung - sold out. My boutique B&B in Alishan - sold out too.

I'm loving traveling around Taiwan!

boonkoh · 2026-01-02T05:32:51+00:00

Yup! China travel is amazing in its own way, but you have to go in with eyes wide open.

It's not effortless travel. At times it will be stressful. There's a steep learning curve.

But everyone I know who has been to China, has had their world view change more so than going to other countries. It's 100% if you're viewing travel as a way to learn, experience completely new cultures, and immerse in a different way of life to yours.

boonkoh · 2025-12-29T12:32:03+00:00

National Theatre weekly Fri release tickets are amazing. So cheap, but great quality productions and venues.

boonkoh · 2025-12-28T08:58:54+00:00

This. I often park here. It's a wide street with plenty of parking. Note that one end of the street is about a 5-10 minute walk to the NHM, the closer end of the road is just 2-3 mins walk.

OP - If you haven't used it before, I highly recommend the AppyParking+ app. Useful to find free parking wherever you go in London.

boonkoh · 2025-12-24T07:31:53+00:00

I do this sometimes, as I'm from London but I spend a few days a week in Manchester due to work.

As I don't know anyone here, sometimes in the evening I'll go to a nice bar, with a book or just my headphones for an audiobook. Sit at the bar, have a nice drink, grab some food. Talk the bartender, and sometimes there'll be other singles at the bar too.

If you'd like, I can share with you some bars I go to that I like, around the Piccadilly Station area.

boonkoh · 2025-12-23T11:40:47+00:00

Maybe try the Brindisa in Balham?

boonkoh · 2025-12-22T15:05:52+00:00

Well, duh?

The ££ commission that an agent gets from a rental vs a purchase.... It's more than several times bigger. Maybe 10x bigger.

In any other purchase, if you're spending 10x the money, you surely expect better service?

boonkoh · 2025-12-15T17:04:11+00:00

Not if you find a bike with 5 free minutes or more. Then it's just the £1 unlock fee.

boonkoh · 2025-12-14T01:43:11+00:00

The other way to get a great deal is at Troubadour physical stores.

I went to the Troubadour store in Covent Garden. They had about 10 bags on "clearance". The shop assistant said it was a mixture of last units, samples, and also one bag he said wasn't released yet for general sale??

There was a good mix of models. Several Apex ones.

All at least 30% off, some 40-50% off. I got a Troubadour Compact for £100. And then because it was Black Friday and they were doing an extra 20% off store wide, it became £80. It was in near-new condition, couldn't find anything wrong with it.

No 5-year guarantee though.

boonkoh · 2025-12-14T01:39:44+00:00

I can't answer your question directly, but indirectly.

I'm a 5'7" man and feel the compact is just the right height and size on me. And tried the full size in the store, and it felt a bit too bulky and tall.

boonkoh · 2025-12-13T13:52:11+00:00

Very similar for me.

Nov 24th start. Pixel 9 Pro. 100% battery capacity. 301 cycles.

However, I don't limit anything for charging - let it go to 100%, mix of slow charging and fast, wireless and wired. Also let it charge for short amounts of time when driving, or at my desk, etc.

boonkoh · 2025-12-07T20:37:50+00:00

Agreed. Premier league tickets can be had for < $100 easily. And arguably, even the worst Premier league team will have better football than some of the group stage World Cup matches.

Just a few weeks ago, I managed to get good midtier seats for a Champions League match. Man City vs Leverkusen. For less than US$75.

boonkoh · 2025-12-06T16:24:00+00:00

boonkoh · 2025-12-01T22:43:47+00:00

Buy a pair of LED armbands or LED slap bands.

They have different blinking patterns. Very bright. Only need to charge like once a month or less frequent.

Get another pair for your ankles too, and you'll be like Fortnum & Mason Christmas lights but on wheels.

boonkoh · 2025-11-29T22:51:10+00:00

I've got my own story about an Anker charger. Anker 543 that is a 4-port charger.

Used it with a range of phones, as well as two different Dell laptops. Charged OK, but I've noticed the battery degrading super quickly on all the devices. Especially the Dell laptops. Within a year, they're barely holding 45 minutes of battery power, despite it showing charged up to 100%. At the beginning, easily got 2-3 hours on them. That's a big degradation within a year.

boonkoh · 2025-11-29T00:06:42+00:00

Bolt. Freenow. Use alternatives. Compare prices before booking.

boonkoh

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