Helen McCue
Helen is Ideal Home's expert kitchen appliances tester, with a wealth of experience that spans a Home Economics degree and a stint at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Over the last three years, she has tested dozens of products for Ideal Home from her home in Buckinghamshire, including a long list of air fryers, blenders, bean-to-cup coffee machines, vacuums and sleep essentials. Helen is our go-to kitchen expert and tests out every kitchen appliance with a range of delicious recipes.
Latest articles by Helen McCue
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Can't decide between a single or double drawer air fryer? We review the Instant VersaZone, which means you don't have to
The Instant Versazone combines top performance with flexible cooking options
By Helen McCue
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The Russell Hobbs Satisfry Snappi Air Fryer isn't perfect, but it has flexibility we haven't seen in competitors
The Satisfry’s flexible cooking zone might sound like a dream come true, but it comes with compromises
By Helen McCue
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We review the new Smeg EGF03 Espresso Machine with Grinder
If you’re looking for a statement coffee machine this is it
By Helen McCue
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We reviewed Lakeland's excellent dual basket air fryer with easy view windows
A dual basket air fryer that performs well, and won’t break the bank
By Helen McCue
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Ninja's new air fryer is a five-star success, according to our expert reviewer
With plenty of flexible cooking options, Ninja’s new FlexDrawer air fryer is a brilliant large-capacity air fryer
By Helen McCue
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Here's what happened when we tried Tefal's new eco-conscious pan range
Tefal’s newest pan range ticks some eco boxes, but are they as good as normal non-stick pans?
By Helen McCue
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We try the Magic Bullet air fryer - the cheap and cheerful option from the makers of Nutribullet
It’s compact and budget friendly, but can the Magic Bullet Air Fryer stand up to the competition?
By Helen McCue
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Is the Smeg Personal Blender as functional as it is pretty?
Add a splash of colour to your kitchen while blitzing up healthy shakes and smoothies with the Smeg Personal Blender
By Helen McCue
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This is the most premium Vax you can buy, but is it worth the investment?
This is the most premium Vax you can buy, but is it worth the investment?
By Helen McCue
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'Plenty of cooking space and great for camping' - Our expert reviewer tries the 2-in-1 Wave BBQ and Fire Pit
With the Wave BBQ and Fire Pit you can keep the fun going after you’ve cooked your food, by loading it up with logs and sitting around the fire pit.
By Helen McCue
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Should you buy a BBQ or a pizza oven? The low down on which outdoor appliance to invest in
Which one should you buy and why?
By Helen McCue
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Lotus Grill BBQ review
The LotusGrill is the BBQ you can take anywhere, it offers loads of great features but it’s pricey
By Helen McCue
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What is a Kamado grill? We explain the hype behind these cult charcoal BBQs
We explain all about this unique charcoal BBQ so you can figure out whether it’s the right choice for you
By Helen McCue
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Are side burners on a BBQ worth it?
Some gas BBQs come with a side burner that’s essentially a hob ring, but do you really need it?
By Helen McCue
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Struggling with the cost of grilling crisis? The affordable Vonhaus 4+1 Burner Gas BBQ might help to beat it
Easy to use and practical gas BBQ for summer entertaining
By Helen McCue
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Portable vs freestanding BBQs - which should you buy?
We delve into the differences and find out what each is suitable for
By Helen McCue
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The Vonhaus pizza oven is a total steal right now for £150 - here's why it's Ideal Home Approved
Homemade pizza will never be the same again after you set up the Vonhaus Outdoor Pizza Oven in your back garden
By Helen McCue
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Big Green Egg vs Weber - which BBQ brand should you buy for this summer?
Which American BBQ brand should you choose?
By Helen McCue
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BergHOFF Tabletop BBQ review
Forget struggling with sub-standard disposable BBQs - invest in this compact tabletop BBQ from BergHOFF instead
By Helen McCue
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Is it worth paying £20 more for the Henry Xtra vacuum? We tried it to find out
The Henry Xtra is an upgrade on a standard Henry. It’s ideal if you’ve got a larger home or a variety of floor types to vacuum.
By Helen McCue
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Why do professional cleaners use Henry vacuums? We tested one to find out
Henry isn’t fancy or flashy, but this smiley red vacuum is robust and affordable
By Helen McCue
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We tested the most famous pink vacuum cleaner on the market and we think Henry's got some competition...
We tried out Hetty to see if this legendary cleaning appliance can still cut it in the fast moving world of vacuum cleaners
By Helen McCue
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GoodHome Malay 9000BTU air conditioner review – tried and tested
The GoodHome Malay 9000BTU Air Conditioner is a big, heavy, white box, but it’ll keep you comfortably cool on hot sticky days
By Helen McCue
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Is the Big Green Egg BBQ worth the price? We put the entry-level version to the test
Is the Big Green Egg MiniMax worth £800? We find out
By Helen McCue