
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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Here's what happened when we tried Tefal's new eco-conscious pan rangeTefal’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 NutribulletIt’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 PitWith 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 inWhich one should you buy and why?
By Helen McCue
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Lotus Grill BBQ reviewThe 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 BBQsWe 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 itEasy 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 ApprovedHomemade 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 reviewForget 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 outThe 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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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 testedThe 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 testIs the Big Green Egg MiniMax worth £800? We find out
By Helen McCue
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We went back to basics and tried the iconic affordable Weber Kettle BBQ - here's why it'll always be a classicWeber invented the kettle barbecue and the Original Weber Kettle is a design classic
By Helen McCue
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Super cute and super affordable - why this £200 BBQ won over our hard-to-please reviewer...Whether you have a small patio or a small family, this compact gas barbecue will fit the bill and make al-fresco cooking easy and stress-free this summer.
By Helen McCue
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Surprising things you can cook in a pizza oven - and things you definitely can'tGet more from your pizza oven and elevate your outdoor cooking experience
By Helen McCue
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Are countertop ovens the next air fryer? We tried one from Lakeland to find outThis small oven can provide additional cooking space at times when your ordinary oven isn’t big enough.
By Helen McCue
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Ten tips to get the most out of your pizza ovenWhether you have one already or you’re thinking of buying one, here’s our advice on making the most out of a pizza oven
By Helen McCue
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Ooni Fyra pizza oven reviewThe Ooni Fyra is a standout, 5-star pizza oven. It feels like there's nothing it can't do
By Helen McCue
