Molly is Ideal Home's Kitchen Appliances Editor and Certified Expert on Appliances and Cookware. Since she started testing products four years ago, she has evaluated hundreds of small appliances in both controlled test environments at the Ideal Home test facility and in her own kitchen, giving her insight into what actually works for home cooks.
Since joining in 2022, she's worked to apply real-world testing to every piece of kitchen-related buying advice you see on the website, which has involved reviewing everything from ice-cream makers to mixing bowls.
While her expertise spans everything you would want to hand in a kitchen, she's particularly known on the team for her comprehensive knowledge of air fryers, having systematically tested pretty much every model released since 2022. She’s tested bestselling products from the biggest names in coffee machines and cooking appliances, including the likes of Ninja, De’Longhi, Sage, Breville, Russell Hobbs and more.
To stay ahead of the next must-have kitchen buy, Molly regularly immerses herself in the world of kitchen technology, from exploring the research and testing facilities of industry leaders like Ninja Kitchen to attending cooking classes with Le Creuset and heading off to major consumer shows like IFA in Berlin.
Her hands-on approach and deep technical understanding allow her to spot not just what's new, but what's actually going to make a difference in your home when it comes to new kitchen tech. Before joining her treasured Ideal Home, she developed her expertise whilst working on the editorial teams for Real Homes, Homes & Gardens, and Livingetc.
IDEAL HOME TRUTHS
Where’s your happy place?
The beach! I love finding a great new beach but I have a real soft spot for UK ones (rain or shine!) so I'll pick one either in my hometown of Bournemouth or in Cornwall.
What’s your home addiction?
Kitchen gadgets are my ultimate home addiction, even outside of work time. Luckily I have a section of floor-to-ceiling open shelving in my flat where I can stash my favourites, but I still find myself overflowing with sourdough jars and herb keepers. It's a great perk of the job!
What is your next home project?
I need to find a way to display my cast-iron cookware stylishly. The farmhouse-style kitchen of my dreams with open shelving is off the cards for now, so I'm looking for a way to replicate the look in my rental kitchen for a bit less.
Latest articles by Molly Cleary
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Lakeland just dropped a bean-to-cup coffee machine for under £300 – this Sage lookalike is a stealI think there might be a sellout on the cards
By Molly Cleary
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Smeg has unveiled its first standalone air fryer, and it's a beautyIt's compact, under £200 and has a clever design feature to make your worktop look less cluttered
By Molly Cleary
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Le Creuset just dropped its most unlikely limited edition collection everThese are the pieces I'm predicting will skyrocket in value once the range sells out
By Molly Cleary
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Is HexClad’s bestselling pan really the ultimate kitchen game-changer? Here’s my honest verdict after 4 months of non-stop useMy honest thoughts on this pricey pan
By Molly Cleary
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Ninja's new air fryer launch doubles down on its most innovative design yetHere's why it's a game-changer for weeknights and meal preppers
By Molly Cleary
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Le Creuset's massive in-person warehouse sale is officially returningHow to secure your spot before it sells out
By Molly Cleary
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I swapped all my plastic food storage for glass – these 4 retailers (with picks from £4) are the ones I recommend to friendsI've tried picks from all of these places
By Molly Cleary
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Whether you call them blates, plowls, or pasta bowls, traditional plates are officially outdated and these pieces prove itIdeal Home's edit of the undisputed king of the crockery cupboard
By Molly Cleary
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Microwave speed with air fryer crispiness? Ninja’s new 2-in-1 appliance sounds almost too good to be trueThis space-savvy buy might just be the answer to your prayers for leftovers
By Molly Cleary
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The 8 best dual zone air fryers as tested by the Ideal Home teamAll of the best dual zone air fryers that I've tried and tested – so that you can read up before you invest
By Molly Cleary
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This £15 Lakeland lunchbox swap is about to completely upgrade your September food prep routine – get ready to ditch the plastic for goodThis is the £12.99 buy keen meal preppers need to know about
By Molly Cleary
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Lakeland’s Only Pan collection just got bigger – these are the pieces to snap up if you want to stylishly banish clutter in a cosy kitchenIf you're looking for aesthetically pleasing cookware on a budget, look no further
By Molly Cleary
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This slim Lavazza milk frother saved me £5 a day on iced coffees this summerIt's the upgrade every compact kitchen cafe needs
By Molly Cleary
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I finally have space for a coffee station after years of dreaming of one – these are the clever buys my Editor has persuaded me to invest inHow I'm setting up the perfect coffee station
By Molly Cleary
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Retro kitchen appliances are the ultimate way to blend nostalgia and timelessness in your home – these 16 styles will never dateThese pastel delights have a classic charm that'll never go out of style
By Molly Cleary
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The best Ninja air fryer of 2025 - our definitive ranking of these game-changing appliancesWondering which is the best Ninja air fryer to switch up your cooking? Here's everything you need to know
By Molly Cleary
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I tried Ninja's most expensive (and divisive) coffee machine yet – is the AutoBarista Pro actually worth it?Here's how I got on with Ninja's first automatic coffee machine
By Molly Cleary
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It took me years to finesse my meal prep routine on a Sunday – 4 products that help me get ready for the week aheadFrom clever food containers to the perfect peeler
By Molly Cleary
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The best coffee machines, all reviewed and rankedI've tried dozens of coffee machines to bring you this list of recommendations
By Molly Cleary
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This compact Ninja coffee machine has been flying under the radar – now it’s reduced by £100It's time for those with small kitchens to take note
By Molly Cleary
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Nigella Lawson insists on packing not one but two of this £25 kitchen gadget for every holiday – here’s why it’s my everyday essential at home, tooWhy the chef and cookbook writer can't survive a holiday without this star buy
By Molly Cleary
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I waited years to finally have a pantry space but it took these 4 storage buys to actually make it functionalHere's how I'm trying to make the most of this space
By Molly Cleary
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The best Slushie machine in the UK – tried and tested favouritesThese slushie machines will provide endless fun when hosting or just for an evening in
By Molly Cleary
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This is the £29 Dunelm kitchen set that uni students (and their parents) are rushing to snap upI wish I'd had one when I left for halls
By Molly Cleary
