Like many homeowners, I’ve battled with a perpetually cold kitchen, especially during the long, chilly British winters. The struggle to keep warm while cooking or enjoying a morning cuppa was real, compounded by the lack of wall space for a traditional radiator. This wasn’t just about comfort; a cold kitchen meant higher heating bills trying to warm the entire house, and a less inviting heart of the home. Finding a discreet, efficient heating solution was paramount, and that’s when I started exploring options like the Bidex Diamond 1.9kw Electric Kitchen Plinth Heater.
Before diving into any specific product, it’s crucial to understand why a plinth heater might be the right (or wrong) choice for you. Plinth heaters are ingenious devices designed to fit neatly into the unused space beneath kitchen cabinets, offering a fantastic solution for those with limited wall space. They’re perfect for small to medium-sized kitchens, utility rooms, or even conservatories where conventional radiators would be impractical or would compromise the room’s aesthetic.
The ideal customer for a plinth heater is someone who values space, has a modern kitchen design, or simply needs an efficient supplementary heat source without cluttering their walls. If you’re constantly finding your kitchen cold, even with central heating on, or if you’ve recently renovated and removed radiators for a sleeker look, a plinth heater could be your answer. However, they aren’t for everyone. If you have ample wall space and a robust central heating system that adequately warms your kitchen, a plinth heater might be an unnecessary expense. Similarly, if you’re looking for a primary heat source for a very large, open-plan area, a single plinth heater might struggle, and you might need to consider multiple units or a different heating approach altogether.
Before purchasing, consider several factors: the heat output (does it match your room size?), control options (manual, thermostat, timer – how much flexibility do you need?), size (will it fit your plinth cavity?), installation complexity (are you comfortable with wiring, or will you need a professional?), and crucially, safety features. Thinking through these points will help you determine if a plinth heater is genuinely what you need.
- EFFICIENT HEATING: The Diamond 1.9E has 2 heat settings 950w and 1900w so giving you the most efficient heating solution to heat your kitchen by not having to be on full power all the time. This along...
- BE IN CONTROL: With 2 heat settings 950watts and 1.9kw this means you can keep your room warm while cutting the cost
Introducing the Bidex Diamond 1.9E: A Closer Look
The Bidex Diamond 1.9kw Electric Kitchen Plinth Heater with Room Thermostat & Timer – White Grille is a compact, under-cabinet heating unit designed to efficiently warm your kitchen while remaining almost entirely out of sight. Its promise is simple yet powerful: reclaim valuable wall space and enjoy a consistently warm kitchen without compromising on style or functionality. When you purchase this unit, you receive the heater itself, a sleek white front grille, a generous 3-meter power cable, a separate thermostatic controller/room thermostat, and all the necessary fixing screws. Compared to some older, more basic models on the market, the Bidex Diamond 1.9E stands out with its Lot 20 compliance, indicating a higher standard of energy efficiency and control, making it a more sophisticated choice than simple on/off heaters.
This specific electric kitchen plinth heater is ideal for those who have a kitchen lacking adequate heating or where traditional radiators are simply not an option due to space constraints or aesthetic preferences. It’s perfect for modern kitchens seeking a minimalist look, or for anyone needing supplementary heating in a smaller, enclosed space. Conversely, it’s not the best fit for someone needing a primary heating solution for an exceptionally large, open-plan area, or for those who are completely adverse to any form of electrical wiring or needing a professional for installation.
Here’s a quick rundown of its pros and cons based on my experience and detailed product information:
Pros:
* Space-Saving Design: Frees up wall space for cabinetry or other appliances, seamlessly integrating into your kitchen.
* Efficient Heating: Two heat settings (950W/1900W) allow for flexible and economical warmth, aided by Lot 20 compliance.
* Smart Control: Comes with a 7-day programmable timer and a room thermostat for precise temperature management and scheduling.
* Safety Features: Equipped with overheat protection, and both CE and UKCA certified for peace of mind.
* Manufacturer Guarantee: Backed by a 2-year warranty, offering assurance of product quality.
Cons:
* Installation Complexity: The separate thermostat and timer controller often require chasing wires into walls, making it less of a simple plug-and-play for some users.
* Potential Reliability Issues: Some user reports indicate issues with internal switches or fan noise over time, which may require repair.
* Programming Learning Curve: The initial setup and programming of the timer/thermostat can be a bit fiddly and may require some trial and error.
* Not a Remote Control: The “controller” isn’t a wireless remote; it’s a wired unit that needs to be mounted, which can be misleading from some descriptions.
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- 2 POWER SETTINGS: Choose from 1000W and 2000W of power to get your home or office space heated effectively
Unpacking the Benefits: Diving Deep into the Bidex Diamond 1.9E’s Features
Having used the Bidex Diamond 1.9kw Electric Kitchen Plinth Heater for a considerable period, I can speak to its practical features and how they translate into tangible benefits in daily life.
Ingenious Space-Saving Design
One of the most compelling aspects of the Bidex Diamond 1.9kw Electric Kitchen Plinth Heater is its design. It’s truly a marvel how a heating unit can virtually disappear into your kitchen. The heater unit itself is compact (320mm wide x 200mm deep x 97mm high), and the front grille (100mm high x 497mm wide) fits seamlessly under a standard 500mm wide kitchen cabinet.
This discrete placement is a game-changer. For years, I’d struggled with where to put a radiator without it getting in the way of cabinetry, appliances, or just making the room feel smaller and cluttered. By tucking away beneath the plinth, the Bidex Diamond 1.9E effectively reclaims valuable wall space. This feature is incredibly important in modern homes where every inch counts. It allows for more flexible kitchen layouts, more storage, or simply a cleaner, more minimalist aesthetic. It directly solves the core problem of a cold kitchen without sacrificing precious real estate, transforming what was once dead space into a functional heat source.
Efficient Heating with Dual Power Settings
The Bidex Diamond 1.9E isn’t just about saving space; it’s also about effective and efficient heating. With two heat settings, 950W and 1900W, it offers flexibility to suit varying needs. On a mildly chilly day, the 950W setting is often sufficient to take the edge off and maintain a comfortable ambient temperature. When the mercury truly plummets, or if I need to quickly warm up the kitchen after it’s been cold for a while, the full 1.9kw (1900W) output kicks in, rapidly circulating warm air.
This dual power setting, combined with its forced-air heating method, ensures that heat is distributed quickly and evenly within its coverage area of approximately 29 square meters. This means you don’t have to wait ages for the room to feel warm, and you’re not constantly running it at maximum power, which helps manage energy consumption. Being Lot 20 Compliant further assures me that this electric kitchen plinth heater meets modern energy efficiency standards, providing warmth without breaking the bank on electricity bills. It’s a noticeable improvement over inefficient portable heaters that often just warm a small spot.
Smart Control: Integrated Thermostat and Timer
One of the features that truly sets the Bidex Diamond 1.9kw Electric Kitchen Plinth Heater with Room Thermostat & Timer apart from simpler models is its comprehensive control system. The separate thermostatic controller and 7-day programmable timer offer an impressive level of control over your kitchen’s temperature. While some users initially find the programming a bit complex, I’ve found that once you get the hang of it, it’s incredibly intuitive.
I’ve set mine to come on an hour before I typically wake up, ensuring the kitchen is lovely and warm for breakfast. Similarly, it can be programmed to switch off when I leave for work and then come back on for the evening. The room thermostat then intelligently maintains the desired temperature, preventing overheating and unnecessary energy expenditure. This level of automation is fantastic for both comfort and cost-saving. It ensures that the kitchen is only heated when needed, to the exact temperature required, rather than just blasting heat indiscriminately. And for those times you don’t want to use the programmable controls, it can simply be connected to a power socket and run manually, offering flexibility.
Safety Features and Build Quality
Safety is always a top concern when it comes to electrical appliances, and the Bidex Diamond 1.9E addresses this effectively. It comes with built-in overheat protection, which is a crucial feature that provides peace of mind. Should the unit detect an abnormally high temperature, it will automatically shut down, preventing any potential hazards. Furthermore, the heater is both CE and UKCA certified, meaning it meets the stringent safety, health, and environmental protection requirements for products sold within the UK and European Economic Area.
The manufacturer also provides a 2-year guarantee, which speaks to their confidence in the product’s durability. While there have been a few scattered reports of internal switch issues or fan noise developing over time – a minor disadvantage to be aware of – for the most part, the unit feels robust and well-constructed for its purpose. The 3m power cable also offers good flexibility for connection.
Installation and Setup Insights
Installing the plinth heater itself is relatively straightforward, designed to fit standard plinth dimensions. However, it’s the wiring of the external thermostatic controller that often requires a bit more thought and sometimes professional assistance. The instructions suggest connecting relatively thick gauge wires into small terminals, and the controller itself shouldn’t be placed too close to a heat source. For someone who isn’t confident with electrical work, getting a qualified electrician to install it might be necessary, especially if you want to integrate the controller neatly into your wall.
My experience involved carefully planning the wiring route and making sure the controller was in an accessible yet discreet location. While it wasn’t a “plug and play” in the simplest sense, the effort was well worth it for the integrated control. The benefit here is that while the installation might require some careful planning, once it’s done, you have a fully integrated and aesthetically pleasing heating solution, rather than an external unit with trailing wires. This thoughtful integration enhances both the functionality and the look of the kitchen.
What Others Are Saying: Real-World Experiences
I’ve scoured various online platforms and found that many users share a similar positive sentiment about the Bidex Diamond 1.9kw Electric Kitchen Plinth Heater. Many praise its effective heating, noting how quickly it brings warmth to their kitchens. Customers frequently highlight the convenience of the programmable timer and room thermostat, despite some mentioning an initial learning curve for setup. The value it offers for the price is often commended, with the space-saving design being a consistent winning point that allows for more practical kitchen layouts. While a few have reported isolated incidents concerning switch durability or missing components upon delivery, the general consensus leans towards a reliable and beneficial addition to the home, effectively solving the cold kitchen dilemma.
Final Thoughts: Is the Bidex Diamond 1.9E Right for Your Kitchen?
If you’re tired of enduring a cold kitchen, or if bulky radiators are limiting your design choices and space, the problem needs addressing. A perpetually cold kitchen isn’t just uncomfortable; it can lead to higher energy consumption as you try to compensate, and it certainly doesn’t make for an inviting home environment. The Bidex Diamond 1.9kw Electric Kitchen Plinth Heater is an excellent fit for solving this. Its intelligent space-saving design frees up valuable wall space, its efficient dual-power heating, combined with programmable controls, ensures targeted warmth when you need it most, and its safety features offer essential peace of mind. To explore this fantastic heating solution further, click here.
Last update on 2025-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API