Cooker buying guide

There is a wide variety of cookers and ovens on the market, but have you wondered what the actual difference is between these two appliances?

Essentially cookers are freestanding appliances that house an oven, grill and hobs. Depending on their size and your kitchen design, cookers are usually placed between your kitchen units and worktop.

However, an oven just refers to the electrical appliance that you use to cook food, from rustling up a Sunday roast to baking a cake. Depending on your kitchen layout, there are built-in ovens that fit into your kitchen units or standalone models available. Otherwise, an oven will always be incorporated into any type of cooker.

There are three main types of cooker available, however your choice will predominantly come down to the fuel supply you have available in your current kitchen layout:

• Dual fuel cooker;

• Gas cooker;

• Electric cooker.

Each unit will include an oven and a set of hobs, while some models will come with a built-in grill. In terms of size, most cookers range from 45cm to 60cm in width with varying oven capacities.

Dual fuel cookers are particularly popular given that they combine electric ovens and gas hobs. Keen cooks appreciate how gas burners provide effective heat control and quick cooking times when using frying pans or saucepans, whilst having the accuracy that electric ovens give.

Gas cookers work solely with a gas fuel supply, therefore the hobs and oven will both be powered by this method. Given the instant heat that gas hobs provide, these models are particularly popular as it can be fairly simple to have expert control of your cooking. The only difference with gas ovens is that heat will rise to the top meaning that the lower part of the oven will be at a lower temperature, which can make cooking multiple dishes accurately quite difficult.

However, gas cookers can be versatile appliances as they come in single oven, double oven and twin cavity varieties which enables you to grill food. Grilling and using the oven can be done in the same unit for single oven models, whereas the grill and oven are separate in twin cavity and double oven appliances, which allows for simultaneous cooking.

Electric cookers include an electric oven which can be conventional or fan-operated, to provide an even cooking temperature. In addition, electric cookers offer three types of hob:

• Induction;

• Ceramic;

• Sealed plate.

Induction hobs

Induction hobs are the most energy-efficient hob type available and provide quick heat and control. However, stainless steel and cast iron pans are necessary in order to operate induction hobs.

Ceramic hobs

Ceramic hobs are flat and smooth, however they take longer to heat up than gas or induction models. Additionally, copper and aluminum pans are to be avoided when using this type of hob.

Sealed plate hobs

Sealed plate hobs usually feature on older cooking appliances and tend to take longer to heat up, although any type of pan can be used on them.

Range cookers are usually associated with country kitchens, however there is a wide range of options available for most kitchen sizes and families. Range cookers typically measure between 90 and 120 cm wide and are suitable for all fuel types. Much like standard cookers, there are three main types of range cooker:

• Dual fuel range cooker;

• Gas range cooker;

• Electric range cooker.

The obvious advantage of range cookers is their size which can accomodate two ovens, a separate grill and up to 8 hob rings including wok burners, depending on the fuel type. Therefore, they are perfect for large families or people who love to cook and entertain for friends and family given the available space and the option to keep food warm with a warming drawer.

Most cookers and range cookers have similar features which can facilitate your cooking, however this will depend largely on your price range.

Grills

If grilling is something that you do often, a cooker or range cooker with a separate grill will probably be worthwhile. Some single oven cookers also have a grill function incorporated into the oven unit.

Cleaning

Cleaning cookers can be a notoriously messy job, with grease and dirt proving particularly stubborn. However, most cookers have an enamel coating which makes cleaning grease and dirt easier.

In addition, some cookers have a catalytic liner which soaks up grease and burns it off when cooking at high temperatures. Certain cookers and range cookers may also have a pyrolytic cleaning option which burns grease. Subsequently, all that is needed is to clean up any ash that is left behind.

Oven functions

Some higher-end cookers and range cookers offer a variety of oven functions, such as having different temperatures at the top and bottom of the oven, as well as a grill. Certain range cookers may also include a rotisserie feature, a griddle and drawers to keep food warm.

Timer

Most cookers will have a programmable timer which keeps you aware of when your food is ready, so you don’t forget!

Lids and hot zones

Lids are usually found on gas cookers and can be useful for when the cooker is not in use as extra worktop space.

Hot zones are also important to consider when planning where to fit your cooker as furniture, plug sockets and other items can’t be fitted above it unless they are heat-resistant.

LPG

If you live rurally and don’t have access to a gas supply, some cookers and range cookers can be converted to be compatible with liquefied petroleum gas bottles. This ensures that you have access to the benefits of cooking with gas.

Energy efficiency

Cooker energy labels are attributed based on the old energy efficiency scale which goes from A+++ to D. A+++ being the most energy-efficient appliance and D being the least.

Cookers and range cookers are freestanding appliances and are usually placed between kitchen units, therefore accurate measurements are required to ensure you select the correct appliance for your kitchen.

Whether you opt for a gas, electric or dual-fuel cooker, a qualified electrician or gas registered engineer will be required to install the appliance. If you are replacing an old cooker, always try to recycle by taking it to a local household waste recycling centre.