Cookers Buying Guide

Cookers Buying Guide

We're here to help you buy a new cooker. We've got advice and information about all the latest cookers. We discuss the features and specifications you need to look for, including safety, styles, and energy efficiency.

Gas or electric used to be the main factor to consider when buying a new cooker but now as we increasingly become a nation of foodies we can choose from so much more; duel fuel, range cookers, those with hotplates and double ovens to name just some features.

To help you decide which cooker is right for you we examine the choices on offer and answer the questions you should be asking before buying.

What is my budget?

Cookers cost anywhere from £55 for a basic model with very few extras and features to more than £4,000 for the top of the range cookers loaded with additional features.

Range Cookers have become increasingly popular and prices for these vary from around £400 up to four figures.

Dual fuel free standing ovens are generally more expensive than single fuels costing from £255 to around £4,000.

What kind of fuel?

Freestanding cookers can be all-electric, all-gas or dual fuel - with an electric oven but gas hob.

Your choice of fuel will be determined by the supply to your home but liquid propane gas (LPG) options are also available instead of natural gas.

Electric or Gas?

The popularity of gas cookers has decreased over recent years with both consumers and manufacturers seeming to prefer electric – particularly for powering ovens.

But as with most things there are pros and cons:

Gas cookers Electric cookers
Advantages Disadvantages Advantages Disadvantages
Ovens Moist heat stops roast meat drying out. Fan-assisted model is a must for really even temperatures. Versatile programming options. Non fan-assisted types must be pre-heated before cooking.
Grills Instant heat Uneven heat distribution on traditional grills. Economical half-grill settings. Even heat distribution. Slower to heat up than gas.
Hobs Easy to control. Fast acting Traditional models with nooks and crannies may be tricky to clean. Most models are easy to clean. Slower to heat up, especially cheaper solid plates. Less controllable than gas.

Gas

Gas ovens are quicker and cheaper to run than electric versions. Most are hotter at the top, cooler at the bottom. But this uneven distribution can be improved with fanned gas ovens.

You will need a supply of gas, either natural gas (piped directly into most UK homes) or liquid propane gas (LPG), which is usually stored in an outside tank. Some cookers can be converted for LPG use, but check first.

Electric

Electric cookers tend to offer a wider range of features such as varying cooking methods. They are also available in a greater selection of colours and can generally be installed anywhere in the kitchen as there is no need to consider draughts or gas connections.

They cook more evenly than the gas alternative. However they must be pre-heated (this is reduced if fan assisted) before cooking can begin and the heat is less controllable.

Dual fuel

Dual fuel cookers combine the speed and convenience of an electric oven with the benefit of a gas hob for instant heat and increased temperature control.

With fewer duel fuel models around the choice is more limited.

Other

Some cookers also run on solid fuel or oil (e.g. Agas).

What types of cooker?

Freestanding Cookers

Freestanding cookers which generally fit into a gap between kitchen units, normally consist of an oven, grill and a four-burner hob.

Grills are either eye-level or within the oven. Traditionally oven heat comes from either the top or bottom. But newer models tend to have heat directed from both top and bottom, which creates more even cooking.

They generally come in 50cm, 55cm or 60cm widths. The height (from hob to base) and depth of most freestanding cookers are standard measurements of around 900mm x 600mm.

Range Cookers

These are larger models with a width of 70cm upwards will either have two or more ovens or a single very large one (anything from 60-118 litres compared with the average 55 litres for a standard oven), and six or more burners. Some also have storage drawers, slow cookers, warming areas and separate grill compartments.

With prices coming down to under £1,000 they are becoming increasingly popular and there are plenty of options to choose from.

They offer space and flexibility for cooking and are available in all fuel options. Some have a cooker with a double oven and separate grill, allowing you to use all three at once.

But they obviously take up more room – so think about how much and what you cook on a regular basis.

Style

Like many kitchen appliances we no longer simply have to choose from white or white and there are range of styles from traditional to contemporary to suit the feel of your kitchen.

You can also choose from a wide selection of colours including brown, green, blue, red, aluminium and black and many more as well as finishes like stainless steel.

The Hob

Electric Hobs

There are four main types of electrical hobs available but it is important to bear in mind good quality pans with smooth flat bases should be used to protect the hob and get the best results.

Sealed plate hobs
The heat is evenly distributed beneath the surface of the cookware placed over the hobs allowing even cooking. Although more expensive than the gas variations they are cost effective in the long run because heat is conducted across the whole pan.
Radiant rings
Radiant rings are simply coiled metal elements and are the cheapest hob option. They glow red at full temperature, and are generally slower to heat up and cool down than other hob types. They can also be quite difficult to clean.
Ceramic hobs
Ceramic Hobs have halogen, radiant or semi-halogen heating elements under a heat resistant glass. Halogen is a bulb with a tungsten element and halogen gas. Semi-halogen is a halogen bulb surrounded by a radiant element.
They often have timers, sensors, switches and touch controls. They can even let you know when the hob is cool.
These models are generally viewed as the most effective one and are also the most expensive.
Halogen hobs
Halogen has a faster response than radiant and has been described as electricity's answer to gas, though it cannot match gas for speed and control.

Gas Hobs

Gas hobs are popular because of their instant visible heat and controllability. They are also considerably cheaper, but have more parts and are often harder to clean.

Most gas hobs have one large, rapid burner (around 2.8kW), two medium burners (around 1.8kW) and a smaller burner (around 1kW) for gentle simmering.

The ignition system varies; some use a battery while others ignite with power from the mains. The modern automatic version ignites as soon as the knob is turned on.

Modern improvements in safety mean the gas supply is turner off if the flame blows out and some have a glass lid that will automatically cut off the gas supply if it is closed.

Hobs on range-style cookers have up to eight burners, and often special features like a large rapid burner (3.5kW to 5kW with a stand to support a wok), a griddle plate designed to sit over two burners, or an elongated burner for fish kettles. Also look out for big chunky pan supports - which provide better stability.

The Oven

Conventional/Static Oven

The basic and most straightforward method for ovens is known as "static" or "conventional" cooking with elements in the top and bottom to heat it to the required temperature.

Convection Fan Ovens

Fan ovens have an electric fan around the heating element and cook faster and at lower temperatures than conventional electric ovens. There is also no need to pre-heat before cooking. When using this sort of oven, remember to decrease both the temperature and cooking time (the manufacturer's instruction booklet will provide details).

Double oven

The two ovens provided are normally one full size and one smaller oven. The top (or smaller) oven would normally be a conventional oven and grill. The larger is likely to offer more functions.

There are some appliances with two ovens the same size – they are known as "twin" ovens.

Multi-function Ovens

Some cooks like to have the option of cooking with a conventional oven as well as fan – available in multi-function ovens.

Typically manufacturers offer multi-function ovens with 7 or 8 functions:

  • Fan only or defrost
  • Fanned cooking
  • Normal convection cooking
  • Top heat only for (food like pizza)
  • Bottom heat only (for flans etc)
  • Half grill
  • Full grill

Heat Storage Cookers (Agas)

Agas traditionally had two ovens but are now also available with three or four.

An Aga is always ready to cook instantly and there are no switches and dials. Consistent temperatures are maintained and high levels of insulation ensure that every Aga uses fuel economically.

Aga cooking is said to preserve more of your food's moisture, flavour, texture and goodness because heat is transferred into the cast iron ovens and released steadily from all the inner surfaces simultaneously. This is a gentler process than direct heat from the elements or flames in most ovens.

Models can run on fuel sources: natural or propane gas, oil, electricity, wood and solid fuel.

Energy Efficiency

Since 2003 cooking appliances have to be rated for energy efficiency (A to G), most good quality ovens are rated 'A' for energy although the difference in energy consumption between an A and B oven is very small.

Double ovens will have two ratings, one for the top oven and one for the bottom oven.

Cleaning

Before choosing an oven, think about how you will clean it. Modern ovens have a variety of built-in cleaning technologies.

Stay-clean liners

These are detachable metal liners in the sides, and sometimes the back, of the oven which can be lifted out for cleaning. This type of liner is now only seen on budget-priced ovens – most manufacturers opt for catalytic liners.

Catalytic liners

These liners on the sides, and sometimes the roof and back, of the oven are treated with a special material that absorbs grease splashes. When the oven is run at around 200°C or higher, the splashes are burnt off.

Most ovens have replaceable liners as over a long period they can become saturated and will no longer burn off all the fat and grease. However, a few ovens have 'painted' on linings which cannot be replaced.

Liners are also called 'Oxylytic' and 'CeramiClean' by different manufacturers.

Pyrolysis

Pyrolysis claims to be 100% effective and practically labour-free. This system is available on the more expensive electric cookers, but is becoming more widespread. Put simply it works by heating the oven to a very high temperature so that all spills are reduced to a fine grey ash that can be wiped away when it has cooled down.

Whatever technique you choose you should clean your oven regularly to optimize its performance.

How long should it last?

The lifespan of an oven's heating element is generally the determining factor of a cookers lifespan. Elements can last for a number of decades.

Installation

By law, all gas appliances must be installed by a member of the Council for Registered Gas Installers (CORGI). CORGI members have to meet high installation and safety standards before they join the organisation. If the appliance is not fitted by a CORGI member or, if you try to do it yourself and it goes wrong, your warranty may become void. Your gas supplier can even refuse to connect the supply. Also, don't forget that your gas cooker may need to connect to the electricity supply too, especially if it has an electronic ignition system rather than a battery powered one.