The joys and pitfalls of buying a cooker

Free standing cookers
A freestanding cooker includes the hob, oven and grill all in one and is designed to stand alone or to be slotted into a space between kitchen units.  Which type you choose will depend on your style of cooking, the number of people you have to cook for, the type of fuel you prefer to use (or which is available) and the amount of space you have to house it. 

A  typical model will have four burners, one oven and a grill.  Larger models and range cookers will usually have two ovens, five or more burners and some will have a grill integrated into one of the ovens.  Stylewise there is plenty on offer. Just about any look you want is to be found out there in the wonderful world of cookers with traditional, retro and ultra modern designs and some stunning colours and finishes.

Range cookers
Larger range style cookers can complement any style of kitchen. If you are thinking of buying a range cooker then buy one that is a minimum 90cm wide.  This will give you a regular sized oven (60cm) plus a much smaller one which is ideal and efficient when cooking for one. 

A 100cm wide cooker will give you a bigger second oven which is not really neccessary.  Some models will have a separate grill but often this will be incorporated into one of the ovens.

A grill in a multi function oven will also provide fan assisted grilling which reduces spitting and splashing of fat and can be used with the door closed offering a greater level of safety to the cook and others as well as more even cooking. Some ovens will also feature a rotisserie.

Separate hobs and ovens
These are more suitable if you want a fully fitted kitchen and come in a huge variety of designs and sizes.  It also means that you can have your oven and at waist level which makes getting hot dishes and baking trays in and out much easier.

Solid fuel ranges
These include the wonderful Aga beloved of farmers’ wives which can also provide hot water for the house.  Other makes will run central heating systems and can be run off a variety of fuels and come in a range of colours and models to suit the modern home.  These are enormously expensive and of questionable value unless your are a wealthy landowner living in darkest Devon. 

Fuel
The best hob is definitely one powered by gas.  Nothing else has the instant controllability that gas offers.  If you want a gas hob but mains gas is not available in your area then LPG (liquified petroleum gas) or Calor gas is a really good alternative.  However, a gas fired oven does not give as equal a distribution of heat as that of an electric oven.  The best and most popular combination for a cooker is a gas hob with an electric oven.

In recent years the versatility of the traditional electric hob has improved due to the use of halogen where the heat generated come from halogen lamps under the glass transmits heat and light upwards and the ingenious (if expensive) induction system.  When using an induction hob the pan (which must have a magnetic base) completes the circuit allowing for instant heat which shuts off instantly when the pan is removed from the hob.

Cleaning
An important consideration when buying a cooker is ease of cleaning.  Stay clean liners in the oven resist the build up of grime but the ultimate is pyrolitic cleaning which burns off baked on dirt and grease at a temperature of 500°C reducing it to ash that can just be swept out.  Where hobs are concerned, an electric ceramic hob will be easier to keep clean than a gas one but you need to take care that you use a soft cloth rather than abrasive cleaners or scourers.