Cooker buying guide

Larger than a standard oven, range cookers usually have at least two ovens as well as additional features. These can be anything from including a separate grill, warming drawers or storage compartments. In addition to more features and space than a standard oven, range cookers usually have different cooking settings to perfect a whole host of different dishes. Our range cooker online shop includes cookers with a host of features such as a pizza setting, a fan-assisted oven, quick-start, and several others – depending on the model. You will need to decide between electric or gas depending on your personal preferences.

Located on the top of the cooker, this is where all of your pan cooking is done. Choose the best style of hob for your kitchen below:

• Solid plate – Use traditional solid electric plates to heat pots and pans. This is great as an entry-level or cost-effective option.
  
  
• Ceramic - Powered by electricity, ceramic hobs have a smooth, easy-to-clean surface. Simple to operate, they heat up quickly but it’s worth noting that the heat distribution around the bottom of the pans isn’t as precise as when cooking on gas.
  
  
• Induction - These use a magnetic field between the induction element and the pan to heat its contents but not the surface underneath and around it. Safer and quicker to heat than other types of hob, induction hobs are also cheaper to operate as only the energy needed to heat the exact pan size is used. You can check if your pans work on an induction hob by holding a magnet to the pans’ base; if it sticks then your pan will work on an induction appliance.
  
  
• Gas hob - Easy to control as they give instant heat and distribute it well across the base of a pan, gas hobs are still the main choice for professional kitchens and chefs.
  

• Separate grills - These have a dedicated grill, so there’s no need to switch from the oven to grill function.
  
  
• Combined grills - These contain a grill within an oven cavity and are a great way to make use of limited space.
  

Energy efficiency labels can help you choose a machine that uses less energy and saves you money. In 2021, energy labels were updated to a simpler scale of A to G. This helped them adapt to the industry standards which are now much more environmentally friendly than in previous years.

• Easy clean - or self-clean ovens make the usual oven cleaning routine effortless.
  
  
• Enamel liner - these are solid liners inside the cavity of the oven which are easy to clean. Simply wipe down after use and your oven will look good as new.
  

What is a cooker hood? A cooker hood contains a mechanical fan or suction device that is usually suspended above the oven in the kitchen. It removes airborne grease, odours, smoke, heat, and steam from the air by extracting and dispersing it via filtration. It’ll help keep your kitchen cleaner and fresher, too, so unless your oven is an ornament, a cooker hood is a vital piece of kit.
A cooker hood must be fitted in all kitchens built after April 2006, in order to comply with Building Regulations.

Did you know that many of our products are also available for rental? Enjoy the latest tech with low, monthly payments and regular opportunities to upgrade, find out more about Hughes Rental here.