A range cooker is the ultimate all-in-one appliance that can bake, grill, simmer and boil. Frankly, it’s a bit of a game-changer…
First, if you’re wondering why you should consider buying a range cooker, know they are built to last and offer a professional culinary experience at home as well as making a design statement in the kitchen. Often dual fuel, they come with two, three and sometimes four ovens with temperatures from 50ºC to 260ºC+.
You’ll be able to cook multiple dishes at different temperatures at the same time across the ovens from baking and roasting, simmering, convection cooking and a warming oven along with integrated grills. Range cooker hobs are very versatile and suit a range of cooking styles.
The choice is endless from solely induction, gas burners or traditional hot plates to a mix of all three with options of wok burners and griddle plates. The total capacity is more than 140 litres of cooking space and hobs with room to juggle up to 10 pans at one time.
To help you shop with ease and choose the right solution for you, KBB journo Sally Smith shares what you need to know before you buy a range cooker…
What to look out for
The quality and craftsmanship of a range cooker is unique with many made-to-order models available in traditional enamel finishes and in a vast range of deep glossy colours. ECO modes mean you can drop the overall temperature of the range cooker when you are not cooking and reduce heat-up times, helping to conserve energy. You’ll find pre-set programmes, digital displays and up to 15 auto-cooking modes on most models.
Good to know
Range cookers are much heavier than a standard kitchen appliance. The larger models can weigh up to 115kg and smaller ones 84kg and they need careful planning when it comes to installation.
Also, bear in mind that a cast-iron range cooker needs a little extra room to expand, so it’s advisable to leave enough space when installing a range cooker next to worktops or cabinets.
It’s a different way of cooking – traditional hotplates can take around 10 minutes to heat up and some ovens will need up to 60 minutes to reach the maximum temperatures.
Range cooker buying tips
If you are looking for a more contemporary take on the farmhouse style range there are high-quality stainless steel designs on the market, some with single oven capacities of 144 litres.
Range cooker widths vary between 90cm, 120cm and a whopping 170cm plus. A few brands offer 60cm widths, ideal for a smaller space.
It’s going to be an investment, so do lots of thorough research and download the technical manuals to fully understand the capacity and functionality that works best for you. You can arrange face-to-face demos with a few different brands and discuss installation options, which may include a site visit before you buy.
What will a range cooker cost
A range cooker is a substantial piece of kitchen equipment and obviously an investment. You can expect to pay £16,000 to over £25,000 for a traditional 110cm plus cast-iron range cooker. Smaller 90cm models with a large single cavity oven will cost between £3500 to £7000.
The price won’t include installation and delivery. So, you should expect to pay an additional £300 to £500 for a standard two-man delivery. However, if delivery is up some steps or on a first floor you may be charged an additional fee.
Installation tips
- “A 90cm range cooker can create an equally stylish focal point as a larger 110cm version offering as many of the features of the larger cookers, an option if you’re tight on space,” says Robert Stein, product manager for appliances at Rangemaster.
- “Electric range cookers can be installed without the need of a plinth or a flue so you can install virtually anywhere in the kitchen – including in an island unit – as you no longer need an outside wall,” explains Kathryn Lowe, marketing manager, Aga.
- Check the power supplies needed for your cooker before installation: a 32 amp 6mm cable for duel fuel and 45 amp 10mm cable for induction.
Ever wondered how Aga range cookers are made? Click here
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