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Range Cookers for the home
How to Choose Your New Range Cooker
One of the major purchases for your kitchen will be your range cooker, afterall, you will use it everyday thus your next range cooker needs to meet your every need while complimenting the décor of your kitchen. There are many things to consider before buying your new range cooker
the first main issue is how the range cooker will fit in with your kitchen layout and design.
Since range cookers are perfect for all styles of kitchens with the ability to compliment modern, traditional, contemporary and country decors the important factor is to choose a model that looks “right”. Select a slightly more of a classic design if you have a country or period kitchen and select something ultra modern if your kitchen is quite modernized.
Even though you may have the perfect range cooker in mind now the decision is what
about the colour? In today’s times the most popular is stainless steel however gloss black
is the runner up being tremendously popular along with adding an eye-catching focal point
to your kitchen. Many range cooker manufacturers offer hoods in matching styles and colours—just make sure that the hood you select blends in with the décor and visual image you are going for with your kitchens style.
Types of Range Cookers
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You will need to see if your kitchen is only equipped for say gas or electric cookers thus this decision will be quite easy for you. Otherwise you will have to decide if you want all gas, all electric or a dual fuel (gas hob and electric oven) cooker.
All electric range cookers are an excellent option if
no gas mains have been laid. Dual fuel is one of the most common types of range cooker to have since dual fuel range cooker proved the versatility of
multi-functional electric cooking and the quick reaction of gas burners. |
If you live in an area where the gas supplied is liquefied propane gas (LPG), and then the information shown next to each gas cooker will indicate if that particular appliance is convertible to LPG.
Gas versus electric: the pros and cons
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Gas pros |
Gas cons |
Electric pros |
Electric cons |
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 |
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What size range cooker should you decide upon?
First you will need to consider your kitchen layout
carefully before making any decisions. Range cookers
will either protrude or have the same depth as your kitchen cabinets—this is just a matter of personal preference. Range cookers are also available being taller which is quite useful if your kitchen cabinets are 96 cm.
Features to Consider in Your New Range Cooker. |
- Triple glazing—if your family has small children this is definitely a feature you
must have as the triple glazing will ensure the cooker doors remain cool when cooking.
- Stay clean liners or catalytic liners—a wonderful took to help you keep the interior oven in immaculate condition. Keep in mind that typically these liners need
replacing after several years of heavy usage.
- Individual pan supports—much easier to clean under the tap than large pan
supports.
- Electronic programmers—if your life is quite hectic this is the answer for you. Electronic programmers allow you to programme start and/or finish cooking
times. Some models even have the added special features such as fast
pre-heat.
- Oven size—secondary ovens can run small thus it may be worth going for at least
a 100cm cooker instead of 90cm as the larger width will mainly benefit the second oven. Although, buyer beware since there are some models out there which are 100cm range cookers which still have quite a small secondary oven.
- Triple ring burners—very useful for large saucepans, frying pans and woks.
Consider your cooking style as it may be wiser to have two triple ring burners
rather than one.
- Separate grill compartments—if you love grilling this is for you! Several range cookers have a grill in one or two of the ovens. Typically the grill in a
multi-functional oven will provide you with the possibility of fan assisted grilling
which is great for chops, sausages and mixed grills. Fan grills reduce spitting and splashing which makes for a clean oven and also reduces the number of times
you have to turn or baste. These grills are usually used with the door closed which offers great safety to both cooks and their children – plus very even cooking. Some ovens will also feature a rotisserie and this provides a great way to cook succulent pork, chicken, duck and game birds.
- Griddle features—they can serve as barbecues, frying pans and woks; look for
grills which are made of pure thick stainless steel and has remarkable heat storage capabilities which will ensure that it is durable and easy to clean.
- Telescopic trays—roll out of the shelf or grill to help eliminate unnecessary lifting or reaching over when handling heavy dishes.
- Efficiency rating—although quite important watch out for range cookers claiming
to be “A” efficiency rating especially important for both ovens on double oven
models.
- Quality—open and close the doors several times so you can tell if the range cooker
is a good make just by the feel. Also, here at Kitchen Appliances we are here with
our 20 years of experience on the pros and cons of various manufacturers.
Ovens
- Electric ovens—are where in a conventional oven the thermostat controls the heat
in the middle; the oven will be a little hotter than the set temperature at the top and slightly cooler at the bottom. This zoned heat difference can be useful when cooking different kinds of dishes at once. These ovens also take time to reach cooking temperature, so need to be pre-heated.
- Fan ovens—these work differently by using a fan in the rear wall of the oven which has a circular heating element around it. The temperature throughout is even and
the oven heats up very quickly, reducing cooking times along with saving energy. With top-end fan ovens you can also cook foods with strong flavours together
without fear your kitchen and house filling up with cooking odours, because of the circulating air which breaks up odours and fat particles. One thing to keep in mind though is that fan ovens do not start cooking immediately.
- Multifunction ovens—give you complete flexibility of cooking, using combinations of different heating elements and a fan to present heat to the food. Most multifunction ovens combine a fan and conventional oven together with grill and fan/grill roasting. Multifunction ovens may also have other cooking modes such as bottom heat only
or top heat only. A rotisserie may also be a feature and even a defrost setting.
- Gas ovens—gas ovens are heated by a flame at the rear of the base, with the
gas being ignited by an electric spark. The hot air circulates as it rises, but the
top of the oven will always be hotter. Some ovens are shaped to help the air to circulate so that the temperature across the shelves is even. Gas gives off moisture
in cooking so it's especially good for cake baking. Some have an economy setting
which enable you to use the oven like a slow cooker for casseroles.
- Double ovens—offer great flexibility as well as capacity because you can set each oven differently. Most are built-in with a full-sized multifunction or fan oven below
a smaller economy conventional oven with the grill element. A built-under double oven will still give you flexibility but you will lose some capacity, as more limited space under the worktop means the oven needs to be about 75% of the size of
oven built above worktop height.
Manufacturers
Admiral, AEG, Baumatic, Belling, Bosch, Britannia, Cannon, CDA, De Dietrich, Electrolux,
Elica, Fagor, Falcon, Fisher Paykel, GE, Hotpoint, Ignis, Indesit, Maytag, Neff, New World, Rangemaster, Siemens, Smeg, Stoves, Tecnik, Whirlpool and Zanussi.
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