Choosing a range cooker

In many homes the cooker is the busiest thing in the kitchen. A range cooker puts a wide hob and two or more ovens into one appliance, and it tends to stay for years. These notes cover the kinds, the sizes, the fuel and the safety rules to think about before you buy.

Two kinds of range cooker

The first kind is the cast-iron heat-storage range. It cooks with radiant heat, and some models also heat water for the radiators and taps. These ranges can run on electricity, gas, LPG, oil or solid fuel, and some need a flue. In winter they give the kitchen steady warmth. Most can be switched off in the summer.

The second kind grew out of professional kitchens. It has a large hob, sometimes with extra-powerful burners, a griddle or a hotplate. Most run on dual fuel or on electricity alone. Induction hobs are an increasingly popular choice.

Size

Range cookers come in standard widths from 50cm to 150cm. The most popular width is 90cm. Those usually have three compartments, a tall oven, a second oven and a grill. Many 100cm and 110cm models have four.

A bigger range gives more room for batch cooking or a family meal. Where space is tight, a 60cm model with one or two ovens is usually just called a cooker.

Fuel and running costs

LPG gives homes away from the mains gas network a gas supply of their own. Electric and induction ranges can draw a high electrical load, so check that your supply can take it before you buy.

Ovens sold in the UK carry an energy label, in the shop and on websites. On a range with several ovens, each oven can have a different rating. Sometimes only the main oven gets the top rating.

Fitting a gas range

Anyone employed to work on gas appliances in a home must be on the Gas Safe Register. They must also be qualified for that type of work. Engineers carry an ID card, and the back of the card lists the appliances they can work on. You can check an engineer or a business with Gas Safe Register on 0800 408 5500.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) strongly advises having gas appliances serviced at least once a year. It is illegal to use a gas appliance you think is unsafe. If you smell gas, call the gas emergency line on 0800 111 999 and open the doors and windows. Turn the gas off at the meter if you know where the valve is.

The electrical side

Electrical Safety First strongly recommends using a registered electrician for any installation work. Registered electricians work to the national safety standard, BS 7671, and give you a safety certificate. Some electrical work in a home needs building regulations approval. An electrician in a competent person scheme can deal with that for you.

Carbon monoxide and recalls

HSE strongly recommends a carbon monoxide alarm as one useful precaution. Choose one that meets EN 50291 and carries an approval mark, such as a Kitemark. An alarm adds to regular servicing by a registered engineer, and the servicing still needs doing.

Register a new range with its maker. Register My Appliance, run by the appliance makers' trade body, lets you register new and older appliances so that you hear about safety repairs and recalls. The Office for Product Safety and Standards lists current recalls on GOV.UK.

Useful links