Online Shopping - Buyers Guide For Cookers
Style, design and colour continue to drive the market in both electric and gas cooking. Large capacity ovens, range style sizes, ceramic hobs, halogen hobs, as well as stainless steel and glass cooker hoods are also growing in popularity.
The growing demand is towards dual fuel cookers, which generally have a gas hob with an electric oven and some even include an electric warming plate as well.
COOKERS - GAS OR ELECTRIC?
Fuel choice is often down to personal preference and experience, however electric cookers tend to offer a wider range of features than the gas cookers such as varying cooking methods. They are also available in a greater selection of colours and can generally be installed anywhere in the kitchen as there is no need to consider draughts or gas connections.
The advantage of cooking with gas is that it is a moist cooking method, which means that it gives off water vapour as it burns. When used correctly this means that when food is cooked it is never dried out. Gas cookers are also cheaper to run than electric cookers and gas hobs tend to be faster and more controllable than electric.
ELECTRIC COOKERS
Installation Requirements
To fit an electric cooker you will need a 30 amp cooking circuit from a standard 240V supply in the home. This also applies to most dual fuel cookers, although there are some dual fuel models available that only need a standard 13 amp supply to power them. A gas supply is also required for a dual fuel cooker.
Types of Electric Cooker
Freestanding electric cookers can be split into three main categories: slot cookers, high back cookers and range cookers. You will also need to consider whether you require a double or single oven. Double ovens tend to have a main oven below and then a smaller second oven above that may also be used as the grill. Single ovens only have one compartment that is used as both the oven and grill.
- Slot-ins:- These cookers tend to be more popular because they look more modern and give an almost "built-in" look to the kitchen.
- High Backs:- High back cookers have controls that are of easy reach for the cook, but out of reach of young children.
- Range-Style:- These are around 900mm wide and are growing in popularity. Whilst they obviously require more space, these cookers do offer a wider range of cooking options. In a bid to make these cookers a viable option for those with limited space they are now available in smaller sizes, from as little as 53.8cm wide. The exact features vary according to the model. Most cookers have two ovens, a separate grill and a warming zone and they incorporate the same sort of cooking systems as you would find with standard cookers i.e. fan, conventional and gas. Hob options also vary, but will generally include four hobs, a griddle and a plate warming area, or a wok burner.
ELECTRIC COOKING METHODS
Electric ovens will either offer conventional cooking or fan cooking. Some top range models may offer multi-function cooking although this is rare on freestanding cookers as it is expensive.
Conventional Oven
Conventional ovens cook by convection heat. It is called zone heating because there is a temperature difference between the top and the bottom. Some models have heating elements in the top and the base of the oven, which uniformly radiate the heat from above and below.
Some models have elements at the sides allowing you to cook on two shelves at any one time. Because the heat from a conventional oven is not evenly distributed around the oven it is not ideal for cooking on several levels. It is good however for making bread, pastry and for long, slow cooking.
Fan Oven
A fan oven ensures even distribution of heat by circulating the hot air continuously around the oven, allowing you to cook on several levels at the same time. Fan cooking also heats up faster and cooks faster at lower temperatures compared to conventional cooking.
- Fan Oven:- These are true fan ovens and they have a heating element around the fan.
- Fan Assisted Oven:- These use a top and bottom heat with a fan to circulate the air.
- Multifunction Ovens:- These offer several cooking options in the one oven giving greater cooking flexibility. A multifunction oven may include conventional cooking, fan cooking, grill only, grill and fan, which gives a rotisserie effect, and defrosting, which uses the fan without the heat to force air at room temperature over the frozen food to speed up the defrosting process. Some multifunction ovens even offer features like speed cook and pizza settings.
Electric Grilling
The position of the grill will depend on the type of cooker. In high back cookers the grill is located at eye level. In the single slot-ins the grill is within the oven itself, which means that you cannot use the grill when the oven is being used and vice versa. In double ovens the grill is usually situated in the smaller top oven.
Grills vary in power and most grills are variable so you can select the heat setting you desire. Some cookers will also have a double grill facility where you can opt to use half of the grilling elements or all, dependant on the size of the portion you wish to grill.
ELECTRIC HOBS
There are four main types of electrical hobs available and it is best to use good quality pans with smooth flat bases, as pans with uneven rough bases, such as cast iron, may cause damage to the cooking plates.
Radiant Rings
Radiant rings are simply coiled metal elements and they are the cheapest hob option. Radiant rings glow red at full temperature, and are generally slower to heat up and cool down than other hob types. Radiant rings can also be quite difficult to clean.
Sealed Plate Hobs
These are thin iron discs that cover the heating element, and like radiant rings, are slower to heat up and cool down. Sealed plates with red spots heat up faster, and some have a thermostat to prevent overheating. Sealed plates are durable and easy to clean.
Ceramic Hobs
These have halogen, radiant or semi-halogen heating elements under a heat resistant glass. Halogen is a bulb with a tungsten element and halogen gas. Semi-halogen is a halogen bulb surrounded by a radiant element. Ceramic hobs will usually be all radiant, or a mixture of halogen, or semi-halogen and radiant.
Halogen
This has a faster response than radiant and has been described as electricity's answer to gas although it cannot match gas for speed and control.
GAS COOKERS
Gas cookers are cheaper to run than electric cookers and do not need much, if any pre-heating. Gas hobs are faster and more controllable than electric hobs and also have an economy setting for slow cooking or warming.
Installation Requirements
To fit a gas oven you will need to have a gas supply. This can be either natural gas, which is available in most UK towns via a pipeline that supplies the home. Or it can be LGP (Liquid Propane Gas), which is usually stored in a tank near the home and filled up regularly.
It is important to note that a gas appliance must be fitted by a CORGI (The Council of Registered Gas Installers) registered installer.
In addition to an existing gas point, fitting requirements for gas cookers also include a kitchen with a window that can be opened, clearance from overhead units and, depending on model, an electric point close to installation.
Types of Gas Cooker
There are four types of gas cooker now: high level, low level, range and dual fuel. The current trend is towards low level gas cookers.
- High Level Cookers:- High level cookers, despite their old fashioned appearance, make it easy to see the food and to monitor the cooking progress. These cookers are also out of children's reach and popular with the elderly as you do not need to bend down to access them.
- Low Level Cookers:- These cookers have a grill that is situated either in a separate compartment between the hob and the oven or in the main oven. These cookers are not so ergonomic as high level grills as you have to bend down to inspect the cooking progress. Sometimes the grill also doubles up as a second oven. These will give a more streamlined effect to your kitchen.
- Range Cookers:- You can get all gas, all electric all dual fuel range cookers. A gas range cooker will typically offer two gas ovens, a gas hob with up to six variable burners and a detachable cast iron griddle plate and grill. Gas Range cookers may also feature a kebab rack that slots into the grill pan and then the skewers slot into that. The slots have a turning facility to allow all round cooking.
- Dual Fuel Cookers:- These are cookers that use both gas and electric. Either the ovens will be electric and the hob burners gas or vice versa.
GAS COOKING METHODS
Most gas ovens have zoned heat, which cooks food at different temperatures at the same time. The main principles behind this are that the gas temperature selected relates to the temperature at the middle shelf in the oven. Because hot air rises the temperature will get hotter above this point and cooler below.
Gas Marks
In electric cookers the oven temperature is selected according to the type of food to be cooked. With gas cookers you select a Gas Mark. This is a system developed by the gas industry and it measures the temperature in the centre of the oven. The below table is a guide for comparing Gas Mark Numbers with Degrees Centigrade:
| Oven Heat |
Gas Mark |
Degrees C |
| Very Cool |
0.5 |
110-120 |
| Cool |
1-2 |
140-150 |
| Moderate |
3-4 |
160-180 |
| Fairly Hot |
5-6 |
190-200 |
| Hot |
7 |
220 |
| Very Hot |
8-9 |
230-240 |
Gas Grilling
Gas grills tend to heat up more quickly than the electric grills, but are less likely to have a half grill section for smaller portions.
- Poker / Fret Gas Grill:- A traditional type of grill where you can see the flame coming out of the burner. The heat is uneven, cooking hotter in the middle where the flame is concentrated.
- Surface Combustion Gas Grill:- These give fast, even all over grilling. This is achieved by sandwiching the flame between two pieces of fine wire mesh or gauze. This causes the gauze to glow red which then distributes heat evenly over the total area.
GAS HOBS
Gas hobs have long been the favourite choice in built-in hobs. This is also apparent in the growing popularity of dual fuel ovens where the oven is electric and the hob is gas. Gas hobs have a large appeal because of the instant visible heat and controllability. Most gas hobs offer two normal burners, a rapid burner and a simmer burner. Most range style cookers will offer these plus a wok burner and an ultra rapid burner.
Gas hobs have more individual parts than electric hobs and can be fiddlier to clean. Some gas hobs will feature a glass lid that will automatically cut off the gas supply if it is closed.
Ignition
- Battery Ignition:- needs no mains electricity, but will periodically require new batteries.
- Electric Ignition:- Uses the mains electricity to provide a repetitive spark for gas ignition.
- Manual Ignition:- involves lighting a burner by switching on the gas and then pressing a separate ignition button. Some burners have automatic re-ignition should the burner flame go out.
FEATURES ON GAS AND ELECTRIC OVENS
Oven Timers
Oven timers and minute minders allow you to cook while you are out, and be reminded when you are in. This is not available on all models so if you require this feature you must ensure that you check that the model you desire utilises it.
Slow Cook
Slow cook is available on some electric models and allows you to slow cook dishes at a low temperature.
Cooler Oven Doors
All oven doors need to meet safety requirements laid down by European and British Standards. This is achieved in numerous ways such as using multiple glazing and a heat reflective coating, or by air-cooling the oven doors using a natural fan system or natural convection.
Oven Liners
Oven liners help to keep the oven cavity clean and they will need replacing. They are covered with a special catalytic coating. At cooking temperatures over 200 degrees Celsius oven liners work to absorb and vaporise any fat splashes that occur during cooking.
Child Safety
On some models the hob cannot be switched on unless certain steps are followed first. Other models have simple child proof push and turn knobs and some have an oven door safety catch.
Glass Window
Allow easy viewing of cooking progress without opening the oven door.
Oven Light
Oven light aids the viewing of cooking progress without opening the oven door.
