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7 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Range Cooker
Looking to make a statement with a new range cooker? Follow our checklist to ensure you choose the right design for you
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There’s no doubting the impressive statement a stunning range cooker brings to any style of kitchen, whether it’s a traditional country setting or a modern warehouse apartment. However, with so many different types and configurations of range cooker on the market, such as upright dual-fuel, classic gas, and induction hob technology, choosing the right one for your needs and the perfect style for your kitchen can feel like a minefield.
Here to help you navigate your way round the various functions and benefits of range cookers are the experts at Falcon. Read on and discover what they recommend you should ask yourself before buying your dream oven.
Here to help you navigate your way round the various functions and benefits of range cookers are the experts at Falcon. Read on and discover what they recommend you should ask yourself before buying your dream oven.
1. What’s My Style?
Defining your style of kitchen will give you some indication of the type of range cooker that will work in your space. If your kitchen is cool and modern, you’re more likely to favour a streamlined upright design in a sleek finish, like crisp white or stainless steel. However, a more traditional or country-style kitchen will be the perfect setting for a classic range cooker in glossy heritage colours, like navy blue or bottle green.
Of course, you could go against the grain entirely, and team a traditional range cooker with an ultra-hip industrial kitchen, for a bold style statement.
With a whole host of colours and fittings available, as well as cooker configurations, your final choice will come down to what best suits your needs and whether you’re after a cohesive or contrasting look.
Defining your style of kitchen will give you some indication of the type of range cooker that will work in your space. If your kitchen is cool and modern, you’re more likely to favour a streamlined upright design in a sleek finish, like crisp white or stainless steel. However, a more traditional or country-style kitchen will be the perfect setting for a classic range cooker in glossy heritage colours, like navy blue or bottle green.
Of course, you could go against the grain entirely, and team a traditional range cooker with an ultra-hip industrial kitchen, for a bold style statement.
With a whole host of colours and fittings available, as well as cooker configurations, your final choice will come down to what best suits your needs and whether you’re after a cohesive or contrasting look.
Bonus tip: If you want to make your range cooker the focal point of your kitchen, pick a bright and vibrant design that stands out and frame it within a chimney breast or with a display mantel above. Or, reversely, for a range cooker that seamlessly blends in, go for a slick, integrated design that matches the colour of the cabinetry.
2. Where Will It Go?
Range cookers are known for their generous width, varying between 90cm and 110cm wide, so you’ll need to factor this in when planning your layout to ensure you have enough bench top either side for pans or utensils. If you’re retro-fitting a range into an existing kitchen and need to remove extra units either side to squeeze it in, consider getting a joiner to fill any gaps with bespoke slim storage, like wine or baking tray racks.
When it comes to deciding where it will go in the space, consider how people flow through the room, so that it’s located in a convenient and efficient spot. Having just a few steps between the sink, fridge and cooker is ideal for a good working triangle, however, try not to position the cooker next to busy areas, like the main food preparation zone.
Bonus tip: A wide chimney breast makes a natural location for a range, creating a wonderful focal point. If you don’t have any architectural features like this, you could always position it in the centre of the wall with a chic extractor overhead for a similar framing effect.
Range cookers are known for their generous width, varying between 90cm and 110cm wide, so you’ll need to factor this in when planning your layout to ensure you have enough bench top either side for pans or utensils. If you’re retro-fitting a range into an existing kitchen and need to remove extra units either side to squeeze it in, consider getting a joiner to fill any gaps with bespoke slim storage, like wine or baking tray racks.
When it comes to deciding where it will go in the space, consider how people flow through the room, so that it’s located in a convenient and efficient spot. Having just a few steps between the sink, fridge and cooker is ideal for a good working triangle, however, try not to position the cooker next to busy areas, like the main food preparation zone.
Bonus tip: A wide chimney breast makes a natural location for a range, creating a wonderful focal point. If you don’t have any architectural features like this, you could always position it in the centre of the wall with a chic extractor overhead for a similar framing effect.
3. What Size?
If you’re designing a new kitchen from scratch, why not max out your cooking options with a large freestanding range cooker, either 100cm or 110cm wide, featuring double ovens? As well as making a dramatic and elegant statement, these wider models feature two small ovens with less overall cavity space than a single oven, meaning it takes less time for the ovens to heat up and enables you to cook different foods on separate temperatures at the same time.
Don’t fret if you haven’t got the space for a double oven – you’ll be pleased to know that Falcon’s single range cookers measure just 90cm wide, make a similarly impressive visual impact. Plus, some single oven ranges have a unique twist! Read on…
Bonus tip: If you’re looking for a large oven but know you won’t be using it to full capacity all of the time, consider a design that features an innovative Energy Saving Panel (ESP). This panel slides inside the single cavity oven, allowing the chef to convert a generous en-masse oven into a multi-function oven, reducing pre-heat and cleaning time when the full oven space isn’t required.
If you’re designing a new kitchen from scratch, why not max out your cooking options with a large freestanding range cooker, either 100cm or 110cm wide, featuring double ovens? As well as making a dramatic and elegant statement, these wider models feature two small ovens with less overall cavity space than a single oven, meaning it takes less time for the ovens to heat up and enables you to cook different foods on separate temperatures at the same time.
Don’t fret if you haven’t got the space for a double oven – you’ll be pleased to know that Falcon’s single range cookers measure just 90cm wide, make a similarly impressive visual impact. Plus, some single oven ranges have a unique twist! Read on…
Bonus tip: If you’re looking for a large oven but know you won’t be using it to full capacity all of the time, consider a design that features an innovative Energy Saving Panel (ESP). This panel slides inside the single cavity oven, allowing the chef to convert a generous en-masse oven into a multi-function oven, reducing pre-heat and cleaning time when the full oven space isn’t required.
4. What Do I Cook? And How Much?
We all have different cooking abilities and requirements, therefore our oven needs will vary. If you’re somewhat of a professional chef and love to entertain, then you might suit a design with double ovens offering multiple functions for cooking a range of items, while an induction hob will provide accuracy and ease. On the other hand, you may find gas hobs are more useful as they can come with special cooking features, like a wok burner.
Busy families, on the other hand, might need a single oven with a large capacity for baking large dishes, and will therefore adore the widest range cooker available. Or, for families requiring more flexibility as they don’t cook as often, a smaller range with an energy-saving panel would be better, allowing them to make use of the compact cavities for smaller dishes.
Bonus tip: Choose a design with pyrolytic cleaning and you’ll almost abolish oven cleaning forever and make life easier for yourself!
We all have different cooking abilities and requirements, therefore our oven needs will vary. If you’re somewhat of a professional chef and love to entertain, then you might suit a design with double ovens offering multiple functions for cooking a range of items, while an induction hob will provide accuracy and ease. On the other hand, you may find gas hobs are more useful as they can come with special cooking features, like a wok burner.
Busy families, on the other hand, might need a single oven with a large capacity for baking large dishes, and will therefore adore the widest range cooker available. Or, for families requiring more flexibility as they don’t cook as often, a smaller range with an energy-saving panel would be better, allowing them to make use of the compact cavities for smaller dishes.
Bonus tip: Choose a design with pyrolytic cleaning and you’ll almost abolish oven cleaning forever and make life easier for yourself!
5. Which Fuel Type do I Need?
Dual-fuel range cookers continue to be the popular consumer choice, combining an electric oven with quick and easy controls, and a gas hob for flexibility and efficiency. Gas hobs also have the ability to convert to LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas), making it a great fuel option for properties that do not have access to NG (Natural Gas).
But, of course, you can always opt for an entire electric oven and hob, and cut down your energy consumption. Induction hob technology uses precious little energy and heats up quicker than traditional ceramic zones, however, it’s not always compatible with older homes as it requires more electrical power.
Bonus tip: Discuss your requirements with your range cooker retailer to find out if your home is compatible with your choice before you buy.
Dual-fuel range cookers continue to be the popular consumer choice, combining an electric oven with quick and easy controls, and a gas hob for flexibility and efficiency. Gas hobs also have the ability to convert to LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas), making it a great fuel option for properties that do not have access to NG (Natural Gas).
But, of course, you can always opt for an entire electric oven and hob, and cut down your energy consumption. Induction hob technology uses precious little energy and heats up quicker than traditional ceramic zones, however, it’s not always compatible with older homes as it requires more electrical power.
Bonus tip: Discuss your requirements with your range cooker retailer to find out if your home is compatible with your choice before you buy.
6. Induction or Gas Hob?
Well-designed gas hobs can add a bold statement to any kitchen, giving it a robust, professional look with its spaciously designed burners for multiple pans. Then there’s the option of adding a trendy wok burner, powerful enough for stir-fry cooking, or a teppanyaki griddle plate for everything from steaks to pancakes.
So, why give up gas for an induction hob? Firstly, their streamlined aesthetic is ideal if you’re after a minimal look, while the flat top makes them a breeze to wipe clean. Also, unlike traditional electric cooktops, induction hobs only heat the pan. A magnetic field is used to generate the heat through the pan, offering a more even heat when compared to ceramic or gas. As a result, induction hobs use less energy, making them very efficient when it comes to both cooking and energy consumption.
Bonus tip: Try out an induction hob before you buy, maybe at a friendly kitchen showroom or at a friend’s house, and see whether it suits your needs. You may be pleasantly surprised.
Well-designed gas hobs can add a bold statement to any kitchen, giving it a robust, professional look with its spaciously designed burners for multiple pans. Then there’s the option of adding a trendy wok burner, powerful enough for stir-fry cooking, or a teppanyaki griddle plate for everything from steaks to pancakes.
So, why give up gas for an induction hob? Firstly, their streamlined aesthetic is ideal if you’re after a minimal look, while the flat top makes them a breeze to wipe clean. Also, unlike traditional electric cooktops, induction hobs only heat the pan. A magnetic field is used to generate the heat through the pan, offering a more even heat when compared to ceramic or gas. As a result, induction hobs use less energy, making them very efficient when it comes to both cooking and energy consumption.
Bonus tip: Try out an induction hob before you buy, maybe at a friendly kitchen showroom or at a friend’s house, and see whether it suits your needs. You may be pleasantly surprised.
7. What’s my Budget?
When it comes to working out where to spend and where to save money in your kitchen, splashing out on quality, long-lasting appliances that come with a warranty will save you money in the long run, as it means less costly repairs and not having to replace them further down the line.
It’s also worth looking out for energy-saving features that will save you money in the long term, such as smaller capacity ovens or induction hobs.
More: Find out more about Falcon range cookers here.
Tell us: Which type of range cooker would you buy and why? Share with your fellow Houzzers in the Comments.
When it comes to working out where to spend and where to save money in your kitchen, splashing out on quality, long-lasting appliances that come with a warranty will save you money in the long run, as it means less costly repairs and not having to replace them further down the line.
It’s also worth looking out for energy-saving features that will save you money in the long term, such as smaller capacity ovens or induction hobs.
More: Find out more about Falcon range cookers here.
Tell us: Which type of range cooker would you buy and why? Share with your fellow Houzzers in the Comments.
- This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Falcon is inspired by both traditional and modern elements of the upright cooker world, offering seven definitive... Read More
Falcon is inspired by both traditional and modern elements of the upright cooker world, offering seven definitive... Read More
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