Before making a cooker purchase, there are a few important considerations to make. At the heart of the kitchen, a cooker can make or break the functionality of this vital space.

Whether you're a keen cook looking to show off to your friends or a busy working family, making an informed choice about your purchase is extremely important.

FUEL

The first decision you'll need to make is the fuel type. There are currently three combinations of fuels that can significantly alter your culinary expeditions.

Gas

The all gas cooker is solely powered by gas across the oven and the hob. This offers an immediate, reliable and precise heat source on the hob, making it a popular choice with professional chefs and enthusiastic home cooks.

The accompanying oven provides a traditional cooking experience with hotter temperatures at the top of the cavity, which is perfect for Sunday roasts.

Electric

Picking an electric cooker gives you three choices over your preferred hob, including solid plate, ceramic and induction. Although the main oven won't heat up as quickly as it's gas counterpart, they often come with a fan evenly distributes the hot air across the cavity.

Consequently, this option tends to be more popular with bakers who need consistent oven temperatures.

Dual Fuel

Combining the benefits of instant hob heat of a gas cooker with the stable oven temperatures of an electric cooker, dual fuel cookers give you the ideal conditions for a variety of dishes.

CAVITIES

The second consideration you'll have to make is the number of cavities you need. This can impact the number of dishes you can cook at the same time, letting you feed small of three all the way to hosting large dinner parties.

Single Cavity

The smallest cooking capacity offered is the single cavity. Equipped with just one main oven and integrated grill, you'll have all the cooking options you need in one location. Often boasting larger oven space, you'll have plenty of space to prepare a hearty family meal.

Twin Cavity

The next step up, twin cavities come with a main oven and a separate grill compartment. Unlike single cavities, you won't quite have the largest oven capacity, but you'll be able to use the grill and oven at the same time.

Double Oven

Finally, the double oven provides the best of the previous options. Coming with one larger main oven and a second smaller oven with integrated grill, you'll be able to cook larger scale meals with ease.

WIDTH

Cookers come in three standard widths, giving you the flexibility to design your kitchen to meet your cooking requirements. Furthermore, this makes it easy when trying to replace an old cooker when the time comes.

The two most common widths are 50cm and 60cm, but there is also a rarer 55cm option should you desire. Other measurements such as height and depth tend to be roughly the same across brands, so you'll have no problem fitting them against your kitchen cabinets.

HOT ZONE

The hot zone is the area directly above the hob surface and it is extremely important that this area only contains heat resistant materials, including plug sockets, shelves and wallpaper.

For both gas and electric hobs, this area needs to measure at least 75cm between the hob surface to the cooker hood.

COOKER FAQs

Over the years we've been asked a wide range of questions during cooker purchases. Here is a list of other common questions we get asked.

Are all gas cookers LPG convertible?

Unfortunately there is no simple answer to this question. Nowadays, most gas cookers are no longer LPG convertible, but there are still cookers that allow this option. We suggest you check the manual before purchasing, as this vary depending on the model.

What cooker features should I look out for?

Many cookers now come with so many features that it can be difficult to decipher which are most important. Here are our recommended lookouts:

• Timer - this is a fairly obvious option, but a lot of cheaper models no longer come with a built-in timer.
• Controls - the control knobs or touch controls on your cooker can drastically change the look of your kitchen.
• Catalytic liners - unlike enamel lined cavities, catalytic liners absorb grease which are then broken down at higher temperatures.
• Pyrolytic cleaning - the next step up above catalytic liners, pyrolytic cleaning heats up the oven to extremely hot temperatures that burns off any dirt.
• Multifunctional oven - many ovens now come with multiple cooking functions that let you use a combination of grilling, fan and even steam.

How much does it cost to install a cooker?

Here at Kitchen Economy we have priced our installation services extremely competitively in the market for the cheapest basket value in South Wales!

• Electric cooker - £42
• Gas cooker - £66
• Dual fuel cooker - £66

On average, that puts us £19-£90 cheaper than AO, John Lewis, Currys and Appliances Direct!

Have you ever seen A++ written on the label of an appliance and wondered what on earth it means? Well if you have, you’re not the first person to do so! We thought it was about time we wrote a piece on what appliance energy ratings mean and what to look out for when you are buying any new kitchen appliances, as they are becoming a more important factor for people when they buy a new appliance.

The scale of energy ratings varies depending on the type of appliance, but it usually runs from A+++ down to G. Below are a few points to make note of for dishwashers, fridges and freezers, washing machines and tumble dryers.

Dishwashers

·         Rated from A+++ (the best) to D (the worst);

·         If your appliance was purchased before 2011, it could have a G rating which will mean it is very costly to run;

·         The rating for dishwashers is calculated by working out how much energy and water is used in the standard program as well as the eco program;

·         Energy rating for dishwashers is shown in kilowatt hours per year (kWh);

·         Did you know? Washing up dishes by hand may not always be more efficient than using your dishwasher

Fridges and Freezers

·         As of 1^st July 2012, each new fridge or freezer must have an A+++, A++ or an A+ energy rating (a selection of the best);

·         If your appliance was made before September 1999, it could have a rating as low as G (the worst);

·         Appliance energy ratings are calculated by comparing energy consumption with the internal volume of your fridge freezer;

·         Did you know? Refrigeration products are the second least efficient appliances after central heating in your home.

Washing Machines

·         If you own an older appliance it could have a rating of anything from A+++ (best rating) to D (worst rating), making it significantly less efficient;

·         Again, like dishwashers, the unit of measurement is kilowatt hours per year (kWh);

·         To get an energy rating, tests are done of both full and half full loads on various settings;

·         Did you know? In 2014 a rule was introduced stating new washing machines could only have an A+++, A++, A+ or A energy rating, making them very efficient

Tumble Dryers

·         How is it measured? Appliance energy ratings for tumble dryers are calculated by monitoring how much energy is used by the appliance in standard cotton drying cycle;

·         There are both electric and gas tumble dryers available, and as of 2012, energy ratings were introduced for gas tumble dryers;

·         Like the other appliance energy ratings, electric tumble dryers have ratings ranging from A+++ as the most efficient to G for the least efficient;

·         Did you know? Gas tumble dryers cost less to run than their electric equivalents

So if you are thinking of buying any new kitchen appliances or other home appliances for that matter, we hope that after this post you will be able to understand the appliance energy rating and get the perfect appliance for your home.

When purchasing a new cooker, the variety of choice can be a little overwhelming. Not only do you have several established manufacturers to choose from, you have several colours, shapes and sizes to peruse and perhaps most importantly of all - you need to choose which sort of hobs will meet your cooking requirements. Initially, many people forget how imperative a hob is to a cooker, but the three main types of hob - electric, ceramic and gas are so fundamentally different from each other that which one you choose should be based on more than looks alone. 

Electric Hobs 

Electric hobs are favoured by many for their cost-effectiveness, as they are the cheapest of all three options by quite some stretch. Run by electricity, these hobs take a while to heat up and consequently you'll need to wait some time before you start cooking. This is seen by some as a downfall, because the hobs do not omit heat instantly, however apart from cooking time, it has no effect on the quality of your meals so many opt for this choice to save money! 

Gas Hobs 

Gas hobs are more popular than electric hobs for the simple reason that they heat up immediately. Though not as attractive as electric or ceramic hobs, due to the raw flame they provide instant heat and consequently make for quick cooking. This is favoured by many, though gas hobs are fairly difficult to clean and have been known to get messy fairly quickly.

Ceramic Hobs 

The most expensive choice of the three, ceramic hobs are by far the Rolls Royce of hobs. They provide almost instantaneous heat and are significantly more aesthetically pleasing than the previous two options. Due to the flat surface they are also quick and easy to clean, though these desirable features do come at a cost - and they are significantly more pricey than say the electric hob. 

Finding the right hob for you is simple, you just need to decide whether cost, design or convenience is your main priority when it comes to cooking. Electric, gas and ceramic hobs all have their own individual benefits, and each will perform to the best of their ability and play to their own strengths. 

Kitchen Economy offers a free delivery service for all hobs - or alternatively a click and collect if you'd prefer to collect your product from our store directly. We can also install these products for you, saving you another job! To discuss which option is best for you, simply give us a call on 02920496816.