A range cooker is a great choice for a kitchen where the look is going to be homely, welcoming and classic. Our clients who choose a separate induction hob set into the island tend to be looking for a more contemporary look – as the hob will usually be combined with a stack of sleek integrated ovens. There are contemporary range cooker styles around, but on the whole the choice of a range cooker is linked to developing a rather classic look.
Practically speaking, a range cooker is often set into a chimney alcove (which can be real or faux!). Our designers are very accustomed to creating a false chimney and mantle, this can very often be a supremely practical solution to hiding an extractor, adding storage compartments in the side pieces and evening out the proportions of a wall that perhaps needs to accommodate a structural pillar.
Fuel Ideas
Decisions regarding fuel choice and style are complex, but our design team will help you through the process. The important decision is whether to have a gas or electric hob. A popular choice is a gas hob with electric ovens, although gas + gas models are available. If you’re set on a more streamlined look, (and the best of both worlds), go for an induction hob with electric ovens.
Glass or Solid Doors
The type of door may seem like a fairly frivolous decision, but it’s very important. Glass doors look fabulous when clean and shiny, but can very easily look smeared and stained. Solid enamelled doors avoid that problem, and can add an interesting block of colour to the kitchen design. Solid stainless steel doors avoid the glass problem, but can still show finger marks quite easily.
Oven Formats
A three-cavity oven generally comprises a grill above a multi-function fan oven, with a tall side oven to the right. This format is great for baking, as the tall oven can provide around six shelves – great for batch baking or multi-dish roasts. A four-cavity oven may have a grill, two regular-sized ovens and a warming drawer or storage compartment for tin and trays. If you fancy an AGA, there are lots of options, including all-electric, solid fuel, gas, solid fuel or gas plus a summer (electric) module, with or without an induction hob, two, three or four ovens. We often suggest our clients visit an AGA specialist to gen up on all the options (as well as to have a look at all the amazing colours available!). For straightforward installation, take a look at heat storage range cookers from Everhot.
Extra Width & Capacity
Range cookers can combine a number of ‘standard’ sized ovens or can use the whole cavity width as a single, large oven – such as the 90cm wide electric oven + six gas burners range cooker from Bertazzoni. We have installed several range cookers by Lacanche, each model is individually made to order, and widths available include 70cm, 90cm, 100cm – all the way up to 180cm. Options also include rotisserie, chargrill, fryer and oven functions include standard static and fan plus simmer.
Some of our favourites
The Rangemaster Classic 110 Dual Fuel model is 110cm wide, has a glide-out grill, a wok burner, and is available in Cream, Cranberry and Black.
The Smeg Opera A2PY-8 is a 10-function Pyrolytic dual cavity cooker with gas hob, closed-door grilling, and a full-width pull out storage drawer beneath the side-by-side ovens.
The stunning AGA Six Four 100 Dual Fuel in Pearl Ashes with Steel trim, alongside the matching Two-Oven Module, which includes a conventional fan oven, slow cook oven and gas hob.
The Bertazzoni Pro Series 90cm stainless steel range cooker (as seen in our Clapham Shaker kitchen) has electric ovens and a gas hob, and the eleven functions include fast-preheat, baking, grilling, and convection. Rather excitingly, it’s also available in various shades, including yellow, orange, red and burgundy!
The Lacanche Classic Macon range cooker is 100cm wide and is available with gas hobs or a five-zone induction hob. It’s also available as an all-electric model, in a choice of 30 colours with six trim options, so each cooker is made to order.
The Mercury 1000 Induction Range has two ovens, a dual element grill and a very spacious induction hob; it’s also available in Blueberry, Indigo and Oyster as well as Ash Black with satin finish and Liquorice Black with gloss finish.