Choosing the best ceramic range cooker
Ceramic range cooker buyers guide
Range cookers with ceramic hobs are an increasingly popular choice. If you want a seamless, easy-to-clean appliance, a ceramic range cooker will deliver this – and a great deal more besides. They offer a range of other benefits, from quick heating times to responsive controls. So, is this type of range cooker the right choice for you? Let’s take a look at some of the things to consider when choosing the best ceramic range cooker for you, your family and your home. You can discover whether an option from Rangemaster, Smeg, Belling or another leading brand would be the best fit for you.
Benefits of ceramic range cookers
The perfectly flat hob ensures this type of range cooker is supremely easy to clean. They also offer brilliant performance that can deliver a choice of different cooking methods for the ultimate versatility and convenience. They look really stylish and offer optimum control to ensure you are always in the driving seat when cooking. Ceramic hobs offer the versatility of being usable with most pans, although some iron and enamel pans could scratch their surfaces. They do, however, take a little longer to heat up than their induction counterparts.
Style and design
Choosing the right style and design is important to ensure you pick the right ceramic hob range cooker for your home. You could opt for something bold and bright, or go for a more classic style. You may want to coordinate with other appliances or with elements of your interior design. Factors such as the handle design will come into question, as will the styling. There are traditional options, together with more contemporary designs. This ensures it is easy to find the style that complements and enhances your kitchen.
Size and fit
Range cookers are larger than standard cookers and so you need to consider the space you have available and the cooking capacity that you want or need. Ranges are available in a selection of standard widths and whether you choose a 90cm, 100cm, or 110cm version will depend on the area you have available and how much cooking space you require. Smaller ranges will usually have one or two ovens and five or six hob areas but larger versions will have more.
When considering size, you need to remember that range cookers should have at least a recess dimension of five mm to ensure vital ventilation. You should also consider the demands of how many people you need to cook for. Double ovens will always be preferable in homes where there is space available and where creating large family meals or entertaining is a priority. They also offer the utmost practicality and versatility, allowing you to cook different foods at different temperatures at the same time.
Energy rating
Energy ratings are increasingly important in today’s world and, if this is a concern, you will probably want to opt for the highest level of efficiency available within your budget. This is indicated by an A if it is a model launched after March of 2021 or an A+ if it was launched before this date. A new energy rating was launched in March 2021 to help simplify the system. Obviously, the further away from A, the less efficient the appliance. In general, higher energy efficiency will always be better for running costs and the environment.
Budget
Ceramic-hob range cookers will typically cost from £800 to £3000 and the amount you pay will depend on a range of factors, including the features, the manufacturer and the size of the model you would like.
Cleaning
Cleaning your range cooker has never been easier thanks to a range of technological advancements and this is improved further by an easy-to-clean ceramic hob. You will need to decide how advanced you want your range cooker’s cleaning capabilities to be. Let’s take a look at the options.- Easy-clean enamel: Smooth enamel makes it easy to wipe away grease and spillages manually.
- Pyrolytic self cleaning: Range cooker ovens with this capability can literally burn off dirt and grease. They use 500 degree heat to get rid of the grime, leaving you with nothing but ash to clear away.
- Catalytic self cleaning: This type of self cleaning technology absorbs dirt and spillages into catalytic liners. This grime is then burnt away when you cook at temperatures of 200 degrees or above.
Key features
There may be specific features or jobs that you want your range cooker to do or you may prefer dial controls over digital options. Here, we consider some of the choices and whether they matter when finding the best ceramic range cooker for your lifestyle.
Grill
A grill can really come in handy when you want to make a quick snack or crisp up a cottage pie. You will need to decide whether you want a dedicated grill space, separate from the main cooking areas.
Control and display
You may want to consider whether you want the superior control and information offered by digital displays and controls or a more traditional choice. Some models also offer smart, connected functions, including remote control.
Type of oven
Do you want a fan-assisted oven? Having at least one fan-assisted oven can be a bonus if you require even heat distribution, shorter cooking times, and faster heating up speeds. However, some people will always prefer conventional ovens with their defined temperature areas and usefulness when it comes to baking and cooking things at different temperatures at the same time.
Many models offer several choices, including multi-function overs offering a selection of heat sources to use in combination (for example the fan and grill) or on their own. There are also range cookers with specific functions, such as defrost, steaming, or rotisserie cooking capabilities.
Temperature probe
If accurate cooking is a concern, you may want to consider a ceramic range with a temperature probe. This will put an end to worrying whether the Christmas turkey or the Sunday roast is cooked properly.
