Our guide to buying the best gas cooker

Gas cooker buyers guide

At the heart of every kitchen is the cooker. For many of us, especially those who love to cook or like the look of a classic stove, a freestanding gas cooker is the ideal option. Gas hobs offer instant and easily controlled heat and shorter cooking times. Gas cookers also tend to be slightly cheaper to run than their electric and dual fuel counterparts. Convenient and compact, they give you everything you need: a hob, oven and/or grill all in one place. So, if you’re planning to buy a new gas cooker for your kitchen, this guide will help you find the best one for you.

Things to consider when buying a gas cooker

As with any major appliance, you need to consider the style you are looking for, the space available to you and your budget before purchasing the best freestanding gas cooker for your specific needs. You will also need to bear in mind that a gas cooker will need a gas outlet to attach to. Consider too how you use your cooker. You may opt for a single oven gas cooker or a double oven model, depending on the size of your household and your culinary habits. There are many special features available such as self-cleaning technology and Wi-Fi connectivity. It is worth considering whether these are features you would benefit from because their inclusion usually adds to the price tag.

Size

Most gas cookers tend to be freestanding, which means they are an all-in-one appliance that fits into an appropriate space in your kitchen. Standard sizes of gas cookers are 50cm, 55cm and 60cm and the fact that they are freestanding rather than built-in means you can take them with you if you move home. Regardless of size, the standard for a gas cooker is four hobs plus at least one oven.

Budget

You can expect to pay anywhere from £269 to £999, depending on the make, model, and special features.

Energy rating

Always try to look for a gas cooker with an A, A/A rating, or A+ rating. These ratings won’t compromise the cooking experience but will keep your energy bills lower.

Style

As it’s such an important and integral part of the kitchen, you do, of course want your gas cooker to look good. Most freestanding gas cookers have the look of a traditional stove but there are some subtle differences that may affect the look of your kitchen. For example, the farmhouse style of the Belling Gas Double Oven in cream or the Rangemaster classic model in cream is perfect for a country cottage feel. Meanwhile, the sleek and contemporary look of the Belling Sterling model is ideal for the modern kitchen.

There are plenty of options for colour, from the more traditional black, white and stainless-steel options to country cream or a fiery jalapeno red, which will make a bold statement in any kitchen. Some models also come with lids, which can help to create a more streamlined aesthetic and reclaim some worktop space when it is not in use. These usually also have an auto-stop feature that turns the oven or hob off when the lid is lowered.

Key features

Today’s gas cookers come with a wide array of available special features for you to choose from.

Catalytic lining

This special lining inside the oven absorbs grease and mess to help keep your oven cleaner. Ovens with this feature regularly self-clean and reheat the dirt and food waste, allowing you to wipe it away easily.

Pyrolytic cleaning

A self-cleaning feature, these ovens heat to a high temperature, so grease and food debris turns into ash, making it easy to wipe away.

Minute minder/ Cook to off timer

Reduce the chances of burnt dinners by using a minute minder or cook to off timer, which automatically turns off the oven after a certain amount of time.

Cast iron pan supports

Extremely durable and tough, these will give your pots and pans more stability during cooking, thus reducing the chance of accidents.

Fascia cooling system

The front of the oven, including knobs and switches, are kept cool by a special fan that kicks in when the oven or hob is switched on. This particular feature can give peace of mind to families with young children.

Bluetooth technology

Some gas cooker models allow you to use your phone to control certain cooker functions remotely.

Auto-stop anti-slip shelves

Some models have this special anti-slip technology to boost safety by ensuring food trays do not slip easily out of the oven during handling.

Wok burner

If you use your wok a lot, you may consider a gas cooker with a wok burner function. This offers fast and intensive heat.

Shop Gas Cookers here at Knees Home & Electrical

Here at Knees Home & Electrical, we have an impressive range of gas cookers on sale from a host of well-known and trusted brands, including Rangemaster, Stoves, Belling and Beko. Whatever your style, needs and budget, we are confident we will have something to suit you.

We have a store in Wiltshire, Trowbridge. If you don’t live locally, you can explore our entire range of gas cookers online. We deliver across mainland UK and our friendly and helpful customer services team will be happy to answer any queries to help you in your quest to find the best gas cooker for your home.