An oven is an enclosed cavity used for cooking, heating and baking. They will often also have an integrated grill. When choosing an oven, you will also need to purchase a hob separately. Cookers are an all-in-one unit that combine a hob and ovens/grill into one freestanding appliance.
There are 4 main types of cooker:
- Gas - Often favoured by chefs and keen foodies. Gas cookers are popular because the hob produces a visible flame which gives instant heat and precise control. The oven cavity will also provide instant heat, this generally delivers much faster results when cooking. Gas burners also provide even heat distribution which is ideal for simmering and boiling.
- Electric - Electric cookers are currently the most popular choice in the UK. This is because they are generally easier to operate and provide even heating. This is ideal for anything that requires precise temperature control such as baking.
- Dual Fuel - Combining the best of both, dual fuel cookers feature an electric oven with a gas hob.
- LPG These cookers use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as fuel. LPG is supplied at a higher pressure than natural gas, meaning that less gas is used and LPG can save you money.
- Single Cavity - Single cavity cookers will often combine both an oven and a grill. Capacity can start at anything from 40L all the way up to 100L+.
- Twin Cavity - Twin cavity cookers will have two separate cavities, often with the top one being slightly smaller and containing an integrated grill. Twin cavity cookers are often favoured by families or those who tend to cook several dishes at once. The top cavity is often around 35-40L while the bottom cavity can be anything between 50L - 75L.
- Range Cooker - Range cookers are larger than single and twin cavity cookers, they come with two or more ovens, a grill and several burners. They are usually favoured by those who have a larger family as you can cook several meals at once.
You should never install a freestanding cooker yourself unless you are qualified to do so. You should always hire either a qualified electrician or a gas safe engineer. If you try to install the cooker yourself, you are putting yourself and your home at risk.
When choosing where to place your new cooker, you should always refer to the user manual to see what clearances the manufacturer recommends. You also need to ensure that it is away from any flammable materials, such as curtains, kitchen cupboards or wallpaper. Above your hob, there needs to be a gap of at least 65cm between the hob and either a cooker hood or the ceiling.
It is best to spot clean your cooker as you go. If you don’t keep up with cleaning your cooker, dirt and grime will build up over time that will affect the way it works. You can find comprehensive guides for cleaning your hob on our blog.
