Product Guide by: http://www.comet.co.uk

When choosing a new cooker there are many different choices to make including fuel type, width, and even the number of ovens.

There is also a variety of different styles and colours to consider - from professional stainless steel to fashionable metallic silver, or traditional colours. Some of these decisions will be easy to make as it will depend on the size and style of your kitchen, and whether you have access to gas or a 30amp electricity supply.

We've put together this guide to help narrow down the choices available to you.

Take a look at suppliers of cookers, ovens and hobs

Built in or Freestanding

Cookers come it two very different types. Built-in or freestanding. The first decision in buying a cooker is which type do you want?
All the other features are available on both types.

Built-in
Built in cookers are 'built-in' to your kitchen units, the hob and oven are separate from each other. Built-in ovens come in two sizes - single oven or double oven.

There is a third type of oven known as 'built-under'. These are designed to be built into the units under the counter, and have the benefit of two ovens while still fitting beneath the worktop.

Freestanding
Freestanding cookers stand on their own or slot into a gap between your kitchen units.

They come in 50cm, 55cm or 60cm widths, and sometimes have a "high level grill" which means that the grill is separate to the oven, and is at eye level.

Fuel Type

Your choice of cooker will be determined by your fuel supply. If you have gas, you could also consider dual fuel, which combines the speed of an electric oven with gas hob.

Gas Cookers
With a gas only cooker, the oven, grill and hob are fuelled by gas. It gives instant heat, maximum control and you will find that certain foods such as meat and poultry will not 'dry out' as they sometimes do in an electric oven as the atmosphere in a gas oven is more moist. Take a look at suppliers of gas freestanding cookers or built-in ovens.

Dual Fuel Cookers
A dual fuel cooker gives you instant heat and control from the gas hob and faster cooking pre-heat times of an electric oven.Take a look at suppliers of dual fuel freestanding cookers.

Electric Cookers
With an electric only cooker, oven grill and hob run on electric. Fan assisted ovens in most of todays models do not require pre-heating. Electric ovens also cook quicker and more evenly than the gas alternative. Take a look at suppliers of electric freestanding cookers or built-in ovens.

Oven Type

Once you've decided whether you need built-in or freestanding and chosen a fuel type there are three main areas the can influence the oven you choose. These are all explained below. Take a look at suppliers of cookers, ovens and hobs

Oven type
There are several types to choose from - conventional, fan or multi function? Combined oven and grill or separate grill?

Features
Modern ovens are packed with features so now anyone can cook up a storm.

Multifunction ovens

Allow you to choose between different cooking methods. These include conventional cooking with top and bottom heat or bottom heat only and fan cooking for fast even heating. Conventional cooking is ideal for baking or you may choose fan or circotherm cooking for roasting.

Circotherm fan cooking
This is found on Neff built-in ovens. It is a forced air system that continually circulates hot air around the oven. The desired temperature is achieved more rapidly than in ordinary ovens, saving considerable time and energy as no pre-heating is required.

Pyrolytic ovens
Self-cleaning ovens have been around for quite a while. However the latest Pyrolytic versions clean better by heating the oven to a high temperature to burn away old food and grease on the ovens sides, leaving a small pile of residue which can be easily wiped away.

Electronic controls
These provide greater accuracy and maintain a constant temperature, ideal for baking delicate foods. Temperatures have been pre selected for each function to save time on some Neff ovens

Size
Single or double oven? Which size is right for you?
When deciding which type of oven to buy, you need to think about what you will use the oven for.

All ovens come in standard sizes that are designed to be compatible with normal kitchen cabinets no matter which type you choose - freestanding or built-in. Freestanding cookers The size of the freestanding cooker you choose will be governed by the space in your kitchen. Most models are around 60cm deep to match a standard work top and there are three basic widths so finding the right product shouldn't be a problem.

50cm 55cm 60cm

Built-in ovens A single oven measures 60cm high by 60 cm wide and can fit either in to a tower unit or under the counter. Double ovens are available in two sizes depending on the design of your kitchen. The larger of the two alternatives is a 90cm high by 60cm wide model that has to be built into an upright tower unit. The slightly smaller option is a 70cm high by 60cm wide built-under double oven that is made to fit under a work top.

There are several types of oven to choose from.

Single Oven with Combined grill
With this basic type of gas or electric oven you cannot use the oven and grill at the same time.

Single Oven with Separate Grill
Available in gas or electric, this type of oven offers greater flexibility as you can use both the oven and grill simultaneously.

Double Oven
Gas or electric double ovens feature a smaller oven that also incorporates a grill and a second, larger oven to provide the flexibility needed for cooking different dishes at the same time. Range cookers may have a separate grill as well as two ovens.

Fan Ovens
Most electric cookers feature a fan oven which cooks quicker, more evenly and doesn't need pre-heating.

Take a look at suppliers of cookers, ovens and hobs

Hobs

No matter whether you going for built-in or freestanding, there are different sizes and features to choose from.

Gas hob - Gas hobs give instant heat and are easiest to control. Serious cooks may consider a 5 burner model with a high power wok burner that offer maximum cooking flexibility whilst fitting in to the same space as the 4 burner version. Solid plate electric hobs - Four different sized 'rings' heat up, most models having different sized plates. Those featuring a red dot in the middle offering faster heat. Ceramic electric hobs - Faster to heat and easier to clean than other electric hobs, models with a Halogen zone offer almost instant heat.

Electric or gas hob?

Features 

Wok burner
Ideal for cooking the perfect stir-fry. They have a specially designed support to ensure the wok stays stable and hot.

Halogen zones
Give you almost instant heat, saving you time. This type of hob is the most controllable electric hob as some traditional hobs can take a few minutes to heat up and cool down.

Touch controls
provide accurate control and are easy to wipe clean.

Induction cooking
Works by heating the pan, not the ceramic surface of the hob. This means that the hob is extra safe and energy efficient. All four zones feature induction and only pans made of ferrous metal are suitable for use.

Size

Most hobs are a standard width of 60cm and have 4 rings. Wider, 5 hobs are now available and some wider hobs will not require alteration to your kitchen work top as they are designed to fit in to a standard 60cm cut-out.

Matching hoods
Most built-in ovens and hobs are available with matching hoods designed to take away the smells of cooking and help keep your kitchen clean at the same time.

Splashbacks
A splashback is a separate plate of metal that is designed to fit in between the hob and the cooker hood.They are available in stainless steel or black, and offer a stylish finish to your cooker.

Essentials

These will be offered to you after you choose to buy any cooker, oven or hob. Please note you will only be offered essentials that are compatible with the product you have bought.

Hob cleaner - This will clean glass and ceramic cooking surfaces without scratching- and is safe to use on cold or warm surfaces.

E-Cloth stainless steel & glass cleaner - Maintain the pristine condition of your new appliance - this cleaner will clean and shine both stainless steel and glass to keep your cooker looking like new.

Spare hood filters - To ensure your hood keeps your kitchen smelling clean and fresh you need to change your cooker hood filter regularly. The length of time will depend on how much cooking you do.

Take a look at suppliers of cookers, ovens and hobs

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