There are two genres of range cooker: the traditional heat-storage cast-iron stove that needs a flue and is on all the time, so that it, in turn, is always emanating heat into the kitchen. The other is a large heavy-duty free-standing cooker that has two or more ovens, five or six burners, and which turns on an off as required.
Heat Storage
Heat-storage ranges, which date back a good few hundred years, are made by companies including AGA, Rayburn, Everhot, Esse, Redfyre and Stanley. Their products run on gas, oil or wood and some models have a boiler in them so they can provide hot water and central heating.
These products are undoubtedly less in demand than they were, in large part because of the steep rise in fuel prices over recent years. Whereas it might have cost a £1 a day to run a gas-fired range a decade ago, costs today may well be around £30 a week.
So who would need one? Well, if you live in a rural area not on the gas grid, an oil-fired or wood-burning range that heats your water and radiators is a god-send. Many products today are far more energy-efficient than they were, such as Rayburn’s Heatranger 680KCD, which features an A-rated condensing boiler.
And of course some of us just like traditional ranges because they are homely and keep the kitchen warm, and we like the way food tastes cooked in them.
Tradition Meets Electricity
The rise in fuel costs has forced traditional manufacturers to introduce electric versions of their products, which can be turned off when not in use. Redfyre’s Electric Range with Warmfront Technology has become its best-seller, while AGA has likewise has launched its high tech Total Control model, which can be turned on and off.
Cooking in Quantity
The other type of range is the big on/off multi-oven appliance that cooks beautifully and is associated with professional kitchens. French brands Lacanche and La Cornue are popular with well-known chefs, while manufacturers of stylish high-end appliances include Falcon, Britannia, Steel, Wolf, and Rangemaster. Mid-range manufacturers of excellent ranges include Stoves, Caple, Smeg and Belling. And as Rupert Cotterell of Lacanche points out, another advantage to a freestanding range is that you can take it with you when you move.
Fuel Type
Choose between a gas, electric or dual fuel range. And it’s worth noting that many manufacturers can convert their models to run on LPG. Many ranges come with gas hobs but a lot are available with induction hobs. Perceived wisdom has been that it’s best to have a gas hob and electric ovens, but induction hobs are considered more energy-efficient because some 90 per cent of the heat goes into the pan, whereas a lot of heat from a gas flame dissipates in the room during cooking time.
And in the days of rising gas and electricity prices, why not consider a wood-burning range? The Esse 990 burns wood or mineral fuel and heats quickly from cold, so doesn’t have to be on all the time. So don’t dismiss wood-burners as being a bit "Tom and Barbara" from The Good Life, which for non UK residents was a hilarious BBC series in the 1970s about a middle class couple trying to live off the land..or rather their garden...in suburban Surrey.
Aesthetics
Choose from the 1930s enamel stove look with electric products from AGA or Redfyre, or perhaps you prefer the modern professional stainless steel look. But don’t think a range should look dark and industrial to mean business. Lacanche makes heavy cast iron ranges, but they are available in almost any colour and look very chic and 21st century in tangerine or lime green. Italian manufacturer Steel even has a range clad in panels that can be changed should you tire of your original shade. So throw colour caution to the wind and make a design statement.
Sizes
Whatever size your kitchen is, you will find a range to fit. Stoves makes an endearing mini range cooker just 552mm wide for the studio-flat dweller, while if you live in a chateau, you’ll need the 1800mm Grand Palais range from La Cornue. Most popular are the 900mm and 1000mm widths, which can be accommodated in many UK kitchens.
So before making a decision on what to buy, consider what you want the range for, what fuel best suits your budget and location, and then find the model with the cooking features you need. After which you can rest assured that it will be a purchase that will last for decades.
