Freestanding Cookers

The standard slot in most UK kitchens is 60cm, which is why the bulk of double oven cookers land at that width. If you're working with a galley layout or a smaller flat, 50cm and 55cm models squeeze in without sacrificing a double cavity. Step up to 90cm or 100cm and you're into range-cooker territory: more shelves, a wider hob, often five zones or burners, and a heavier install. Measure the gap including the worktop overhang and check the rear clearance for gas or electrical connection before you commit to a width. Read More...

Electric is the easiest install if you've already got a 32-amp cooker circuit, and most ceramic and induction models sit here. Gas suits cooks who want a flame on the hob and don't mind a single-fuel oven. Dual fuel splits the difference: gas burners for responsiveness, an electric fan oven for even bakes. If your home is on mains gas and you cook curries, stir fries or anything where flame control matters, dual fuel is usually the upgrade worth making.

Ceramic hobs cover the budget and mid tiers, and they're fine for everyday cooking. Induction is faster, more controllable and safer around children because the surface only heats under the pan, but you'll need induction-compatible cookware (a magnet sticks to the base) and the price step is real. If you cook daily and value boil times, induction earns its keep. If the cooker is a rental fit-out or a second home, ceramic is the sensible call.

Double oven cookers dominate this format for a reason: a smaller top cavity doubles as a grill or quick oven, the main cavity handles the roast. Single oven models are cheaper and lighter on energy when you're cooking for one or two. Range cookers at 90cm and 100cm give you two full cavities and a wider hob, which matters at Christmas and for batch cooks. Think about how often you actually run two ovens at once before you pay for the bigger footprint.

Black, white and stainless steel are the volume finishes, with stainless steel and inox hiding fingerprints best on textured panels and white reading cleaner in older kitchens. For cleaning, catalytic liners absorb grease splatter at temperature and are the most common assist on this format; hydrolytic uses steam to soften residue; pyrolytic burns it off at high heat but is rarer at this price point. Look for fan-assisted main cavities, a programmable timer if you batch-cook, and a removable inner door glass if you hate scrubbing baked-on splash.

Energy labels for cookers cover the oven cavity, with most stocked units sitting at A. The bigger running-cost lever is hob choice: induction is the most efficient, ceramic next, gas behind on efficiency but often cheaper per unit of energy depending on tariffs. If you're replacing an old freestanding model, a modern A-rated cavity with a fan will use noticeably less electricity for the same roast.