BUYERS GUIDES. The Ultimate Guide To Buying a Cooker

Transcription

1 BUYERS GUIDES The Ultimate Guide To Buying a Cooker

2 Contents: 3 Who are Euronics? 4 Introduction 5 Types of Cooker 10 Capacity and Space 13 Features 17 Easy-to-Clean and Self-Cleaning Cookers 20 Colours and Styles 23 Hoods and Extractors 27 Energy Efficiency 31 Buying In Store and Online 34 Prices, Installation and Delivery 2

3 Who are Euronics? We are a community of independent electrical stores, working together to provide better prices and service for customers. Find your local store: /service-support/store-finder The Euronics brand operates in 30 countries across Europe, with 11,000 shops and branches. In the UK, stores can be found on high streets the length and breadth of the land. Many of these are family businesses that have been around for generations. With local shops delivering goods, instead of a central warehouse, you can expect a more personal service than you might get from other electrical or home stores. Delivery is free when you order online from, no matter how much you spend. Cookers are just one of the electrical appliances our experts can help you with. Read the guide and let us know what you think on Facebook or Twitter. Euronics Limited, Euro House, Joule Road, West Portway, Andover, Hampshire, SP10 3GD 3

4 Introduction There s something really comforting about a great cooker. Whether you love the warmth and rural charm of a range or the sleek sophistication of stainless steel, cookers add personality to your space like no other appliance. A cooker that performs well is important too, whether you want to cook onepot winter warmers, grilled fish with rice or a traditional Sunday roast. So how do you weigh up these features and choose the perfect model? Read our guide to find out. We ve explained everything you could possibly want to know about cookers, from types and capacities, to hobs, hoods and where to buy. All this is broken down into easyto-read sections. Simple. 4

5 Types of Cooker If you re in the market for a new cooker, the sheer number of options available can be baffling. Should you go with a range cooker? A freestanding model? Dual fuel, electric or gas? We explain all the options to help you decide. 5

6 Freestanding Cookers A cooker combines an oven and a hob into one convenient appliance. This allows you to keep an eye on your bacon cooking under the grill while you fry your eggs. Cookers are freestanding appliances, whereas ovens can be integrated into kitchen units. However, cookers can still be incorporated into your kitchen surfaces for an unbroken, seamless appearance. Conventional freestanding cookers tend to come in 50 cm, 55 cm, and 60 cm widths, though they sometimes vary a bit. Make sure the model you re after fits in the space you have available. Cookers are freestanding appliances, whereas ovens can be integrated into kitchen units. Range Cookers If you have plenty of space and are after something with real wow factor, it s worth considering a range cooker. These are significantly wider than conventional freestanding cookers, frequently measuring 90 cm, 100 cm or 110 cm in width. They often feature four separate cavities, though some models have more, and not all the cavities are used for cooking. The most common arrangement has two ovens, one grill and one warming or storage drawer, and between 5 and 8 burners on the hob. Some of the more traditional models use wood, coal or oil for fuel, and can heat the house and even your hot water. However, these often need to be left on all the time (even in the summer) and can be difficult to install. You can get a similar look and plenty of cooking space with a gas or electric range-style cooker. These appliances are ideal for multitasking cooks that love to host dinner parties or have large families to cook for. 6

7 Table-top Cookers Another type of cooker you might consider is a table-top model. These appliances are around the size of a large microwave, measuring around 50 cm in width, and can sit on your kitchen counter. They often have a single shelf and offer much of the conventional cooking you d expect from a full size appliance, but with the benefit of being smaller. Pop in a whole chicken to roast or use it as a backup for your main cooker when you have lots of food on the go. Modern microwaves sometimes allow conventional cooking and grilling too. You can get the best of both worlds if you purchase a dual fuel cooker. Pick Your Fuel One of the most basic decisions you ll have to make when deciding what kind of cooker you want is the fuel type. Unless you re after a solid fuel or oil-fired range cooker, you ll have two options: gas or electric. Gas is efficient and provides heat very quickly on the hob. It also lets you control the flame very precisely, making it an excellent choice. However, it can provide rather uneven temperatures in the oven. An electric cooker, on the other hand, offers consistent temperatures in the oven, especially if it has a fan. Conventional electric hobs are less efficient and cook more slowly than gas, but modern ceramic and induction hobs are much more practical. You can get the best of both worlds if you purchase a dual fuel cooker. These feature electric ovens and gas hobs, letting you fry, grill, bake and roast your way to culinary perfection. The extra flexibility of these appliances tends to be reflected in the price though. 7

8 Ovens Different cookers vary in terms of what ovens they re equipped with. Many cookers are twin cavity, but there are some with only a single cavity. This is usually a large single oven, occasionally equipped with a drawer beneath to hold extra shelves or a grill pan. If you want greater flexibility than a single cavity oven offers, twin cavity models are probably more suitable. Double oven cookers have two ovens, often with grill in the top one, or you can get a twin cavity model that has one oven and a separate grill. For more flexibility, choose a twin cavity cooker. 8

9 Hobs There are four main types of hob that cookers come with gas, solid plate, ceramic and induction. Conventional Electric (Solid Plate) Hob This type used to be quite common, but is gradually being replaced by more hightech versions. These hobs have electric coil filaments that are raised above the main surface of the cooker. They tend to be fairly cheap, but are quite slow, inefficient and difficult to keep clean. Gas Hob Induction Hob These are incredibly efficient hobs that produce little waste as they heat the bottom of the pan directly. However, these models can be more expensive and need iron or steel cookware to work. Ceramic Hob Ceramic hobs have a sleek, stylish ceramic glass surface. These are electric, and while often slower to heat up than gas, are aesthetically pleasing and easy to wipe down. One of the most common type of hob, these feature gas burners with enamel or cast iron pan supports. These models offer great control and speed, but can be quite difficult to keep clean. 9

10 Capacity and Space Cookers come in a wide range of styles and sizes, and this means they vary in terms of capacity too. The last thing you want when buying a new one is to find your favourite dishes won t fit, or that you need to cook more things at once than you thought. Future-proof your cooker purchase by reading our handy hints first. We outline some common cooker configurations and capacities to help you find exactly what you need. 10

11 Oven Capacity There are two main influences on the capacity of a cooker s oven the size of the appliance and the number of oven and grill cavities. A standard width, freestanding cooker with a single oven is likely to have a capacity of litres. Should you choose a model with a double oven, this tends to increase to around litres, spread between the two. It s important to remember that, while a double oven usually offers more overall space and flexibility, the individual ovens may be smaller than an equivalent single oven model. If you re looking at range cookers with multiple oven zones, the capacity increases significantly. This is especially true when you consider that range cookers are frequently over 90 cm wide much bigger than the standard 60 cm cooker. Bear in mind that some range cookers comes with warming ovens or storage drawers which are not used for cooking. If you ve decided you want a range cooker, it is worth checking the specification so you can be sure the oven configuration and capacity is what you need. If you re looking at range cookers with multiple oven zones, the capacity increases significantly. 11

12 Space on the Hob As with oven capacity, the number of cooking zones on a hob depends on the size of the appliance a wider appliance has more room for more zones. Standard 60 cm cookers, regardless of the fuel type, tend to have four cooking zones on the hob. The actual size of the burners tends to vary though some cookers come with zones that are specifically meant for woks, for instance. Hob burners also have different power levels, making some more suitable for rapid boiling or frying. It s worth checking that the cooker has a hob that can take all the pans you need it too. If you re looking at range cookers, the number of zones can vary, and a larger appliance doesn t always have more zones. Most 90 cm range cookers have five hob cooking areas, but some larger ones feature the same number. Large models can have seven or eight burners more than enough for the banquet you re planning. As with regular cookers, the size, power and purpose of the zones can vary, so it is worth checking the hob does everything you want it too. Other Things to Consider An important aspect of oven capacity is the number of shelves you can have inside. Most single ovens come with either one or two shelves included, while twin cavity and double oven models either have one or two per oven. Spare shelves are readily available online. Some cookers come with storage drawers or compartments for trays and other cookware. These are more often found on single oven models, where the drawer can be below the main cooking area, or range cookers that have lots of space. Double oven models tend not to have space for extra storage. An important aspect of oven capacity is the number of shelves you can have inside. 12

13 Cooker Features Even the most basic cooker is pretty high-tech these days. Here we outline some common cooker features to give you an idea what to expect, explaining all those technical terms along the way. 13

14 Design Many cookers have double or triple glazed glass doors, which improve energy efficiency by keeping the heat in. These also keep the outside surface cool to the touch, so curious children can t burn their hands. Coupled with the clear glass door, some high-end cooker models offer an excellent view of your food with the addition of two powerful lights in the oven section. Gorenje s OpenView feature is one example. Warming drawers are another useful addition, often found underneath the main oven. These provide an easy way to heat up your plates. They can also be used to gently defrost frozen items or, if you re a keen baker, for proving dough. Grills Many freestanding cookers have grills either as a separate compartment or as part of the oven itself. A good grill will cook food evenly to ensure a crispy finish and provides a healthier alternative to frying. Keep an eye out for variable and full width versions. Variable means you can adjust the temperature, while full width means the heating elements span the whole cavity, allowing you to fit more food in. There are also some models with eyelevel grills around from brands like Valor. This style isn t quite so modern and minimalist, but does mean it s really easy to see how your food s getting on. Many cookers have double or triple glazed glass doors, which improve energy efficiency by keeping the heat in. 14

15 Controls Cookers often have an array of controls, including rotary knobs or touch controls for the hob, plus dials and buttons for the oven. Touch controls are often found on electric, ceramic and induction hob cookers. They give you precise control of heat settings at the touch of a finger, letting you adjust the settings for each zone individually and displaying the power level. If you choose a gas hob, ignition dials are quite common. Rather than have a separate button to light the flame, these allow you to turn on the gas and ignite the flame in one movement. Oven controls can also have touch screens which let you set the temperature, programme, timer and other options. Alternatively, you may have an LED display with separate buttons placed on either side. Digital minute minders, clocks and timers are handy extras to let you keep an eye on how 15 long your food has left. Some clever models of cooker even have options that let you turn the oven on and off automatically at a set time. Hob Features The features your hob has will depend what sort of hob it is induction, ceramic or gas. Whatever type you go for though, you can expect different sized cooking zones designed to accommodate a range of pan sizes. Some gas hobs have an extra-large burner especially designed for woks that can reach very high temperatures in a short time. If you re a fan of stir fries or often make large one-pot meals, this is a really useful feature to have. Cast iron pan supports are often used with gas hobs as they re durable, strong and can be easily cleaned. These are generally found on slightly more expensive models than more common enamel supports. New sensor technology, such as Gorenje s BoilControl, helps to stop the risk of pans boiling over and spilling onto your hob. Sensors monitor the temperature of the pan and adjust the temperature to reach boiling point at a quicker rate. They even make a noise when the water s boiling and maintain the desired temperature to prevent the pan boiling dry or overflowing.

16 Oven Features Cookers can come with a few different types of oven. These all have different features and cooking modes, but by far the most come with a multifunction model. A ventilated or fan oven is a great option if you want food cooked as evenly as possible. Fans move the air around the oven to create a uniform heat distribution and a constant temperature. Large capacity or XL ovens let you fit in larger amounts of food, whether it be a large roast or multiple trays. The extra size also improves air circulation on all levels. Multiple cooking levels mean you can cook more things at once, so you can start an apple crumble whilst the Yorkshire puddings are finishing off. Storage drawers are a handy feature if you don t have much kitchen space. Store larger pots and pans with ease. 16 In terms of programmes, many cooker ovens have options like top heat, bottom heat, fan and grill. Some models may also have defrost, fast heat-up or self-cleaning settings. Warming programmes keep your food at an even temperature until you re ready to serve up, without drying it out or causing a crust to form. Latecomers will no longer have to eat cold leftovers! Some ovens also have set programmes to choose from, to ensure your food is cooked exactly right depending on its size and weight. Safety Features Most cookers come with built in safety features. Gas models may have a FFD (Flame Failure Device) which automatically turns off the gas supply to the burners if the flame blows out. Models with a lid may also have a feature that turns the gas off if it s closed. A feature you ll find more often on electric ovens, especially those with a digital display, is a childlock option. This ensures little fingers can t alter any settings while your back is turned.

17 Easy-to-Clean and Self-Cleaning Cookers Some modern cookers are really easy to keep clean, with self-cleaning functions and wipedown surfaces. If you want to spend as little time cleaning as possible, read on to find out about everything from pyrolytic ovens to ceramic hobs. 17

18 Oven Cleaning A variety of features are available that make cleaning your cooker s oven easier. Bear in mind though, that while virtually every oven will have liners or another feature, some are still easier to clean than others. Enamel liners are fairly common, but vary depending on the brand and product. These are very smooth and sleek, which makes cleaning easier as it s harder for dirt and grease to penetrate the surface. It is worth cleaning these regularly to keep the build-up at a minimum. Catalytic liners are a great way to reduce the amount of cleaning you ll have to do. Panels within the oven absorb and break down food and grease which are then burnt away during cooking. Many brands have their own names for this feature. Pyrolytic cleaning programmes are an extra feature available on some higher spec cookers. 18 These run at super high temperatures to burn off any food residue, so you re left with a pile of easily removable ash. These programmes generally take about 2 hours, and for safety, the oven door will automatically lock. Steam cleaning is becoming more common on newer models as an effective cleaning method without the need for strong chemical cleaning products. You pour a set amount of water into a baking tray, place it into the oven and select the steam cleaning option. The oven then heats up and turns the water into steam, which loosens any burnt-on food or stains which can then be easily removed. Some brands may have their own names for it, such as Hoover s Hydro Easy Clean and Gorenje s AquaClean. Most oven doors have double- or tripleglazed glass doors that can be removed and soaked to get rid of grease and food stains.

19 Hob Cleaning While it s usually the oven that s the most difficult thing to clean, having a hob that s easy to wipe down is useful too. Traditional solid plate electric hobs are probably the most difficult to clean, but even then it s usually okay if you keep on top of things. Standard hob cleaning products and a warm sponge should get off most of the food, but feel free to use wool wire on tougher stains and on the hotplates themselves. Just be sure to test this on an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn t scratch. Ceramic hobs are generally regarded as easy to keep clean, as the surface is smooth and glossy. Special glass scrapers are widely available that will remove burnt on food or spillages without scratching the glass. For tougher stains, ceramic hob cleaning fluid and a microfiber cloth will ensure you get a sparkling results. Induction hobs are designed to ensure food doesn t spill or burn to the surface, so you shouldn t need too much vigorous cleaning. Warm soapy water and a soft cloth should be enough for nearly all food spills. Cooker Finishes A stainless steel finish is great for cookers, as it s hard wearing and scratch resistant, but some versions also show up fingerprints. Stainless steel specific cleaners are available, or some people prefer to use baby oil for a really sleek finish. New anti-fingerprint coatings are also available on some cooker brands, which protects the surface from grease and stains. Enamelled panels and surfaces are also quite common. Ceramic hobs are generally regarded as easy to keep clean. 19

20 Colours and Styles Unlike some white goods, cookers come in a wide range of colours and styles. From cheerful to metallic, gently curved to angular, there is a cooker style perfect for your home. 20

21 Colours Galore Cookers come in a surprising range of colours. Basic models tend to be white, but you can find other colours at the lower end of the price range too. Black, grey and silver colours tend to be very popular as they add a modern look to a kitchen and often match other kitchen appliances. Metallic finishes such as stainless steel are readily available, with light and dark shades or brushed effects that make the appliance really eye catching. Stainless steel gives a professional, cheffy look and is extremely practical especially if you go for a fingerprint free version. Less common colours include reds and creams. These can have a metallic finish or gloss, and help add a dash of colour and personality to your home. More unusual colours, such as pastel blues, greens and yellows are available, but often on more expensive models. Brightly coloured models tend to be range cookers as these are true statement pieces. You will often find two-tone appliances as well, which offer accents around the door, hob or handles. Black, grey and silver colours tend to be very popular. 21

22 A Range of Styles There are even more options when it comes to the styling of your cooker. A lot will depend on the type you go for double or single oven, range or conventional. It can even depend on the fuel type. Cookers featuring a ceramic hob have a sleek, minimalist style that is easy to wipe down and looks stunning. Gas hobs usually have enamel or cast iron pan supports, giving a more traditional look. A lot of cooker styling comes down to subtle details, such as the shape of a handle or knob, or the outline of the door window. These small, aesthetic touches really define the look of the appliance, so pick something that matches the theme of your kitchen. If you have a rustic, welcoming kitchen, a range-style cooker will act as the beating heart of the room, adding a homely feel. Modern apartment? Then perhaps a sharp, angular cooker with ceramic hob is for you. With so much choice for styles and colours, you re bound to find what you re after. View the appliance in store or take a good look at any images online before purchasing, so you know exactly what your new cooker looks like. If you have a rustic, welcoming kitchen, a rangestyle cooker will act as the beating heart of the room. 22

23 Choosing a Cooker Hood Cooker hoods are a great way to keep your kitchen cleaner and make your whole home a more pleasant place to be. They recycle or remove food odours, smoke and moisture, while minimising grease in the air that s created when you re cooking. Hoods and extractor fans come in a variety of styles, such as chimney, visor, canopy and integrated. Read on to discover which of these is right for your kitchen. 23

24 Choosing the Size To ensure your cooker hood works at maximum efficiency, select a model that s the same width as your cooker or hob. However, if you have lots of space available you can buy any size you like. Bigger hoods are perfect for larger kitchens as they have powerful motors, designed to recycle more air. Generally, cooker hoods come in standard sizes of 60 cm, 70 cm and 90 cm. Some manufacturers even offer matching hoods to go with selected cooker and hob models, so you can achieve a seamless look in your kitchen. Some manufacturers offer matching hoods to go with selected cooker and hob models. 24

25 Choosing the Type There are a variety of cooker hoods available, but the names can be a little confusing. Below we list the most common types. Visor Hoods Visor hoods are the most traditional hood models available to buy and they are installed to stick directly out of the wall above the cooker. These hoods tend to be wallet-friendly and are a practical choice for smaller kitchens. Canopy Hoods These are fitted under your overhead units, directly above your hob. Unlike integrated hoods, it s worth keeping in mind that canopy hoods will be visible as they won t be hidden behind a cabinet door. Integrated Hoods Installed behind your unit doors, these are ideal if you want a seamless look in your kitchen and for the cooker hood to be hidden out of sight. Chimney Hoods If you want to make a statement in your kitchen, chimney hoods are aesthetically pleasing, but tend to require a fair bit of space. These are mounted on a wall and have a chimney above the fan. Island Hoods These look just like chimney hoods, but attach to the ceiling above an island worktop. You ll need to make sure you have enough space to accommodate one. If you have the budget, an island hood can make a practical and stylish addition to your kitchen. If you want to make a statement in your kitchen, chimney hoods are a great choice. 25

26 Choosing the Filtration Method Cooker hoods either have a recirculation or an extraction mode for filtering, and some can be used in either mode depending how they ve been installed. Here, we look at how each type works, along with pros and cons. Recirculation Smoke and steam is drawn into the hood, through filters which remove odours and airborne grease. The clean air is then expelled back into the kitchen. Recirculation hoods are cheap and easy to install as they don t require access to an outside wall. The downside is, you ll need a charcoal filter, which needs to be changed periodically to keep your hood working efficiently. Extraction Air is removed from your kitchen through a duct and then released outside through an exterior vent. These models can be costly 26 to install and also require a fair amount of space. However, there is no charcoal filter to replace, so long term maintenance and running costs are cheaper. If you want a hood with an extraction mode, you ll need to work out the extraction rate you ll need. This is a measurement of how much air in cubic metres the device can extract in an hour. The larger the space, the higher the rate of extraction you ll need. A good rule of thumb is to work out the volume of your kitchen in cubic metres and multiply this figure by 12. That means the hood will be able to extract all the air in your kitchen 12 times every hour. A faster rate of extraction often means a noisier appliance, which is worth bearing in mind if you have limited space in your kitchen. All cooker hoods have grease filters, which need to be cleaned regularly to keep the appliance performing at its best. What Else Do I Need to Know? You ll need to position the hood at a minimum of 65 cm above a gas hob, or 50 cm above an electric hob. Check with the manufacturer for the minimum height required for your model. Prices for cooker hoods range from as little as 100 to over 1,000. You ll need to decide on your budget first to determine which type of hood you can afford.

27 Energy Efficiency If you want to reduce your impact on the environment and lower those energy bills, you ll want a cooker that s efficient. But which is better, gas or electric? Read on to find out which cookers are cheaper to run and what you can do to cook more efficiently. 27

28 Energy Efficiency Rating Unlike many other household appliances, not all cookers have energy efficiency ratings that allow for easy comparison between different models. In the main, only electric cookers have an efficiency rating, and even then it s only for the oven and not the hob. Having said that, if you re only interested in electric cookers, you can use the energy efficiency to compare models. The current scale for new appliances ranges from A+++ for the most efficient, to D for the least efficient. Be aware that there s some variation in each grade though, so one A rated cooker might be more efficient than another. For a like-for-like comparison, it s worth looking at the average running costs, also provided on the energy label. Fuel Type One of the biggest differences between cookers in terms of energy costs is the fuel they use. We highlight some of the benefits of electric and gas on page 7. However, when it comes down to running costs, there is a clear winner. According to Which?, if you ran an electric cooker for 1 hour 20 minutes a day, it would cost around 53 per year. Compare that with a gas cooker, run for the same time, which would cost around 16 per year. Over the lifetime of your appliance, this represents a significant saving. New technology is making electric cookers more efficient. Induction hobs are particularly good as they don t heat anything except the pan and its contents. However, gas cookers are still generally viewed as more efficient. Size Size also plays a part in how efficient a cooker is. It may seem fairly obvious, but larger appliances take more energy to heat up than smaller ones. It s worth making sure you re buying the smallest cooker you can get away with, but remember that you might need extra capacity every so often, for parties or Christmas dinner. New technology is making electric cookers more efficient. However, gas cookers are still generally viewed as more efficient. 28

29 Cooking Methods There are certain things you can do in the kitchen to increase the energy efficiency of your cooking. Cooking on the hob, for instance, uses less energy than oven cooking, so it may be worthwhile to have a stir-fry rather than a roast chicken. If this is something that appeals to you, you might want to look for a model with a better hob some have a high-powered wok burner which is perfect for this sort of thing. Similarly, quicker cooking uses less energy than lengthier jobs, so quickly frying some fish is more efficient than grilling it (although grilling is probably healthier). You can also add more efficiency to normal cooking processes, rather than changing the way you cook. Only put enough water in a pot to cover vegetables for boiling, otherwise you re unnecessarily heating more than you need. Pre-boiling potatoes before popping them in to roast saves you time and energy too, as they re already partly cooked. If you re cooking with the oven, try not to open the door too often, as heat escapes and is replaced with cooler air, making the appliance work harder to maintain its temperature. Look for a model with a built-in timer as this will remove some of the guesswork. Make sure you use the right size pan for your burner on the hob. This is more relevant to electric hobs than gas, but using a 6 inch pan on an 8 inch burner can waste as much as 40% of the heat generated. It s also worth making sure your cooker is kept clean, as food debris absorbs heat, reducing the cooker s efficiency. 29

30 Efficiency Features Unlike other white goods, cookers don t have an eco-mode you can switch on, but there are some features to look out for that help your appliance run more efficiently. Investing in a cooker with a glass door which lets you see inside is a great idea. It lets you keep an eye on what s cooking more easily and means you keep any door opening to a minimum, retaining all the hot air inside. A lot of glass doors on cookers are double or triple glazed. This increases how good an insulator the door is. More layers of glass means less heat can escape. It also has the added benefit of keeping the door cooler to the touch. Some doors even have heat reflection technology, which helps insulate the oven even more efficiently. Models that feature self-cleaning technology also tend to be more efficient as the special linings inside the oven offer better insulation. And of course, they re easier to keep clean! 30

31 Buying Online and In Store If you re looking to buy a new cooker, you have two options buying online or in store. From reviews and expert guidance to product range and price, there are advantages and disadvantages to both. Find out which one suits you here. 31

32 Online If you buy online, you ll be able to view the widest range of cookers, as an online store isn t limited by the space available in the shop. You re bound to find one that s suitable for your kitchen. You can also easily compare features, specifications and more between different models to help you choose. Websites often have filters that allow you to view only models from a particular brand or that are a certain size or fuel type, so you don t need to browse through products that aren t suitable. Online retailers usually have product descriptions, detailing all the unique aspects of the appliance so you can find out everything you need to know, quickly and easily. You ll often find cooker reviews online as well. These are left by real customers and can be really helpful in picking a model or brand. These offer a balanced 32 opinion of a product before you buy. The downside to shopping online is that you can t physically see the cooker you intend to buy. This makes it more difficult to get an idea of its size or make sure there s enough space for you to cook for family and friends. In Store If you choose to shop in store, the biggest benefit is being able to see the cooker. Try out the oven doors, measure the appliance footprint or get a better image of the cooker sitting proudly in your kitchen. Seeing a product in the flesh helps you visualise using the cooker in your everyday life. You also get the opportunity to ask staff any questions you might have. Their expertise will help you make your decision, but remember, they will usually only make recommendations from the small range of cookers they have in stock. Viewing the product in real life also lets you properly see the appliance s colour. Computer monitors can affect or alter colours, so if this is a deciding factor for you, it s worth popping into a shop to decide. You ll often find reviews left by real customers online.

33 Best of Both Worlds There s nothing stopping you using both shopping mediums to make a purchase. Browse online for a full range of products, create a shortlist of ones you want to have a look at, then pop in store and physically inspect them. Once you ve found the perfect cooker, order it online or in store whichever is most convenient for you. When ordering a cooker, you ll probably want it delivered and installed, so the way you complete the sale makes little difference. Bear in mind delivery and installation charges too. You may be more likely to get free delivery when ordering online. 33

34 Price, Installation and Delivery Perhaps your cooker has packed up after years of faithful service. Maybe you ve just moved into a new house and have no appliances. Either way, you re in the market for a new cooker. One of the first things you ll be thinking is, what s it going to cost me? Of course this depends on what sort of cooker you re after, but this guide will give you an idea of what you can expect to pay, including information on delivery and installation charges. If you re interested in the long term running costs of the appliance, see page

35 Price - Freestanding Cookers If you re after a small, basic cooker, the cheapest price you can expect is just under 200. This will likely be a single oven cooker with a conventional electric hob, although you can get gas models for under the 200 mark as well. If you re after something with stunning design and cutting edge technology, expect to spend at least 700. Some models even go into 1,000+ region. These models tend to offer spacious double ovens, snazzy induction hobs and a range of cooking features that will revolutionise your cooking experience. Price Range Cookers Range cookers are usually much bigger than regular freestanding cookers. They are also significantly more expensive. Expect to pay at least 1,000 for a good range cooker. Models with more ovens, burner zones or features can be several thousand pounds. Delivery Another cost you might have to consider is whether the retailer charges for delivery. Many retailers offer free delivery for products ordered online, but there may be a minimum spend to qualify for this. Some stores will also remove your old appliance and ensure it is disposed of responsibly. Installation Installing a cooker is not quite as simple as plugging it in, so you should probably let the experts do it for you. This is particularly true of gas cookers make sure you get an engineer who is Gas Safe registered. Retailers frequently offer installation options for appliances bought through them. These vary in price, but expect installation for electric cookers to be cheaper than gas models. Prices usually include any kit that s required to fit the appliance, and range from around 65 to 100 depending on the model and complexity of the job. Retailers frequently offer installation options for appliances bought through them. 35

36 Some rights reserved Euronics ltd. You are welcome to distribute this guide in its current form, for non-commercial purposes only. It may not be altered in any way. If distributing or reposting the guide, you must give attribution to Euronics and link back to the original Euronics page: This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit E&OE. We have endeavoured to make the information in this guide as accurate as possible at the time of writing, but consumers should ensure they research any appliance thoroughly before making a purchase. This version published April