Best Cooker 2018 – Buyer’s Guide

A freestanding oven for all of you out there who find that getting an appliance which can handle your baking is essential.

There is a generous amount of settings and functions included, such as the PlusSteam moist fan baking function which can ensure your cakes, bread and muffins all come out of the oven wonderfully soft and just as they should be. It adds the right amount of steam to the chamber before you pop in the goods, so the outer is crisp too.

The main oven is fan controlled and the second is conventional, so whatever your desired results there is a chamber which can help you out. Both have a very good capacity too, so if one of your main concerns is space as you love to make big meals, you’re covered.

You get two shelves included, and there are five positionings in the main oven, so plenty of scope to expand on this. A minute reminder will let you relax while the oven is at work, ticking down until it is all ready.

Catalytic liners make cleaning the oven a lot easier as nothing should stick or burn on; just give it a wipe occasionally. They absorb the grease and splashes, destroying them, so you don’t have to.

For safety, there is a hot hob indicator, so you know not to touch anything with residual heat. These zones are ceramic, so heat much faster than your traditional electric solid hotplates.

We think it is a good price for an appliance which has so many features, is so generous in capacity and room, and is overall very reliable and well-built. Not just one for the Mary Berry wannabes, either.

Thanks to the two ovens and integrated upper grill, there is plenty of scope to get the items for your meals cooked all at the same time without having to cram it all in, and it’ll be evenly cooked as well which is down to the fan distributing heat across all levels equally.

The main oven is quite a generous capacity, so it should be easy enough to accommodate whatever you need, from a huge casserole to the Christmas Day turkey. To match, there is also a large baking tray included so you won’t struggle to find one which is the perfect fit. In fact, it is 25% larger than your standard ones you’d be able to find elsewhere.

With a triple-glazed window, you’ll be able to view your food as it cooks without continually opening the door and letting the heat escape. No more burnt chips or facefuls of steam.

The control knobs feel a bit plastic-y, but they turn well and smoothly for good control. The overall design is very pleasing and modern, perfect for any kitchen layout or design.

Best Cooker with Induction Hob

Latest induction hob technology for your kitchen

This is a great kitchen appliance deal for those looking for a kitchen steal – with this model, you get the latest ceramic induction hob as well as two ovens for a decent price. Induction hobs are great because they only heat up the surface of the pan, wasting zero energy and ensuring an even cooking experience. We love the induction hob touch controls, and this model also comes in some attractive shades if you wanted to mix things up a bit…

Attractive silver gas model from Hotpoint

Cooking with gas is extremely rewarding thanks to the easy temperature control. This stainless steel Hotpoint all-in-one offers a compact alternative to a more expensive gas range cooker. We love its even bake and gas oven temperature zones. (Gas is also the cheapest fuel out there so using a quality gas appliance like this can help you save on fuel costs).

John Lewis double gas oven that’s easy to use (& easy on the eye)

John Lewis appliances are famed for their quality and this appliance is no different. This oven has really been designed with usability and functionality in mind, and it’s a great gas model that will last and last.

Bonus points for the simple and sleek design and the generous oven windows so you can keep an eye on that souffle…

If you’re after a freestanding, dual fuel cooker around 60cm in width to fit your kitchen, then this Hotpoint Ultima should be a big consideration.

A roomy 65L oven chamber should be big enough to accommodate your bakes, cakes and roasts, and a separate grill compartment means you can use both at the same time.

The four burner gas hob comes equipped with a glass lid for when it isn’t in use, which can also act as a splashback when it is up against a wall. Moving pans around on the hob means the stands can get a bit wobbly as there are four as opposed to two large ones, so be careful.

The knobs were a bit different in the fact that their function was written underneath, rather than some form of image or drawing. It would be better if it were above each dial for easier viewing. For the grill, getting the hang of which way round you turn for full and half grill is a bit confusing.

They’re also set a bit of an odd way round, not the most intuitive layout so that all takes a little while to get the hang of. But once that part is done, actually turning them is fine and easy.

Despite its downsides, the heat is very generous, and it seems to cook the food well. They are all things you can adapt to, rather than issues which take away the enjoyment of the cooking.

Having the safety and ease of an electric oven along with the instant heat and exceeded control of a gas hob is the preferred choice of a lot of kitchen users up and down the country.

This single model from Indesit is just that, with four burners and a large capacity cooking chamber. Ignition is automatic to make life a bit easier, and the dials are all very simple to control and understand; one for each burner, one for the temperature, one for oven setting and one for a timer.

Regarding safety, you need to press the pilot light for the ignition to work, so there is no turning it on accidentally. Fail-safe will also ensure it is not on when it shouldn’t be.

We liked the little storage drawer at the bottom of the oven, which comes in handy for keeping any pans or baking trays at easy reach, saving you some space elsewhere. It is worth us mentioning that it isn’t a drawer though, just a pull-down flap, so it can be a bit difficult getting things out.

It isn’t a fan oven, so it takes a bit longer to heat up, and the markers on the control dials are a bit fine so not that easy to read and see. But other than this, for the price, it is a great little oven. The manufacturers guarantee is also fab for no extra cost.

Dual fuel model that offers you the best of both worlds.

This single oven gives you the speed and accuracy of a gas hob, combined with the ease and control of an electric fan oven. A great appliance buy from a brand loved by Britons, this single oven option is great for smaller families and couples who don’t need the double oven for that Sunday roast!

If you are looking for a durable and sturdy stainless steel stove, then this is the oven for you. With a strong, easy-to-use design the Hotpoint Ultima EG900XS Dual Fuel is a great addition to any home. It offers a spacious 78 litre main oven cavity with a large double glazed window to keep tabs on your food whilst it cooks. This stove comes with an integrated grill which is great for cooking a range of different meals. It boasts five cast iron gas burner hobs on the top with a wok burner in the centre.

The Hotpoint Ultima EG900XS Dual Fuel oven and grill is fan and electric ensuring even cooking for every meal. When baking or cooking, the fan means you don’t need to switch the trays around and food is cooked to perfection every time.

This oven comes equipped with a programmable timer and flame failure safety device for a safe cooking experience. There are a number of stainless steel and easy-to-use dials across the front panel of the oven along with a small digital display, keeping you in full control of your cooking. Though this oven is energy class B, it is a sturdy and durable stove fit for any busy kitchen.