Freestanding cookers: How to choose a cooker Freestanding cookers

Freestanding cooker

Freestanding cookers can save you space and money

If you can survive without a wok burner and a rotisserie, a freestanding cooker will make a welcome addition to your kitchen. 

Modern freestanding cookers can be every bit as stylish as larger range cookers, will cook as well as built-in ovens and can be significantly cheaper than both.

Types of freestanding cookers

Gas and electric freestanding cookers are the most common, and make up 90% of the freestanding cooker market. A smaller number of dual-fuel freestanding cookers offer the option of a gas hob with an electric oven. 

Freestanding cookers can come with double ovens, single ovens with separate grills, single ovens with built-in grills and single ovens with a grill at eye level. 

Check out the Which? freestanding cooker reviews for the latest Best Buys.

Freestanding cooker sizes

Freestanding cookers come in three standard widths: 60cm, 55cm and 50cm, with 50cm and 60cm being the most common.

Most freestanding cookers are about 90cm tall and 60-65cm deep. But before you buy a freestanding cooker with an eye-level grill, make sure you’ve got enough space – with the grill included they’re about 150 cm tall. 

Always check that the freestanding cooker you’re buying will fit the space in your kitchen.

Freestanding cooker features

Fans

Fans distribute the heat around the oven. Usually found in electric ovens.

Cooker hobs

Electric hobs can be easy-to-clean ceramic or electric plates. Gas burners spread the heat well around the bottom of the pan.

Grills

Freestanding cookers can have grills at eye level, in their own compartment or part of the oven itself. Good grills spread heat evenly across the grill pan.

Timers

Some cookers have a built-in timer that will time your cooking and let you know when time is up.

Programmable ovens

These turn the cooker on, time your cooking and will turn the cooker off when the food is done.

Thermostat indicator

On electric cookers, you’ll usually find a light that turns off when the oven senses it has reached the desired temperature.

Automatic ignition

Some gas burners ignite automatically when the burner knob is pushed. These are more convenient to use than a separate ignition.

Gas flame supervision device

FSDs are needed on gas cookers in flats

Flame supervision devices (FSD)

An FSD will shut off the supply of gas should a burner fail to ignite or get blown out.

Freestanding cooker price range

You can pick up a basic freestanding cooker with a single oven for about £150. Top-of-the-range feature-packed freestanding cookers can cost around £1,000.

Freestanding cooker brands

Which? has reviewed freestanding cookers from brands including AEG-Electrolux, Baumatic, Beko, Belling, Bosch, Cannon, Electrolux, Flavel, Hotpoint, Indesit, New World, Stoves, Swan and Zanussi-Electrolux.

Which? Best Buy freestanding cookers start from £215.

Freestanding cooker pros and cons

  • Pros Generally cheaper than range cookers and built-in ovens, will slot into existing gaps in your kitchen, space-saving, hundreds on the market.
  • Cons Built-in ovens are better for fitted kitchens. Freestanding cookers don’t offer as much cooking flexibility as range cookers, which have more burners.

Microwaves

If you don't have space for a freestanding cooker, a microwave might be a good option to consider. 

Find out how to get more from your microwave including how to cook a roast dinner in a microwave oven.

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