Freestanding cookers: FAQs
Why should you buy a freestanding cooker?
If your kitchen can’t accommodate a built-in oven or a substantial range cooker is too big, then a freestanding cooker is a great option.
The good news is that freestanding cookers can cook every bit as well as range cookers or built-in ovens.
They can be stylish too with many coming with stainless steel finishes. And there are gas and electric models to fit every budget.
How do you get the best out of your cooker?
Oven
Cakes baked in the oven
When using your oven, make sure you read the cooking instructions, take note of how long to bake for and at which heat.
And make sure you use the right shelves inside.
If you find that the results aren’t perfect first time, change the cooking time or temperature slightly.
Grill
It’s hard to find a grill that will spread the heat evenly all the way across the grill pan so always make sure that the food you’re grilling is in the right place to receive the right amount of heat.
Grill compartment
Hob
It’s important to make sure your pots and pans are receiving the right amount of heat. Some electric hobs have flexible cooking zones, which allow you to increase or decrease the amount of the hob being used.
To save energy, use pans that are the right size for each burner or plate. Always put a lid over the pan to bring things to the boil and reduce the heat afterwards.
And slicing vegetables into small pieces and cooking them in as little water as possible will help to reduce cooking times.
Four pans on a 60cm wide hob
Extra features
Gas cookers with an eye-level grill often come with a storage drawer beneath the main oven which is handy for storing plates. Although it’s not usual heated, if your main oven is on, some residual heat will help to warm your plates up.
The difference between gas mark and celsius
Sometimes cookbooks and recipes will only give temperatures in gas mark or degrees celsius - our quick conversion table will help you switch between the two with ease.
| How to convert gas marks to celsius | |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Gas Mark |
| 110 o C | Quarter |
| 120 o C to 130oC | Half |
| 140 o C | 1 |
| 150 o C | 2 |
| 160 o C to 170oC | 3 |
| 180 o C | 4 |
| 190 o C | 5 |
| 200 o C | 6 |
| 220 o C | 7 |
| 230 o C | 8 |
| 240 o C | 9 |
How do you keep your cooker clean?
Stainless steel surfaces
Remove fingerprints as soon as possible or they will become harder to clean off. Wipe over with a clean damp cloth, then polish off all water with a soft dry cloth.
The E-cloth developed for stainless steel is a great buffer – you can buy it from some supermarkets, electrical retailers and environmentally-friendly product websites.
Remove stubborn marks using a stainless steel cleaner, or rub in a few drops of baby oil to restore stainless steel finishes.
Don't use cooking oils, as they contain salts, which can damage the metal. Avoid wiping down with wire wool or other scrubby pads, which can scratch the surface.
Oven
Always read the manufacturer's instructions. On enamelled surfaces, wipe the affected area with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
Remove stubborn marks using a paste or cream cleaner or well moistened soap-impregnated steel wool pad, rubbed gently so as not to damage the surface.
Self-cleaning ovens
Ovens with catalytic linings keep themselves clean by catching spills and splashes on rough surfaces which then absorb and break them down. They are then burned off during normal cooking.
Pyrolytic programs
Pyrolytic oven programs burn off dirt and grease at up to about 500°C – all you do is sweep out the ash afterwards.
Pyrolytic programs can take 2 hours, and for safety the oven door will lock during this time.
Pyrolytic cleaning programs aren’t yet standard on freestanding cookers.
Oven cleaners
If you have a self-cleaning oven, don't use oven cleaners, alkaline or acid cleaners, or detergents to clean the oven.