Range cookers - what a price range!

[NKF]

What, in essence, is the difference between the £700 and the £3,000 ones? Does anyone know? Is a £700 one a false economy? Do the Smeg ones come with diamond earrings to justify that price tag?

[ivykaty44]

I would seriously look at the Rangemaster ones, they were always very well made and superiour to a lot of other companies. There testing of the products was aswell to a higher standard than most other companies.

[ThursdayNext]

Man in the cooker shop (who sold Smeg, amongst others) reckoned Smeg are now poor quality, all style over substance
I got a Baumatic double oven, think it was about £650, fine for me, only got a range cooker cause I had a 90cm space to fill in a chimney breast
I didn't want that Aga type look though, those ones all seem to cost more

[NKF]

Thanks. We have a Baumatic single oven at the moment and it takes annoyingly long to warm up so I've been put off them. Glad to hear that Smeg aren't all they are cracked up to be. Couldn't afford one. I've been looking at the New World ones. They seem okay and it's a reputable brand, I believe.

[ivykaty44]

Would not touch New World with a barge pole - sorry, they were of substandard 10 years ago and I doubt better now.

[NKF]

Really? Thanks for that. I need to do more research.

[ivykaty44]

look here

You are looking at a mark up of about £300/350 on each cooker, so go to the dealer page and find who deals in them near to your home, and go and chat to the sales man and ask for a discount.

[Tinkjon]

I've been told that Rangemaster is definitely the way to go. The salesman in the shop I went to said that the doors weren't very good quality on the other models - I did see what he meant when I looked at them, but of course he could have just been trying to sell me an expensive Rangemaster

[pooka]

We've just got a rangemaster and I love it. Also think that their customer service has been fantastic. Was miniscule (and I mean so small I couldn't even see it - was noticed by the delivery guys) crease in the stainless steel door (so when the stainless steel was rolled there was a slight flaw). They came back a week later and replaced the door and gave us a free set of saucepans worth £180 as well.

[ThursdayNext]

Rangesmaster fairly expensive though, I just wasn't convinced the difference in makes was worth the difference in price tags
I guess it depends how long you think you'll use it for as well, if you plan on living in the same house for the rest of your life it might be worth paying more
Belling was recomended to me as a good brand, even the man in the shop trying to sell me very, very expensive cookers thought they were good. Nearly bought this one
www.trade-appliances.co.uk/_1006443_Belling_KENSINGTON90DFGBLK/444447034.html.
But the Baumatic we got in the end is fine, my chef friend likes it, and he's seriously fussy
Something like this www.trade-appliances.co.uk/_3741_Baumatic_BT2760SS.html

[Pannacotta]

In our previous house we had a Leisure cooker (made by Rangemaster) in a matt steel finish which was fab. Great cooker and really easy to keep clean and looked smart too. We sold it with the house and bought a pricey Smeg which I hugely regret.
Crappola product and customer service.

[Pannacotta]

Sorry dont think they are owned by Rangemaster judging from this
www.leisurecp.co.uk/

[NKF]

Have spent hours on the Internet. Two look interesting - rangemaster 90 and Belling Kensington something or other. At least £300 difference in price which I'm still trying to puzzle out. Is having two fan assisted ovens that much better than one and a conventional one? Aiming to visit store tomorrow. Then onto fridge freezers. Thrilling life eh? Thanks for everyone's help. Any views on granite worktops? I love the look but husband says composite is fine. But then he cooks about once a year.

[NKF]

It doesn't look fresh but I love the way it gleams. Kitchen is dark though so perhaps not a good idea. I thought with lots of spotlights and a very light floor, it would be okay.

[NKF]

Anniemac - I know. I'm begining to doubt all my choices.

[NKF]

We have a dark kitchen. North facing etc. And I was thinking light coloured floor tiles, oak or ash units and granite worktop. Not very original but very real if you know what I mean. I like wood and stone and natural products generally.

But perhaps given the lack of natural colour, I should have white glossy units. Arrgh. My head will expode.