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AIBU?

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Original poster

Why do nearly all decent cookers need to be hard wired in?

46 replies

Dreamqueen · 25/03/2022 19:33

If anyone can send links of a decent 90cm gas range cooker that only requires a 13 amp plug, I will be eternally grateful.

I had thought that I'd found the perfect cookerbut on reading reviews of Belling Farmhouse, rust is a major issue.

We're moving house and the cooker has a non fan manky electric oven. The hob looks fine but we use the oven a lot. The kitchen does not have a 32 amp big cooker switch so my only option is a 13 amp plug in one. Otherwise it means ripping up the flooring in both the loung and dining room to run a cable for the cooker from the fuse box. My AIBU is why do people who renovate houses not think & put in the normal wiring for most cookers at the same time as doing other renovations. The house is lovely exept for the cooker. I've spent hours reading cooker specs and I'm pulling my hair out.

OP posts:
Gladioli23 · 25/03/2022 19:39

I imagine it's because the current that a decent cooker needs to draw in order to cooker is greater than 13amps?

I agree it's mad not to put a circuit in for it. Could you run one through the ceiling instead of the floor?

ZeroFuchsGiven · 25/03/2022 19:43

Any decent electrian would not need to rip up 2 rooms of flooring to run a cable under floor boards Confused

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 25/03/2022 19:45

It annoys me because an electrician lived in my house when the kitchen was last renovated.
I have a Belling, I think. Bit wider though.
I've had it around 3.5 years and it is not rusty

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 25/03/2022 19:48

Belling Kensington 100g

StatisticallyChallenged · 25/03/2022 19:48

www.johnlewis.com/browse/electricals/cooking/cookers/13a/_/N-adkZ1yzymib

John lewis has it as a filter, which might help?

We had a belling range, was absolutely fine tbh.

etulosba · 25/03/2022 19:55

The kitchen does not have a 32 amp big cooker switch

Then you aren’t going to be able to have a big cooker.

Something like this would work with a 13 amp plug, but perhaps not what you are looking for.

Why do nearly all decent cookers need to be hard wired in?
GrolliffetheDragon · 25/03/2022 20:02

We have had a Belling for three years, absolutely fine.

We also had the same issue, if you want an electric oven and separate grill it needs to be hardwired in. We went for a gas oven in the end rather than go through the hassle of sorting that out as we'd have had to put a hole through a wall and needed the new cooker urgently.

Riseholme · 25/03/2022 20:13

An Everhot has a 13 amp plug.

www.everhot.co.uk/

JudgeJ · 25/03/2022 21:41

@GrolliffetheDragon

We have had a Belling for three years, absolutely fine.

We also had the same issue, if you want an electric oven and separate grill it needs to be hardwired in. We went for a gas oven in the end rather than go through the hassle of sorting that out as we'd have had to put a hole through a wall and needed the new cooker urgently.

I have the Belling Farmhouse dual fuel, the ovens and grill are electric and it's not hard-wired, they run into a normal switch in a cupboard that is on a 30 amp circuit. I thought it odd when we first moved in but it seems to work OK.
etulosba · 25/03/2022 22:19

An Everhot has a 13 amp plug

You can, or could, get AGAs with a 13 amp plug too. They have to be left switched on 24/7 though.

etulosba · 25/03/2022 22:22

I have the Belling Farmhouse dual fuel, the ovens and grill are electric and it's not hard-wired, they run into a normal switch in a cupboard that is on a 30 amp circuit.

Presumably, there is no plug on the end of the cable. For a 30 amp circuit, it would look like this…

Why do nearly all decent cookers need to be hard wired in?
FatOaf · 25/03/2022 22:33

I imagine it's because the current that a decent cooker needs to draw in order to cooker is greater than 13amps?

An electric cooker, yes. But the OP wants a gas cooker. I can't see why it would need more than a 13A supply to run a clock, a fan and spark ignition.

Whetheryouthinkyoucan · 25/03/2022 22:47

@Riseholme

I love my EH, but OP wants a gas oven. An EH cannot be gas.

cakeorwine · 25/03/2022 22:54

First result on Google

www.currys.co.uk/products/kenwood-ck307g-90-cm-gas-range-cooker-black-and-chrome-10190282.html
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION: This product can be plugged into a standard 13 Amp socket.

It's gas. 90 cm
Requires a 13 Amp plug

OnTheBoardwalk · 25/03/2022 23:00

I had a dodgy oven when I moved in. When you turned it on you could almost hear the house crackling under the strain on the main fuse not a separate circuit

I tried a worktop oven and it was absolutely rubbish

I think you’ve got to bite the bullet and get a proper one installed floor boards and all

Original poster
Dreamqueen · 26/03/2022 06:54

Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reply. I'm feeling more confident now about going for the Belling one. I'd seen the Kenwood one at currys but am worried about the energy consumption of it when having to heat up the big oven for something like a couple of fish fingers.

In reply about putting in the 32amp cable. The flooring down is some kind of fancy laminate, which the plumber said won't react well to being disturbed to run the cable & new flooring isn't in my budget at the moment.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dreamqueen · 26/03/2022 07:01

Sorry posted too soon!

i've got another question. Do you prefer having one large oven or a seperate grill, with two smaller ovens?

At the age of 62 this is only the second cooker that I've ever had to choose in my life & I'm completely confused. Just as well you say considering the amount of time it's taking me.

OP posts:
QuebecBagnet · 26/03/2022 07:05

I prefer one large oven but think about it what’s right for you. Dunno if you’re on your own but if so maybe a split oven might be more economical for every day use?

StatisticallyChallenged · 26/03/2022 07:11

@Dreamqueen

Sorry posted too soon!

i've got another question. Do you prefer having one large oven or a seperate grill, with two smaller ovens?

At the age of 62 this is only the second cooker that I've ever had to choose in my life & I'm completely confused. Just as well you say considering the amount of time it's taking me.

Our belling had 3 - tall slim full height oven on the right, wider oven on the left, grill (which could also be used as an oven) top left. For us that was perfect, we've moved and I really miss it. Especially at Christmas.

I don't think one huge oven would work as well for us as the ability to have all 3 at different temps was really useful. Also means you can be cooking very different things simultaneously without scent/flavour transfer

user1471530109 · 26/03/2022 07:11

OP, I'm assuming your kitchen is on the ground floor and not a flat? I'm pretty sure electrical cable isn't supposed to run under the ground floor and up to appliances? As in I don't think that would follow regs? Cabling has to be from ceiling down or in walls (I think!).
I'd get an electrician in for a quote. Most won't charge. They may even be able to give you an idea over the phone or Facebook. I've had oven cable put in in two houses and never has it been a massive job. Don't give up yet!

mogsrus · 26/03/2022 07:46

If cable is a problem, can you run it outside in conduit to the consumer board?

mogsrus · 26/03/2022 08:01

Anything under 3k can just be plugged in. Over 3k needs hard wiring

mogsrus · 26/03/2022 08:21

@etulosba

I have the Belling Farmhouse dual fuel, the ovens and grill are electric and it's not hard-wired, they run into a normal switch in a cupboard that is on a 30 amp circuit.

Presumably, there is no plug on the end of the cable. For a 30 amp circuit, it would look like this…

that Industrial connector would not be fitted to a house cooker
ginislife · 26/03/2022 09:32

Surely the issue is to do with a fully gas cooker (both oven and hob) only needs electricity to fire the ignition and so could be a 13amp plug but a fully electric cooker has to be 30 amp because of the power required to heat and run the ovens. The power would run from the consumer board up through the ceiling and down the wall without touching the floor. Get an electrician to come in and survey.

Deux · 26/03/2022 09:45

You could get an air fryer for the couple of fish fingers in the oven situation.

I don’t have one myself but friends who have them rave about them and don’t use their ovens very much.