Advise on a new range cooker

[jheaefs]

Hi
I have an opportunity to change my kitchen and I would love some advise from those of you who use a range type cooker . I have looked at Aga's , Lacanche, SMEG and I am at a loss to know which one to invest in or are they ones out there that are even better. Its a big investment that I want to get right. I bake a lot and cook a lot and over the next few years I will have a lot of family for occasions where I will be cooking. The kitchen is open planned and is quite big so space isn't an issue. I currently have a gas hob and it drives me nuts the lack of space for large saucepans. So a larger hob definitely needed. I also have a mounted in the wall electric oven and christmas dinner can be a struggle to fit all in 😀Thank you!

This thread from the end of last year ( I think ) may be useful to you.
It made me very jealous, I'd love one but I rent 🙁.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/housekeeping/5187196-all-things-aga-related

Are you wanting one that is on all the time (like standard Aga) or one that you turn on and off to cook (like a Lacanche)? I imagine the latter from your list, in which case I can’t help - but will bump your thread anyway!

We bought a SMEG range cooker last year - it's gas on top and electric ovens/grill - we wanted fully induction on the top but it was going to cost thousands to upgrade our electrics to accommodate it, so something to think about.

I'd only ever had a gas range before, but am loving the dual fuel elements - cakes are much easier now as the temperature is constant and the top is definitely big enough for a wok and several saucepans concurrently (if it were needed).

My parents have an oil fired AGA, but it's extremely expensive to run and they have a gas hob and oven for the summer as it's just too hot in the kitchen otherwise!

Thank you so much. I actually had a Eureka moment reading the posts. I don't want one that stays on all the time or to heat the room/house. So I am thinking I may eliminate the Aga. The SMEG sounds like something that would work for me. The lacanche seems to be in all the house mags at the moment but I am not sure. Thank you for taking the time to reply! 😀

Have you looked at Richmond Stoves eletric ones. I've had mine for a few years now and love it.

I always found SMEG as a brand in general more style than substance.
I always use Which for reviews - only review site that is not paid for by the brands they are promoting. But it is subscription only. 4 out of their top 5 ranges are Rangemaster - which doesn’t surprise me, as the RM I had remains the best cooker I have ever had.
Happy hunting!

Thank you everyone 😀

I love our Rangemaster Kitchener, had it about 5 years now and no problems so far (touch wood!)

I have the Stoves Richmond 110cm dual fuel, I've had it for about 20 years, but it's now breaking down, 1 oven and grill not working, but i would replace with exactly the same, except for the colour.

@hideawayforever do they maybe need new parts? One of my ovens wouldn't heat up and the bulb went in it. Cost £50 to get them both fixed.

Hi everyone, I am still on my cooker quest. Has anyone experience of either of these range cookers? Thank you!
🔹 Rangemaster Professional Deluxe 110 cm Dual Fuel
🔹 Smeg 110 cm Traditional Dual Fuel Range Cooker

I have the Rangemaster and its fantastic. Had it 5 years and I love it, wouldn't hesitate to have the same again.

I have the Rangemaster Professional Deluxe - it’s 4 years old. Pretty good - the burners are good, I really like the wok burner and the hotplate. The warming drawer is rubbish (not even sure it is one?).

I’ve just had to have the thermostat replaced in the main fan oven, and the engineer told me that almost all the replacement parts for it are now discontinued 😮

it wasn’t a Rangemaster-specific engineer as we couldn’t get one in the timeframe, but worth checking that before you buy one if you’re going to choose that.

I have the 1100 Range master as I like both lots of rings, wok burner and electric hotplate that keeps cooked food hot. The larger of the 2 ovens is fan assisted and smaller one just normal but it gives option of keeping one for meat and one for DH who is vegetarian. I like the grill. You can do half grill or full grill. Mine is duel fuel gas hob and electric ovens for even baking. I've had mine over 12 years and still going strong. I've had grill element replaced about 2 years ago. I have it professionally cleaned twice a year. I like my cooker. It was expensive but has proved invaluable when I have to cater for large numbers over Xmas.

Its just a drawer for storing baking trays.. I use it as a place for proving dough.

Have Had my Rangemaster 1100 for 12 years and never had a problem with it. It’s been brilliant

I would go with a Rangemaster as I do think they have a strong reputation for a reason. We have had our SMEG for just over 2 years now (I think) and although I do really like the funtionality etc, it's warping along the bottom oven door - and they aren't remotely interested in fixing the issue as it's out of warranty. Not impressed but it was DH's decision/purchase and he was very keen on the brand.

We had a Stoves before that which was good, but not brilliant build quality.

We installed a Rangemaster 110 professional with induction top about 2 months ago. We moved to a new home with an ancient Falcon which sadly had never been serviced or maintained. The Falcon turned out not only to be a flame thrower but also incorrectly installed now due to modern day combustibles regs.

We initially ordered a dual fuel cooker not realising the implications of the beautiful mantle surrounding the slot where the cooker fits. AO were fantastic - as soon as they saw the location they explained the issue, checked out electrics and advised us on this one as we wouldn’t need to upgrade our electrics. The cooker point includes a socket so couldn’t go higher on the wattage required for the next level up. https://ao.com/product/prop110eigbc-rangemaster-professional-plus-electric-range-cooker-black-25738-15.aspx

My husband is a professional chef and he finds it’s great. I’m enjoying it too - first time without a dual fuel range cooker and now far prefer it. Also has wok cooking capability.

We have a Rangemaster Kitchener… was good for first few years but now the oven doors keep popping open. I’d love a Lacanche.

I've had a few range cookers and like Brittania best, very well made and lots of functions (including a rotisserie). Mine's induction and is so much easier to clean than the previous gas hobbed range

My ads and DIL got the range master in time for Christmas. I cooked Christmas dinner in it & it was amazing.

I inherited a range master dual fuel in this house which I think was fitted by the builders - so it’s 20 years old. It’s great. The slow oven I’ve started getting the hang of this past couple of years, I have a habitat le creuset knock off dish that fits well in it and I’ve done stews, slow roasts, rice puddings, etc in it.

the multiple hob bits are a bugger to clean, worse than my old gas cooker I think.

the electric hob rings I use on a sunny day (I have solar panels) and the hot plate for flatbreads, pancakes.

I'm not a fan of my rangemaster Professional. The ovens are very uneven, I have to turn everything or it gets burned on one side and the induction hob cooks very unevenly also. I wish I had sent it back but it was such a drama getting it installed and I couldn't face being without a cooker at the time.

I have this one - I’ve never got on with the grill as the grill pan seems too close to the heating element. What am I doing wrong?

(I’ve had mine 11 years and had no issues with it. The matching fridge however, died some time ago.)

Smeg range cookers are rubbish. Don’t hold temperatures very well at all. Poorly made and the after service is shockingly bad.