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Original poster

Britannia or Falcon help me please

59 replies

Honestyisbest · 27/01/2013 16:04

help me! I am choosing a range cooker, dual fuel stainless steel. it comes down to Falcon continental 1092 which is the entry level model at 2.5 K, gulp or the Britannia L line for the same price.
help!
One big down on the Falcon is there is no timer, I love this feature as I can walk in to a cooked casserole. But if you have either make please tell me pros and cons.

OP posts:
gillviola · 27/01/2013 16:29

I have a Falcon continental range cooker. I bought it because both the ovens are the same size which is unusual in a range cooker. It is stainless steel and I love it.

Original poster
Honestyisbest · 27/01/2013 16:37

Thanks gillviola. Does that lack of a timer get irritating? The oven size is good, it's so hard deciding.

OP posts:
gillviola · 27/01/2013 17:41

I do wish it had a timer but I decided I would rather have 2 ovens the same size and I still don't regret it.

Original poster
Honestyisbest · 27/01/2013 20:30

Thanks gill viola. How is it for cleaning?
Any Britannia fans?

OP posts:
reastie · 27/01/2013 21:12

Watching with interest as I'm planning on buying the same falcon and didn't realise it didn't have a timer Shock . Tbh if it was a fab cooker otherwise I could get over the lack of timer though. We have this timer at work (I teach cooking) and it's magnetic so it would just stick on your oven when you needed it.

Original poster
Honestyisbest · 27/01/2013 21:31

Reastie, the kind of timer I mean is programmable, so you can pop a casserole in the oven and the oven will switch on at a preset time. I use this function four days a week, it will switch on and off when you are out.
We loved the Falcon too.
however the J Lewis guy said the lack of a programmable oven is a deal breaker for many people. So hence the wrestling and it's such a lot of money so big decision.

OP posts:
ceres · 27/01/2013 23:22

i have a britannia - cost a stupid amount of money five years ago. i wouldn't have one again. my mum's cheap hotpoint oven is more reliable and more spacious.

reastie · 28/01/2013 06:52

ahh, OK, I'm with you now honesty . Our current oven has that function but tbh I've never used it so I suppose it won't be a deal breaker for me. Still interested in feedback on how good the faclon oven is (or not) though Grin

amazonianwoman · 28/01/2013 11:43

My friend has had 2 Falcons (in 2 houses), they're fabulous! The current one is probably around 7 years old and has never failed. She's a food technologist so knows her stuff and researched thoroughly before buying.

amazonianwoman · 28/01/2013 11:47

The Falcon Continental is 'only' £2150 here

amazonianwoman · 28/01/2013 11:48

You could buy a slow cooker with the money you've saved for your casseroles!

Original poster
Honestyisbest · 28/01/2013 16:07

ooh well researched amazonianwoman, that is a good price! It is a lovely looking cooker.....if only it had that bliming programmable timer. I do have a slow cooker though....
Just to confuse things just been round to drool over my friends new kitchen and she has a Smeg range, their most expensive model which comes in at around 2K. I t has two big ovens, a timer and self cleaning technology! They don't get great reviews though do they?

OP posts:
amazonianwoman · 28/01/2013 17:12

Smeg have rubbish reviews...

Actually I saw a John Lewis branded range recently that was made by Britannia. I'll have a look. It looked just like a Britannia Smile

amazonianwoman · 28/01/2013 17:21

Not sure which one it is, you'd have to ask instore.

Rangemasters have timers eg the professional plus. Not quite as well built as Falcons but another friend has one and loves it.

amazonianwoman · 28/01/2013 17:23

Me again!

I have an old range with a timer and rarely use it. Things tend to be either burnt or undercooked depending on how long the oven takes to get to temperature or how long it stays warm after switching off. I use my slow cooker instead.

Pufflemum · 28/01/2013 17:26

I have a Falcon, it's fantastic, have never noticed the lack of timer! It's an industrial cooker so doesn't have as many gismos as other cookers, but as a result it's very easy to clean. I use Lakeland liners at the foot of the fan oven and Astonish cleaner (£1 from the Poundshop). I have the central wok burner and it is ferocious, I have had guests singe their hair when they first light it! Factor in the cost of an extractor fan though as its non standard size.

Pufflemum · 28/01/2013 17:27

Ps Don't buy Smeg, they look great but don't last.

reastie · 28/01/2013 18:07

ohhh puffle I didn't know it wasn't usual size for extractor. We're getting a free extractor with our kitchen shop but it's a rangemaster extractor not falcon one - I wonder if the size won't measure up Hmm . You've got me worried now! Do you think it will be obvious? Confused

Original poster
Honestyisbest · 28/01/2013 19:10

Ooh thanks Pufflemum. Sounds like good advice. I must say my friends looked amazing, but I want it to last for sure at that price!

OP posts:
dottygamekeeper · 29/01/2013 00:04

I have a 90cm stainless steel Falcon range with one large and one small oven, dual fuel (bottled gas for the rings, electric ovens). I chose it specifically because in addition to the two ovens it had a separate grill and I wanted the five rings on top (and didn't have room for the model with two ovens the same size). Very good temperature wise, top easy to clean, main oven has easy clean liners (which never look perfectly clean to me, but are OK). Very good central wok burner. I don't really miss having a timer. Small fan oven is narrow but full height, ideal for doing lots of trays of biscuits etc at the same time or for cooking smaller dinners that don't need a large tin/dish. Big (multifunction) oven is wider (fits a big goose at Christmas) but not full height as the grill is above it. Grill is very efficient and has four height settings which you adjust by altering the position of the grid in the grill pan. Very solid feel to shelves and pan rests.

Previously had a Britannia which we inherited when we moved in and which I hated - it had the timer function, which I would have used occasionally, but the clock/timer broke when it was about 4 years old and I was quoted silly money to replace it. Was difficult to clean and unreliable temperature wise.

Before that, at previous house, we had a Smeg (not a range, just an ordinary oven) which I also disliked - grill was in main oven, and always smoked, difficult to clean, had glass top which despite my best efforts to keep it pristine did get scratched.

reastie · 29/01/2013 06:13

Everyone here seems to have the elec oven and gas hob Hmm . I'm planning on getting the induction hob as they seem really good at heating and easier to clean - any feedback on induction vs gas?

Pufflemum · 29/01/2013 09:03

Hi Reastie, are you having cupboards either side of your extractor fan? If so you probably wouldn't notice the difference in width, but double check the width of the extractor with the kitchen shop as a 900 would look odd if you have the 1092 range, even with cupboards. I don't have high cupboards on the wall with the extractor, hence the advice to buy the Falcon one, but it was expensive.

I bought the range and fan from Appliances Direct, they were £900 cheaper than the same cooker from the kitchen people! Very good service and no problems and the kitchen fitters were happy to install them both.

With regards to the hob, I have never had an Induction, I always thought they were not as controllable as gas and was worried they might crack. However I can see that they can provide extra workspace if needed when the hob is not in use. Decisions, decisions.......

mum47 · 29/01/2013 09:05

Pointless post really, but when I was scanning over active talks, I saw the heading of your posts, and thought it was a baby name postHmm
PS welljel, I want a range cooker!

Original poster
Honestyisbest · 29/01/2013 09:08

Thanks Pufflemum. I am having a hidden extractor (Elica) with a surround to match the cupboards. Good tip re Appliances Direct. I wondered if they were any good.
Re induction, my friend is pleased with hers, but she didn't mentioning cooking on it only that it was easy to keep clean! I guess a gas hob is more fiddly to keep clean. I'm definitely going for gas as I like to be able to whack up the heat and get cooking really quickly. I also prefer the look: it fits with our overall design. I love induction in a super modern kitchen though, very sleek.
Dotty thank you so much, you have had a fair few cookers! Great advice.

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Pufflemum · 29/01/2013 09:28

Sounds lovely Honesty. When's the work being done? You should post before and after pics.