Best range cooker?

[cashmerecardigans]

I've finally given up on my idea of an Aga and think I really need a fab range cooker instead. I was thinking of a Lacanche Macon but reviews seem a bit mixed. Anyone got one they can comment on? Or any other recommendations?

I have a Stoves Richmond - it's perfect can't fault it !

Oh I'm so pleased to see a recommendation for a stoves richmond on mumsnet. have had mine for 6 weeks and it is AMAZING! love it love it love it especially the induction hob.

We are on our second Everhot - first was left at a house we sold as the buyers fell in love with it. They are completely wonderful and offer all the benefits of the Aga but without the requirement for a flue etc as they are electric and simply plug in. Love my Everhot!

I have a Rangemaster Classic
Love it

Why have you given up on the AGA? I have a Stanley Brandon that does my ch, hw and cooking. Cheaper than the AGA, and very controllable for cooking, so accurate temps for baking etc.

We've got a Stoves Sterling induction range. I haven't used it yet, but reviews were great, including Which? and it looks the business.

I have a Falcon and a Rangemaster. The build quality on the Falcon is superb and it feels satisfyingly solid to use, but in every other respect it is a total bugger. Everything is too hot. No glass doors. No timer. Really annoying grill.
Very happy with the Rangemaster though.

New World dual fuel is great, it works very hard for us. My only criticism is that the small oven has quite poor insulation, but it works well otherwise.

We've got an Everhot too and absolutely love it. Love the hot plates, induction hob, huge ovens, grilll and the ability to switch any of them off. Plus they look sooooo lovely!

I've given up on the Aga as even with the newer more controllable ones, I just struggle with the idea that my ovens are on all the time! I've also heard there've been lots of issues with new models and it sounds as if their customer service is not great when there are problems.
Interested in the Everhot love though, can I ask for an idea of running costs?

I have an elderly pensioner oilfuelled Stanley SuperStar! ..I don't think they make them any more, and obv am not totally au fait with other makes, but the ovens are not on all the time

the principle is that Stanley heats the water, which works the CH ....we have our HW on 24hours. CH is on timer
So when the HW/CH needs to go then Stanley kicks in does his bit and excess heat goes to the oven, meaning that in the winter I hardly need to use the oven controls as it is mostly hot all the time
In the summer I do need to use the oven thermostat, to get the temp up, but then the excess heat goes to the HW
I don't have a radiator in the kitchen as Stanley fulfils that requirement.
Bear in mind though that mine is quite old, although the engineer is always thrilled to come do a service as it is so simple! I do hear LOTS from all the engineers about the new AGAs and Rayburns being overly complex and unreliable though

+Tonde* No, they don't do the superstar any more, the Brandon
www.waterfordstanley.com/stanley-cookers/stanley-cookers/cooking,-hot-water-heating/oil/brandon is the latest model, which is what I replaced my much loved superstar with.

I went with Stanley because the ovens are so much larger than the AGA or the Rayburn; I can get a 20lb turkey in mine.

OP Stanley also do just range cookers as opposed to proper ranges www.waterfordstanley.com/stanley-cookers/stanley-cookers/cooking-only. My last Stanley lasted 20 years, I hope the new one will as well.

Everhot have some example running costs on their website. www.everhot.co.uk/Products/Comparison.aspx

That's if you run it on full power all the time, we set ours to Eco mode which turns the power right down overnight. You just set the time you want it to come on and go off. They work really well with solar panels if you can do that. The guy who designed the first one wanted to make it efficient enough that he could run it from his water mill.

You'll have to see one in real life, they are looovly!

I meant to say, having the ovens on all the time is amazing. Although it makes it far too tempting to cook pastries in the morning. You always have the oven ready when you want to cook, no waiting around for it to heat up. Also the warming oven is fabulous for keeping bits warm, roasts and large meals are so much easier because of that.

I've a rangemaster, they are made by aga, it's really good. Heats up fast, does what it's supposed to basically,

We have an everhot too. Very handy as I programme it only to be on at the times I use it. If you want the oven on at a different time to usual, it does take about 2 hours to warm up. The hob gets up to temperature in about 20 minutes.
I have only 2 criticisms:
1)The spring on the lid broke on ours although the lid stands up ok without the spring. We ordered a replacement spring but couldn't fit it.
2) the hob surround gets really dirty if there are any splashes or overflowing saucepans and you don't clean it immediately. Same for the mirror on the underside of the lid.

I do like it though.

I have had a Rangemaster for ten years now and it's fantastic! As others have said, it's versatile, well built and reliable

I also have an Everhot. Much better than my old aga as it is so controllable. And it has an induction hob as well so no need to have it on in the summer. I got it two years ago and haven't had any problems so far. Although I do agree that they are difficult to clean.

Everhot have a very good Facebook group if you want more information. It's worth a look as there are regular comparisons on it between Everhot and other range cookers. And some lovely pictures of other people's kitchens.

Thanks for the everhot info, I'll have a look at the Facebook page. I was a bit put off by them being electric as I thought they would be expensive, but it looks as if they're not, so could well be a viable option.
So if I turn the ovens off in the summer I can still use the induction hob, which is great, but how long do the ovens take to heat from cold?

Ive got a Rangemaster Professional Plus, duel fuel. I'm really satisfied as, although it isn't top of the range, it cooks perfectly and look nice too

To keep costs down on the everhot I only keep the top oven on. It's on eco from 9pm until 5pm as I don't need it during the day. This definitely makes a difference to the costs. You can manually override eco at weekends if you need it earlier. In summer we turn it onto eco permanently but if you need it it takes between 1 and 2 hours to get to 200 (I cook everything at 200). If you need it quickly then you can boost it with the grill which gets it up to temperature much faster. When you look at the Facebook forum you will discover many many other tips from serious cooks who bake everything in the bottom oven or on the hob on bake o glide. Some of them also aren't keen on the induction hob as it isn't authentic but I wouldn't be without it as it is top quality and very quick. As you can tell I'm quite taken with my everhot.

Just to add: avoid Falcon. It's a total nightmare to clean as the grill in the main oven is exposed and fat gets behind it and the fan whenever I roast and then the kitchen fills with smoke... Side panels don't seem to self-clean as adversities either. I echo the previous comments about the grill - it's either full on and burns everything to a crisp or so weak it won't heat the plates. Falcon's engineer has been out and says there is nothing wrong with it. Will be cutting my losses after 2 years and buying something different - the reviews on here are very helpful.

We have an electric AGA and it’s great; far more practical than the traditional ones, and not had any issues

Oil fired Stanley here, brand new 20 years ago and still working like a dream. We do use the timer for the plates/oven so it comes on when needed. When weather is very warm it gets turned off, (not that often) I do have a portable 2 ring hob to plug in and we have a microwave.

How is your richmond now? Would you recommend it?