Which Range Cooker? Falcon maybe?

[oyster86]

Hey all. I know it's been discussed a few times on here (and elsewhere) but I'm still confused as exactly which range cooker to go for. I'm a keen home cook and prepared to spend a little bit of money on one, but unfortunately don't have an unlimited budget. And yes, I know that integrated ovens are generally much better value for money but our kitchen suits a range and I'm happy enough with one.

We're looking for 110 in size (or 120 is doable) and our budget is about £2.5k for the time being, which has initially led us down the path of a higher end Rangemaster - I like the Nexus for its stainless steel handles - but I'm not entirely won over by its construction and wondering whether I should venture into the low end of some of the slightly more "premium" brands.

This has led me to consider the Falcon Continental 1092 - I know it's still part of the Aga-Rangemaster brand and there's quite a lot of crossover, but from what I've read the Falcons are superior under the skin. Disappointed that it (and indeed all Falcon models) possess plastic handles and still feels a bit wobbly in places, but it seems to get the thumbs up by people in the industry. I also quite like some of the Britannias (would love a Delphi 120, but it's pricey). Have also considered Bertazzoni, Mercury and ILVE. Things like Everhot, Aga, Lacanche, Esse all look wonderful but they're too expensive for right now and I don't know what my "forever house" of the future might look like.

Does anyone have any experience / opinions on the matter? I'm not too fussed about gimmicky things like rotisserie function or even having a timer (which the Falcon doesn't have) - I just want a solid oven that's going to last and cooks well. Also probably leaning towards a dual fuel as opposed to induction, mainly for the aesthetics. Something that's fairly easy to clean would be a bonus (I know induction would be better for that) and I like that the Falcon has gloss enamelled pan stands that will wipe / dishwasher clean better than rough cast iron.

Thanks!

Bump!

We had a middle of the range gas Rangemaster and it was an excellent cooker apart from the space it took up. What is worrying you about the construction? Cookers don't have many moving parts.

If I was choosing now I'd agree the Nexus or one of that shape looks good, as the griddle plate was useful and 5 burners is about right. The Handyrack on Rangemasters is brilliant too.
I really had no problem cleaning it. Squirt of CIF on the enamelled surfaces and it came up fine every time.

A lot of them just feel a bit tinny, the doors a bit flimsy (especially the side-opening type ones - though I'd probably preference this door action for my kitchen) and the plastic knobs a bit wobbly and cheap. That said, some of the more expensive models don't feel much better, so maybe that's just the style unless you go for a heavy cast iron Aga type cooker. They're not cheap pieces of kit so I don't know why they don't feel quite as solid as the integrated ones.

The Falcon Continental has less features than the Nexus but is slightly more expensive, so I presume the additional cost has gone somewhere... unless it's for the badge?

I suppose flap down doors are sprung /on friction hinge so they don't just bang down which makes them feel heavier than side opening ones

I have a beautiful Falcon. Its heavy and substantial and every part can be replaced (apart from the rings around the burners).

Mine is cream and I adore it. No plastic handles though, so maybe a different model?

SMEG Victoria is 110cm. It has this idiotic thing for the auxiliary oven where there is no temperature scale so you just need to guess but overall it is really good. You can buy a teriyaki plate for it too.
The most important - it is in your budget, doors open sideways and it looks pretty.

Not under any circumstances a Falcon. We are ditching ours after 2 years. It is simply impossible to clean as there is no protection to stop fat getting behind the top element or the fan in the main oven. I've even paid £150 to get it professionally cleaned (something I've never done with any other oven) and it still smokes the house out. I'm bitterly disappointed - thought I was buying pretty much top of the range but it's a total disaster.