Choose a good brand such as Belling, New World, Smeg, Bosch, Hotpoint, Cannon, Stoves, Zanussi and others to ensure that it will last you for years to come. Cookers should be investments and that is why it isn’t a decision to be made on a whim. If you have space then bigger is normally better, as this gives you maximum flexibility. For example, if you have a large family or like to entertain, it’s very helpful to have two or three separate ovens, as well as a warming drawer, to ensure everything’s ready at the right time. It can also be helpful for batch baking, or catering for different dietary requirements.However, if kitchen space is at a premium, then perhaps consider a 60cm single or twin-oven model which is normally referred to as a ‘cooker’. If you have a big family or you cook for parties and other get-togethers then you will want an oven with at least 60-litres of capacity. In this list you will find that most of them have at least 60-litre capacity and others boast more than 70-litres. Ranges may come with a whole gamut of cooking options – but before you get hung up on fancy extras like rotisseries, griddles, hotplates and meat probes, ask yourself if you’re likely to use them. The key things to look for are at least two ovens (preferably both multifunctional) and a varied hob top, such as a large wok burner and smaller burners for simmering.

Also, while electricity has the potential to come from renewable sources, this is not typically the case for gas. Got a shade under two grand and a decent slab of kitchen space to spare? Step right this way. Rangemaster is a major British manufacturer of note. It invented the range cooker in 1830 and, amazingly, all of its products are still made in the same Royal Leamington Spa factory. Capacity usually refers to the main oven cavity but it can also take into account the volume of the second oven and of course, the hobs. The majority of hob surfaces come with four burners. If you’re on the lookout for a classy single-oven range cooker with a built-in induction hob and self-cleaning tech – and can afford the privilege of owning a prestigious marque like Smeg – then stop right here. This brand-new 90cm model is ideal for medium-sized kitchens, although you’ll need to ensure your electricity supply can handle its high 11.4kW output. Finished in an attractive metallic red, complete with a sleek glass lid and chrome finished controls the New World NW601DFDOL cooker will be a stand out feature in your kitchen.Thermostat indicator On electric cookers, there is usually a light that turns off when the oven reaches the desired temperature. Key specs – Style: Dual-fuel; Width: 60cm; Number of ovens: 2; Main oven capacity: 78 litres; Fan assisted: Yes; Grill: Integrated oven/grill; Storage drawer: No; Timer: Yes; Hob: 4 gas burners; Energy rating: A

Key specs – Size : 90 x 60 x 92cm (WDH); Fuel : Electric; Ovens : A-rated 69-litre multifunction, A+-rated 38-litre conventional; Hob: Five-zone induction hob Our tests show that the average usable oven capacity of a cooker's main oven is 43 litres, but there is quite a large range in volumes: the smallest main oven we've tested has a volume of just 38 litres, while the largest is a roomy 58 litres, giving you nearly a third more space to cook with. There are different design styles to choose from too: you may prefer traditional lines for a classic country vibe, or stainless steel for a professional look. Cookers with bright enamelled finishes are an easy way to add colour and create a focal point. How much should I spend?

The best range cookers to buy

Finally, look for ovens that are easy to clean. Many feature pyrolytic cleaning, which burns grease off at high heat or have catalytic liners that use the heat of the oven to break down grease, reducing time spent cleaning the cavity. Others have enamel coatings which are easier to clean than bare iron. The best range cookers to buy 1. Rangemaster Professional Deluxe 110 DF: The best large-scale range cooker

You get the obligatory four hob burners with this cooker (a variety of three medium and small, plus a 4kW PowerWok). The hob also comes with a hinged lid that makes things look tidy and even provides a bit of extra worktop space. We recommend this all-in-one model to anyone looking for a stylish, reliable and efficient British-made cooker. If you’re looking for simple cooking with effective results then look no further, this New World gas cooker is super easy to use and delivers traditional style cooking results. At 55cm wide it slips beautifully within your kitchen and with a bold metallic red finish it’s sure to add a stylish touch to your space.

What stands out

Key specs – Size : 110 x 60 x 90cm (WDH); Fuel : Dual; Ovens : A-rated 73-litre multifunction, A-rated 73-litre fan, A-rated 21-litre slow cooking oven; Hob : Give-burner gas hob, two-burner hotplate with multi-zone griddle Gas cookers are cheaper to run than electric cookers because gas costs less than electricity, rather than any superior efficiency credentials. Gas cookers also tend to be cheaper to buy. All-gas cookers are the cheapest to cook with, and gas hobs are usually more responsive than electric ceramic hobs. However, oven cooking results are often less uniform than electric. Dual-fuel cookers It features a conventional main oven with 54L of cooking space, plenty of room to cook up a Sunday roast for the family. Being a conventional oven, the top of the cavity will always be the hottest, so it comes in great for cooking multiple dishes simultaneously that may require slightly different temperatures. The top cavity of the cooker houses a variable grill with two heat settings, so you can adjust the heat to suit your dish and size, it’s the perfect way to finish a dish with a tasty crisp top. The cooker also has a gas hob with four burners. There’s a variety of burner sizes to suit your different pots and pans. Enamel pan supports add a touch of class to the hob but also offer great durability for long lasting use. If you don’t have the cash or space for a 100cm or 110cm behemoth, consider this keenly-priced 90cm range cooker from Belling.

The Rayburn 600 is more than just a range – it’s a combined heating and cooking system. Beneath its classic exterior lies an A-rated boiler, which can provide hot water for your home and heat up to 20 radiators. It’s a versatile cooker too: its cast-iron hotplate is the largest on the market, with space for eight saucepans, while its main oven is 16% larger than standard Rayburn models, with four different heat zones for grilling, roasting, baking and simmering. The lower oven offers half the radiant heat, so it’s ideal for slow-cooking casseroles, vegetables and puddings, and there’s also an eco mode to help you save energy. You can even programme the Rayburn 600 to switch on automatically when you’re out; just be aware that it needs venting, so you might need to fit a flue. All are roughly the same height (80cm) and depth (60-65cm) to fit a standard kitchen and line up with your worktops. Oven capacity Hob-wise, it comes with four burners: a small 1kW burner for simmering duties, two 1.9kW burners for general cooking, and a large double-ring 3kW wok burner for frying pans and, er, woks. This model also comes with a glass lid to keep things tidy. However, this nice touch only comes into its own if the hob itself is kept sparkling clean – a difficult task, it must be said, given the amount of stainless steel used in the construction. Also be mindful that its electricity load rating is a rather high 5.3kW, so you may need to have a suitable ring main fitted before installation. Range cookers come in a range of standard widths, from 50cm to 150cm. The most popular size is 90cm, which tends to come with three cavities (tall oven, second oven and grill), but there are also plenty of four-cavity 100cm and 110cm models to choose from. Flame supervision devices (FSD) This is a safety feature that will shut off the supply of gas should a burner fail to ignite or get blown out.

There are occasions when conventional heat – top and bottom heat without a fan – is an advantage, and if you get a cooker with a double oven, you'll usually get one conventional oven and one with a fan. Electric induction cookers In fact, electric cookers use energy more efficiently than gas cookers, especially if you go for one with an induction hob. An induction hob heats only the metal of the pans, so no heat is lost from the zone directly into the air.