Being the UK’s leading range cooker specialist, we get asked A LOT of questions about range cookers…

With this we have also come across quite a few mistakes, from people being given bad advice in the past or have made wrong choices with their previous purchase. So, we thought we could bring some of the most common range cooker mistakes and how you can make sure you avoid them when you purchase yours...

1) The Wrong Installation

When it comes to positioning your range cooker, this will vary according to the product and the manufacturer. However, it is one of the most important things when purchasing your range cooker, to know exactly how you’re fitting it into your kitchen.

When it comes to installing your range cooker, there are a few things you need to consider:

• Connection can only be made to a supply which is sufficient for the appliance. In all cases installation position must be approved by the engineer in situ. 
• Adequate ventilation is required around the room. Proximity of surrounding and overhanging cupboards should also be taken into consideration.
• Allowance should always be made for side walls, particularly where appliances with side opening doors will be installed.
• All connection points must be accessible for servicing.

Electrical Ranges

A suitably powerful connection point is needed. In most cases, this requires connection via a 10mm heat resistant flex to a 45Amp double pole switch, but some induction ranges may need a higher rating, as indicated on the product spec tables. The switch must be easily accessible.

Gas and Dual Fuel Ranges

Gas Connection

Connection can only be made to a suitable gas point. This requires a bayonet fitting on a fixed pipe approximately 75cm from the ground. The engineer will supply a flexible hose for connecting the range together with safety chain or stability bracket as required.

Electrical Connection

Dual Fuel - In most cases this requires connection via a 6mm heat resistant flex to a 32Amp double pole switch. The switch must be easily accessible. This high current can kill you instantly, so always consult an expert if in doubt.

Gas - Usually only a suitably positioned 13Amp electrical socket is required. A 13Amp plug will already be fitted to the range.

2) The Wrong Size

The size of your cooker is very important as it makes your design layout easier if renovating your whole kitchen or helps to place the cooker into a kitchen that is already there. It is also important to confirm that the cooker you have ordered can also fit through any corridors or doorways into the room itself (we have had a few very expensive failures!)

For the space itself, range cookers are usually designed to a width slightly narrower than their actual size to facilitate ease of fitting. However, this is not always the case. Some cookers may be up to 5mm wider than the gap, plus sometimes widening that gap may not be possible due to what is either side of it, or the worktop material. The way to avoid this is to give us a call before ordering! We have a wide range of cookers and sizes, from 60cm right up to 220cm so we can help to make sure you find the perfect size for your space. 

3) Colour - Too Light/Too Dark/Completely Wrong!

We offer so many different colours here at Rangecookers.co.uk, and multiple shades within these. So when you see the colour online, it may not always translate well when in place within your kitchen.

For example, a cream cooker from Smeg may have a completely different cream to that from a different brand, which may have more of a yellow tinge to it. There is of course nothing wrong with this, but it may not be the right colour for you even though it had the same name. We highly recommend coming to take  a look at some of the colours for yourself in our showroom. However, if this is not possible for you, we do have the option of our colour swatch service for some brands - for a small cost (refundable against your range cooker) we will send out a sample of the exact colour for you to place in your kitchen and match with your appliances. 

4) Leaving It Too Late For Delivery

So you have chosen your cooker, fuel type, size and colour - now it is time to organise ordering and delivery. We would always advise checking the lead times for your chosen cooker with our team beforehand, and order sooner rather than later so that you have delivery in plenty of time for when you need it. 

Some manufacturers build to order, such as premium brand Lacanche who currently have lead times of up to 9 months for some of their models (this is an extreme example and most of our brads are available within one to four weeks). We would always advise you to be cautious and check with us first. Don’t forget you can also defer delivery until a certain time if you are not quite ready to accept your new cooker just yet.

The most important thing to remember here is that all of these mistakes can be avoided by talking to our team first. The team deal with every problem that could occur from a range cooker purchase, and they are more than happy to help you avoid all of them! Visit our website here to find out more.