It’s no secret that the kitchen is the heart of your home—and within your kitchen, a good cooker is surely the lifeblood. Not only can your cooker make the daily task of feeding your family easier and tastier, it can also give your kitchen a seriously stylish look and feel.
When it comes to choosing the right freestanding cooker, there are some key features to look out for. From the functionality to the size and colour, having a good understanding of the available options will help you find the best match for your needs.
So, if you are planning a kitchen renovation, upgrading your current model or building a new home, read on to discover our top tips on choosing the best freestanding cooker for your space.
Gas, electric or both?
First things first, you’ll need to decide on whether you’ll opt for gas, electric or a combination of both. When it comes to ovens, electric power produces a drier heat, which is great for baking pizza or bread. Gas ovens on the other hand cook with more moisture in the air, which is ideal for baking cakes and cooking roasts. The most commonly sold option these days is a gas cooktop with an electric oven, as this is generally the most economical and offers the biggest range.
In terms of the cooktop, gas is often the go-to choice, with electric and induction being the main alternatives. A big plus of gas is that it heats up fast, but it can be fiddly to clean, while electric elements take longer to heat but are generally more efficient. Induction cooktops are growing in popularity due to their enhanced safety features, but keep in mind they do require specialised cookware and often come with a higher price tag.
Features that count
Once you’ve settled on your power source, it’s time to hone in on the additional features that will enhance your cooking and suit your family and lifestyle. At a minimum, today’s cookers should include fan forced and conventional heat settings, plus grill functions, but most will include many more advanced and specialised features too.
For example, you may opt for a five-burner cooktop if you have a large family or are preparing meals for those with different dietary requirements or tastes. Other features you may find useful include twin fans for even cooking, digital timer for precision when baking, and pyrolytic self-cleaning function to save you time, effort and elbow grease.
A good fit for the space
When choosing a freestanding cooker, getting the size right is important, both inside and out. This is so that it fits within the space and layout of your kitchen and also can comfortably accommodate your cooking needs.
For apartments and small homes, this usually means selecting a more compact 600mm size, while larger homes have the option to size up to a 900mm.
The right look
With the practical side sorted, it now comes down to aesthetics. Go for a colour and style that matches your kitchen, home and tastes. These days, there are lots of options, from the timeless appeal of stainless steel to the more striking and modern look of black glass, or a combination of the two. Other visual features to consider are the style of controls and knobs and the look of the elements.
Choose your cooker with care
Like any big design decision, choosing your freestanding cooker should be done with much consideration and care. Because when you choose a model that ticks all your boxes, both in form and functionality, you’ll enhance your enjoyment of your kitchen for many years to come.
For expert advice on the best freestanding cooker for you, pop into our showroom or get in touch with our team on 1300 438 266.