Dream kitchen upgrades can involve anything from a few updates here and there to big plans that require completely overhauling your kitchen to give it a thoroughly modern and opulent look. Whichever your current abode is in need of, you’ll likely be needing a new cooker in your kitchen to give it a new focal point and ensure your meals turn out perfectly each and every time – well that’s the idea anyway!
When seeking out the Ferrari of cookers, as only the best will do for your culinary creations, of course, there is one question that always need an answer, and that’s whether you need to buy an electric or gas cooker. If you’re unsure whether a gas or electric option is the right one for you – both have their own individual merits – read on, as we explore how the two compare to help you find the right fit for you.
Gas cookers
Average Cost: Expect to pay anything from around £180 to upwards of £2,000 depending on the size and style you desire, in addition to gas cooker installation costs, delivery and the removal of your old appliance. Here, price will reflect the quality as higher priced cookers should have more powerful burners and better temperature control.
A gas cooker consists of various gas rings and a gas fuelled oven and, like electric cookers, come with a range of advantages and disadvantages.
Let’s start with the positives. First and foremost, gas cookers are more cost effective to run than electric cookers with an average cost of £100 to £140 per year. With that being said, given the volatile nature of gas prices at the moment, this is not set in stone. Moreover, gas cookers are ideal if you want to simmer food since you can easily control heating temperatures and the flame means that are ready to cook food on the hob in an instant.
Benefits aside, gas ovens tend to have trouble distributing heat as evenly as electric ovens. Heat in gas ovens tends to stick to the top, which might be great for grilling but not other styles of cooking. How big of a deal this would be for you would depend on what sort of food you tend to cook.
Electric cookers
Average Cost: Prices range from £200 to £2,600 for an electric freestanding cooker, £350 to £1,700 for a double electric cooker, or £350 to £1,700 for built-under electric cooker.
An electric cooker consists of an electrically powered oven and hob. Electric ovens usually come with a range of heating elements allowing you to cook a wide range of meals simultaneously. Beyond that, an electric oven is ideal if you have a large family and need to use it a lot since it’s easier to clean. Generally speaking, electric cookers are the best option when it comes to oven cooking and using the hobs will feel safer than the open flame of a gas hob.
Now onto the downsides. Firstly, an electric cooker costs about £300 to £340 per year to run, making it around two to three times more expensive than gas. In addition to this, electric cooker hobs do not cool down quite as fast as gas hobs do and it can take longer for them to heat up in the first place, which isn’t ideal when you want to cook in a hurry.
Can I install a cooker myself?
Starting with electric cookers, in most cases you’ll be able to fit one yourself, however, it will depend on factors such as whether your old and new cookers have the same power rating and that your circuit is in a decent shape. Obviously, you should only install an electric cooker if you have the right skills and knowledge and be satisfied that you are aware of all safety steps required.
The manufacturer’s guide will cover the installation process in detail, however, if you’re in any doubt about any aspect of fitting an electric cooker, hire a professional. After all, an incorrect installation could lead to issues down the line or even pose an electrocution hazard during installation or when using the cooker at a later date.
As for a gas cooker, only Gas Safe registered engineers may install a gas cooker. This makes sense since natural gas is highly flammable and any errors in the installation of a gas appliance can be highly dangerous. Not only does it pose the risk of gas leaks or carbon monoxide poisoning, but an incorrectly installed gas cooker could increase the danger of a gas explosion.
So, which is best?
When it comes down to deciding which glorious new appliance you should choose, ultimately, this will come down to your preferences and you will likely be swayed by the type of cooker you’ve used in the past in addition to the layout and style of your new kitchen.
Take some time to weigh up the pros and cons, consider the overall look of your kitchen and think about what will work best for you when it comes to cooking your meals, or having them cooked for you. There are plenty of great options to choose from, so shop around and ensure that you pick a reliable brand with good feedback from previous customers.
