Range Cookers

A range cooker is a freestanding cooker that combines two or more ovens, or oven and grill combination, along with a selection of hobs or burners. The fuel source can be either electric, induction, or gas.

The types of range cookers available vary but here at Smeg we group ours as:

• Dual Fuel Cookers, which combine the instant heating power of gas hobs with the reliability of an electric oven.

• Electric Cookers, for a more consistent cooking experience. This includes both ceramic and induction hobs.

• Range cookers which are sorted by size, including 60cm, 70cm, 90cm, 100cm, and 110cm+.

What is the best range cooker depends on your needs and your kitchen. If you often find yourself hosting large groups of family and friends, then it makes sense to invest in a larger range cooker with more capacity. However, it also depends on the size of your kitchen and the available space.

For more information to help you make the decision that’s right for you, check out our range cooker buyers guide here.

AGA cookers and ranger cookers are vastly different in terms of their design, how they cook, and how they can be used:

• AGAs use cast iron to radiate heat for slow cooking. They have a fixed-temperature oven with hotplates but lack traditional stovetops. They are best for slow, consistent cooking and double as a kitchen warmer, as they are always on.

• Range cookers meanwhile have multiple ovens and burners, and offer a more versatile, energy-efficient and practical cooker. If you want more control over the temperature and a quicker meal preparation time, range cookers are more practical for daily cooking.

Range cookers come in a variety of sizes, making them perfect for all but the smallest kitchens. Cookers and ovens typically come in sizes from 50cm, 55cm, and 60cm, with range cookers typically coming in sizes of 90cm, 100cm, and 110cm. 

Meanwhile, our range of Smeg range cookers come in a variety of sizes:

• 60cm range cookers and 70cm range cookers are perfect for the smaller kitchen that still wants the flexibility and power of a range cooker.

• Our 90cm range cookers, come with single, dual, or triple cavity options.

• The 100cm range cooker: The quintessential range cooker is perfect for any budding chef.

Lastly, our 110cm+ range cookers: These are our largest range cookers, which reach sizes of 150cm, the ultimate range cooker for the busiest kitchens.

If you cook a lot, we would argue, yes. Range cookers are potentially the most versatile kitchen appliance you can buy, especially if your chosen range cooker has two separate ovens. This allows you to cook two different dishes at the same time, at different temperatures.

Every Smeg range cooker comes with an easy-to-use grill, and naturally, an instruction manual for your convenience. However, as a quick guide:

1. The grill function is indicated by a curved dotted line on the control panel of the Smeg range cooker. Turn it on and select the temperature you desire.

2. Place your food on the upper rack, and close the door.

3. When the grill is on, keep the door closed to conserve energy, reduce cooking smells, and ensure a safe cooking environment. Smeg ovens feature 'Closed door grilling'.

4. Monitor the food throughout the cooking process.

Cleaning a range cooker can be a bit tricky due to its size, with multiple parts to clean. Our Smeg range cookers are simple and easy to clean due to their pyrolytic cleaning function, where all dirt and grease are burned away effortlessly and transformed into ash which can be simply wiped away: Leaving no need for detergent due to the extremely high temperatures Smeg range cookers can reach.

However, we’ve included a simple guide below on how to clean your range cooker.

Before you start, you should disconnect or turn off any electric sockets, and ensure that all features are turned off and cooled before cleaning.

Cleaning the hob (stove top)

1. Remove any grates and the tops of the burners, and soak them in warm soapy water to loosen any dirt or grime.

2. Use a soft scrub or cloth to clean the burners themselves.

3. Wipe the top of the job with a soft cloth and a non-abrasive cleaner, to avoid damaging or blemishing the hob. We would recommend warm soapy or baking soda for tough stains. 

4. Wash the grates and burner tops that have been soaking.

5. Dry everything completely and reassemble.

Cleaning the oven and grill

1. Start by removing the oven racks and soaking them in warm soapy water. After they have soaked for at least 30 minutes, scrub off any burnt food with a brush or non-scratch metallic pad.

2. Use a cloth to spread a light amount of warm soapy water over the bottom and sides of your oven. Use a non-scratch brush to scrub the walls and bottom and remove any baked-on foods.

3. For dirty ovens, you may want to use a mix of baking soda and water to form a paste that you spread over the oven walls and base that you leave overnight. 

4. Or you may choose to use a commercial oven cleaning kit, for dirty ovens with tough stains that aren’t been cleaned regularly.

Cleaning the control panel

1. Use a damp cloth and soapy water to wipe down the control panel and knobs. 

2. Try to avoid using too much water here, so as not to damage any electronics.

Cleaning the glass door

1. Glass doors of the oven are sometimes removable, allowing you to leave them soaking in hot soapy water.

2. Use soapy water, or a commercial glass cleaner, and a soft brush or soft cloth to scrub the glass food.

3. For burnt-on grease, put baking soda on the glass and spray with vinegar, before wiping away.

Handling a range cooker requires careful planning, due to the large size of range cookers. While we offer a range of range cookers sizes from 60cm to 150cm, even our smaller range cookers may require multiple people to move. 

To disconnect, move, or install a gas or dual fuel range cooker, you are legally required to have a Gas Safe Registered engineer.

Here at Smeg we can arrange the safe disconnect and removal of your old range cooker and connect your new range cooker for you - just select these services when placing your order. This saves you the headache of finding a removal service and minimises the time spent without an oven or range cooker in your oven.