Choosing The Best Dual Fuel Range Cooker

 

Choosing the best dual-fuel range cooker for your home can be daunting, but fear not! With so many brands, models, and features available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. However, with a bit of research and an understanding of your cooking needs and preferences, you can find the perfect dual-fuel range cooker to suit your lifestyle. In this guide, we will explore the key factors to consider when choosing the best dual-fuel range cooker, including efficiency, cost, special features, and cost. We’ll also highlight some of the best dual-fuel range cookers on the market and provide tips on maintaining your cooker to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

 

What is meant by Dual Fuel?

When something is referred to as ‘Dual Fuel’, it means that there is a combination of two types of heat in one whole range. Dual fuel ranges have a gas cooktop and an electric oven cavity enabling you to have the advantages and strengths of both, as gas cooktops are more advantageous in quicker heating and temperature control, and the electric cavity allows for more efficient management of temperatures and heating. Underneath the hob’s ceramic plate, there are inductions coils made of copper that make magnetic fields as the electricity passes through. The magnetic field that is created causes a pan made of specifically ferromagnetic material to heat up while keeping the hob itself cool.

 

Why should you buy a Dual Fuel Range Cooker?

Energy efficiency

Dual fuel range cookers are a popular choice for households that prioritise energy efficiency and environmentally friendly options. Unlike traditional electric or gas range cookers, dual-fuel range cookers offer a combination of a gas hob and an electric oven.

Compared to gas-only range cookers, dual fuel range cookers are more energy efficient due to the electric oven’s ability to distribute heat more evenly and precisely, resulting in less wasted energy. Additionally, the gas hob provides instant heat and temperature control, making cooking quicker and more efficient.

Choosing a dual fuel range cooker can lead to significant energy and cost savings in your household while still providing a high-quality cooking experience.

 

Safer cooking experience

Dual-fuel range cookers offer a safer cooking experience compared to other types of range cookers due to their combination of a gas hob and an electric oven. The electric oven’s even and precise heat distribution reduces the risk of hotspots and uneven cooking, which can lead to accidents and injuries. The gas hob provides instant heat and temperature control, allowing for quick adjustments and minimising the risk of overcooking or burning food. Additionally, dual fuel range cookers are equipped with various safety features, such as flame failure devices and automatic shut-off valves, which prevent gas leaks and reduce the risk of fires. The combination of gas and electric components in dual fuel range cookers provides home cooks with a balanced and safe cooking experience.

 

Easy to clean

Dual fuel range cookers are designed to be easy to clean, thanks to their combination of gas and electric components. The gas hob typically features sealed burners or enamel-coated cast iron grates, which make wiping away spills and stains a breeze. Some models also come with removable burner heads or grates, which can be easily cleaned in the sink or dishwasher. The electric oven is also easy to clean, with most models featuring a self-cleaning function that uses high temperatures to burn away any food residue. Some models also have removable oven racks and trays, which can be soaked and scrubbed for a thorough cleaning. Overall, the combination of gas and electric components in dual fuel range cookers provides a range of easy-to-clean features that make maintenance a breeze for home cooks.

 

The lifespan of duel fuel range cookers

The lifespan of a dual fuel range cooker depends on various factors, such as the model, brand, usage, and maintenance. Generally, a high-quality dual-fuel range cooker can last between 10 to 20 years or more with proper care and maintenance. Regular cleaning, routine maintenance, and timely repairs can help prolong the lifespan of the cooker. It’s also essential to use the cooker according to the manufacturer’s instructions and avoid overloading the oven or hob. Investing in a reliable and reputable brand and model can also ensure a longer lifespan and reliable performance. In summary, the lifespan of a dual-fuel range cooker varies, but with proper care and maintenance, it can last for a decade or more.

 

How much are Dual Fuel Range Cookers?

Dual Fuel Range Cookers are very expensive compared to their competitor cookers (Gas and Electric ranges). It is estimated that it costs between £600 and can go all the way up to around a massive £10,000 to buy and run a dual fuel range cooker, especially when you’re looking at the more loved and well-known brands that include extra features such as self-cleaning, pizza modes and more. The cost of your dual fuel range cooker will also depend on the colour and style you go for as well as the number of ovens/cavities and hobs you want your dual fuel to have. You also have to consider the cost of installation of your dual fuel range cooker, which can range anywhere from £50-£100 maybe even more! So, in conclusion, owning a dual-fuel range cooker is going to put a crack in your bank; however for the functions and features available, the performance and the energy efficiency, it’s definitely worth it if it’s something you can afford to own!

 

Which are the BEST dual fuel range cookers currently on the market?

Smeg TR4110P1 110 Dual Fuel

The TR4110P1 Smeg Dual Fuel Range Cooker is a beautiful traditional style that would look perfect in any aesthetic kitchen, all the way from a country kitchen to a very clean, sleek-looking modern kitchen. It comes with 4 main oven cavities all with their own features! The main oven is for your traditional cooking, the second cavity is used for the same functions so you have that extra room to cook even more food. You then have your grill in the top corner which is a smaller oven and in the bottom corner you have a storage drawer to keep anything you may need to keep your cooking experience easier and smoother running. For example, keeping all of your utensils there in close reach. This range cooker comes with 7 gas burner hobs, perfect for busy, multi-tasking cookers! Keeping your oven cavities clean with this range cooker is easy with its vapour cleaning function, softening any grime or grease inside of your cooker and making it an easy wipe-away clean! All you do is pour a small amount of water onto the bottom floor of your cooker, turn it on and let the steam do its thing. The main and second ovens have a capacity of 61 Litres, and the third, smaller grill oven has a capacity of 36 Litres, the same as the storage drawer as well. Other functions of this dual fuel range include: defrosting, ECO, fan-assisted and circular (means the range needs no pre-heating and can cook multiple foods at the same time without any flavour transfer!) The controls on this cooker are all dials keeping that traditional look to the cooker.

 

 

 

Stoves S1000DF Richmond 100 Dual Fuel

The S1000DF Stoves Dual Fuel Range Cooker also has 4 main oven cavities. The main oven cavity has a 54 Litre cooking capacity, and its function is classed as ‘multifunction’; the second oven cavity has a 57-litre capacity and is a fan-assisted oven; the third oven cavity has a 31-litre capacity and is a conventional oven, and lastly the fourth oven cavity has a 37-litre capacity and is the dedicated slow cooking oven. This dual fuel comes with 7 gas burner hobs with a 4kW Power Wok section. The enamel coating on the inside of this cooker makes cleaning an easy experience as it is a smooth flat-lining to your oven cavities. It is recommended to use a liquid or paste cleaner on this type of coating. This range also has a few more functions included with it such as a pizza function! Intensive bake, defrost and top heat options. The controls on the dual fuel are a combination of touch and dials so you can have that traditional look while also getting that extra technology.

 

 

 

Britannia RC10TGDE 100 Dual Fuel

This RC10TGDE-RED Britannia Dual Fuel Range Cooker only has 2 oven cavities, unlike the previously mentioned dual fuel ranges. Both of the included cavities have grill features, however, the left cavity (the main oven) comes with 9 functions, and the right cavity (the second oven) has 4 functions, so when you think logically all these functions together make up for the other missing cavities. The left oven includes 2 wire rack shelves, a grill pan with a trivet and a handle and the right oven comes with 1 wire rack shelf, 1 grill pan with a trivet and a rotisserie. This cooker comes with 6 gas burner hobs which include 2 wok burners, 1 large burner, and 3 medium burners. You also have the option of converting the cooker to LPG if you need or want to! The safety features of this cooker include a thermostatically controlled fan to prevent the fascia from getting too hot; triple-glazed glass windows to also prevent overheating and flame failure devices to shut off your gas supply. If you want to change the height of your cooker you can! With this dual fuel range, you get height-adjustable legs to supply and make your cooking needs better for you!

 

 

 

Belling CookCentre100DFT 100 Dual Fuel

The CookCentre100DFT Belling Dual Fuel Range Cooker comes with 4 cavities (2 ovens, 1 grill and a storage drawer). The main oven cavity is located on the bottom left of the cooker and has a capacity of 64 Litres. You can remove the inner door glass of this main oven for easy cleaning. The main oven has 2 wire rack shelves and is classed as a conventional oven with 2 functions. The second oven cavity is located on the top right and has a capacity of 58 Litres. This cavity also has 2 wire rack shelves and is a fan-assisted oven with 3 functions. The third and final oven cavity is a grill (open-door grill) and is classed as a variable electric grill. All of the oven cavities have a grease-proof enamel-coated interior made for easy cleaning due to their smooth surface; an electric programmable timer and the controls for this oven are both buttons and dials. This dual fuel also has a built-in safety feature which is the flame failure safety device or otherwise known as automatic safety shut off for the gas hob (the gas hob immediately shuts off if the flame goes out or suddenly becomes unstable).