subject: How To Choose The Right Type Of Cooker To Suit Your Cooking Style [print this page] If you are in the process of kitting out your kitchen then you may be wondering which type of cooker will best suit your cooking style. The main fuel types to cook with are gas and electric both have their merits. Gas is quicker as it takes seconds to light and to begin cooking with, however electric is better for the lower oven in some cases as it provides a more even heat. If you look at the oven in two parts you have the hob and the lower part of the oven. Traditionally the best hob to choose was the gas variety however recent technological advancements in electric hobs has brought us electric rings that provide heat in seconds that can be adjusted efficiently. The new electric hobs look very futuristic and may be quite pricey; it is also possible to have them built into the worktops.
For the lower oven, an electric version is cheaper to purchase initially and electric offers more versatility. Electric ovens are multifunctional and offer maximum flexibility. Electric ovens are cheaper to purchase and there are many manufacturers to choose from. Gas ovens are made by fewer manufacturers however they are a very high quality oven and provide superior cooking. Cooking by gas does not dry the food out as much meaning that roasts, hotpots, casseroles and cakes taste better as they have retained more moisture while cooking. With a gas oven it is warmer at the top and cooler at the bottom meaning that more than one dish may be cooked at the same time. You can rotate food around during the cooking time to suit the recipe, for example you can move to a hotter part of the oven at the end to brown off.
The style of oven will be important to you as the space you have available and the style of your kitchen will often have the definitive answer. An ultra-modern streamlined kitchen will suit a smaller built in oven that has less of a presence in your kitchen. A country kitchen or a kitchen with plenty of space will suit a range cooker. Range cookers are ovens built to last you may pay extra initially however the benefits are far greater. With a range cooker you are purchasing a cooker for life and you can order a variety of combinations including gas only, electric only or combination. With a Range cooker you can go for a gas hob with a small gas oven below which will be alongside an electric oven and separate grill.
