If you have space then bigger is normally better, as this gives you maximum flexibility. For example, if you have a large family or like to entertain, it’s very helpful to have two or three separate ovens, as well as a warming drawer, to ensure everything’s ready at the right time. It can also be helpful for batch baking, or catering for different dietary requirements.However, if kitchen space is at a premium, then perhaps consider a 60cm single or twin-oven model which is normally referred to as a ‘cooker’. All are roughly the same height (80cm) and depth (60-65cm) to fit a standard kitchen and line up with your worktops. Oven capacity Key specs – Style: Freestanding dual-fuel cooker; Width: 60cm; Number of ovens: 2; Main oven capacity: 65l; Fan assisted: Yes; Grill: Integrated oven/grill; Storage drawer: No; Timer: Yes; Hob: 4 gas burners; Energy rating: A

Thermostat indicator On electric cookers, there is usually a light that turns off when the oven reaches the desired temperature. However, paying more doesn't necessarily mean you'll get a decent cooker. We've found pricey models that fail to impress as well as some cheap-and-cheerful options. Key specs – Size: 90x 60 x 90cm (WDH); Fuel: Dual; Ovens: A-rated 64-litre fan; A-rated 64-litre; A-rated 35-litre; Hob: Five-burner gas hobThe Rayburn 600 is more than just a range – it’s a combined heating and cooking system. Beneath its classic exterior lies an A-rated boiler, which can provide hot water for your home and heat up to 20 radiators. It’s a versatile cooker too: its cast-iron hotplate is the largest on the market, with space for eight saucepans, while its main oven is 16% larger than standard Rayburn models, with four different heat zones for grilling, roasting, baking and simmering. The lower oven offers half the radiant heat, so it’s ideal for slow-cooking casseroles, vegetables and puddings, and there’s also an eco mode to help you save energy. You can even programme the Rayburn 600 to switch on automatically when you’re out; just be aware that it needs venting, so you might need to fit a flue. Capacity usually refers to the main oven cavity but it can also take into account the volume of the second oven and of course, the hobs. The majority of hob surfaces come with four burners.

The 600DF, from British brand Stoves, is a 60cm dual-fuel cooker with a large 65-litre fan-assisted oven below and smaller 37-litre static oven and grill. The grill is of the open-door variety, which is said to allow air to circulate so the food is grilled rather than baked. Aside from having the usual temperature range (100˚C to 250˚C), the main oven also features a defrost function. Both ovens have very accurate temperature regulators, which is a big bonus if you’re a baker. They also heat up to full temperature within a few minutes. Another bonus. Key specs – Size: 110 x 61 x 90.5cm (WDH); Fuel: Dual; Ovens: A-rated 73-litre multifunction, A-rated 73-litre fan; Hob: Five-burner gas hob You get the obligatory four hob burners with this cooker (a variety of three medium and small, plus a 4kW PowerWok). The hob also comes with a hinged lid that makes things look tidy and even provides a bit of extra worktop space. We recommend this all-in-one model to anyone looking for a stylish, reliable and efficient British-made cooker.Key specs – Size : 110 x 60 x 90cm (WDH); Fuel : Dual; Ovens : A-rated 73-litre multifunction, A-rated 73-litre fan, A-rated 21-litre slow cooking oven; Hob : Give-burner gas hob, two-burner hotplate with multi-zone griddle Other handy features that might tempt you include telescopic oven shelves to help you remove dishes; warming or storage drawers; and settings for defrosting, reheating and keeping food warm. An induction top and touch-safe oven doors are also desirable if you have young children. If you’re looking for simple cooking with effective results then look no further, this New World gas cooker is super easy to use and delivers traditional style cooking results. At 55cm wide it slips beautifully within your kitchen and with a bold metallic red finish it’s sure to add a stylish touch to your space.

Finally, look for ovens that are easy to clean. Many feature pyrolytic cleaning, which burns grease off at high heat or have catalytic liners that use the heat of the oven to break down grease, reducing time spent cleaning the cavity. Others have enamel coatings which are easier to clean than bare iron. The best range cookers to buy 1. Rangemaster Professional Deluxe 110 DF: The best large-scale range cooker Hob-wise, it comes with four burners: a small 1kW burner for simmering duties, two 1.9kW burners for general cooking, and a large double-ring 3kW wok burner for frying pans and, er, woks. This model also comes with a glass lid to keep things tidy. However, this nice touch only comes into its own if the hob itself is kept sparkling clean – a difficult task, it must be said, given the amount of stainless steel used in the construction. Also be mindful that its electricity load rating is a rather high 5.3kW, so you may need to have a suitable ring main fitted before installation. Most freestanding cookers are 60cm wide, but if you're squeezed for space, you can also find 50cm and 55cm-wide models.

Programmable ovens These turn the cooker on, time your cooking and will turn the cooker off when the food is done. The Portofino screams contemporary style and – according to its growing throng of users – it’s extremely efficient and easy to keep clean. Given its gorgeous looks, you might wish to get the matching colour-co-ordinated extractor fan while you’re at it. And when it’s installed you can invite us all round for dinner.

Range cookers come in a range of standard widths, from 50cm to 150cm. The most popular size is 90cm, which tends to come with three cavities (tall oven, second oven and grill), but there are also plenty of four-cavity 100cm and 110cm models to choose from.

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Confused about a freestanding cooker term? See our Freestanding cookers jargon buster. How much should I pay for a freestanding cooker? Manufacturers state capacity in litres, but this includes space you can't actually use for cooking, such as the area under the lowest shelf. If you don’t have the cash or space for a 100cm or 110cm behemoth, consider this keenly-priced 90cm range cooker from Belling. Catalytic self-cleaning Catalytic liners absorb fat spills and splashes, then break them down and burn them off during high-temperature cooking. All-gas cookers are the cheapest to cook with, and gas hobs are usually more responsive than electric ceramic hobs. However, oven cooking results are often less uniform than electric. Dual-fuel cookers