Is a Range Cooker the Right Choice for You?

Are you interested in purchasing a range cooker? Perhaps you are wondering whether a range cooker is worth the expense? Or maybe you have some practical questions: How do you cook with a range oven? How does it differ from a more modern oven? Read on to find out about our experience!

Making the Right Choice with Our Range Cooker

We installed our Thornhill Eco 3 Oven range very shortly after purchasing the cottage. After a great deal of research, we settled on a Thornhill range because minimising emissions was clearly an important consideration in the design.

We chose a wood-burning range for three reasons. Firstly, because this gave us the ability to light the fire when we needed it, and let it go out when we were finished with it. This is not possible with ranges that run on oil. Secondly, because we are able source wood locally for the time being, with a longer-term aim of growing our own. Thirdly, burning wood is less harmful to the environment than burning fossil fuels.

The range features a main oven beside the fire box, two warming ovens underneath, and a large hot plate across the top. We chose to keep things simple and decided against an in-built induction hob. The full, up-to-date specification can be found on the Thornhill website using the link above.

Older ranges boasted the additional ability to heat water. We were advised against this feature as a water jacket around the firebox tends to constantly draw the heat away, making the range less efficient at cooking and acting as a space heater.

Cooking on the Range

Every cooking experience starts with lighting a fire. I find the routine of lighting a fire in order to cook a meal for my family really humbling and grounding.

There are a few more variables to consider than when cooking with a more modern electric oven. The time it takes for the range to warm up will depend on the temperature it is starting from (and therefore is dependent on ambient temperature and when the range was last used). The prevailing weather outside and therefore the draw up the flue will also dictate how quickly the fire gets going. Typically the range takes 20-30 minutes to heat up.

Once the range has warmed up, it is incredibly versatile. The large main oven is able to accommodate several trays or dishes. However, the oven does not have a fan to circulate the heat. I keep a close eye when cooking or baking, and make sure to turn things regularly to avoid burning on the side closest to the firebox.

The warming ovens really come into their own when hosting or cooking a large meal, such as Christmas dinner. There is ample space for multiple pans on the large hot plate, with an intuitive heat gradient across it.

As a bonus, the range is our main source of heating during the colder months. It radiates heat beautifully throughout our open kitchen and dining room area.

Advantages of a Range Cooker

As I have mentioned already, a range is a highly versatile tool to have in your kitchen. It provides a main oven for cooking, additional warming ovens for keeping multiple dishes at the right temperature, and a large hotplate for hob-style cooking.

Somehow, food cooked on the range is superior than food cooked in a more modern oven. Bread has a better crust, jacket potatoes have a lovely crispy skin, roasted squash takes on an incredible flavour and melts in the mouth.

And as an added benefit, having the fire on warms up the rest of the house.

But one of the things I most enjoy is the ambience. The range at is the heart of our kitchen and adds a wonderful farmhouse vibe to the space.

Also, the oven is self-cleaning; the steel interior gets so hot, any food residue just burns away.

Possible Disadvantages of a Range Cooker

Range cookers are much larger than a lot of more modern ovens, and may not complement the aesthetic of some more contemporary kitchen designs. They are also a big financial investment.

Range cookers are very heavy (approximately half a metric tonne!) which makes them challenging to install and even more challenging to remove in the future.

As I have eluded to already, you need to keep a watchful eye on your food in the main oven. It is challenging to keep the oven at a perfectly consistent temperature. You will also need to rotate for food to ensure it cooks evenly.

My Recommendations

I would advise prospective range owners to take plenty of time to mull over the decision. Visit a few different show rooms, ask plenty of questions, and find out if any previous customers would allow you to go to their home to see their range in action. We have had a couple of people come to see ours!

Try not to be put off by the need to adjust your cooking style – you will adapt!

Any minor annoyances are far outweighed by the positives.

If you are considering adding a range cooker as part of a larger kitchen renovation, build your kitchen around the range. This will ensure the range fits seamlessly in with the rest of your design and takes pride of place as the statement centrepiece of the room.

Do you have a more specific question about cooking on a range? Leave me a comment and I will do my best to answer!