Range cookers: Five things you need to know before you buy

They're big, beautiful, but don't come cheap so follow our tips before you splash out on a range

1 You need to measure up carefully as ranges are wide (800mm to 1,200mm) and gas and dual-fuel models need a 50mm safety gap each side.

2 It's worth doing some basic checks before you buy: are the doors solid? Do the grill trays slide out easily? Are the pan supports easy to remove?

3 You'll need a double oven plus separate grill if you cook for a crowd. The extra oven capacity is vital, and you can grill and bake or cook at different temperatures, all at the same time.

4 Ranges don't come cheap so remember that in terms of performance, there's little advantage over a 600mm-width cooker if you only use one oven and four burners.

5 You need a 750mm gap between the range and extractor fan. Standard hobs and freestanding ovens need only a 430mm to 650mm gap, so make sure you have enough height to fit a range.

Have a look at 'The Best' pages for where to buy your ideal range cooker

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