buying a cooker? 3 January 2013 at 3:42PM in MoneySaving mums 7 replies 1.5K views

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

Ok, seems an "odd" question but where would you go to buy a cheap/good cooker?

Generally a cant cook/wont cook person lol

My current cooker seals have gone so after another. Been told a "double" oven would be better for me (mothers advice!)

Looked in Argos/Tesco/Currys .... any other ideas?

Only found one that was in my measley price range (£300) and right width (60cm) but there was a bad review lol

Thanks!

ka7e

Double ovens are pricier and are usually £380+. Although a smaller top oven is useful for heating pies/ cooking small quantities, if you don't cook often, a single should be sufficient. An easy-clean interior would be high on my list of features!

You really need to see some models "in the flesh" - some brands use horribly tinny pan supports or have seams that will trap grease. If you find one you like, do price comparisons online for the best deal.

Also check ebay. Local sellers may have a good second-hand oven going cheap after a kitchen re-fit.There are also discount traders that sell dinged or slightly damaged goods, ex-display or discontinued lines. I bought my last freezer from Elekdirect on Ebay and saved about £80 on the High Street price.

Spendless

Double oven as in having a small oven that doubles as a grill as well as 'main' oven? If so I've had 3, 1 inherited with house and 2 bought and each one has followed the same pattern, absolutely fine when new but when they get older the small oven doesn't become as hot anymore and doesn't work as well as the main bit, so you need to put things on for longer and/or at a higher temperature. I am having a new oven this year and am looking for something different this time.

Owain_Moneysaver

Get new seals for current cooker?

Carefulbear

Hi, we're doing the same and have been looking at the appliances online website. We are after dual fuel (to satisfy other halfs cooking aspirations). They start at £250 or so which I found quite cheap for brand new.

lescm19

Looking at replacing free standing double for a single oven and induction hob with a view for a combination microwave.

Kayalana99

Hiya we've fount a Double oven at £230 @ Argos Bush make. Gobsmacked to say least as even single bush ovens are more expensive?

We had to get one for a 54 gap tho so its 50cms wide.

Def a good buy tho

drzeus

IKEA do a double oven, fairly reasonable price (check ikea.co.uk). Both my Mum and sister have double ovens, and they recommended theirs (both NEFF). So I had a long hunt round and compared all I could find (not many where I am!). The IKEA one is quite good but you do get what you pay for ... (altho I have no doubt you pay more than you should for perceived 'good' brands). The IKEA was quite light weight, the whole thing felt poorer quality compared to BSH group products. Having said that, they do have a 5-year warranty (unlike everyone else's 2-year). They also have a couple of nice induction hobs. And their 365+ pans are great value for induction.

We got a double NEFF in the end - handy for a lot of our cooking for the two of us, excellent for pizzas ... but you need the large oven for any more than 2 trays, entertaining, or for turkey! (It'd have to be a real flat turkey otherwise :rotfl:). Small one also doubles well as a plate warmer.

When you go from single to double you realise the flexibilty (had single for 20+ years). But apparently those going from double to single aren't always as happy - but I guess it depends how much you actually bake.

Induction is fabulous. I had a single ring from Lidl, to try before spending serious money on a full hob. Had it for four years (abandoned regular stove top in that time!). Now have full induction hob - absolute cooking heaven (although one of our kitties managed to lock it!). Made my bechamel sauce on it today - whisked it up from scratch warming slowly, then rapidly until bubbly, then turned it down, set its own timer for 6 minutes. Made my bolognese sauce, set that for slow simmer for 30 minutes and left it all to it. Turned each off itself after respective time. I love that feature - individual timer applies to each 'ring' plus a regular timer too!

Teatowel over the hob whilst cooking keeps it clean ... but beware can scorch! So now I use cheap baking paper. Versatility of gas without the flame and far less heat lost to the kitchen.

Can get appliances at cut prices due to minor scratches dents etc, but for good makes, I reckon the staff grab them. Can also get real good bargains (sadly) when someone else makes a mistake - we got very cheap s/s dishwasher because the owner had bought a 60 cm one for a 45 cm space, and the shop wouldn't take it back, luckily we spotted it in the small ads.. Was all still sat on the pallet in his garage.

Certainly check things out and 'play' with the goods, goes without saying.