Range ovens and cookers are a wonderful addition to any home. Not only do they look beautiful and stylish, but they efficiently provide central heating and hot water for the home as well as working as a cooker. Whatever fuel you are looking to use, a range cooker can be selected for your needs as there are woodburning varieties available, as well as multi-fuel, gas and oil fired cookers. There is no denying they are a large and very heavy item so are not ideal for every home. The traditional cast iron designs provide an elegant country feel to a kitchen and blend seamlessly into rustic homes and victorian town houses. Those who prefer a very modern style may prefer the modern stainless steel designs which offer a contemporary twist on the classic model. Any type of home can therefore benefit from having a range cooker in the kitchen.

Those who have invested in a range cooker talk of it as the true heart of the home. Being "on" all the time means family members are drawn constantly to it, particularly in winter when a heat source is most necessary! Because of the size and weight of a range, not all houses are appropriate. The smallest size available comes in at just under 1 meter in length so if there is not adequate space in the kitchen then an alternative should be found. They increase in size up to around 1 meter 20 cm which provides plenty of cooking space for large family meals and dinner parties.

Back in the 19th Century when the range cooker was first introduced, wood was used to fuel them. They were designed so that boiling, heating and cooking could all be done using the same heat source. Not only was this fuel efficient, but it also saved plenty of man hours too as only one fire needed to be stoked. These days there are other fuel fired ranges available including gas, oil and multi-fuel. This provides maximum flexibility when it comes to selecting the most appropriate model. Some ranges are purely for cooking, whilst others can heat the water in the home and also provide the central heating - it is important to start by assessing your needs when looking to purchase a range cooker. There is not doubt however that running the hot water, central heating and being able to roast a chicken all from the same heat source is very energy efficient and will keep future fuel bills to a minimum.

With the rising cost of fuel, more and more people are looking towards range cookers as a way to keep bills down. Wood fired ovens in particular are becoming more and more popular in order to reduce the dependancy on oil or gas. If you have plenty of access to wood or the ability to continually grow trees, then a wood fired range cooker with heating abilities may be ideal.

There are many different design features amongst range cookers. Some benefit from a grill and a rotisserie, and there are different style hobs available too. Before jumping straight in, have a look at the different designs and evaluate your own needs. Would you benefit from a grill or could you go without? Is it important to have a gas hob on which to cook or would electric be more suitable? Really think hard too about the central heating and water heating capabilities and what this would mean for you. A range is a considerable investment so it is very important to get it right the first time as changing your mind is a costly experience!

A range cooker provides warmth and heat into the home. With a choice of designs, styles, materials and fuels available, anyone and everyone can benefit from this type of cooker in their kitchen. There are gas range cookers available as well as a variety of wood burning stoves and oil fired designs providing maximum flexibility and cost efficiency.