Posted by Kate Owen
Thursday, 12 Nov 2009
Free standing electric cookers are an easy to install appliance for any kitchen. A free standing appliance doesn’t need extra installation like a built in oven, nor will it incur many extra costs for set up. Basically, it can be a cost effective, simple way to update your kitchen with the minimum of fuss.
However, bear in mind that even free standing cookers require a level of expertise because you can’t just plug one into the wall socket. They will need to be hard wired by a qualified electrician.
Electric cookers have several benefits over gas one of which is the fan oven. Not all electric cookers have a fan oven but those that do offer a cooking environment which is the same temperature throughout. This is different to a conventional oven which is heated from the bottom and top – as the hot air rises, it causes the top shelf to be hotter than elsewhere in the oven.
In terms of hobs, electric isn’t as favoured by the professionals as super-responsive gas, but they do still have their benefits. Ceramic electric hobs in particular are very easy to clean. Solid plate electric hobs are slightly more difficult to clean but still safer than gas hobs because there is no chance of a gas leakage should the flame go out.
Free standing electric cookers come in many different specs, from the cost effective, easy to use, to the all singing, all dancing professional models. One model of choice is the Beko S502W; a cost effective single electric cooker that does what it says on the tin. Or alternatively, upgrade to a Beko D533W for fan cooking and a double oven.