Tricked out with technology and with the beginnings of a gentle shift in fuel types, Philippa Turrell highlights the trends for range cooking

Arguably, unlike its built-in cooking equivalents, the range cooker is the social centre of the kitchen demanding attention with its formidable presence and iconic status. In fact, for consumers who are planning a large-scale refit, the range cooker can often be the starting point of the design. Industry experts even suggest this is why there has been a recent growth in larger models, which can offer up to three ovens and a larger hob. Managing director at Bertazzoni UK & Eire Maurizio Severgnini comments: “We have noticed increased demand for the 1100mm models. Range cookers of this sizes are typically ordered when a consumer is redesigning their kitchen allowing themselves space for a larger, luxury product.” And sales director of Esse Mark Blewitt agrees: “Many people pick the range cooker first then build the kitchen around that; as it will be the focal point of the interior.”It could also be why the value of the market has increased, as Leisure brand manager Gino Grossi says: “Value sales of range cookers reached £152.5million in 2016, in comparison to £141.2million in 2015.”

Stable sizes

However, for kitchens where space is at a premium, there are range cookers available with the most popular models still measuring 900mm. Maurizio Severgnini of Bertazzoni UK & Eire says: “Due to space constraints in the average UK kitchen, 900mm range cookers remain the most popular.” And Gino Grossi of Leisure fleshes out this statement with some of his company’s sales statistics: “Our latest figures show that 900mm range cookers experienced the biggest growth at 9% with 1000 and 1100mm models slightly behind growing at 5% respectively.”

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Colour changing

The consistency in popularity of range cooker sizes is also echoed in the styling, with contemporary versions in stainless steel and black key to the kitchen designer and retailer’s arsenal. According to Ilve nearly half its range cooker sales (45.45%) are stainless, closely followed by black at 41.33%. However, interestingly it reports matt sales outweigh gloss black versions, which mirrors the change in fashion of furniture. And head of category for range at Glen Dimplex Home Appliances Steve Dickson believes it will have further impact on the choice of range cooker colour: “Lately there’s been a decided shift towards matt, painted finishes.” He states: “With the trend towards painted kitchens growing, we do expect creams, pastels and traditional shades such as our Soho Green to increase in popularity.” In fact Mark Blewitt of Esse reports there has already been a movement in colour in its sales: “Esse launched a range of grey blues in late 2015 and has seen the popularity of those colours grow over the past two years. Similarly, the Esse Classic Green; a true British Racing green shade has proved popular recently.”

Dual fuel constant

Similarly, there are changes – albeit far from seismic – in the choice of fuel type, with dual fuel remaining popular but with induction having greater influence. Dual fuel remains key for consumers, with the flexibility offered by a gas hob and uniformity of heat distribution offered by an electric oven. Marketing manager of Hoover Candy Heather England states: “Dual fuel range cookers remain the bestselling types of range cooker, with around 60% of the market.” And head of category for range at Glen Dimplex Home Appliances Steve Dickson agrees: “Dual fuel remains the combination of choice within the range cooker sector and accounts for over 60% of our range cooker sales.” He continues, explaining: “It is also the fuel sector that offers the most choice in terms of the number of brands, sizes, formats and colours.”

However, with the growth of induction hobs as a viable alternative to gas for control and efficiency, industry experts believe all-electric models will begin to make their mark. Maurizio Severgnini comments: “The introduction of induction products has improved in line with consumer awareness of the benefits of induction technology. As momentum continues to build, we predict that this will reflect in the sales taking more share.” And Steve Dickson of GDHA is even more emphatic about the potential success of all-electric models with induction hobs when he says: “Induction continues to grow as a percentage of all-electric sales. The switch to induction is being made in the mid/premium sector of the market where the consumer is actively looking for higher specification and faster, smarter, safer technologies. With more choice and cheaper prices, we expect induction to begin to challenge dual fuel over the next few years, mirroring what it has done in the built-in market.” In fact Vicky Harris, director of KitchenEx which imports the Italian Ilve range cooker brand, states: “We no longer supply ceramic hobs on cookers as induction is much more efficient and safer.”

Yet Severgnini remains unconvinced that all-electric ovens with induction will entirely remove gas range cookers from the marketplace. He adds: “We believe that there will always be a place for all-gas or dual fuel ranges.” In fact, he points to the versatility of range cooker, with fuel types and technologies, which spurs the sales of range cooking: “The beauty of range cookers is their flexibility to meet consumer needs and as more technologies come to the fore, people can essentially ‘mix and match’, particularly the hobs to meet their requirements.” While Mark Blewitt of Esse puts it succinctly: “Range cookers are the Swiss army knives of modern kitchen appliances!”

Tricked out tech

In fact, there are now more technologies than ever available in range cookers. All of which see top-end ‘tricked out’ models more than rival their built-in counterparts. Think multifunction ovens, pyrolytic cleaning and microwave functionality for starters. Premium range cooker manufacturer Lacanche provides options of a chargrill, multicooker, fryer and Plancha griddle. Whereas Wolf offers a digital probe, self-cleaning oven and Sabbath setting.

Blewitt of Esse explains: “Modern Esses embody everything a 21^st century kitchen would need. From the plug-in-and-go EL13Amp to overnight slow cooking, from grilling straight on the hotplate to patented surround heat technology. There are even models that can power your central heating and provide hot water supply.”

And Miele has recently joined the fray of range cooking with the launch of two models which offer a raft of technologies in their range cookers. Product manager at Miele Max McCormick comments: “Miele has incorporated precision cooking technologies into its range cookers. These include rotisserie motors, wireless food probes for guaranteed cooking results, pyrolytic cleaning functions as well as Moisture Plus which increases the humidity of the oven, improving results when proving dough.”

So armed with the latest technological knowledge, popular fuel options in the most popular sizes and with an eye to future colour palettes, accomplished retailers will maximise on potential sales. And they can really help their clients explore the bold and beautiful of range cooker appliance design in their bespoke kitchen schemes.