Mini 60cm range cookers offer all the traditional good looks and functionality of the larger models, but can also open your business up to a whole new set of clients – Sally Smith finds out more.
Owning a range cooker is the dream for some customers – but many consumers believe it's one that will always be out of their reach. A recent report from Estate Agent Today found the average new-build kitchen is now just 13.44sq m, so many homeowners with newer properties simply won’t have the space for a full-size range cooker – but that doesn't mean they need to cross it off their wish list. In fact, a miniature range cooker could prove to be the ideal option.
"We’ve found that often people aspire to own a range cooker, attracted by the classic aesthetic, but they simply don’t have the available floor space," explains Steve Dickson, head of marketing & innovation for Stoves and Belling. "As a manufacturer we responded by creating the mini range category, launching smaller 60cm freestanding cookers with the range aesthetic to allow homeowners to achieve the classic look even in kitchens with limited space."
The similarities between mini ranges and full-sized ranges used to be limited to aesthetics but now there is a full range of advanced features on offer for these 60cm miniature range cookers.
Dickson adds: "The premium nature of high-end mini range cookers can present upselling opportunities for designers and kitchen specialists, offering a revenue boost by increasing project budgets by recommending these stylish and functional appliances."
Jenny Nalborczyk, Aga marketing manager, adds: "Range cookers are associated with luxury, versatility and high-performance cooking. Smaller range cookers allow people to enjoy the same classic, timeless look and functionality in compact kitchens – in essence, it's about combining the charm and appeal of a larger appliance with practicality for modern but limited spaces."
The AGA 60 is the smallest cast-iron cooker available from Aga. It includes 2 ovens; one for roasting and baking and the other for simmering and a hotplate with boiling and simmering settings. "This makes it perfect for those looking for cast-iron, radiant-heat cooking but for whatever reason need to save space," says Nalborczyk.
These 60cm range cookers give kitchen designers the option to suggest a range cooker for a kitchen that would be too small to comfortably accommodate a larger model.
Kathryn Lowe of La Cornue explains: "Rather than having to steer customers away from a range cooker for fear of it totally dominating the kitchen at the cost of precious workspace and storage, the option of a smaller model provides designers with an ideal solution to achieving a balanced scheme while attaining a 'range cooker’ look. A compact cooker such as La Cornue's Castel 60 is an electric version of the renowned vaulted oven guaranteeing evenly cooked food and it's also the first of our range cookers to be fitted with a 4-zone, touch control induction hob."
Graham Duke from Everhot Cookers says: "the Everhot 60 enables smaller kitchen owners to feel the benefit of a heat storage range cooker. This is our smallest cooker, yet it still features 2 huge ovens, a powerful grill and a hot and simmer plate. This gives you enough stove top cooking space for at least 4 pans, and the option of a hotter roasting oven and a cooler slow cooking oven at the same time.’
It’s worth reminding clients that a range cooker can replace a toaster and electric kettle, leaving more valuable worktop space.
"It's also great for drying linen or tea towels if you don't want to put the tumble dryer on. Many of our customers choose to remove a radiator from smaller spaces, like galley kitchens, because the Everhot provides enough heat. This means more wall space is opened up for additional cupboards, drawers, or shelving. This gives a designer more flexibility in how they put a kitchen together," adds Duke.
Leisure has recently refreshed the design of its 60cm range cookers. According to Ecem Uslubaş, cooking product manager at Beko Plc: "These compact models still provide generous capacity with 2 cavities, ensuring ample cooking space without overwhelming smaller kitchens. They also provide many of the same functions as their larger counterparts, including fan cooking for even heat distribution, conventional cooking, catalytic liners to make cleaning easier by absorbing grease and grime during cooking along with cast iron pan supports for durability and stability while cooking."
Smeg has also recently introduced a new 60cm full black Concert cooker that joins its CX cooker collection. Lucy Dunstan, product manager at Smeg, says: "This compact model offers the same premium style and build quality of our larger models. Along with matching 60cm hoods, thermo-ventilated oven cavities and ‘Circulaire’ to ensure no flavour transfer, customers can purchase optional BBQ, Airfry and Pizza stone accessories to extend the cooker’s flexibility even further and enjoy restaurant-quality food all year round."
Customers can enjoy the same look and functionality in the latest miniature range cookers on the market as their larger counterparts, and Bertazzoni offers a wide range of colourways for miniature range cookers. Paul Whyte, commercial director at Bertazzoni UK & Eire, says: "What’s great about our range cookers is that the same style and technology is applied across each model, regardless of the width or design series chosen, providing a high-quality range cooker aesthetic. These models are available with gas or induction cooktops to appeal to all customer preferences."
