Expert guidance on maintaining your range cooker for decades of reliable service.
A quality range cooker represents a significant investment that, with proper care, will serve your family for decades. Understanding how to maintain your cooker protects that investment and ensures consistent cooking performance.
Addressing spills promptly prevents them from baking on. For heat storage cookers, spills on cooking plates often brush away easily once carbonised. However, sugary spills on enamel should be wiped immediately while still liquid.
Cast iron cooking plates benefit from light oiling occasionally. A thin wipe with cooking oil maintains the surface and prevents rust. Never use water on hot cast iron plates.
Vitreous enamel surfaces clean beautifully with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners or scourers that can damage the enamel finish.
Chrome lids and stainless steel surfaces benefit from regular buffing with appropriate cleaners. Microfibre cloths work well without leaving lint or scratches.
Oil and gas appliances require annual servicing by qualified engineers. The HETAS organisation provides guidance on finding qualified technicians for solid fuel and oil appliances.
Annual servicing typically includes combustion efficiency testing, flue integrity inspection, burner cleaning and adjustment, safety device verification, thermostat calibration, and general condition assessment.
If your cooker seems to run hotter or cooler than expected, check thermostat settings and allow time to stabilise. Heat storage cookers can take 24-48 hours to reach equilibrium after setting changes.
Ensure shelves are correctly positioned for your cooking task. Understanding the temperature zones in each oven is key to consistent results.
With proper care, quality range cookers commonly provide 30-50 years of service. Key longevity factors include regular servicing, prompt attention to minor issues, avoiding thermal shock to cast iron, and using appropriate cleaning products.
Contact Our TeamDaily
Wipe spills, check hotplates
Weekly
Clean enamel, chrome
Monthly
Deep clean ovens
Annually
Professional service