cookers

Cookers are appliances used for cooking and heating food. In modern kitchens they usually combine an oven with a cooking surface known as a hob or stove. The oven provides enclosed heat for baking, roasting, or slow cooking, while the hob offers direct heat for boiling, frying, and simmering. Cookers may be standalone units or built into a kitchen range and come in various fuel types.

Fuel and heating methods: Gas cookers burn natural gas or propane on burners; electric cookers use coil elements or smooth-top electric radiant elements; induction cookers heat pots by electromagnetic induction and require compatible cookware. Some models combine multiple methods, such as a gas hob with an electric or induction oven, or a dual-fuel configuration.

Other types include slow cookers, pressure cookers, steam ovens, and microwave ovens, which are often separate appliances but may be integrated in multifunction units. Portable or compact cookers are used in dormitories or caravans.

Safety and efficiency: Modern cookers include safety features such as flame supervision devices, auto shutoff, child locks, and temperature control. Energy efficiency varies by type and model, with induction generally offering faster heating and less residual heat. Regular maintenance includes cleaning, checking seals on ovens, and ensuring proper ventilation in gas-fueled appliances.

Terminology varies by region: in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries, cookers or range cookers are common terms for the combined unit, whereas in the United States the terms stove or range are more common. The development of cookers reflects advances in fuel technology and kitchen design, from open fires to integrated, energy-efficient appliances.