Whether you’re new to your range cooker, thinking about buying one, or just want to make better use of the one you have, there are plenty of ways to use it that fit your family lifestyle. Any range cooker can do way more than just a slow-cooked Sunday roast – it can help you on the busiest weekday evenings too.
From hearty one-pot dinners to easy traybakes and fast family favourites on the hob, a range cooker can make cooking a tasty meal for everyone a little bit easier. Here are some quick, easy family meal ideas to try, plus a few tips experienced range cooker owners have picked up along the way.
Fast family favourites on the hob
When you’re short on time and need dinner on the table quickly, these wholesome hob favourites can all be cooked to perfection in around 20 minutes.
Chicken or prawn stir-fry
A home-made stir-fry is the perfect healthy meal. Use a wok burner, hotplate, or induction zone for plenty of heat, then add your meat or prawns, a mix of vegetables, and sauce.
Some range cookers offer features that make this even easier. On a Lacanche Traditional range cooker hob, removing the centrepiece of the simmer plate lets a wok ring sit over the open flame. Bertazzoni's dual-ring power burners also deliver the high heat needed for searing while still giving you control for gentler cooking.
Fajitas and quesadillas
A plancha or griddle plate is perfect for cooking fajitas. Cook your chicken, peppers, and onions while you warm your tortillas. Quesadillas are another easy option, even when everyone wants slightly different fillings. You can cook several portions at once, using the generous cooking surface a range cooker offers.
Frittata
Frittata is an easy way to turn a few fridge ingredients into a family meal. Start on the hob, then move under the grill to finish and brown the top. If your family prefers different ingredients, you can even make two versions at once.
On some Everhot models, the grill in the top oven can also quickly boost the oven temperature if it’s dipped after a busy cooking session.
You can even cook rice in the oven while you’re using the hob for everything else. A simple range cooker method is one part rice to two parts water, covered, seasoned to taste, and left in the oven until cooked.
Easy one-tray oven dinners
For a simple, all-in-one meal with minimal prep, a savoury traybake lets the oven do the hard work in under an hour. They’re simple and filling – and you only have one main tray to wash afterwards.
Chicken, potato, and pepper
Chicken works really well for an easy family dinner. Pair it with potatoes, sausages, peppers, onions, vegetables, and herbs, and you have a winner. Because range cookers have generous oven space, you can spread the ingredients out so everything cooks perfectly. You can even double up portions for the freezer.
Salmon and new potatoes
For a lighter meal, salmon, new potatoes, and vegetables make a traybake classic. A second oven helps if you're cooking another dish at the same time, while a warming oven keeps portions ready for anyone eating later.
Homemade pizza
Pizza night is a firm family favourite, and a range cooker can help if you want to make your own pizza dough and toppings.
The hotplate covers on an Everhot can provide a warm place to prove pizza dough when the lids are closed. Some Bertazzoni range cooker models also have a dedicated pizza setting, while a hot top oven can provide the high heat needed for a crisp base.
If you're new to range cooking, don't be afraid to experiment with shelf position. If you’re using an Everhot model, make sure the cooker is fully heat-soaked before you start cooking. Moving a dish higher or lower and adjusting the temperature can make a noticeable difference.
Set it and forget it for a slow cook
For a low-effort family dinner, one of a range cooker's best features is an oven that's ready to cook without the preheating a conventional oven needs. The slow oven does the job of a countertop slow cooker, so you don't need another appliance taking up space in the kitchen.
Chilli, bolognese, or sausage and bean casserole
Earlier in the day, prepare your main chilli, bolognese, or casserole mix. Get everything simmering on the hob, then transfer it to the simmer or slow oven to cook gently until you're ready to eat, freeing up the hob.
Pulled pork or beef ragu
Low-and-slow cooking works really well when you have several ovens available. Start your meat or ragu on the hob, then transfer it to a low oven for several hours. You can then use the hob and other ovens for side dishes without moving the main meal.
Overnight porridge
Your slow or simmer oven isn't just for savoury meals. Leave a covered dish of porridge overnight, and it'll be ready for breakfast the next morning. A great time saver for families with early starts.
Make the range cooker work around your family's schedule. On an Everhot, the economy setting lets you control when the ovens switch off and back on, so the cooker can be fully hot and ready for teatime without running at full power all day.
Weekend breakfasts and family treats
Range cookers aren't only useful for main meals. They're equally handy when the family has a little more time at the weekend.
A full English
A range cooker gives you plenty of options for a classic full English breakfast. Use the hob for eggs and sausages, the grill for bacon and tomatoes, and the warming space to keep cooked food at the right temperature while everything else catches up.
Pancakes and drop scones
A hotplate or plancha makes pancakes and drop scones (Scotch pancakes) easy, and you may not even need a frying pan. Many Everhot range cooker owners cook directly on the hotplate using a reusable Bake-O-Glide non-stick liner. You can do the same with bacon, eggs, and Welsh cakes.
A crumble for later
If you're already using the ovens for a family meal, why not use the spare capacity for pudding? A fruit crumble can cook in a second oven while you enjoy your main meal, giving you a homemade dessert without any extra fuss.
Make your range cooker work for your family lifestyle
Learning to cook effortlessly on your range cooker might take a little time, but once you get used to having several cooking spaces, it can make everyday family meals much easier. Our blog has more tips and tricks, including our Everhot cooking guide, to help you get to grips with a new way of cooking.
For more information on any Everhot, Lacanche, or Bertazzoni range cooker, visit our F & R Fornello showroom in Forest Row, East Sussex, or contact us for expert advice. We even run cooking demos which include guidelines on how to cook on a range cooker if it’s new to you!