Brenden & Tim - Researching and writing for Cooker Base

Gas cookers are often the cheapest type you can buy. There are plenty of budget models available and with a little extra care, it's possible to find those with both 'cheap' prices and incredible value. Everyone's definition of cheap will likely vary, so I've taken three price points of approximately £150, £250 and £350 Then I looked for the best budget cookers with exceptional functionality, for each one. When looking at these cookers, I was surprised to find that their overall quality was much higher than I had expected. I've reviewed cookers worth thousands of pounds and yes, there is a difference, but it wasn't as big as I thought it would be. Although gas cookers are often the cheapest option, it doesn't mean that they're also poor quality. They are quick to reach cooking temperature and are often more hard wearing and durable than their electric counterparts. They are also the type most likely to be chosen for use in a professional kitchen. When you buy through links on Cooker Base, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more here. Best Value Gas Cookers Flavel ML61NDSP Flavel ML61NDSP £359.00 BUY NOW Currys.co.uk Logik LFTG50W16 Logik LFTG50W16 £259.00 BUY NOW Currys.co.uk Essentials CFSGSV18 Essentials CFSGSV18 £199.00 BUY NOW Currys.co.uk Flavel ML61NDSP You may need to save a little extra to afford this handsome cooker, but the Flavel ML61NDSP is still well within most budgets and totally worth the wait. At a full 60cm, this cheap gas model accommodates a spacious 72 litre main oven and 32 litre separate gas grill. With a total capacity of almost 100 litres, this excellent cooker blows the competition away and is suitable for families both large and small. Quality construction is evident in the most important details of this cooker, including the sturdy oven doors, thick side walls and weighty chrome knobs. At this price point, I also like to see features like a minute minder or glass top for the hob, but unfortunately, Flavel has skimped on these details. The four-zone gas hob is simple to use and includes one small, one large, and two medium-sized burners. There is also a useful safety feature, which stops the gas supply should the flame go out. The enamel pan supports are well-balanced and easy to clean, but regardless of whether you choose this cooker in silver or white, it is challenging to keep the hob wells looking spotless. Unlike many cookers in this price range, this one features convenient automatic ignition. What I like most about this cooker is that it doesn't feel cheap. Some budget cookers give the impression that they will break down in just a few years, but the Flavel ML61NDSP is built to last with quality components and craftsmanship. Pros Large 72 litre main oven32 litre separate grillBoth cooking compartments are lined with easy-clean enamelFour burner gas hobEnamel pan supportsAutomatic ignitionWell-built Cons Not many additional functionsThe hob is hard to keep clean Related Article: Best 60cm Gas Cookers Logik LFTG50W16 50cm Gas Cooker Economical in every sense of the word, the Logik LFTG50W16 is a budget model but still offers some great additional features.There are two cooking compartments including a main oven and separate grill. This is quite an accomplishment considering this cooker's 50cm frame. The separate grill gives this cooker a more expensive look and functionality than its modest price tag suggests. Unfortunately, it takes a long time to heat up and is only really useful on its highest settings. Including a separate grill means sacrificing oven capacity, too. This cooker's conventional oven only holds 36 litre, so I can't recommend it for large families. For couples, or if you live on your own, this may be a perfect size. There is no use wasting the large capacity of more expensive cookers when you only need space for a couple of people. Even knowing how small the oven is doesn't excuse the fact that this cooker only comes with one shelf. The included oven shelf is sturdy at least and features a back bracket to keep dishes from sliding off. Still, you'll need to squeeze in an extra one for multi-tier cooking. The Logik LFTG50W16 comes with a stable arrangement of four gas burners, featuring the typical sizes of large, medium and small. The manual ignition lights reliably and the flames stay lit even at low temperatures. If the flame ever does go out, so will the gas thanks to the safety flame supervision feature. The smooth enamel pan supports are rounded to make them easy to clean but can be a bit unstable for cookware. Giving you all the functionality of a larger oven in a compact 50cm frame, choose this cooker for your small kitchen or if you're on a tight budget. Pros Two cooking compartmentsThe main oven is lined with easy-clean enamelSeparate grillCompact size perfect for small kitchens36 litre oven ideal for couples or single peopleFlame supervision feature Cons The grill could be more powerfulThe main oven is too small for most families. Related Article: Best 50cm Gas Cookers Essentials CFSGSV18 50cm Gas Cooker At 50cm, the Essentials CFSGSV18 may not be very large, but neither is its price tag. When you're looking for the absolute best bargain in cheap gas cookers, this inexpensive gem is tough to beat. The Essentials CFSGSV18 costs less than most families are likely to spend on food this month, so it's easy to be sceptical about its abilities. Before passing judgement, consider this cooker's spacious 51 litre main oven. It doubles as a full-width variable grill and comes complete with enamel lining, making it easy to keep tidy with regular care. The oven also comes with a removable, triple-glazed viewing window that you can lift out for no-fuss cleaning. That's one of the features that make this cheap gas cooker such great value compared to the competition. Another high point is that Essentials remembered to include both a grill pan and handle – something even some ₤1,000+ cookers miss. The gas hob features a simple manual ignition and four highly responsive gas burners. They come in a variety of sizes, including one small, one large and two medium. The enamel pan supports are surprisingly balanced, though the smooth finish doesn't offer a lot of friction against cookware. Overall, a very dependable hob that's easy to clean. At this price, no one expects a five-star cooker. If you have reasonable expectations, however, the Essentials CFSGSV18 will meet them all. This is a safe, dependable gas cooker that small families with small budgets will love. Pros Large 51 litre gas ovenIntegrated, full-width grillRemovable triple-glazing viewing windowFour gas hob burnersEnamel pan supportsManual ignitionGrill pan and handle included Cons No separate grill or second ovenBasic finish Related Article: 5 Best Gas Cookers Final Thoughts For me, the Flavel ML61NDSP has to be the overall winner. It's also the most expensive, but you get so much for your money. In the past, Flavel wasn't known for quality workmanship, but in the last few years they have successfully improved their reputation. When it comes to budget gas cookers, they've excelled. The ML61NDSP has a lot in common with several more expensive models. With gas cookers, you don't need to spend a lot to get a well-functioning cooker that will work well for most families. Those I've selected here may be listed as "cheap" or "value" but, in my opinion, they can stand shoulder to shoulder with cookers that are two and even three times their price. If you are looking for more great value cookers take a read of these articles: Best Cookers Under £300, Best Cookers Under £600 and Best Cookers Under £1000.