Looking for the right cooker for your kitchen? Choosing the right type of cooker makes a massive difference in your kitchen's speed, safety, and results. From gas to electric to induction to benchtop—this guide breaks it all down so you can cook smarter, not harder.
At Industry Kitchens, we help all kinds of Aussie kitchens—whether you're running a café or restaurant—find the right cooker. It's not just about getting things hot. It's about how well it works, how reliable it is, and what suits your cooking style.
This guide keeps things simple—no confusing terms—just what you need to know.
By the end, you'll know exactly what works for your space, cooking style, and budget. Let's get into it and find the cooker that works with you, not against you.
TL;DR: What Cooker Should You Choose?Â
Too busy to read the whole thing? No worries—here's the quick version:
Cookers come in all shapes and fuel types. Gas, electric, dual-fuel, induction, benchtop—you name it.
Each type suits different needs. Want fast heat and control? Go gas. Prefer even cooking and easy cleaning? Electric might be your pick. In a tiny kitchen, a benchtop cooker could be perfect.
It's not just about heating food. The right cooker improves speed, safety, energy use, and food quality.
What Is a Cooker?
A cooker is the centre of every kitchen. It's a cooking appliance that lets you boil, bake, fry, or roast. From a simple gas hob to a dual-fuel cooker, it does more than heat food. Cookers come with various oven cavities, heating components, and specifications, like a separate grill or built-in ovens.
The correct cooker supports your team, dishes, and service in commercial kitchens. Each model affects flavour, texture, and cooking temperature, whether it's a gas cooker or an electric oven.
What Are the Types of Cookers?
There are many cookers to choose from. Each one works differently and fits different kitchen sizes. You can choose from gas, electric, or induction hobs.Â
Each one cooks differently and uses energy differently. Even if you run a café, a pub, or an occupied kitchen, knowing your options helps you choose the best cooker for your needs.
Gas Cookers
Gas cookers use a gas supply like natural gas or LPG. They give instant heat and let you cook faster. Some cookers combine both—a gas hob on top and a gas oven below, or you can get them as separate built-in appliances.
A gas hob with burners gives you complete control of the flame. You can quickly adjust the heat, whether simmering sauces, stir-frying, or searing meat. This control is excellent for flavour-packed meals and suits various cooking styles.
Gas ovens also heat quickly and keep the temperature steady. They’re ideal for roasting meats, baking, or conventional cooking.
If you're getting a gas cooker, ensure a Gas Safe-registered engineer does the gas connection. Some setups include a gas hob paired with a conventional or double oven—giving you more space and flexibility in the kitchen.
Electric Cookers
Electric cookers heat the oven cavity and hob using electric elements. The heat is spread evenly in these cookers, which gives stable cooking temperature control. Electric cookers and ovens are simple to use and easy to clean.Â
Most electric cookers now have options like a multifunction or self-cleaning oven. They suit kitchens that focus on low-maintenance setups with consistent results and lower gas supply needs.
Induction Cookers
Induction cooking gives instant heat and cools quickly when finished cooking. This makes them energy efficient, safe, and great for fast cooking. Induction cooking gives instant heat and cools quickly when finished cooking.Â
They work best with compatible cookware and offer precise temperature control. For instance, modern cookers with induction hobs often have a ceramic glass top for easy cleaning.
Commercial Ovens with Cooktops
These kitchen appliances combine an oven and a stove in one unit. They are space savers and suit small kitchens, cafés, or food trucks. Many cookers in this category come with convection, electric grill options, and built-in ovens.Â
A convection oven with a cooktop can also include a separate grill, multiple oven cavities, and strong heating elements. It may also have a separate grill, numerous cavities, and strong heating elements. This setup supports various cooking styles in one compact unit.
Freestanding Cookers
A freestanding cooker includes a hob on top and one or two ovens below. It can be a gas cooker, an electric cooker, or a dual fuel cooker with a gas hob and an electric oven.
Freestanding cookers are easy to move and install if you change your kitchen cabinets or layout. Many cookers like this come with a double oven or separate grill for slow cooking and faster prep.
Benchtop & Portable Cookers
Benchtop cookers are best for small kitchens or as an extra cooking spot during peak times. You'll often see them at catering events or in tight kitchen spaces.
These small cookers can run on gas, electricity, or induction. Some come with a small oven, while others have a cooktop for boiling or frying. Great for mobile food setups, they offer instant heat and efficient energy use in a portable design.
Choosing the Right Cooker: Buyer's Guide
Selecting the perfect cooker starts with learning your kitchen's size, needs, and cooking styles.
A small café might do well with a freestanding cooker or benchtop unit. A large restaurant may need a dual-fuel cooker or commercial range cooker.
Think about your menu. A gas or convection oven could be ideal if it's heavy on roasts.
Electric cookers or induction hobs offer a steady heat distribution for precise temperature control and help cook faster.
Energy efficiency is also essential. Many cookers now have self-cleaning oven features and catalytic liners to reduce elbow grease and food residue.
Check the fuel types available in your kitchen—gas supply or electricity—and ensure your gas connection is safe.
Some cookers have cast-iron trivets, built-in ovens, or multifunction ovens with separate grills. Think about your oven cavity needs, residual heat, and how your cooker fits near your kitchen cabinets.
The best cooker matches your kitchen layout, your cooking habits, and how many meals you prepare daily.
Remember to consider the oven cavity size, residual heat retention, and the amount of storage your kitchen cabinets allow.
Installation Methods
Installing a cooker isn’t as simple as plugging it in. Each type of cooker has its own needs and setup process.
Gas cookers need a certified Gas Safe registered engineer to handle the gas supply and ensure a safe connection.
Dual fuel cookers, which combine an electric oven and gas hob, need both power sources to be correctly installed and tested.
Electric cookers or induction hobs require a proper electrical outlet and enough power to handle strong electric elements.
Freestanding cookers are easier to install than built-in ovens or kitchen appliances with more complex oven cavities.
Modern cookers may include a separate grill or multifunction oven that needs proper ventilation and clearances.
Make sure your range cooker fits between your kitchen cabinets. Some models come with a double oven or a heavy cast-iron top, which adds weight. Larger units, especially those with self-cleaning oven features or a ceramic glass surface, may also need support brackets for stability.
When planning your setup, allow space for heating elements, proper airflow, and easy access to knobs and controls. A well-installed cooker keeps your cooking process safe, helps maintain flavour, and ensures your appliance runs at its best.
Where to Buy Cookers?
When you're ready to buy, go for a supplier that knows commercial kitchen appliances inside and out.
Industry Kitchens offers a range of cookers, from dual-fuel to gas and electric cookers. They've got big cookers that stand independently, ovens built into cabinets, and smaller ones you can move around.
Do you need a cooker with a gas cooktop, a fancy oven with different settings, or one that saves energy? They've got those too. They also offer electric grills, self-cleaning ovens, and extras like cast iron trivets and catalytic liners.
Conclusion
Selecting the right cooker makes a big difference in how you cook and enjoy flavourful meals. Whether you prefer the instant heat of gas cookers, the control of dual-fuel options, or the efficiency of induction cookers, there’s a perfect match for every kitchen and cooking style.
Start by thinking about your fuel supply—natural gas, LPG, or electricity—and how you like to cook. Do you need fast heat for busy nights, or prefer slow cooking for rich flavours? Your cooking habits, speed, and space all play a part in finding the right fit.
When you’re ready to upgrade, pick a cooker that fits seamlessly into your routine and brings out the best in every dish. Discover Industry Kitchens’ range of high-performance cookers and start enjoying effortless, delicious results every day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the different types of cookers?
There are gas cookers, electric cookers, dual fuel cookers, induction cookers, freestanding cookers, and benchtop or portable models. Each of these cookers suits different cooking needs, kitchen sizes, and fuel types.
Which type of cooker is good?
The best cooker depends on your kitchen and menu. Dual-fuel cookers offer great control, electric cookers are easy to use, and induction cookers are safe, energy-efficient, and fast.
What are the types of induction cookers?
Induction cookers can be built-in hobs, portable units, or full freestanding. Some have a multifunction oven, ceramic glass tops, or advanced controls for precise temperature settings.
What are the types of rice cookers?
There are basic rice cookers, multifunction rice cookers, and commercial models. Some are designed for slow cooking, steaming, or automatic warming, while others work perfectly for large batches in busy kitchens.
Which are the best cookers?
The best cookers offer instant heat, even heat distribution, and suit your cooking styles. Many cookers now feature energy-efficient tech and built-in ovens with self-cleaning functions.
What are the three types of ovens?
The main oven types are conventional, convection, and multifunction. Traditional ovens use top and bottom heat. Convection ovens add a fan for even, faster cooking. Multifunction ovens offer various settings, combining heat sources and fan use to suit different cooking styles and recipes.
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