Checklist

If you are considering buying a dual-fuel stove, here's what to look for:

Stove

• Adjustable legs - these let you adjust the stove's height so it matches your benchtop. They also let you level it.

Cooktop

• Continuous hobs - this design allows pans to be moved around the burners without being lifted.
• Accurate low-temperature setting - this gives you more control over the flame at low levels, and greater accuracy (try it out in the shop if you can).
• One-piece burners - they're easier to clean and maintain.

Oven

• A counter-balanced oven door - this should be light and easy to open, and should stay open in any position.
• A large oven-window - it should be big enough for a clear view inside.

Inside the oven

• Usable inside space - check this by taking along your largest baking or roasting dish (or the measurements and a tape) to see if it'll fit.
• Interior light - make sure the bulb is easy to replace.
• Shelves - these should have stops to prevent them being pulled out accidentally and they shouldn't tilt down when pulled out with the weight of a heavy dish on them.
• A good range of shelf positions and three or more shelves - for flexibility.
• Moulded runners - they're easier to clean than metal pull-out ones.
• Under-oven storage - useful for large trays and racks.

Grill

• Several grill-tray heights - at least two.
• A sensible and safe grill tray - the tray should come out far enough to let you deal easily with food at the back of it, and should have a "stop" mechanism to prevent it from accidentally being pulled right out.
• A smokeless grill tray is good.
• A safe grill-element - make sure the element has a shield or is set high into the oven ceiling, so that your fingers can't accidentally touch it.

For more information about buying a stove, see our Oven buying guide.