Christmas Day is the biggest culinary event of the year - a joyful, often chaotic, celebration that turns the kitchen into a bustling hub of activity. Between the turkey, the trimmings, the endless traybakes, and the inevitable last-minute 'can we have this too?' from family members, it's the ultimate test of your cooking setup.

But while many cooks dread the juggling act, those with a range cooker know that this is where their appliance truly shines. Designed for generous capacity and exceptional flexibility, a range cooker gives you the space, power and precision needed to manage a full festive feast without the usual stress. With multiple ovens, roomy hobs and clever features that support everything from slow cooking to rapid boiling, it's the perfect partner for Christmas success.

So, whether you're cooking for four or fourteen, hosting your first Christmas or your twentieth, this guide will help you get the very best out of your range cooker and breeze through the most delicious day of the year. 

 

1. Plan your Christmas menu around the oven cavities

One of the biggest advantages of a range cooker is having two or more ovens. Use them strategically:

- The main oven - roasting zone

Perfect for the turkey or main centrepieces. Its large capacity means you're not wrestling with shelf space. 

- The second oven - baking & sides

Ideal for roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, stuffing and Yorkshire puddings. 

- Slow cook oven (if your model has one)

Use this for red cabbage, braised meats and keep-warm dishes that benefit from low, consistent heat. 

 

Rangecookers Recommends: Write down a cooking timetable. With multiple ovens, you can work backwards from serving times and avoid last-minute chaos. 

 

2. Maximise your hob space

Range cookers typically offer between 5-8 burners or a large induction surface, giving you plenty of room to manage the supporting dishes: 

- Front burners: high-heat tasks like boiling potatoes or caramelising parnsips. 

- Middle or wok burner: perfect for quick gravy, flash-frying sprouts with pancetta, or searing a beef joint. 

- Auxiliary burners: gently warm sauces, mulled wine, or custard for Christmas pudding. 

 

If you're using induction, consider using the bridging zones to create a griddle area for festive vegetables or homemade stuffing. 

 

3. Roast the turkey to perfection

Your range cooker's powerful roasting oven ensures even cooking - essential for large birds. And if you own a Rangemaster, the multifunction oven's Handyrack makes the process even easier. This clever feature attaches directly to the oven door, allowing you to check, baste and lift the turkey without having to reach awkwardly inside the cavity - a real time-saver when your Christmas timetable is in full swing. 

Tips for a perfect turkey: 

- Start with high heat to crisp the skin, then lower the temperature for slow, even roasting.

- Use both shelves by placing vegetables underneath the bird to catch juices and save oven space. 

- Rest your turkey in the warming drawer or slow cook oven - this frees up the main oven for crispy potatoes. 

 

4. Use separate ovens for crispier sides

A common Christmas dilemma is finding space to finish everything.

With a range cooker, it's easy:

- Roast your potatoes in your hottest cavity for that unbeatable crunch.

- Yorkshire puddings need strong, consistent heat - something most range cookers handle effortlessly. 

- Stuffing and pigs in blankets can bake simultaneously in a medium-temperature oven. 

 

The result, nothing soggy, nothing late, nothing stressed.

 

5. Timing is everything - let your range do the hard work

Modern range cookers often include: 

• Programmable timers
• Meat probes
• Fan-assisted modes
• Multizone induction settings

 

Use programmable timers to automate the big jobs. Most modern range cookers offer programmable or delay start-timers, especially on the main oven. This is ideal for Christmas morning when you're juggling preparations, guests, and perhaps a few early presents. 

For example:

- Set the oven to preheat automatically while you prep the turkey.

- Program end-times so the turkey finishes exactly when you need it. 

- Use secondary timers for side dishes or puddings in the other oven cavities. 

 

It means fewer alarms on your phone - and fewer chances to lose track of time. 

 

Range cookers with multifunction or fan-assisted modes can also dramatically reduce cooking times, which is a real advantage when the schedule is tight. 

- Use fan-assisted heat for even browning on trays of roast potatoes. 

- Use conventional heat for Yorkshire puddings needing that strong base heat. 

- Switch to grill mode for finishing pigs in blankets with crisp edges. 

Being able to adapt quickly means each dish gets the cooking style it deserves - no compromises. 

 

Cooking Christmas dinner can feel overwhelming, but with a range cooker, you have all the tools you need to create a relaxed, delicious and perfectly timed feast. Whether it's juggling oven temperatures or managing multiple pans, your range cooker turns Christmas Day into a confident, enjoyable celebration. 

If you're thinking about upgrading your model or need advice choosing the right model, our team are happy to help! Find out more on our website here.