Best Gas Cooker in Egypt: Size, Safety, and Oven Guide

4 burners or 5? And 60 or 90 cm?

The size is determined by the space first, not just the number of family members. Measure the width of the space where the cooker will be placed, and leave a few centimeters on each side for ventilation and the gas hose.

• 60x60 cm with 4 burners: Suitable for most Egyptian kitchens and a family of up to 4 members. The oven fits a medium tray.
• 55x80 cm with 5 burners: A middle ground if you have a slightly larger space and want an extra burner.
• 90x60 cm with 5 burners: For a family of 5 members and more, or those who host gatherings. The oven is much wider, and that is the real difference, not the fifth burner.

Look at the oven capacity in liters on the sales page, not just the width. An oven of 90 liters and above makes a big difference in Ramadan and Eid trays. And before choosing the 90 cm, make sure the large oven tray will fit in your kitchen sink when you wash it, and that the oven door when open will not hit a cabinet or door.

What does "full safety" mean?

Safety is a small valve (thermocouple) that shuts off the gas by itself if the flame goes out from wind or milk boiling over. "Full safety" means that all burners, the oven, and the grill have this valve. "Half safety" usually means that only the oven and grill have it. If there are children or elderly people at home, full safety is not a luxury. And keep in mind that a safety cooker requires you to keep pressing the button for a few seconds after the flame lights up.

Oven fan and cooling fan

The oven fan (or cooking fan) circulates hot air inside the oven, so the tray bakes from top and bottom to the same degree, and this makes a difference in cakes and pastries. The cooling fan is something else: it cools the front panel and knobs while you bake for a long time. Both need electricity, like automatic ignition, the oven light, and the motorized grill, so there must be a 220-volt outlet next to the cooker. And if you love roast chicken, look for a "motorized grill" or "rotisserie": a skewer that turns by itself inside the oven, so the chicken browns from all sides without you having to turn it.

Cast iron or enamel supports? And a glass lid or without?

• Cast Iron supports: Heavy and stable, large pots do not wobble on them, and they last for years. Their drawback is that they are heavy to wash.
• Enamel or sheet metal supports: Lighter and easier to clean, but the enamel can peel with knocks.
• Glass lid: Looks nice and protects the surface from dust. Never close it while the burners are still hot, because the glass can break.

Natural gas or gas cylinder?

The burners are adjusted to the type of gas by the nozzles (injectors). If you have natural gas and got a cooker adjusted for a cylinder or vice versa, the nozzles must be changed. Ask the seller if there is another set of nozzles in the box, and have a certified technician or the gas company change them and install them. After installation, test the connections with soapy water, not a lighter.

Before you receive it

• Open the carton in front of the delivery representative and make sure there is no dent in the body or break in the glass.
• Count the accessories: shelves, oven tray, and the skewer if there is a grill.
• Make sure the warranty is from the company in Egypt and not the seller's warranty, and keep the invoice and warranty card together.
• Ask if installation by the company technician is a condition for the warranty to stay active.
• The 90 cm cooker can weigh over 50 kilos, so agree with the seller on carrying it upstairs before the delivery time.