Both the T and X versions of the ESSE range share the same twin-oven layout, full-width grill and slow-cook oven. The T pairs a single induction zone with a cast iron hotplate topped with round lids, while the X gives you three induction zones alongside a larger cast iron plate with square lids, aimed at owners who entertain more or want extra hob space. The PRO versions of each — the 1000 T PRO and 1000 X PRO — add roughly 40% more oven capacity in the same footprint, and the five-oven 1600 T and 1600 X sit at the top of the range for the most serious cooking and entertaining. Which suits you depends on how much of your cooking is hob-based versus oven-based, and how much capacity you actually need — worth talking through with our team against your usual cooking routine.

The electric range cookers don't — they run entirely on standard sockets (one on the smallest model, two on the larger sizes) with no flue, gas connection or specialist wiring required. ESSE's wood-fired range cookers are the exception: because they burn wood, they need a proper flue system to safely carry combustion gases outside, the same as any wood-burning stove.

The electric range spans 600mm, 1000mm and 1600mm widths, each available in 10 colours, so there's a genuine option whether you're fitting a compact kitchen or a large family one. The wood-fired cookers come in a choice of Matt Anthracite or Matt Black. As with any enamel finish, it's worth seeing the actual colour in our showroom rather than relying on a screen.

ESSE cookers are currently running a lead time of around 10 to 12 weeks. As with any made-to-order cooker, we'll confirm the exact figure for your specific model when you order, and we can hold a confirmed order while your kitchen build catches up, so it needn't hold up the rest of your project.

ESSE's model range has changed over the years, so if you've seen an older induction model recommended somewhere, it may no longer be what's currently available — it's worth checking the current line-up with us rather than assuming an older review still applies. Beyond that, the same trade-offs apply as with any heat-storage cooker: it's on continuously, and the cast iron hotplate cooks differently from a normal gas or electric hob.

No — as an all-electric range, an ESSE runs silently in normal use, with no burner, flue or fan noise to speak of. Induction models on the X and PRO ranges produce the same faint hum you'd get from any induction hob when a pan is on, but nothing beyond that. Wood-fired models like the Ironheart are a little different, with the gentle sound of the fire itself, similar to any wood-burning stove.

Yes, in most cases. Gas, dual-fuel, oil and wood-fired models all need installation by a suitably qualified engineer — Gas Safe registered for gas or LPG, OFTEC registered for oil, or HETAS registered for wood-fired models. Lacanche always requires professional installation, regardless of fuel type. On a gas or oil Rayburn, an oil Heritage, or an ESSE wood-fired cooker, that same engineer fits and certifies the flue to safely vent combustion gases outside, and on the Rayburn or Heritage central heating models, also ties the boiler into your existing pipework, radiators and hot water cylinder — a bigger job than simply positioning a standalone cooker. Everhot and ESSE electric cookers are the exception — the simplest of the heat-storage cookers to install, needing only one, two or three standard 13-amp sockets, with no rewiring, flue or specialist engineer required. Weight is worth planning for too on some models, though Everhot's lightest models start at around 250kg and rarely need floor reinforcement. Confirm your electrical provision or engineer requirements with us early so your kitchen build can be planned around it.

We don't work to a strict boundary, but delivery and installation are priced with our usual area in mind — Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and London. If you're further afield, give us a ring to discuss what's possible and what it would cost, as we're not against travelling further for the right cooker.

We ask for a 50% deposit when you place your order, with the balance due just before delivery. Because every cooker is built to order, the deposit secures your place in the production schedule and confirms the exact specification you've chosen — colour, configuration and any options — before it goes into build.

Yes, all prices we quote are VAT inclusive, so the figure you're given is the figure you pay, with no additional VAT to add on top. Delivery costs are quoted the same way, so there shouldn't be any surprises between the price we give you and what actually appears on your invoice.

We're genuinely independent — we sell Everhot, ESSE, Heritage, Rayburn and Lacanche side by side, rather than being tied to a single manufacturer, so there's no incentive to steer you toward one brand over another. That independence is backed by real experience: founder and Managing Director Andy McCulloch has 35 years in the range cooker trade and has run the Princes Risborough showroom for over 20 years, and is still hands-on in the business day to day. The aim is to find the cooker that actually suits your kitchen and how you cook, even if that takes more than one visit to work out.