Can't Cook Won't Cook... can't cook on this! (Beko SG562)

Member Name: rhiannon134

Product:	Beko SG562
Date:	28/09/09 (177 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Clean and White (and will probably stay that way)

Disadvantages: Where do I start?

This cooker (the 50cm width model) was bought for our house by our landlords when we moved in, so we have had it from new but we didn't actually buy it. I have to say that if I had bought this with my own money I would have sent it back! It was obviously chosen simply for the low price and the fact that it fit in the 53cm gap.

The Burners.
There are four burners in various sizes, as usual for this type of gas cooker. Two medium sized (the Front Left and Back Left), a small ring (the back Right) and a large ring (front Right). I find this layout to be a little impractical and would have preffered to have them a diferent way round.
To light the burners you hold in the corresponding knob while using the electronic spark button. You then have to continue to hold the gas on until it's hot enough. Easy enough (for me, possibly not for people who have grip/strength/dexterity problems), however, this length of time seems to be indeterminate and variable. Which is rather annoying when you have to keep relighting the burner.

The grill.
The grill is located in the top of the oven, you have to have the oven door open when using it (not good with children around) and bend down a lot to look at your food. In order to use the grill you have to slot a bit of metal in place below the knobs to stop them melting, this is supplied with the cooker!
Before using the grill for the first time, the factory coating must be burned off (this also has to be done with the oven) which involves lighting it with nothing in the oven and leaving it on for 20 minutes. According to the instructions all windows and doors should be opened and you should try not to breathe in the fumes. I have to say it took a lot longer than this and we all had to sit outside for quite a while. The acrid smell lingered for a very long time.
We don't use the grill. I find it too dangerous with small children in the house so instead anything I would normally grill goes in my George Foreman (a wedding gift I actually use!).

Oven
The oven in the narrow width model is very small and only comes with one oven shelf. Several of my baking trays are actually too wide for this oven so I can't use them and I have had to buy an extra shelf so that I can cook enough to feed our smallish family.
There is no fan assistance in this oven and boy is that obvious! In fact if anything this cooker defies the laws of physics in because heat does not seem to rise in it! It is impossible to cook things like pizza or cakes without the bottoms burning before the top cooks properly. The temperature levels are a rough and inaccurate guide (and it's hotter at the bottom) so not much use if you are trying to follow a precise recipe.

On the up-side it looks fairly smart and is easy to clean.

So in conclusion, this is a great cheap cooker to have if you need a cooker but don't actually cook much.

Summary: Great for people who won't ever use it.