Home » Product Reviews » Cookers » Gas Cookers » Hotpoint HDG5GDCX 50cm wide Single Oven Gas Cooker review
The Hotpoint HDG5GDCX is a 50cm-wide freestanding gas cooker in stainless steel, designed for homes that want traditional gas cooking without taking up much floor space. You get a main 59-litre gas oven for everyday meals plus a useful 28-litre top gas oven and grill, all wrapped in a smart, modern finish.
With catalytic stay-clean liners, auto ignition and enamelled pan supports, it focuses on simple, reliable cooking rather than flashy extras. A user rating of 4.5 out of 5 from dozens of reviews suggests owners are largely very happy with how it performs day to day.
It sits in the mid-range of gas cookers on price, offering a solid set of essentials and a few quality-of-life touches that should appeal to busy family kitchens and smaller households alike.
This cooker is ideal for smaller to medium-sized households that want the control of gas cooking but don’t have room for a full-width 60cm model. At 50cm wide, it fits neatly into compact kitchens, flats and older galley layouts where space is tight.
If you’re looking for a straightforward, dependable cooker rather than lots of advanced programmes, the HDG5GDCX hits the mark. Rotary dials, a conventional gas oven and a simple gas grill make it approachable for first-time buyers, renters and anyone upgrading from an older basic model.
Families and keen home cooks will appreciate the combination of a 59-litre main oven and a 28-litre top oven/grill. It makes it easier to cook a roast in the main cavity while crisping veg or browning a pudding above, without stepping up to a much larger appliance.
It also suits households who want to keep cleaning effort down. Catalytic liners in the main cavity help break down grease splatters as you cook, so there’s less scrubbing. If you’re not chasing the very latest smart features but value practicality and low maintenance, this is a strong candidate.
The 50cm width is a big plus if you’re short on space but still want a full-depth cooker with proper oven capacity. Despite its slim footprint, the 59-litre main oven is generously sized for family meals, trays of batch cooking or a decent Sunday roast.
Having a second 28-litre gas oven with integrated grill adds welcome flexibility. You can grill cheese on toast, finish off crispy toppings or cook smaller dishes without heating the larger cavity, which is handy for everyday use and can save on gas.
Auto ignition on the hob makes lighting the burners quick and fuss-free – no need for matches or a separate spark lighter. The flame failure safety device is reassuring too, cutting the gas if the flame goes out.
Catalytic stay-clean liners in the main cavity are a stand-out convenience feature at this level. They absorb and break down grease splatters during normal cooking, meaning less time spent scrubbing the oven interior.
The A+/A energy ratings for the main and second cavities are good for a traditional gas cooker, helping keep running costs sensible over time. Combined with a solid user rating of 4.5 out of 5, it adds up to a cooker that does the everyday basics very well.
The feature set is quite traditional: you get conventional gas ovens with a single function, so there’s no fan cooking or specialist settings. If you’re used to very even fan-assisted baking or want lots of preset programmes, you may find this cooker a little basic.
While catalytic liners ease cleaning in the main oven, they don’t cover every surface, and the removable parts and door glass still need manual attention. There’s also no removable inner door glass, which can make deep cleaning the door a bit more fiddly.
The hob has four burners, but one zone is listed as a fast electric plate rather than gas, which may not appeal if you’re expecting a fully gas hob for all pans. There’s also no dedicated high-powered wok burner, so if you do a lot of stir-frying you might find it lacking punch.
Finally, the standard 1-year manufacturer warranty is on the short side compared with some rivals that offer extended cover, so budget-conscious buyers may want to consider taking out extra protection.
Day to day, the Hotpoint HDG5GDCX is designed to be straightforward to live with. The front-mounted rotary controls are clearly laid out and easy to reach, so there’s no stretching over hot pans. Auto ignition on the hob means you simply press and turn to light each burner, which quickly becomes second nature.
The 59-litre main oven gives you enough room for family dishes without feeling cavernous, and the two shelves provide decent flexibility for juggling trays of food. The top 28-litre oven and gas grill are especially handy for quick snacks or smaller portions when you don’t want to fire up the main cavity.
Inside, the interior light and viewing windows on both cavities mean you can keep an eye on what’s cooking without constantly opening the doors and losing heat. The enamelled pan supports on the hob feel stable under everyday pots and pans and can be lifted off for cleaning.
Cleaning the main cavity is helped by the catalytic liners, which gradually break down splatters as the oven heats to regular cooking temperatures. For most users this will keep the interior looking presentable with only occasional wiping down, rather than heavy scrubbing.
Installation-wise, it does require a Gas Safe registered engineer, and the power connection needs a plug or cable adding by an electrician. Once it’s in place, though, operation is refreshingly uncomplicated: set the temperature, light the burner and cook.
As a conventional gas cooker, performance is centred on reliable, responsive heat rather than advanced electronics. The main 59-litre gas oven uses top and bottom heat, which is great for traditional roasting and baking. Many home cooks like the slightly moister environment of a gas oven for certain dishes.
The secondary 28-litre cavity functions as both a small conventional gas oven and a gas grill. At 2300W, the grill has enough power to handle everyday tasks like browning gratins, grilling bacon or crisping up pizza toppings. It’s also a useful backup oven if you’re cooking a big meal and need extra space.
On the hob, you get four zones with a burner power range from 1 to 2.9kW. Two semi-fast burners at 2000W are ideal for general cooking, while the 2900W burner provides stronger heat for larger pots. The smaller 1000W fast electric plate is suited to gentle simmering or keeping dishes warm, though its electric nature is a slight oddity on an otherwise gas hob.
Safety and usability are sensibly covered. The flame failure safety device helps protect against gas leaks by shutting off the supply if a flame is accidentally extinguished. The enamelled pan supports offer a stable base for cookware and are less delicate than some lightweight alternatives.
Feature-wise, it is relatively simple compared with the most fully loaded models in this category. There are no fan settings, no programmable cooking modes and no digital display beyond a basic timer. Instead, its strengths lie in its reliable twin-oven layout, respectable capacities and the inclusion of catalytic liners, which are by no means guaranteed at this price point.
At its current price, the Hotpoint HDG5GDCX sits in the middle of the gas cooker market rather than the bargain basement. You’re paying a little extra over the most basic models, but you are getting meaningful upgrades in return.
The combination of two gas ovens, a full-width grill, catalytic liners in the main cavity and A+/A energy ratings gives it a stronger specification than entry-level cookers that often have a single oven and no assisted cleaning. For a compact 50cm footprint, the capacities of 59 and 28 litres are also good for the money.
Owner feedback supports the idea that it’s a sensible buy. A 4.5 out of 5 rating from a healthy number of reviews suggests most users feel it delivers on expectations in terms of reliability, cooking results and ease of use.
The relatively short 1-year warranty is the main value caveat, as some competing brands occasionally offer longer cover. Even so, if you prioritise twin ovens and easy cleaning in a slim, smart-looking cooker, this model represents solid value in the mid-range.
The Hotpoint HDG5GDCX is a well-judged 50cm gas cooker that focuses on the essentials: responsive gas cooking, a practical twin-oven layout and features that make everyday life easier, such as auto ignition and catalytic liners. It feels particularly well suited to smaller kitchens and families that need flexibility without stepping up to a 60cm appliance.
Its straightforward conventional ovens, enamelled pan supports and clear controls make it easy to live with, while user reviews indicate that real-world performance matches the spec sheet. The lack of fan cooking, more advanced programmes and the slightly unusual mix of three gas burners plus one electric plate mean it won’t appeal to everyone, and the 1-year warranty is modest.
If you’re after a compact, no-nonsense gas cooker with two usable ovens, a decent grill and reduced cleaning hassle, this Hotpoint model is a strong contender and well worth shortlisting. Serious bakers who rely on fan-assisted precision, or buyers wanting extended warranty and high-end extras, may prefer to look higher up the range.