Buying Guide for Ranges (Also known as Stoves)

Before purchasing a range you will have to choose between more than just gas or electric. Ranges come in many styles and types so make sure that you know your options before making a purchase.

There are cooktops, free standing, slide-in and drop-in range styles. Cooktops are inserted into a countertop and have a matching wall oven that is installed separately. Free-standing models--range and oven combos--that have panels on both sides and can stand alone in the kitchen. Slide-in models have no side panels or backsplash and fit between two cabinets. Drop-ins are fueled by electricity only, and are installed between cabinets on a pedestal with no bottom drawer below oven. Here's an overview of the types of ranges and combos you'll find at Airport Home Appliance:

Gas Ranges

They fire up quickly and you always know when they're on. They are powered by natural gas, which has to be available in your community, or liquid propane, which you have to buy and have delivered. They are slightly more expensive to buy than electric ranges but are slightly less expensive to operate. They can come with unique burners for very fast high-temperature heat (searing, boiling) and for gentle low-temperature heat (simmering). Look for sealed burners for easier cleanup.

Electric Ranges

With electric ranges you have less control over heat output--for example, water can take longer to boil. However, you can get better overall performance from the oven. Models are slightly less expensive than gas ranges but also cost a bit more to operate from month to month. Electric ranges come with a wide range of burner types, including Open-Coil Burner, Smooth-Top, and Halogen.

Cooktop and Wall Oven Set

This style offers more flexibility in terms of placement because the cooktop and wall oven aren't connected. However, it requires more installment/carpentry expertise in many cases than a freestanding range.

Freestanding Ranges

The range and oven are all-in-one. These typically cost less than cooktop and wall oven combos. They are easier to install in most cases, but the oven and range height are fixed.

Dual-Fuel Ranges

Offers a gas cooktop for quick response with good temperature control and includes an electric oven for more even heating.

Convection or Trivection

Convection is an oven option that uses fans to circulate heat more evenly throughout the oven, which cooks food faster while using less energy and heat. One plus is that there is no need to place cooking trays on certain levels of the oven since heat is distributed evenly. You can switch between conventional baking and roasting and/or convection baking and roasting. In addition to convection, another speedier cooking option is trivection, which uses thermal heating, convection, and microwave heating power.

Commercial-Style

With the home chef and kitchen upgrade trends, some people want the professional look and power of a commercial range. Most commercial-style ranges have at least four and sometimes up to eight burners.