Kitchen Range Buying Guide

Today's ranges offer a wealth of options when it comes to functionality, finishes, size, and oven capacity. Gas or electric ranges can give you fine performance. Dual-fuel ranges combine a gas cooktop with an electric oven. An induction-style range, the most energy-efficient stovetop, employs an electro-magnet below a ceramic surface that transfers heat to pots and pans.

Freestanding ranges for the most part are more economical to purchase than any other type of cooking range.

Dual-fuel ranges combine a gas stovetop with an electric oven. Electric smoothtop ranges sell the most overall and are tops in performance and value. Ranges vary in width from 24 to 60 inches, with professional-type stoves in the 36- to 60-inch range being the most expensive. Models include slide-in and freestanding gas and electric ranges that sport four gas burners or four electric coil elements. You'll also find ranges equipped with high-power and low-simmer burners and convection ovens and smooth-top electric ranges in this price range.

Midpriced ranges, costing from $1,000 to $3,000, include the features of standard ranges but offer larger oven-door windows, high-tech temperature and timer controls, and enhanced culinary convenience. Gas ranges might feature full-width or continuous iron burner grates (electric ranges might have a bridge element) that let you easily move pots around the stovetop. Dual-fuel ranges appear in this price range, as do ranges with vertically stacked double ovens and ovens with extra rack settings and specialty racks.

Most have capacious single or side-by-side ovens (60-inch ranges offer 8 cubic feet of oven space), oftentimes pairing a convection oven with a conventional oven. Stand-alone ranges are best for kitchens where you're simply replacing a range or where the range is the centerpiece, as with professional-style ranges. There are three major types of ranges: electric, gas and dual-fuel. Freestanding ranges are easy to install.

How to choose Range Buying Guide

Love BBQ? Choose a range that did well in broiling. And if you're sweet on desserts, look for models with strong baking scores. A roomy range also helps if you entertain often; we measure space you can actually use. Kitchen appliances such as cooking ranges require a considerable investment especially if you prefer the higher end, full-featured or professional models.

• Cost Range. Shoppers can expect to pay $300 for an entry-level electric coil range with manual clean oven and up to $2,500 or more for a stainless dual-fuel range with convection heating.
• Focus on convenience. Look for at least one high-powered burner or element for quick heating. Expandable electric smoothtop elements let you match their size to the pot or pan. Ranges with at least five rack positions provide added flexibility.
• Don't buy by Btu. Short for British thermal unit, range and cooktop Btu are often a selling point at the store. But that measure merely indicates the amount of gas used and heat generated, not performance.
• Size. The standard width of a residential range is 30 inches, but higher-end ranges can extend to 36 inches and beyond. The oven compartment on a typical range is 5 cubic feet, compared to just over 3 cubic feet in a typical wall oven.

Electric ranges
Most smoothtop ranges have four surface elements in three sizes: one or two medium-power elements (about 1,500 to 1,800 watts), a small element (about 1,200 watts), and one or two large ones (more than 2,000 watts, often 2,500 watts or more).

Gas ranges
The capacity of a burner is measured in British thermal units (Btu) per hour. Most gas ranges have four surface burners in three sizes: one or two medium-power burners (about 9,000 Btu), a small burner (about 5,000 Btu.) and one or two large ones (about 12,000 Btu or more).

LG LDE3037ST 30 In. Freestanding Electric Double Oven with Infrared Grill Broiler - Stainless Steel
"This LG LDE3037ST 30 In range is a compliment to any kitchen. Being able to cook two thing with different temperatures is a real pleasure. The only thing I am so happy with is the stovetop. I have had ceramic stovetops before and they cleaned up much better. This requires more cleaning but overall it is great. "

GE PGS950SEFSS Profile 30" Stainless Steel Gas Slide-In Sealed Burner Double Oven Range - Convection
"It looks expensive - and it should because it is expensive for a non-luxury brand. But you get what you pay for - the quality is there and you can see and feel the difference between this and your typical $1,400 range. It comes with an iron grill/griddle that runs on the center 5th burner (the existing grate must first be removed)."