Types of Cooking Appliances - Ranges

Ranges continue to be the most popular style of cooking appliance. They are great when there is limited space for wall ovens because they are an all-in-one cooking appliance with a set of burners on top and one or more ovens below. Most commonly, they are available in gas or electric but also come in dual fuel and induction too. There are three styles of ranges available. Selecting a range style best for your kitchen will depend on your kitchen's design:

Free-standing Ranges

source: Maytag
Maytag, Model MER8875WS

Free-standing ranges can stand alone and do not need to be surrounded by cabinetry because they have finished panels on both sides. Freestanding electric ranges typically have the controls on the backsplash while freestanding gas ranges have controls in the front.

Slide-in Ranges

source: Maytag
Maytag, Model MGS5870ADC

Slide-in ranges do not have finished side panels and are meant to slide in between two cabinets offering a more built-in look. Controls on both electric and gas models are on the front and they usually come without a backsplash although some of the luxury brands offer backsplashes with shelves as an option on their professional style ranges.

Drop-in Ranges

source: Amana
Amana, Model ALY2280BDS

Drop-In ranges were more popular in the 60’s and 70’s but are less common today. Several manufacturers still offer them as replacements for older drop-in models. They're installed between two cabinets by lifting and dropping in.

Common Range Sizes

The most common electric range size is 30” wide, typically with 4 burners and one oven below. The most common gas range sizes are 30” and 36” wide which typically have 4 to 6 burners with one oven below.

Gas ranges also come in larger widths- 40”wide all the way up to 60” wide and can have up to ten burners with two ovens below. The larger gas ranges offer several options to customize your burners such as adding grills and griddles.

For really tight spaces or secondary kitchens, compact ranges are also available and are typically 24” wide with 4 burners and a small oven below.

Special Features and Options to Consider:

Programmable / Smart controls: Programmable timing options such as delay and time-bake cycles allow you to preset your oven to start and stop whenever you want.

Digital Display/ Electronic Controls: Provides easier to read controls and allows for more precise temperature settings.

12-hour Shutoff: Most modern ranges are equipped with an integrated twelve hour shut-off safety device. This feature automatically shuts the oven off after it has been left on for 12 hours.

Sabbath Mode: Allows override of the twelve hour shut-off, making it possible to keep cooked foods warm on the Sabbath or to use the range during religious holidays for cooking and warming food. This feature disengages tones, timer beeps and displays.

Child Lockout: Lets you lock the oven the control panel and is recommended for households with children.

Safety Indicator Lights: Indicates when a cooking surface is still hot or a burner is still on. In higher end models these lights are attractive LED lighting.

Pilotless Ignition: Saves gas that would otherwise be used by a pilot light, and reduces the chance of a gas leak.

Automatic Re-Ignition: If the burner turns off while cooking, this feature automatically re-ignites it.

Dual Fuel: Offers the advantages of gas cooking on the range top combined with electric cooking – usually convection – in the oven below.

High-Heat Burner: A high-heat gas burner can instantaneously increase cooking heat and allows you to quickly boil or sear foods to seal in flavor.

Simmer/Low Heat Burners: Both gas and electric models offer a simmer setting which allows certain burners to provide gentle, gradual heat which is great for cooking sauces or anything that needs to be slow-cooked.

Sealed Burners: Gas burners are available in the conventional grate configuration and in the sealed burner type. Sealed burners eliminate the space between the grate and the range top, stopping spills from running down into the space resulting in easier cleanup.

Dual Element Burners: Some electric ranges feature an inner ring for smaller pans and a large outer ring for larger pots and pans. A flick of the switch turns on the preferred size.

Bridge Element: This is an extra heating element between two main elements on a smooth-top cooktop which can be turned on to create a large surface for bigger pans such as griddles.

Convection Cooking: Often included in higher-priced models, both gas and electric, the convection oven will cook your food faster and more evenly.

Trivection/Speed Cook: A microwave feature in some electric ovens that speeds cooking. Trivection uses three technologies: thermal heating, convection, and microwaves to reduce cooking time.

Multiple Broil Settings: Allows you to broil different types of food at optimal temperatures.

Refrigerated Range: These specialty ranges combine the heat of an oven with cooling capabilities. This allows you to thaw an item in the oven throughout the day, then start cooking at a pre-programmed time. When cooking is done, the oven switches to a warming mode, keeping food warm until it’s time to eat.

Self-Cleaning: Uses high heat to clean your oven by burning off spills and splatters. Safety features include automatic door lock when the cycle is activated and then auto unlock when it is done. Some models include a countdown timer which informs you how much time is left until the cycle is finished.

Continuous-Clean Oven: Oxidizes dirt during normal cooking. It doesn't clean as completely as a self clean mode, but it avoids the need for special high-temperature cleaning cycles.

Multiple Racks & Positions: Most range ovens offer 3 racks while many high end range ovens offer 5 or more adjustable racks, offering more flexibility when baking and broiling. Look for smooth glide operation of racks as well.

Warming Drawers: Most common on 30” ranges, these warming drawers are found at the bottom of the range in place of the traditional storage drawer. Some offer a couple of warming temperatures, while others can actually be used for baking.

Warming Zones: More common on electric ranges & cooktops, this feature offers an additional element with a low-heat output to help keep food warm without overcooking.

Modular Cooktop: Allows you to customize your range top with grills, griddles, wok rings, baking stones, etc. These options are more common on gas ranges with 6 or more burners.

Seamless or Continuous Grates: Allows you to easily slide heavy pots between burners without doing any lifting.

Heavy-Duty Grate: For the largest burner, to support heavy pots.

Larger Oven Windows: Allows you to easily see the contents of the oven without opening the door.

Trim Skirts: Decorative trim that attaches to the legs of the range giving a built-in look.

Designer Finishes: Black or white finishes are the most common and the most budget friendly, but if you are looking for more style there are plenty of choices. Stainless Steel is a popular upgrade, and high end manufacturers are offering other metal like finishes such as black stainless, graphite, and even bronze. Luxury models also come in bright baked enamel colors and pearl-like finishes too.

Pricing Considerations for Ranges

When it come to cost –typically, the larger the size and the more features, the higher the price tag. You can get the most basic gas or electric, freestanding 30” range for as a low as $250 while a 30” freestanding electric range with induction cooking can run up to $2500. A 30” gas range with double ovens can run anywhere from $1200 to $2400. For larger size gas ranges, 48” and wider, prices can reach $8000 and higher! The more special features and options, the more you will pay, so it’s important to evaluate which features you can’t live without and which you can.