Types of Kitchen Ranges

Ranges are all-in-one cooking appliances, with burners on top and one or more ovens below. They're the standard for most traditional kitchens and are a good choice for any sized kitchen. Ranges are available in gas, electric, and dual-fuel.

Selecting a range style that's best for your kitchen depends on your kitchen's design. Ranges come in three styles:

• Freestanding: Freestanding ranges stand alone without surrounding cabinetry. They have panels on both sides, giving it a "finished" look. Electric units typically have the controls on the backsplash, while gas units have controls on the front.

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

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

Electric ranges are known for providing a constant and even heat, but lack the speed and temperature control that gas offers. On the market today, almost all but the least expensive electric models are smoothtops. Smoothtops are sleeker and offer more features having expandable dual or triple elements that let you switch from a large, high-power element to a small, low-power element.

Gas ranges that are smoothtops have sealed burners, which prevent liquid messes and food debris from getting below the cooktop. These "gas-on-glass" models are similar to electric models with ceramic glass surfaces, except gas burners are under the smooth ceramic surface. Gas ranges are also available in stainless steel, another popular surface style.

Smoothtops make it easy to clean up spills, but require a special cleaner; dropped pots and sugary liquids can damage them. Coils are tougher and easier to replace, but require more cleaning time and effort.

Modular ranges are simply cooktops that can accommodate gas or electric heating elements and are compatible with a variety of custom cooking accessories. Some models come with heating elements and accessories included, others provide open bays allowing you to select exactly what accessories you want to use. Modular ranges are ideal if you often cook different dishes and like to have a wide range of options.