The kitchen range is one of the most important fixtures in the kitchen. It provides a cooktop and an oven in a single unit, making optimum use of space. Sleek, efficient and convenient kitchen ranges should inspire even the most unenthusiastic cook to turn out gourmet meals. The market is flush with a wide variety of kitchen ranges that cater from the most basic of needs to the most complex. A prospective buyer should evaluate a kitchen range based on its style, efficient functioning, capacity, and, basic and add-on features.

Evaluating a kitchen range - points to consider

Style

The two basic styles of kitchen ranges are electric and gas. Both types are equally popular and come with similar capacities and features. Opting for either a gas range or an electric range really comes down to a matter of personal preference and availablity. However, there is also a third option available - the combination kitchen range. This kind of a range is equipped with both types of burners so the user can switch between gas and electricity as needed.

Electric Kitchen Ranges

A comparison between gas and electricity tilts the balance in favor of electricity. This is because electricity is more widely available than gas and electric kitchen ranges tend to be less expensive than gas kitchen ranges. Electric kitchen ranges are classified on the type of heating element used. These may be radiant coil elements, solid hotplates, induction elements, halogen elements or ceramic radiant coils. Electric stove tops take a long time to get heated because the heating element has to get heated first and then create a flame. Controlling and varying the heat of electric burners is not very easy during cooking.

Traditional electric stovetops have exposed coils. These surfaces are easy to use once you get used to them. Easily accessible drip pans are provided to catch any spills. Newer electric kitchen ranges sport smooth cooktops. Such cooktops use ceramic radiant elements that get heated evenly and quickly.

Electric kitchen ranges with coil burners are generally less expensive than those with radiant burners.

Gas Kitchen Ranges

The most favorable feature of gas kitchen ranges is that they allow the user to regulate heat easily. Any experienced cook will testify that the right amount of heat given at the right time can make all the difference to the quality of the food being cooked. Gas kitchen ranges come fitted with burners of different sizes to suit different cooking processes. A well planned cooking process can yield a gourmet meal very quickly if a multi-burner gas range is used.

Gas kitchen ranges cost more than electric ones. The prerequisites for having a gas kitchen range installed is accessibility to gas supply. A 120 volt electric circuit is also required if your gas range has features like electronic ignition and lights.

Combination Kitchen Ranges

These ranges utilize the best of both the worlds. Combination kitchen ranges typically have four or more burner cooktops. Although the prices for combination ranges are not on the cheap side, they are more expensive when compared to electric or gas ranges of a similar size and capacity. Some manufacturers make the burners run on gas and the oven is electricity enabled. Electric ovens ensure precision temperature settings for the baking process.

Installation

To keep within your budget, find out about installation costs and add it to the cost of the kitchen range. Installation of gas kitchen ranges generally costs more than installation of electric kitchen ranges. If you are having a gas range installed, you may still need the services of an electrician as the operation of certain features of the gas range will require electric supply.

Your choice for a kitchen range should be guided by the amount of space your kitchen can spare for a range. Freestanding ranges can be installed easily given enough floor space. Slide-in or drop-in ranges are usually fitted between two cabinets. Any of these types of kitchen ranges can be accommodated in a cooking island also. Freestanding models are the most popular with slide-ins coming in a close second. Drop-in models are produced in limited numbers.

If you are replacing an existing kitchen range you will have to choose a similar size as your old one. However, if you are remodeling or building afresh, you will have several options to choose from.

Added Conveniences

Thaw frozen foot at specified temperatures, start and end cooking at desired times, and keep your food warm until you take it out. All of this can be done with or without you. Kitchen ranges with programmable timing options can really make life easy. You can have home-cooked food without spending all your time overseeing the cooking process. Smart kitchen ranges are great and convenient but you have to see what is best for your kitchen and your budget.

The oven included in your kitchen range will turn out perfectly baked goods if the heat distribution system inside the oven ensures even distribution. Ovens equipped with sensors do the job perfectly and consistently.

The traditional ovens that have been used for baking are also referred to as conventional ovens. They may run powered either by electricity or by gas. The new types of ovens are convection ovens and microwave ovens. While microwave ovens are generally standalone units or built-in models in high end kitchens, convectional ovens may be part of a kitchen range.

Dry heat is used for baking in both conventional ovens and convection ovens. The difference is in the way the heat is distributed. Convection ovens allow for even distribution of heat throughout the oven ensuring better and faster cooking. This happens because convection ovens are fitted with a fan that does the heat distribution. While using conventional ovens the user should place the item to be baked in an appropriate rack for proper baking, whereas in convection ovens, regardless of where the food is placed it gets baked properly.

Some people however, prefer conventional ovens to convection ovens as they believe that even distribution of heat interferes with the delicate process of dough/batter rising, which should happen slowly. So, choice of conventional or convection is based on personal preference. Convection ovens are estimated to be at least 25-30% faster than conventional ovens.

Fancy features are optional. First and foremost consider the performance of the burners on your kitchen range. Burners with different capacities are a must in multi-burner stove-tops. Simmer settings with gentle heat, medium settings with a little more heat and high-output burners- all these find a place in multi-burner cooktops. Simmer burners generally give a 550 BTU output and the high output burners may give up to 13,500 BTU.

Warming drawers are a boon for most families. The presence of these warming drawers allows the food to stay warm before it reaches the table. Families particular about having meals together find this feature to be very useful; it is also useful when you need to leave a meal warm for a latecomer. This feature is similar to a ‘keep warm’ mode in an oven. Some kitchen ranges come with keep warm modes on the cooktop itself. This is easily done in electric ranges by providing a low wattage burner for this purpose.

Control panels that are placed at convenient heights and have an easy-to-read display make a kitchen range very user-friendly. Features like hot-surface-indicator lights on the control panel prove to be very useful. This feature acts as a safeguard when you are working in a hurry. Analyze your working style and decide upon where you would find the controls easier to use. Your options for control panel placement will range from- on the front panel, in the centre of the cooktop to being placed at the back

Consider safety features like child-safe controls if you have small children at home. This will ensure that a kitchen range is not accidentally switched on, or an oven door opened by a child.

Self cleaning modes help in easing your weekly maintenance schedule. Ovens that are enabled with a self cleaning mode use a high temperature setting to burn out food spills and stains. Just wiping them out after the process is over, cleans the oven thoroughly. Ovens equipped with self cleaning systems have a lock-in mode wherein the oven cannot be opened when it is at a very high temperature. This lock-in feature helps avert accidents.

Maintenance Issues

Kitchen ranges are put to a lot of use and exposed to tremendous amounts of heat. So look for sturdy construction and read the warranty carefully. Check out which parts of the range are covered by the warranty. Most manufacturers offer a one year warranty on kitchen ranges in general.

Check oven racks for durability; they should be able to take the weight of large and heavy dishes. Broiler pans and dishes should be dishwasher safe for easy maintenance. If you are buying an electric kitchen range, evaluate the burners for coil replacement frequency. Cleaning can also be an issue, so be sure to choose ceramic glass cooktops that are easy to clean. Use recommended, good quality cleaning solutions to keep your kitchen range stain-free and sparkling.

Price ranges for kitchen ranges

Basic free-standing kitchen ranges with four burner cooktops will cost $300-$650. This price bracket will get you a gas/electric range with one convection oven with broil mode and will meet basic cooking needs. Manufacturers like Hotpoint, Avanti, Maytag, GE and Frigidaire make models to fit the basic category. You get to choose from options like smooth top, sealed burners and coil burners. The kitchen ranges in this category have a capacity ranging from 4 cubic feet to 5 cubic feet.

The next price bracket of $650- $950 will get you 4-5 burner cooktops with additional features like storage drawers, oven lights, oven door window, pilot-less ignition and a choice of exterior colors. GE, Whirlpool, KitchenAid, Maytag, LG, Frigidaire and Premier are the manufacturers to watch in this category.

When you step into the $1000-$2000 price bracket you get a choice of both gas and electric kitchen ranges with a wide array of features. Some manufacturers like GE offer some models equipped with double ovens that can bake, roast and broil, ensuring excellent baking results. Simmer burners, smooth cooktops, warming drawers, oven lights and a self cleaning mode are a few of the features that most ranges in this price bracket are equipped with.

Manufacturers like Frigidaire offer combination kitchen ranges in this category. While the cooktop has gas enabled burners, the oven is run on electricity. Many users prefer an electric oven as temperature settings are more accurate in electric ovens.

Manufacturers like DeLonghi, Jenn-Air, Wolf-Range, KitchenAid, American Range, Comstock-Castle and others make sleek kitchen ranges that are priced between $2000-$3000. Different manufacturers offer different combinations of features. While one may offer double convection ovens and six burners another might offer eight burners, one oven and a stainless steel finish. Most of the kitchen ranges in this price bracket have a capacity ranging from 3 cubic feet to 5 cubic feet.

The top-of-the-line kitchen ranges from all top manufacturers have features like warm and cold food storage, smart controls that allow programmable settings, and custom broil settings to name a few. Sleek finishes coupled with the best functional features describe the kitchen ranges available in the $3000- $4000 and more price bracket. Multi-burner capacities ranging from four to six, double ovens, warmer drawers, sealed burners, dual fuel options, storage drawers, pilotless ignition, oven lights, oven door window, and many more great features. Some manufacturers equip the ranges with two ovens that perform different functions. One oven, a convection one for baking, and, the other oven to roast and broil. Most of the kitchen ranges in this price bracket are heavy duty ranges with a 300,000-400,000 BTU rating.

From modestly priced kitchen ranges that cater to basic cooking needs, to pricey ones that are powerful, efficient and sleek, the market offers kitchen ranges to suit all budgets and needs. A thorough evaluation of different models of kitchen ranges will help you match a model with your budget and requirements.

Top Manufacturers

GE, Frigidaire, Maytag, Bosch, Whirlpool, Electrolux, and Amana are among the top manufacturers of kitchen ranges.