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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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