Range Buying Guide

If you're like most folks, your kitchen is first and foremost about cooking. Hi, I'm Lacey Howard, and the most popular range is still the tried and true one with four burners on top and an oven below, but there are so many choices, so let me show you what to consider when you're shopping for the range to suit your kitchen needs. Gas burners give you greater control and gas is an economical heat source. Electric burners are less responsive but they're easier to clean. Many bakers prefer the even heat of an electric oven. Torn between the two? Choose a dual fuel range. This range combines a gas cooktop with an electric oven. Whatever your heat source, the key to a responsive cook top is BTUs or British Thermal Units. Your cooktop should include a range of burners with different BTUs. For example, 1000 to 10,000 BTUs is ideal for general cooking. More than 10,000 BTUs is great for boiling, sauteing, and searing meat, and less than 1000 BTUs is appropriate for simmering or slow heating sauces. To determine the size of your range, be honest with yourself. Assess your cooking style and needs on a daily basis as well as for holidays and parties. Ranges are typically 30 inches wide, but there are options as slim as 24 inches and as wide as 60 inches. Always carefully measure the available space in your kitchen, width, depth, and countertop height. Look for a rangetop that includes everything you'll need. Four-burner cooktops are the most common options. Five and six-burner cooktops are available for busy home chefs. Smooth top ranges are sleek looking and very easy to clean. On many cooktops, you can change out some of the burners for grills, griddles, or other accessories. Consider how easy they are to clean and change. Ovens cook food in two main ways. Thermal is the conventional cooking method for both gas and electric ovens. One heating element is on the top for broiling, another is below for roasting and baking. In a convection oven, a fan circulates heated air, cutting cooking times up to 25%. Don't forget to consider the configuration of your range when you're shopping. A slide-in or a drop-in range has no back or side panels and its insulation is visible. Consequently, it must be placed between two cabinets. A freestanding range features finished side panels and so can stand alone or within cabinetry. Be sure to also assess your range's ventilation needs. Some ranges come with downdraft vents while others require you to purchase and install an overhead ventilation unit. If you're passionate about cooking, you can have a field day outfitting your range with all sorts of special features. Self-cleaning ovens have textured walls to absorb and burn away spatters. Digital displays allow you to set precise temperatures and exact cooking times. Downdraft vents pull steam and smoke down into the range and push it out through an exhaust duct. The look of a professional range like one you might see in a restaurant kitchen has become very popular. If this is the look you want, be sure you choose a range that's approved for residential applications. Professional ranges usually exceed code requirements in both wiring and weight. You want to choose a professional look or a professional grade range for your home kitchen. A pro-look range is wrapped in stainless steel and boasts restaurant-style knobs and grills. The unit's power, however, is similar to a standard gas or electric range. A pro-grade range is a high performance appliance designed for home use. It features more BTUs, heavier grates, and a higher level of control. Remember, if you choose a professional grade range, you must provide stronger ventilation. In addition to a great range, a warming drawer may make your culinary life easier especially if you enjoy cooking large meals or have to juggle multiple dinner schedules.