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Spring is around the corner and you’ve decided it’s time to make a change to the centerpiece of your kitchen. Whether you’re renovating for a new fresh look or simply need to replace a broken appliance, knowing what your options are for when shopping for a range is important. However, before we get into ranges, let’s take a quick dive into clarifying what a range actually is.
What’s the Difference Between a Range, Oven, and Cooktop?
When you’re shopping for kitchen appliances, you probably hear the words range, oven, and cooktop thrown around a lot. What does each of these terms mean? Are they interchangeable? It’s important to understand what each of these appliances offers before knowing what’s right for you. Let’s start by looking at ovens. An oven is a versatile appliance that can bake, roast, and broil your favorite meats, veggies, and baked goods.
A cooktop is a countertop appliance that usually features a number of burners that you can use to warm foods in pots and pans. Lastly, a range is an appliance with a cooktop on the top surface and an oven underneath it.
Each of these appliances has its own pros and cons, but generally, you can expect ranges to be more budget-friendly, because it can be seen as two appliances in one. However, they’re typically not as flexible when it comes to customizing styles and designs for your kitchen.
Gas vs Electric
When you have to choose a fuel source for your perfect range, you usually have either electricity or gas to choose from. Some experts argue that electric ranges will usually outperform gas ranges in a few areas, but each type has its advantages depending on whether you’re baking, simmering, broiling, or roasting. Only about half the homes in the US can access natural gas, so for many people, electric ranges are the only option. Though electric ranges tend to be just a bit more expensive upfront than gas ranges, in most areas of the US, natural gas costs less than electricity, so operational costs will be less.
It’s difficult to say definitively that gas or electric ranges are better because functionality differs between brands and models. Some models of electric and gas are better than others. For example, this GE 5.3 cubic foot gas range is a great example of a top-quality, perfect range that includes a fifth burner with a built-in griddle, so it’s easy to make all your favorites, while this Amana 4.8 cubic foot freestanding electric range provides a stunning, high-end finish.
What Types of Ranges Are Available?
There are a few different types of ranges available, each with different features. Here’s what you need to know about each:
Freestanding range – Freestanding ranges are just what they sound like – ranges that can be put anywhere in your kitchen. The sides are finished so that they look good whether they’re standing on their own or between cabinets. These ranges can either feature a control panel on the back or control knobs on the front for a more modern look.- Slide-in range – Slide-in ranges have unfinished sides because they’re designed to fit in between cabinets.
- Double oven range – Double oven ranges, as mentioned below, have two separate ovens to maximize your cooking efficiency.
- Pro range – A pro range has the look, feel, and features similar to a range you’d find in a professional kitchen.
Which type you choose depends on what exactly you’re looking for and what fits in with the decor of your kitchen. You’ll also be able to choose if you want an induction cooktop like this Insignia model. Induction cooktops transfer heat directly into magnetic cookware, making cooking safer and more efficient.
What Size Range Should I Choose?
When it comes to choosing the right size range, it all comes down to what size fits into the space you have available in your kitchen. Be sure to carefully measure the space where you plan to put your perfect range. It’s important to keep in mind that 30 inches is the standard size for most ranges, but they do come in a variety of sizes that are bigger or smaller than 30 inches.
One Oven or Two?
You may have the option to install either one full-sized oven or two smaller ones. Which you choose should depend on your needs as a cook. If you entertain a lot of use your oven to cook multiple dishes every night, you may find that you’re trying to make two recipes that need to be cooked at two different temperatures. This is where having two separate ovens can be a benefit. You can set the two ovens to two different temperatures, making cooking multiple dishes at once a breeze.
Overall, a double oven range will give you more versatility when you’re cooking, but one of the biggest downsides is that the bottom oven is very low to the ground. This can create an issue if you have trouble bending over. However, for the most part, these ovens are great if you plan to cook a lot and you’re looking for a high-capacity option, like this GE 6.8 cubic foot freestanding double oven.
Should I Choose a Range With Wi-Fi?
Many home appliances are now coming with “smart” features that encourage interconnectivity of devices throughout your home. Ranges are no different, with many models on the market coming with Wi-Fi connectivity. But is this just a gimmick? Not necessarily. Have you ever started cooking something just to realize that you forgot to preheat the oven? Or you forgot to set a timer? Now you can easily control these functions with your smartphone or home assistant. You can set the temperature on your oven, set a timer, receive alerts about your perfect range, or turn the range off with a few simple clicks. This can be a lifesaver for people who are always on the go.
However, don’t simply pay extra to buy an appliance because it comes with Wi-Fi unless you believe it will be truly useful to you. In the future, we can expect to see more smart appliances with even more functionality on the market, but right now, it’s just a cool feature.
Get Started With Your Perfect Range
If you’re ready to get your perfect range without breaking the bank, check us out! FlexShopper has easy weekly payments to fit any budget and with thousands of products to choose from. We’re sure to have a range that fits your need. Contact us today!
