Size: Kitchen ranges come in a variety of sizes to adapt to your cooking needs. Common gas and electric range sizes are 30 inches wide. Pro-style ranges can begin at 30 inches and climb to 48 inches with custom configurations such as additional burners and ovens, and add-ons like griddles or woks. Even most smaller range sizes are still large enough to feature one high-power burner and a dedicated simmer burner.   

Capacity: When shopping for a new range, be sure to measure the space you can actually use not the space below the rack position. This also introduces the option of how many ovens you desire one or two? Many ranges come in single or double-oven configurations with the smaller oven on top and the larger oven located below. 

Double oven ranges are a great option if you want to roast two different foods at different temperatures. If you need to warm some leftover pizza as a pre-dinner snack, you can use the smaller oven on top to save time on preheating, and still access the bottom oven to prepare your main course.  

Type of Ranges

The three main options to consider for cooking ranges are freestanding, slide-in, and built-in. Freestanding ranges are easy to install and the most widely sold of all range types. You'll typically see the oven controls on the back panel above the surface of the cooktop. Slide-in ranges allow for a custom, built-in look that blends seamlessly between surrounding cabinetry. The oven controls are located on the front of the range and there is no back panel—drawing more attention toward your kitchen backsplash.  Built-in ranges are commonly dropped into custom cabinetry that includes a front panel where the cookware storage drawer is located.  

Electric Range: Ranges with a smooth and radiant electric cooktop are always a popular choice. Many electric models have high-power burners with expandable dual or triple cooking elements that allow you to switch from a large cooking element to a smaller, lower-power element within it. You may even find a warming element in the center of the range to keep side dishes warm while you prepare the entree. 

Electric ranges are quick to heat up up-top and their ovens produce an even and consistent heat. They are easy to install if you have a sufficient power outlet (240-volt), they are easy to clean, and they are the safest of the three options. 

Gas Range: If you’re an inspiring home chef, you might enjoy the versatility and accuracy provided by the open flame of a gas cooking range. The flame makes it easier to control the heat and provides a certain level of sensory feedback that you won’t find in an electric model. Most gas ranges have four to five burners of different sizes, typically with four main cooking burners and one side burner for simmering or reheating.  

Depending on your appliance model and natural gas rates in your area, gas-powered appliances can also be cheaper to operate and more energy-efficient, using less energy to transfer heat directly to your food.

Dual Fuel Range: A dual fuel range is the best of both worlds, combining the benefits of a gas cooktop and electric oven for a unique experience. Serious cooks prefer gas because they can explore more cooking techniques with responsive temperature control, and bakers are likely to be fans of electric appliances because the heat source is dry and is distributed evenly. If you’re a fan of both, this is where dual fuel comes in.  

A dual fuel option provides improved heat distribution, fast pre-heating, controlled heat source, fast-cooling burners, and potential cost savings. You don’t have to sacrifice your love of baking or your desire to experiment with new cooking techniques like roasting, charring, or flambéingyou can channel every one of your culinary aspirations with the right dual fuel range. 

Induction Range: Induction ranges allow you to cook at the highest and lowest temperatures. Instead of transferring heat to your food, induction cooktops use magnetic coils below the ceramic glass surface to send heat currents directly to the cookware or heating vessel. You can prepare meals faster than ever and boil or simmer steadily. You have ultimate control over your meal and your appliance because changes in temperature are immediate.  Induction is a safe, easy-to-clean, and energy-efficient cooking model that allows for versatility and consistency in the kitchen.