Whether upgrading your old kitchen or fitting appliances into newly constructed kitchen space, choosing a kitchen range should not be confusing. But with the wide variety of kitchen ranges that are available on the market, deciding on the best model for your needs might feel daunting.
But before we choose the best one, Let’s talk about What Is a Range in a Kitchen?
In simple words, a kitchen range is an appliance that has both the oven and stovetop. So you will certainly understand that the range will be the focal point of your kitchen since this is where most of the cooking action will take place.
To make the right choice for your kitchen, you should know about various kinds of kitchen ranges in use.
Gas Ranges
Gas ranges need a steady supply of natural gas as fuel for cooking heat. Gas ranges can heat up quickly and allow for fairly good temperature control.
Although gas ranges tend to cost more than electric ranges, you will save money in the long term since gas is a cheaper cooking fuel than electricity. If you need to add a gas supply line to your home, then installation costs of the gas range will be even greater.
With gas ranges, you have to take care of one thing. Make sure that the gas supply is turned off when you don’t need a cooking flame. If you leave the gas supply on, then there is a risk of an explosion that can set your house on fire.
Electric Ranges
Electric ranges are very easy to work with and install since they require electricity to run. The stovetop of an electric range is characteristically smooth. The stove top does not protrude from the range surface in an electric range, unlike the gas range. Due to this reason, cleaning electric ranges is far easier than gas ranges.
Electric ranges do have a few caveats that you must consider, though. The increased simplicity comes at a cost. Electric ranges can take some time to heat up to the right temperature. The stovetop in electric ranges may be less precise, but the oven provides better temperature control and precision.
Working on an electric range may be easier than cooking on a gas range thanks to the smooth surface.
While electric ranges cost less than their gas counterparts, they are more expensive in terms of fuel costs. Electricity costs more than gas. And electric ranges need a heavy input of electricity to function properly. SO you will be looking at higher utility bills with an electric range.
Dual Fuel
Dual fuel may sound gimmicky, but in truth, it gives you the best of both worlds. You can decide to switch between gas and electricity whenever you want to. So if you want to save on utility costs, you can switch to gas. If you want convenience, then you can go for electricity.
You may want to cook certain easy recipes using electricity, while gas may be the best option for complex recipes that take longer to cook.
Dual fuel ranges can cost more, but their flexibility is unmatched.
Cooking ranges now come with high-tech features that you will want to consider to finalize your purchasing decision.
Should You Get a Gas or Electric Range?
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Should you go for gas or electric? If your home does not have a gas supply line, you may want to go for an electric range.
Electric ranges are a popular choice since they are inherently safer. There is no chance of an unattended gas leak that could set a home on fire.
Smooth top electric ranges sport a good mix of performance and price. Hence, 60% of cooking ranges sold are now electric.
Although electric ranges have a low price, their running costs are often higher than gas ranges. You should carefully look into electricity costs in your area before buying one. If the cost of electricity is high in your area, then it will be better to buy a gas range and invest in a gas supply line if your home does not have one.
Your choice will also depend on your cooking preferences. Bakers often go for electric ovens due to their consistent temperatures. However, gas-powered cooktops can visually indicate heat levels, which is important to many cooks and chefs. They also heat up to the right temperature quickly.
Electric ranges come in two forms. In coil-top models, the heating element is exposed. Your pots and pans will go directly on top of these exposed elements. They are less expensive, but they are also available in fewer colors.
One drawback is that coils must be removed for cleaning these ovens.
But in smooth top electric ranges, heating elements are kept underneath the ceramic glass cooktop. Cleaning up this smooth surface is convenient. They also look good thanks to the smooth and aesthetically appealing cooktop surface.
Induction Top Ranges
Induction top models use magnetic fields to generate heat from compatible cookware. If your cookware can attract a magnet, then it is compatible with induction top ranges.
Since induction top ranges don’t generate heat directly themselves, they remain cool, unlike electric and gas ranges. Only compatible cookware will build up heat on induction ranges.
In induction ranges, the oven uses convection currents driven by fans to deliver more heat and thus improve heat transfer.
When considering a gas range, be sure to check up on the BTU or heating capacity of the model. Higher BTUs means more heating capability.
Our Final Thoughts
Whether you opt for an electric, gas, or induction range, a lot depends on your personal preferences. Now that you know what is a range in a kitchen, you can consider the factors mentioned above to finalize your cooking range purchase decision.
