Ranges: Reviews

The Electrolux EW30EF65GS is one of the top performers in two professional reviews of electric ranges. Reviewers say this range produces excellent results for every type of task: baking, broiling and stovetop cooking. It… expandhas touch-screen controls, a convection oven, a separate warming drawer and a smoothtop surface, which hides radiant heating elements under a flat layer of glass. It also features the modern stainless-steel finish so popular in design magazines and on home-improvement TV shows. Users rave about this range's numerous features, but some acknowledge that the controls can be a bit confusing. This range is backed by a one-year warranty. A gas version is also available. collapse

Sleek smoothtops aren't just for high-end ranges anymore. The Samsung FE-R300SX combines a smooth, easy-to-clean cooktop with a huge 5.9-cubic-foot oven, but it doesn't include many common extras found on higher-priced… expandranges, such as a convection feature in the oven or a warming drawer. However, professional reviewers and owners agree that its performance is excellent across the board: baking, boiling and simmering. Most users also say it is easy to clean, although a couple lament the lack of a separate broiler and the limited amount of storage space in the lower drawer. Unlike many budget ranges, the Samsung FE-R300SX has a stainless-steel finish, though choosing the white or black version will save you $100 or so. It has a one-year warranty. collapse

The LG LRG3095ST gas range gets high marks from experts and owners alike for its cooking performance. This range excels at baking, broiling and simmering, though reviewers say it's slower than some ranges at bringing… expandwater to a boil. Its roomy 5.4-cubic-foot oven has a convection feature and seven rack positions for maximum versatility. Most users say the cooktop performs well on every heat setting; their most common complaint is that the timer alert sound is too quiet to hear from outside the kitchen. The LG LRG3095ST range has a stainless-steel finish, but it also comes in black and white for about $60 less. It is covered by a one-year warranty. collapse

We had a hard time identifying a well-reviewed budget gas range. But most users appear to be happy with the Hotpoint RGB745DEPWH, a bare-bones gas range that includes only the most basic of features. Its 4.9-cubic-foot… expandoven, though not as large as some, is still large enough for a big family meal. This Hotpoint range has a self-cleaning cycle, but it lacks such extras as a convection feature and a warming drawer. Its cooktop has four sealed burners, including one high-power burner, but the grates are stainless steel rather than more durable cast iron. Also, it comes only in white or bisque, not stainless steel or black. Most owners say that this range cooks well and is easy to clean, though professional tests find its broiling performance to be below average. The Hotpoint RGB745DEPWH has a one-year warranty. collapse

Serious cooks sometimes prefer dual-fuel ranges because they combine the precision and accuracy of a gas cooktop with the even cooking performance of an electric oven. Ranges in this category can cost several thousand… expanddollars, but the Bosch HDS7282U offers comparable performance and nearly as many features as a professional-style range for less than half the price. It includes a 4.6-cubic-foot electric convection oven, a warming drawer and continuous cast-iron grates on the gas-fueled cooktop, which allow pans to slide easily from burner to burner. In one recent professional test, it is recommended for its even cooking and ease of use, and the one user review we found praises its roomy oven as well. However, the user notes that for a professional chef, it might be more useful to have more high-power burners and skip the low-power simmer burner. This range has a sleek stainless-steel finish and comes with a one-year warranty. collapse

Induction cooking uses a magnetic field to heat the cookware (which must be made of a magnetic material, so not all cookware will work) while leaving the cooktop itself cool to the touch. Professionals and users say that… expandthis technology shortens cooking times, especially for basic tasks like boiling water. In two recent professional tests, the GE Profile PHB925SPSS excelled at nearly every kitchen task -- baking, boiling, broiling and simmering. It offers a large 5.3-cubic-foot convection oven with a variety of handy features, and it has a stainless-steel finish. Users say the range cooks quickly and evenly and praise its responsiveness, which many say is comparable to that of a gas stove. Most also find it easy to clean. The most common complaint: The control panel can be hard to read. This GE range comes with a one-year warranty, with the cooktop itself covered for an additional four years. collapse