Range Review

Comparing kitchen ranges

Kitchen ranges differ mainly in features, appearance and the fuel used to power the cooking elements: gas, electricity or a combination of the two. According to professional tests and consumer reviews, electric range ovens cook more evenly than gas ovens. Electric cooktops feature either heating coils, which use direct heat, or a smoothtop surface, which is covered with a flat layer of ceramic or glass and uses radiant heat elements. Many users say they prefer smoothtops because they are stylish and easy to clean. Given the popularity of smooth cooktops, coil elements are usually found only on budget ranges under $500.

Some experts say electric cooktops are better, as well; they often heat food more quickly and maintain low heat more evenly than gas. However, many users prefer cooking over a gas flame that they can see and adjust instantly, unlike electric burners that take time to heat up and cool down. Gas ranges are also less expensive to operate, according to some experts, but they tend to cost a little more at the outset. It's also harder to find a cheap model that delivers good performance. According to the editors of CNET, it costs roughly 7 cents to power a gas oven at 350 degrees for one hour, compared with 16 cents for an electric oven. Of course, your savings may vary based on local utility rates. The burners on a gas range are measured in British thermal units (Btu), and they can be powered by natural gas or liquid propane, although natural gas is more common.

Professional cooks often gravitate toward dual-fuel ranges, which combine an easy-to-control gas cooktop with the even cooking of an electric oven. However, dual-fuel ranges are more expensive than gas or electric ranges, generally costing $1,500 or more. While some serious cooks may prefer a dual-fuel range, ConsumerReports.org editors are skeptical, saying they see no advantage to this style.

Most ranges measure 30 inches wide, although it's possible to find compact models as narrow as 24 inches and wider versions of 36 inches or bigger. Stainless steel is a popular finish -- so popular that many ranges now come in stainless steel only, although others offer black or white finishes for about $100 less. Ranges can come with a variety of extra features, but two especially popular ones are convection ovens and warming drawers. Convection ovens use a fan to circulate air within the oven, cutting cooking time and heating food more evenly. Warming drawers keep food warm in a separate compartment until it's ready to serve. Both of these features used to be pricey add-ons, but you can now find them on some budget-friendly ranges as well.

Reliability is another factor to consider. J.D. Power and Associates surveys more than 5,000 consumers to gauge satisfaction with their ovens and ranges. This survey covers 10 factors, including performance, reliability, style, price and ease of use. High-end manufacturer Wolf claims the top spot, followed closely by Samsung. Amana is the worst performer by a considerable margin.

This report covers freestanding ranges, which have finished sides and can stand by themselves or be placed between kitchen cabinets. Slide-in ranges do not have finished sides and must be tucked into a kitchen counter or island, but these ranges aren't covered very often in reviews. However, you can expect performance to be similar to the freestanding ranges discussed below. Wall ovens have a separate cooktop and are built into a kitchen wall or cabinet. ConsumerSearch covers each of these kitchen appliances in a separate report.

Range reviews

ConsumerReports.org has the best, most credible reviews of ranges. Editors test more than 100 gas, electric and dual-fuel ranges by boiling water, simmering sauces, melting chocolate, baking cakes and cookies and broiling burgers. Each range's self-cleaning feature is tested with a baked-on mixture of eggs, tapioca, lard, cheese, cherry pie filling and tomato puree. Good Housekeeping also tests more than 25 freestanding ranges using similar methodology and names eight top picks -- one budget model and one "splurge" in each of four categories. However, there's no information in this report about the models that aren't recommended.

For information about the overall reliability of different brands, we consulted the J.D. Power and Associates Kitchen Appliances Study. In this survey, more than 5,000 respondents rate brands based on factors such as reliability, price, styling and features. However, this survey provides no details about individual range models. As with most appliances, user reviews are very helpful, because they reveal information about long-term performance and durability that often can't be measured in a professional review. We found a good number of owner reviews at retailers like HomeDepot.com and Sears.com. We also consulted user review sites like Viewpoints.com and Epinions.com.