Types of Ranges

What's new in ranges

If it's been a while since you bought a range, you might be surprised at some of the features now available. Reviews say items like warming drawers and bridge burners are genuinely useful. The value of other new features, such as convection ovens and dual-fuel ranges, is a matter of preference. Design has also evolved. You'll now see a lot more stainless steel. High-end ranges have the appearance of commercial ranges, with large knobs, big windows on the door and heavy cast-iron grates over the burners.

Warming drawers are a feature now seen in less expensive ranges, as well as pricey ovens. In some models, the drawer keeps food warm or warms serving platters or bowls. Others allow you to cook small items in the warming drawer. In addition, more ranges now have a convection-capable oven. Convection ovens use a fan to circulate hot air throughout the oven, which helps food cook faster and promotes even browning.

Induction cooktops are the hottest item in cooking technology. These use electromagnetic technology to heat only the pan, leaving the burner plate cooler than a gas or electric radiant burner. Induction cooktops have become quite popular over the last few years and have fueled demand for freestanding ranges with induction burners. There are now two freestanding induction ranges available: the Diva de Provence 365 (*Est. $9,300) and the Kenmore Elite 99913 (*Est. $3,000). Unfortunately, neither has been included in professional tests, and there aren't enough owner reviews to give a clear picture of either model's performance. GE is also introducing a freestanding induction range, which should be in stores in July 2009. See our report on cooktops for more information on induction technology.

Many gas and electric ranges are available with "bridge" burners, which span the space between two regular burners. This is handy for large or odd-shaped pans, such as a griddle or large grill pan. Dual elements or burners can also be found on most gas and smoothtop ranges these days. These burners can accommodate two different-sized pots, usually up to 9 inches in diameter. A few models have a triple burner for even greater pot-size variety.

New types of timers are also cropping up. These allow you to program the range to turn on at a specific time in the future. Many of the newer models, including many GE and Frigidaire freestanding ranges, have a Sabbath mode that allows owners to observe religious holidays, using the range without having to turn it on (programming far in advance), a feature that might be useful for any busy family. More ranges have three racks -- or a half rack in some models. With several rack positions available, there is more flexibility when baking.

Dual-fuel ranges are also available; these combine easy-to-regulate gas rangetop burners with even-heating electric ovens. Though they are more expensive than conventional models, dual-fuel ranges have seen some price drops. In tests, dual-fuel ranges do not perform any better than gas or electric standard ranges, so it's really a matter of personal preference and budget. Keep in mind that the majority of dual-fuel ranges require a 240-volt outlet. Some dual-fuel ranges now come with a steaming option that eliminates the need for basting. This new technology is very expensive. The KitchenAid KDRP707RSS (*Est. $4,000) has a gas rangetop and convection oven with "Steam-Assist" function. In testing, however, this KitchenAid range wasn't as adjustable as others and had a hard time maintaining a low simmer.

Double ovens (with or without convection options) can be found more often at mid-range prices. Double ovens allow you to cook different foods at varying temperatures. High-end brands, such as Thermador and Viking, offer the largest feature set and can cost several thousand dollars. One of these luxury ranges is the La Cornue Chateau range, which is hand-built to order and combines a cooktop with both gas and electric ovens. Prices for the La Cornue range start at $42,500. AGA ranges are frequently seen on home-and-garden TV shows. These ovens have a retro look, but not retro technology. Made mostly of cast iron, the six-burner AGA A64D (*Est. $9,500) has four separate ovens for baking, roasting, broiling and simmering.

As in past versions of our report, the performance of expensive pro-style ranges as compared to more conventional ranges is mixed. Pro ranges usually have a more heavy-duty appearance, and they often feature six or more burners, as well as convection ovens or double ovens. In tests, however, standard mainstream ranges often perform as well or better at everyday tasks. Some high-end brands are also repair-prone.

Reviews say you can get a top-performing, full-featured range for a fraction of the cost of pro models. Some ranges, like the stainless-steel version of the mid-priced Frigidaire Gallery GLGF386DS (*Est. $800), mimic the look and features of pro-style ranges, with heavy-duty burner grates, varying-power burners and convection ovens.

When shopping for a range, you'll first need to decide between an electric, gas or dual-fuel range. If you're replacing an older range, then it's easiest to use the existing power supply (gas or electric), but if you are building or initiating a floor-to-ceiling renovation, you probably have a choice. Electric ranges are less expensive and more popular nationwide. The ovens also tend to heat more evenly. Gas ranges, on the other hand, cost a bit less to operate, and many cooks find the cooktop temperature settings easier to control. Dual-fuel ranges offer the best of both worlds, but are much more expensive to buy and install. Few homes have both 240-volt and gas connections for a range, so additional work is often required to install them. Owners say the necessary modifications can cost $1,000 or more.