Range, Oven and Cooktop Buying Guide

Is natural gas available in your home as a utility? You'll either need electric or gas connections for powering an electric or gas range stove. A dual fuel range oven requires both forms of energy, often sporting gas burners on top and an electric convection oven below for gourmet results.

Once you've verified your fuel options, measure your kitchen and the space designated for your new appliances. Look for installation instructions on the range, cooktop or wall oven you're interested in for exact cutout measurements to ensure a perfect fit.

Natural gas-powered ranges contain burners that emit flames. Cooking with gas allows for more precise control over the flame level and even heat distribution. A couple of downsides to gas include a potentially unstable flame and leaking gas lines. The best gas range depends on your needs and cooking style. Some ranges have storage drawers. If you’re going for a more commercial feel, open burners have a wide, even heat distribution for more uniform cooking. Some of the best gas stoves on the market have amenities that make cooking even easier, like integrated air fryers. Some also have protective features like electric ignitions and safety valves to reduce the risk of accidents. Gas ranges can cost between $500 and $2,300.

Select the best gas range for your home.

Electric ranges cook using electric coils or a smooth glass-ceramic cooktop. Compared to gas ranges, electric cooktops offer more stable heat for pots and pans, and they’re easy to clean. However, electric ranges use a lot of electricity, and they’re inoperable during a power outage. In addition, even the best electric stoves and ranges require a lot of time to heat up, unlike gas ranges. Aside from form and function, consider the style and how it coordinates with your other kitchen appliances. Electric ranges are available between $450 and $3,000.

Select the best electric range for your home.

Dual fuel ranges feature both gas flame cooktops for powerful stovetop searing and electric convection ovens that bake delicate food evenly. As dual fuel ranges are considered commercial stoves, their prices vary from $8,000 to $11,000, making cost the primary downside.

Induction ranges are often the most technologically advanced options. An induction cooktop uses an electromagnetic field to heat up only your food and cookware. Unlike electric or gas ranges, these models are capable of boiling water while leaving the kitchen and surrounding cooktop surface cool to the touch. This unique contact-activated technology means that induction ranges waste less energy from heat escaping before it reaches the food. Since the surface around the pan doesn’t get hot, cleanup is safer and easier than with a gas or electric kitchen appliance.

The caveat to induction ranges is that ordinary pots and pans will not heat up, so the range requires special cookware instead. Check the manufacturer's information to ensure your cookware is compatible with an electric induction cooktop. Whether you prefer a single-element or a multi-element range that’s built-in or freestanding, select the best induction cooktop that suits your needs. Induction ranges cost anywhere between $1,000 and $5,000.

When selecting a cooktop, it's important to consider how many burners you'll need and how much heat you want. Both built-in cooktops and cooktop ranges have many options, so you can choose from popular options like an eight-burner induction cooktop, a six-burner gas cooktop or a two-burner electric cooktop.

Gas heat is measured in British thermal units (BTUs) and electric heat in watts. The higher the measurement, the hotter the stove will get but most gas stove cooktops offer between 5,000 BTUs for small burners and 15,000 for larger burners. Electric burners measure from 1,000 to 2,500 watts, but some high-end models can offer up to 3,500 watts.

Although you may hear different accounts of the history of the word ‘stovetop,’ it was first mentioned in historical writings from Alsace, France around 1490. The earliest stovetops were made of tile or brick and heated with coals. Beginning in the 1930s, appliance manufacturers began producing gas-heated stoves that were coated in porcelain enamel. Although early electric stoves have been around since the early 1900s, they gained in popularity in the late 1940s.

A gas cooktop is the traditional option in most homes. Gas allows for more precise and immediate control of temperature and heats quickly.

To keep your gas stovetop in good working order, always remember to:

• Immediately clean up any spills to prevent food from burning or caking onto the stovetop surface.
• Only use cleaning products recommended by the stovetop manufacturer to prevent damage to the heating elements.
• Always follow any other maintenance tips outlined in the owner’s manual for your model.

An electric cooktop provides heat through electricity. These cooktops are available as coil element or smooth surface, and while a coil option is traditionally less expensive, smooth tops made of glass or ceramic are easier to clean and a have a sleeker and more stylish look.

• Regularly clean the electric coils by hand according to the manufacturer’s instructions. In most cases, you can wipe them with a damp cloth.
• Immediately clean up any spills to prevent buildup.
• Never submerge any electrical components in water.

Electric induction cooktops heat through electromagnetic energy. This new technology is very responsive and heats quickly but only works with certain cookware, like stainless steel or cast iron. One of the biggest benefits of an induction cooktop is that the surface doesn't get hot, making it ideal for households with small children and easy cleanup.

Using an induction element for cooking generates energy with electromagnetism from the cooktop surface into a magnetic skillet such as cast iron. If a magnet can stick to the bottom of a flat-bottomed skillet, it can be used with an induction cooktop.

• Don’t use overly abrasive clean products — such as steel wool — on induction stovetops.
• It’s best to use a cleaner that’s specifically recommended for induction stovetops.
• Make sure to wipe up any excess residue left behind from cleaning products to prevent stains.

Ceramic stovetops have radiant heating coils located underneath a ceramic glass surface. One of the greatest benefits of this type of stovetop is that it’s very easy to wipe spills clean. However, the surface can scratch easily if not cared for properly.

• Never use cookware that isn’t recommended for ceramic stovetop.
• Use a designated ceramic or glass stovetop cleaner to gently clean and polish the surface and prevent scratches.