Cook Up a Feast with the Best Range
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Maytag Gemini 6.7 Cu. Ft. Freestanding Electric Range -
Samsung 5.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Gas Range -
Professional 30" Stainless Steel Freestanding Gas Range -
KitchenAid 6.5 Cu. Ft. Slide-In Gas Range -
Whirlpool 5.8 Cu. Ft. Slide-In Gas Range -
LG 6.3 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel EasyClean Electric Range -
Buyer's Guide
Most home kitchens contain a range for their convenience, functionality, and relative affordability. A range combines a cooktop and an oven into one neat appliance with a wide variety of available styles, features, and capacities. Simple electric ranges can typically be found at affordable prices, while expensive dual-fuel models wouldn’t be out of place in a high-end home. Whether you’re looking for something simple and affordable or something stylish and professional, we’ve compiled the following lists of the best ranges available in 2022. For a more detailed guide to finding the best range for your kitchen, be sure to also check out our buying guide below.
Comparing the Best Ranges of 2022
Maytag Gemini 6.7 Cu. Ft. Freestanding Electric Range - Best Range Overall
The sleek and stylish Maytag MET8820DS offers you the look and feel of a powerful electrical range. This freestanding electric range offers five radiant elements on its smooth cooktop so it’s easy to clean with only a quick wipe to clean up most spills. This range has a combined 6.7 cubic foot capacity for both ovens, offering true convection with Maytag’s EvenAir technology. EvenAir utilizes a third element and a fan to ensure powerful cooking performance and consistent temperatures. Additional features include quick preheating, a Sabbath mode, delay bake, and metal control knobs with a stainless steel handle for a premium look and feel.
Samsung 5.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Gas Range - Runner Up
Samsung's FX710 freestanding gas range combines excellent features and performance with Samsung quality and reliability. Featuring a spacious 5.8 cubic feet of capacity for its convection oven, a warming drawer, and five sealed burners as well as a griddle; all the bases are covered from helping you prepare simple hot snacks to cooking a nice family dinner. This range is easy to use and easy to clean, and your children are kept safe thanks to the safety lock feature.
The most common complaint with the FX710 is uneven and unreliable heat in the oven; this is usually due to the gas source as opposed to the range, as most modern high-output gas ranges require an adequate gas source to function properly. While this usually isn't a problem, to ensure proper precise and even cooking, it may be worthwhile to get your gas source checked out before purchasing any range. If this won't be an issue for you, the Samsung FX710 is an excellent all-around gas range that does everything competently.
Professional 30" Stainless Steel Freestanding Gas Range - Honorable Mention
The stainless steel Frigidaire FPGF3077QF offers a tremendous amount of performance for a reasonable price. This freestanding gas range has a huge 6.1 cubic foot capacity convection oven while the cooktop has five gas burners to accommodate a variety of cooking tasks. There’s also numerous features such as a temperature probe, a hidden bake element for easy cleaning, dual timers to keep track of both the oven and the cooktop, and a Sabbath mode.
This oven offers a convenient self-clean feature, including a quick self-clean option that takes only two hours to complete. Automatic convection conversion takes the guesswork out of cooking times, an auto oven shut-off safety feature, and the dishwasher safe continuous grates minimize the chance of spills. The oven controls can present a bit of a learning curve, but overall the controls are simple enough to use once you get used to them.
KitchenAid 6.5 Cu. Ft. Slide-In Gas Range - Consider
The KitchenAid KSGB900ESS slide-in gas range offers excellent overall performance, useful features, and sleek styling. This range has five sealed burners that can handle almost any kitchen task, ranging from gentle simmering to quick boiling. The massive 6.5 cubic foot capacity convection oven includes a convenient self-cleaning function as well as a steam rack for added interior moisture for specific baking and cooking projects. There's also a wireless probe feature which allows you to monitor oven temperatures from afar, while automatic temperature conversion for convection cooking eliminates potentially disastrous guesswork. The KSGB900ESS also has a separate baking drawer with its own temperature controls, making this gas range an idea option for anyone who frequently cooks for multiple visitors. With easy to use touch controls and powerful performance, the KitchenAid KSGB900ESS is an excellent choice.
Whirlpool 5.8 Cu. Ft. Slide-In Gas Range - Best Slide-In Gas Range
If you don’t want to stretch your budget too far, you may wish to consider the Whirlpool WEG730H0DS. This slide-in gas range strikes a compelling balance between the more basic models and pricier, feature-laden options. Five burners with full-width continuous cast iron grates offer plenty of culinary versatility, including a dedicated SpeedHeat burner for tasks such as boiling, searing, and frying. The 5.8 cubic foot convection oven provides a built-in sensor to monitor and ensure consistent temperatures along with delay bake, quick preheat, and Sabbath mode. The oven also features AquaLift self-cleaning technology which uses just water and heat to clean the oven, eliminating the need for harsh chemicals. This stylish slide-in gas range offers excellent all-around performance for a reasonable price.
LG 6.3 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel EasyClean Electric Range - Best High End Slide In Electric Range
The LG slide-in range uses four radiant elements and a 5.4 cubic foot convection oven, which is more than enough space for most households. The oven compartment features a unique blue interior with three oven racks, and functional features such as delay bake, self-clean, and Sabbath mode are included. The cooktop includes a dual power element for a wide variety of cooking tasks and can accommodate many different types of cookware as well. The units touch controls are easy to use and allow you to precisely control heat levels from boiling water to precise simmering. Versatile and stylish, the LG is a good overall option for a premium slide-in electric range.
Buyer's Guide
With the increase in tech advancements over the years, cooking in the kitchen has gotten a lot easier. A range is a kitchen appliance that offers a versatile cooking area. It combines two of the most important tools for cooking: a stove and an oven.
With so many range options available, making a confident purchase decision can be quite intimidating. This is why we have put together a buying guide that will help narrow your search for the best ranges.
What should you consider before buying a range?
Size
The wider the width of a range, the larger its size. The most common range size is 30 inches wide, but some brands also have 20", 24", 36", 48", and even 60-inch selections. For a more seamless purchase process, ensure you check the space available in your kitchen and also the range installation type before buying one.
Installation Type
- Free-standing ranges - Free-standing ranges are the easiest to install and the most common range type. They have finished sides and can stand alone in your kitchen. They can also stay between cabinets or at the end of a cabinet run. Free-standing ranges have a backsplash where you can most often find the controls and the oven clock.
- Slide-in ranges - These ranges must be placed between two cabinets. They give your kitchen a seamless, built-in look, with controls mostly located in front of their burner. This means you never have to reach over a hot surface to adjust the knob.
- Drop-in ranges - These are similar to slide-ins in the location of their controls. A slight difference is drop-in ranges require customized cabinets for a tight fit. They can be easily identified by a strip of cabinetry under their oven.
Operation Type
Before buying a range, it is important to know the mode of operation to decide if it's right for you. There are three types of ranges:
- Electric ranges - These come in the coil-top, smooth-top, and induction-top models. The coil-top model is the least expensive and uses exposed heating elements directly on the cookware. It tends to distribute heat unevenly and is hard to clean. Smooth-top models are more common with a solid disk beneath a ceramic glass cooktop. The ones made of stainless steel are durable, easy to clean, and not prone to damage. Induction-tops have the fastest stovetop for boiling water or cooking as they use magnetic coils to turn magnetic-based cookware into a heat source.
- Gas ranges - When cooking, response time is particularly fast. The cookware and food experience a change almost immediately after the knob is turned. Gas is much easier to control than electric and allows you to have more control over what you cook. With gas, there is less risk of burning your food too. Be sure to have a supply of gas hooked in your kitchen before purchasing a gas range.
- The dual-fuel range - This range utilizes both the electric and gas— it has a gas cooking surface and an electric oven. The range is built with features like electric convection ovens, glass touch screens, and sometimes Wi-Fi. Although a bit pricey, the dual-fuel range can give you the best of both worlds and leave you feeling empowered in the kitchen.
Oven Capacity
A spacious oven can come in handy when you have guests or lots of people to cook for. Double oven ranges have two separate ovens that are capable of being set at different temperatures. Double oven ranges are very useful for carrying out tasks like baking or roasting simultaneously. Some other roomy features to look out for include rack space and a bottom storage drawer.
Number of Burners
Ranges typically have four burners on their stovetop, but some models now have five burners or even more. This also allows for simultaneous cooking and is beneficial for those who cook for a large number of people.
Budget
Your budget is an important factor to consider before purchasing a range. Electric ranges are usually less expensive than their gas counterparts. To know the more affordable pick, in the long run, you should compare the rates of your natural gas and electricity bills.
Safety
An electric range is considered safer when compared to a gas range, especially if you have young children. This is because there will be no chance of a gas leak.
Color
Ranges are mostly available in some sort of finished steel. However, in addition to regular stainless steel, you can also find black or white finishes. Colors such as red or green are mostly found in high-end dual-fuel ranges. Be sure to select the color that suits your kitchen's design and other appliances.
It is advisable to select ranges with a transparent window on their oven doors. This helps you keep track of food without opening the oven door and losing heat in the process.
What are features to look out for in the best range?
Control lockout
This feature is very beneficial, especially if you have young children in the house. It allows you to disable the controls on the range so kids can't accidentally turn on the gas flame or electric elements.
Multiple ovens
Some ranges have two built-in ovens for more flexibility. If you want to cook multiple things in the oven at different temperatures, a dual-oven range would be ideal.
Warning lights
This feature lets you know when the stovetop is still hot. It is particularly useful for electric smooth-tops as you can't see the heat.
Warming drawers
This keeps your food warm before serving so you don't have to meticulously plan out the timing of your meal.
Self-clean feature
Although a range with a self-clean feature may be high in price, it is certainly a good investment to make. A more budget-friendly option may be to purchase ranges with sealed burners. This prevents food from spilling over, thereby making your cleaning process a breeze.
What are some of the benefits of ranges?
Money-saving - Cooking ranges use less energy to do more tasks, ultimately saving you money.
Speed - They are quick to heat up, resulting in less time to prepare and cook whatever you need.
Durability - Quality ranges last for a good number of years.
Style - Cooking ranges fit into your cabinets perfectly to give your kitchen an overall modern look.
Best Ranges FAQs
Q: Can I use any cookware for induction-tops?
A: No. Aluminum, copper, or glass cookware cannot be used for induction tops. The cookware needs to be made of a magnetic-based material.
Q: Does my gas range need electricity to function?
A: Gas ranges only require a 110v outlet to function. But when the power is out, you can strike a match on the gas burner.
Q: What is a backsplash?
A: It is the panel in front or at the back of your range that holds the controls.
