Getting started
Gas or electric ranges can give you fine performance. Serious chefs often prefer gas for the quick response and visual confirmation of a flame. But electric elements generally heat faster and maintain low heat more precisely. Dual-fuel ranges combine a gas cooktop with an electric oven though we've found no advantage in that combination. You'll also find induction ranges, which use an electromagnetic field to heat the pot or pan more quickly and effectively while leaving the cooktop surface cooler.
Electric smoothtop ranges sell the most overall and are tops in performance and value. The best blend superb heating and simmering with a large oven and maybe a cooktop warming zone that keeps the vegetables warm while you cook the main course. Induction ranges heat roughly 25 percent faster than conventional electric smoothtop models, using an electromagnetic field that heats mostly the pot or pan.
Climbing the social ladder
Most ordinary electric and gas ranges are 30 inches wide, while the huge pro-style gas models favored by decorators may span 36 inches or more. But more ordinary ranges now have beefy knobs, rugged grates, and stainless trim for far less money. In this range guide, we compare and contrast types and features.
How to choose
Love steaks? Choose a range that did well in our broiling tests. And if you're sweet on desserts, look for models with strong baking scores. A roomy range also helps if you entertain often; we measure space you can actually use. Then keep these tips in mind:
Focus on convenience. Look for at least one high-powered burner or element for quick heating. Expandable electric elements let you match their size to the pot or pan. Ranges with at least five rack positions provide added flexibility when cooking on more than one rack, and models with dual ovens can roast a turkey and bake a pie at the same time.
Don't buy by Btu. Short for British thermal unit, range and cooktop Btu are often a selling point at the store. But that measure merely indicates the amount of gas used and heat generated, not performance. Indeed, higher Btu haven't guaranteed faster heating in our tests.
***Courtesy of Consumer Reports
This Verona Range is only $3,999 or 4,599 in black, burgundy or antique white
36" double oven gas range with 5 Sealed burners (BTU over 52,000 combined), Two convection ovens with infrared broil
