You don't have to go "pro" or give up performance to cook in style. Begin by checking Types in this Consumer Reports kitchen appliances review to decide whether you prefer a stand-alone range or a cooktop and wall oven. Also decide whether you feel the space savings of an over-the-range microwave oven is worth sacrificing the better venting you'll get with a range hood. Then follow these cooking-appliance tips as you shop:

Consider the fuel. Electric ranges and cooktops tend to heat faster and simmer better than gas versions. On the minus side, they take longer to cool and lack the visual confirmation of a gas flame. Induction cooktops heat fastest and respond quickest to temperature settings. More models also cost less than $2,000, rather than $3,000, though that's still about a grand more than most cooktops.

Size up wall ovens. You will see in this consumer report kitchen appliances review that models can be single or double, and are typically 24, 27, or 30 inches wide. While you can install wall ovens at waist or eye level to eliminate bending, they can also nest beneath a countertop if kitchen space is tight.

Don't assume that more is better. Expandable range elements, five or more burners, and a large oven are important if you feed lots of guests or cook different meals for picky teenagers. But 12-inch elements are larger than most pots and are likely to be more than you need, especially if you mostly warm leftovers and heat soup. And while convection can speed roasting by forcing hot air around the oven, its fans can steal space and its speed adds roughly $250 to the price.

Be leery about microwave space. Microwave manufacturers often inflate the true capacity of their ovens by counting wasted space in the corners. In this Consumer Reports kitchen appliances review, our measurements show that actual space can be as much as 50 percent less. If you often cook for a crowd, consider models that trade the usual turntable for a rectangular tray that slides back and forth to accommodate wide plates while keeping them moving for more even cooking.

Another tip: Bring a favorite dish or platter to the store to make sure that it fits.