Ranges

During the pandemic, many of us have refocused our lives at home—and, specifically, in the kitchen. If you’ve been honing your skills as a home chef, your cooktop and stove might have gotten a little more wear and tear in recent months. Maybe something broke down—or maybe you’re just pining for a new or more powerful range.So where do you start? The choice between gas and electric ranges is... largely dictated by your current setup. Gas ranges require you to have either` natural gas or propane service at your home, while an electric range will work in any house, provided you have a 220-volt electric line in your kitchen. An electrician can install one if you don’t. If you’re replacing an existing range, buying a new model of the same type and size ensures that the new range will fit. Slide-in ranges—where the top will slightly overlap existing countertops—are definitely on trend. However, if you buy one to replace an old freestanding range, you may want to add a backsplash if the wall behind your old range is unfinished. If you plan to switch from gas to electric, or vice versa, you’re likely to need an electrician or a plumber to run new lines. Same goes for upgrading to a dual-fuel pro-style range, which partners gas burners with an electric oven and requires both the standard gas and electrical connections.How about “trading up” to a pro-style range? Well, you might be surprised at how little you get for the money. “Even basic conveniences that you’d take for granted on a regular range, like a digital oven display or preheat light, are often missing on pro-style ranges,” says Tara Casaregola, CR’s test engineer who oversees range testing at Consumer Reports. If you’re replacing an older radiant electric range, consider an induction range. These appliances run on the same standard electric line as a regular electric range, but their burners use electromagnetic pulses to transfer energy directly to your cookware, causing pots and pans—but not burners—to get hot. The ovens in induction ranges work just like those in regular electric ranges. Induction ranges cost a little more than radiant electric ranges, but they tend to boil water faster and simmer more steadily. As a group, induction ranges outperform all the other types of ranges in our ratings. Keep in mind that we’re still dealing with a shortage of major appliances, including ranges. You may need to allow extra time for delivery. If you’re unable to secure a range quickly, a freestanding burner and a countertop toaster oven with convection can help you get dinner on the table in a pinch.