5 Best Electric Range Ovens 2023 – Top Electric Stove Reviews
The best electric ranges provide evenly cooked results every time, are quick to reach boiling temperature and are easy to use and energy efficient. Many of today’s models often include added features such as self- or steam-cleaning options, as well as air fryer and convection settings. Here’s what else you’ll want to think about when finding the best stove for your needs:
✔️ Type: The two main types of electric ranges are traditional electric and induction and the difference lies in how the cooktops work. A traditional electric cooktop’s elements heat up after electricity passes through the burner. An induction cooktop is embedded with heating elements that are powered by electromagnetic energy that directly heats the magnetic iron in cookware. The burners themselves never get hot, but you do have to make sure you use induction-safe cookware
✔️ Cooktop style: Electric ranges can have coil burners or smooth cooktops. Coil burners are more common in older and less expensive ranges. They’re not the most precise, as they are slow to heat and cool, so we don’t recommend them. They also need to be cleaned often, as grease and crumbs can get caught and burn. Smooth cooktops are easier to clean, but they are more delicate and can scratch — though most are built to be long-lasting.
✔️ Burner size: Look for a range that has multiple elements — many stovetops feature dual elements to accommodate a variety of pot and pan sizes, and some have elements specifically for warming. The variety of burners is the first thing the Director of the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, Nicole Papantoniou, looks at when testing electric ranges. She says to start by looking for a cooktop that best accommodates the size of the pots and pans you use most often. “Consider different cooking tasks, like boiling a large pot of water for pasta and a small one for a single serving of tea,” she says.
✔️ Wattage of the burners: When it comes to wattage, the higher the number the more powerful the heating element. Some ranges feature a quick-boil burner that typically has a high wattage. Look for a cooktop with a variety so you can do everything from quick boils to gentle simmers.
✔️ Oven size: If you bake often or like to cook large dishes like whole turkeys or big casseroles, look for a range with a large-capacity oven. You may also want to pick one that features multiple functions such as broiling and convection baking which gives a quick and more even cook. Some ovens even air fry now! Each function can help you fine-tune your cooking. “Broilers are helpful when you want to cook something quickly, like a juicy steak or fish,” says Papantoniou. “They’re also good for a nice finishing touch, like crispy edges, browning or melting cheese.”
✔️ Self-cleaning: Most ovens feature a self-cleaning option, which traditionally uses extremely high heat to remove the grime. Newer models may feature a steam clean option that uses water to create steam to loosen grease and baked-on messes. Steam cleaning is a much quicker process since it doesn’t require as much heat and allows for a quicker cool-down time. But while it’s quicker, it may not be as effective as the traditional high-heat self-cleaning method — and ultimately could require more elbow grease.