Kitchen Range Buying Guide – Consumer Reports

Once you’ve decided on a range type, consider the following factors to zero in on a model that fits your floor plan and cooking needs.

Freestanding vs. Slide-In Ranges
Freestanding ranges are the most widely sold and easiest to install. The controls are on a panel at the far end of the range. Slide-in ranges slip in between cabinets and appliances to give a custom, built-in look. Controls sit at the front of the range, so your backsplash can be showcased. The sides might not come finished, though, so a slide-in range might not work well as a replacement for a freestanding unit.

Range Width
Most gas, electric, and induction ranges are 30 inches wide. But a pro-style range can come in a larger size—even as wide as 48 inches, if you custom-configure it with extra burners, an additional oven, or an integrated grill, griddle, or wok burner. (In our labs, we test 30-inch and 36-inch pro-style ranges.)

Oven Capacity
A roomy oven comes in handy when baking or entertaining. So assess the oven cavity in person if you can, or check the capacity scores in our range ratings. We measure only the usable oven space—while some manufacturers advertise dimensions that include the space below the lowest rack position.

Single-Oven vs. Double-Oven Ranges
Many ranges now come in single- and double-oven configurations. Double-oven ranges often have a smaller oven up top and a larger one below. They’re great for baking or roasting two different foods at two different temperatures. What’s more, you can activate just the smaller upper oven to save time on preheating for small items, like a pizza. However, you’ll need to bend farther down to cook foods in the lower oven because the door for the larger oven is closer to the floor than that of a conventional oven. To explore other issues concerning double ovens (such as the absence of a storage drawer), see our breakout guide on double ovens.

Gas vs. Dual-Fuel Ranges
Some gas ranges are dual-fuel—they use gas for the cooktop and electric power for the oven. Electric ovens tend to be dryer and more even in their heating. The downside is that you’ll need both a gas and a 240-volt power hookup because you’re using both systems at once.