LG ranges get top marks in Consumer Reports tests
It’s not often that one brand takes the top spot across all versions of a type of appliance in Consumer Reports’ Ratings. But in our latest range tests, LG is the top-rated electric smoothtop range, top double-oven smoothtop range, top gas range, and top double-oven gas range. You won’t find LG in our Ratings of electric coil, induction, or pro-style ranges, but only because they don’t make them. Here’s a look at what put LG on top.
Single-oven smoothtop. Superb simmering and fast rangetop heat helped put the LG LRE3083SW electric smoothtop on top. It’s $1,000 and available in white, black, and stainless steel. Two of the four elements are high-powered—handy for quickly bringing water to a boil or when heating a big pot of chili. The large oven was impressive at baking and self-cleaning, and was one of the few to excel at broiling. Timesavers include the oven’s convection option and a steam-clean feature for light cleaning.
Double-oven smoothtop. Among double-oven electric smoothtop ranges, the LG LDE3037SB was the only one to ace all tests, and at $1,300, costs less than most top picks. A top smaller oven is paired with a larger oven below. Features include two high-power rangetop elements, convection in the lower oven, and steam-clean option. This range comes in stainless, black, and white.
Single-oven gas. Looking for ways to save time? You’ll pay about $1,900 for the LG LRG3097ST gas range in stainless steel. It has five burners, including two high-power, and convection. The warming drawer is handy for holding dinner for hungry teens or cooking for a crowd. Simmering was superb and baking and broiling were impressive, but as with many gas models it was mediocre in our tough oven self-cleaning tests. It’s also available in white and black.
Double-oven gas. The LG LDG3037ST gas range pairs a smaller oven on top with a larger oven below. The larger oven is relatively low to the floor so it's a little inconvenient to use the lowest rack, but baking was superb and broiling, impressive. This range was excellent at simmering, but like most gas models, range-top heat wasn't very fast and self-cleaning was only fair. There are five burners, including two high-power, and a convection option in the larger oven. The steam-clean option is in both ovens. This $1,900 range comes in stainless steel.
Our Ratings of dozens of ranges include a variety of brands and prices, including a recommended Kenmore coil top for $430 and a very fast Frigidaire induction range that’s $1,800. Take a look.
—Kimberly Janeway
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