Ranges have changed since you last replaced yours
Day six and my range still isn’t fixed. It died unexpectedly, surrounded by family and friends. I was hoping it would make it to 15 years. But this 10-year-old range was inexpensive and if the repairs turn out to be steep then it’s time to buy a new one. The only good news is ranges are more stylish than they were a decade ago and there are more types and cool features. It’s no longer just a choice between gas and electric. Here’s what you’ll see in the range aisle.
Double oven ranges
With a double oven, you can use both ovens to simultaneously cook different foods at different temperatures, without aromas crossing over. Some ranges pair a smaller top oven with a larger oven below. You might wind up using the smaller oven for daily dinner and the larger oven when hosting parties. Other ranges have two same-size ovens, such as the $1,400 Frigidaire FGEF302TNF electric smoothtop.
Tip: Open the oven doors and get a feel for the range when shopping and consider how you would use it. For ranges with a larger lower oven imagine lifting a turkey out. What do you think?
Slide-in ranges
They’re stylish, give a custom look, and slide into standard cutouts. There’s no back panel; the oven controls are up front so your backsplash becomes more prominent. For most slide-in ranges the sides are unfinished so the range needs to be installed between cabinets and the cooktop overlaps the counter. You’ll see slide-ins in Consumer Reports' Ratings of double-ovens, electric smoothtops, induction, gas, and dual-fuel ranges. Did we mention they’re expensive?
Tip: Freestanding ranges are the most common type and the oven control panel is usually on the back. But some ranges described as freestanding look just like slide-ins, but their sides are finished. That gives you more leeway when placing the range. The $3,000 GE Café CGS985SETSS gas range is one example.
Dual-fuel ranges
Dual-fule ranged pair a gas cooktop with an electric oven, an ideal combo for some. You’ll see them in our gas range Ratings.
Tip: If you broil steaks and burgers be sure to note the broiling scores in our Ratings. Some of the dual-fuel ranges were impressive or even superb at broiling, like the Bosch HD18054U, a $2,300 slide-in dual-fuel.
Induction ranges
Precise simmering and control and faster cooktop heat are good reasons to consider induction ranges. In our tests, they heated a large pot of water 20 to 25 percent faster than a regular electric smoothtop, and the surface stays much cooler during and after cooking so cleaning up spills is easier. Prices are dropping but they’re still expensive. The Kenmore 95073 is $1,530 and the least expensive of the induction ranges in our tests.
Tip: Induction uses an electromagnetic field below the cooktop surface to heat and requires magnetic cookware. Use a refrigerator magnet to find out if your cookware is magnetic. If the magnet sticks to the bottom of the pan, it’s induction friendly.
Pro-style ranges
The look is bold and commands attention, for a price. Our pro-style Ratings include 30- and 36-inch wide pro-styles, gas and dual-fuel, from major brands such as Viking, Wolf, Thermador, GE Monogram, and KitchenAid. Despite the high price—$3,000 to $7,500 for the 36-inch ranges—the pro-styles aren’t the best ranges we tested.
Tip: Take a close look at the oven capacity scores in our Ratings. Some pro-styles have small ovens, such as the Viking VGSC536-4G. It’s $7,200.
Ranges to consider that cost $1,000 or less
LG LRE3083SW, $800 electric smoothtop
Samsung FE-R300SB, $600 electric smoothtop
Frigidaire FFEF3018LW, $600 electric smoothtop
Kenmore 94142, $430 electric coil top
Frigidaire Gallery FGGF3032MW, $700 gas
Samsung NX58F5500SS, $900 gas
Kenmore 74132, $700 gas
Our range Ratings give you all the details. Check the brand reliability information to read what thousands of people had to say and the buying guide will tell you what features matter most.
—Kimberly Janeway
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