What makes a good stove

An open flame surrounds the bottom of your cookware, which evenly distributes the heat around it. This heat output is measured in BTUs British thermal units. Like electric models, the power range varies from model to model, but the output generally falls somewhere between 5, BTUs for low heat on a small burner and 18, BTUs for high heat on a large burner. If you're a speedy cook, be aware that our cooking tests show gas cooktops tend to take longer to boil large pots of water than electric or induction cooktops.

When it comes to gas ovens, we've seen in our cook tests that they have a harder time producing even baking results than electric ovens. Some ranges use two types of power: gas for the cooktop, and electric in the oven.

These dual-fuel ranges are a good compromise for folks who want the direct heat of a gas burner but the even cooking of an electric oven. However, these hybrids cost more than traditional one-power-source ranges. Freestanding ranges are designed to fit anywhere in a kitchen. Oven controls are often located on a back panel that raises up above the cooktop.

These are less expensive than slide-in models. The Samsung NE58KWG is a slide-in range, so it doesn't have a back panel and sits flush with surrounding countertops. These ranges don't have a back panel and are meant to fit in flush with the surrounding countertops.

Slide-in ranges are often more expensive than freestanding models because of the mechanics that go into putting all the controls up front.

Drop-in ranges are similar to slide-in models -- they sit flush with the surrounding countertops and all the controls are located at the front of the unit. But this type of range looks like you dropped it between two cabinets because of a strip of cabinetry you place beneath the appliance.

The search for an oven or range can resemble a visit to a car dealership -- there are always opportunities to upgrade. Assess your needs and decide if these bonus features are worth throwing down more money for an appliance. Companies have become more proactive in including wireless capabilities such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and near-field communication NFC in their ovens and stoves so you can control your appliance from your smartphone. For example, you could begin to preheat your Wi-Fi-enabled oven on your way home from the grocery store, so it's ready for your frozen pizza by the time you get home.

You can give voice commands to this Amazon Echo Dot smart speaker to control the range. Manufacturers have also started to connect appliances with smart-home products to add some automation and voice control in the kitchen. For example, GE's Wi-Fi-connected ranges work with Alex and Google Assistant, so you can give voice commands to control your appliance.

It won't get hot unless there's a pan on it, so it can be safer than other types. It's relatively new and people have lots of questions about induction , so do your research first. If you want a convection oven with a fan that enables speedier, more even baking, you may have to pay extra.

Got extra cash? Steam cookers, sous vide , dual ovens, wireless connections, and warming drawers are available. You're the cook, so only you know what your must-haves are.

Since there are so many options, it may take a while for you to put together a short list. Check our site and others to see what experts and owners say. We use exhaustive testing methodologies to determine which ranges work best. Consumers tend to post reviews only when they either love or hate an appliance.

Favor models whose reviews come in at no less than 4 out of 5 stars. If you see a lot of 1-star reviews, that should raise quality and reliability concerns. If a friend or family member makes a recommendation, that could be the most useful, personalized review you get. Delivery day can go smoothly, but it may present unpleasant surprises. As we said earlier, make sure you measure every hallway and stairway between your front door and your kitchen to make sure the range can get through them.

Appliance damage is most likely to occur not at the factory, but in the last 50 ft. Once the truck arrives, all the protective cardboard and foam is ripped away. Investigate the options. Plan ahead. Also, ask how your range is going to be delivered. If the delivery company is using a two-wheeler, protect your floors, stairs, and door moldings, or they may get hurt. Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here.

We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. The terms "range" and "stove" can be used interchangeably to describe an appliance that includes an oven, topped with cooking elements such as burners and a griddle. On the other hand, a cooktop is a flat surface equipped with cooking elements and the necessary controls. Whether you pick out a stove, range, or cooktop, you'll have to choose how you'd like your elements to be powered.

Your options are gas—including natural gas or propane—electricity, or induction technology. Depending on your home's current setup, this choice may be made for you. Here, the best ranges, stoves, and cooktops on the market for new kitchens and existing kitchens alike. Whether you are a casual cook or an aspiring chef, gas ranges are appreciated for their quick and precise temperature control. Designed with a roomy 5. It's equipped with desired features, style, and value.

The range features a useful set-up of five burners, as well as a continuous grate system—meaning you can slide pots and pans from one burner to another easily.

The burners include a supercharged 17, BTU burner for rapid boiling, along with a 9, BTU center oval burner to heat oversized pots and pans, and even fire up an included non-stick griddle to make pancakes, bacon, or eggs. There's a top broiler with a storage drawer underneath for storing baking sheets , racks, and more.

In addition, this self-cleaning model will also save you time and effort in keeping the oven clean and odor-free. An electric range offers easy installation and operation, and this pick from GE has over 5.

You'll love the streamlined look of the smooth, black top. However, the real standout feature is that two of the burners are adjustable in size, and can be stretched from 6 to 9 inches for larger pans and increased heating power. This freestanding range includes a self-cleaning oven for easy cleaning, along with a dual bake element for more even and consistent cooking results.

Pair induction cooking technology with a generous 6. This slide-in range combines practical features, like LG's EasyClean technology that can rid your oven of light messes and grime in 10 minutes, with high-end range amenities. The five induction burners make meal preparation easy, and a storage drawer comfortably holds sheet pans when you're all done.

If you haven't used induction heat before, prepare to be delighted at how quickly you can boil water and sear meat. In addition, this particular range has convection cooking technology that speeds up cooking times. The upfront controls make the piece easy to operate and give the entire piece a gourmet feel. Fuel Type: Gas Dimensions: 5. This sleek gas cooktop from GE manages to accommodate five burners within a inch footprint, letting you manage multiple pieces of cookware with ease and control the temperature for each burner with upfront knobs.

The largest burner in the center of the cooktop offers 15, BTU for rapid boiling. A continuous grate system accommodates oversized cookware, and also assists in sliding a heavy pot from one burner to another. The stainless steel finish of the cooktop is durable and the sealed burners make it easy to clean up any spills or splatters. However, the grates can be heavy and fit snuggly, so use care when removing them for cleaning to avoid scratching the stylish finish. Fuel Type: Induction Dimensions: 5 x This inch induction cooktop is a great option for anyone looking for a flush-mounted cooktop that offers precise temperature control and includes versatile burner options.

With five burners of varying sizes, and 3, watts of power in the largest element, this cooktop shines at diverse tasks like simmering sauces and searing meats. Some of the most popular features found on this GE induction cooktop include pan size sensors, along with a digital control pad that can incrementally adjust the temperature for each burner individually. Now, the smooth glass top appears sleek.

But, keep in mind that you will need to use induction-compatible cookware and refrain from sliding pans around the surface to avoid scratching the glass. For efficient, affordable cooking, look no further than this inch electric range from GE. This model doesn't have many frills, but does include one of the most sought-after features for home cooks: a self-cleaning oven.

While other budget models sometimes skip this feature and a top-mounted broiler, this affordable model includes both. The oven has 5. Being able to see your food cooking without having to open the oven door sounds like a small thing, but it's huge.

When you include this amenity in your new oven, you'll save money on wasted energy because you'll be peeking less -- and letting hot air escape from the oven cavity. Admit it: You know you look more than you have to. Genuflecting in front of the oven for an eyes-on assessment of your bubbling mac-and-cheese isn't such a bad idea when all you have to do is look through the conveniently placed glass window. It may save you having to insist that the black crust on your apple pie is actually golden brown.

If you've owned a glass-door oven before and thought it looked dirty despite your best effort to clean it, innovations in glass manufacture and glass door design are eliminating problems with clouding and stubborn, baked on grease. Glass cleaners designed for new generation glass stovetops are doing a better job of cutting grease and grime, too. We think this is a great fallback feature. If you've ever set your oven timer and turned on the vacuum, the water or the TV, only to miss the buzzing long enough for your fish sticks to incinerate, you can appreciate the value of an oven that shuts itself off after the programmed cooking time has elapsed.

Delayed start can be a nice feature, too. If you want that meatloaf mixed and ready to go before you take a nice relaxing bath but don't want to start the cook cycle for an hour or so, you can delay the oven start until it's more convenient for you. You should never leave raw ingredients at room temperature for long.

For perishable items, two hours is the outside limit recommended by the U. Having the option of setting prepped foods in the oven for a short while before the start of cooking is still a big potential convenience, though. Just use some common sense.