Finding the Perfect Range to Match Your Cooking Style

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and the range is its workhorse. A recent study found that 98% of Americans use their kitchen range at least several times per week, and more than half (53%) use it almost every day.

Unless you're part of the 1% who never cook (maybe they're ordering pizzas?), that amounts to a lot of time in the kitchen. That's true whether you're a passionate home chef or an occasional cook.

Of course, home chefs do have different needs than occasional cooks. When shopping for a kitchen range, home chefs will want to prioritize different features and tech specs.

Additionally, both should consider their cooking style before buying a range because the stir-fry connoisseur has different needs than the heavy baker (for example). This article will help you find the perfect range for you, based on your cooking style and frequency.

Frequency and cooking style

Let's be honest. The world isn't cleanly split between occasional cooks and home chefs. Most people fall on a spectrum. Maybe you cook a nice meal three or four days a week and really enjoy it, but you're not looking to impress Gordon Ramsay anytime soon.

To assess the variety of cooking needs out there, we'll divide home cooks into three categories—ignoring that 1% who never cook and keep Uber Eats in business.

You've got...

• The occasional cook: Cooks a few relatively simple meals each week
• The everyday cook: Cooks a variety of meals regularly, sometimes going a bit fancier and trying new recipes when they have the time
• The home chef: Cooking is a genuine hobby, and it brings significant joy to their life

Where are you on this spectrum? It's okay if you're between two categories. You just need a rough sense of where you land so you can figure out what type of range will serve you best.

The other factor to consider is what you like to cook (cooking style). Do you use the cooktop heavily? Do you deep fry, pan fry, or use a wok regularly to stir-fry foods? Do you need precise control of your burners for delicate sauces and high heat for searing?

Do you use the oven for roasts? Lasagnas? Baking pastries? All these choices define your cooking style.

Gas, electric, dual-fuel, and induction ranges

There are four main types of ranges. Let's briefly cover each and explore which one is right for you based on your cooking frequency and style.

Gas Ranges

A gas range uses either natural gas (pumped in through a gas line) or liquid propane gas (from propane tanks) as its fuel source. Gas fuels both the cooktop burners and the oven. The open flame of a gas burner offers tremendous control, which is why 98% of chefs prefer a gas cooktop.

The gas vs. electric oven question comes down to cooking style. Gas ovens produce moist heat (great for roasting), while electric ovens produce dry, even heat (perfect for baking).

Is a gas range worth it? Everyday cooks and home chefs almost always prefer gas for the cooktop. The oven's fuel source (gas vs. electric), on the other hand, is a matter of cooking-style preference.

It's also less expensive to cook with gas than with electric power, so regular cooks and home chefs can save up to 50% on energy costs in many areas. And if you want an electric oven with a gas cooktop, you can get the best of both worlds in a dual-fuel range.

Electric Ranges

An electric range uses 220 V electricity as its fuel source for both the cooktop and the oven burners. Electric ovens provide dry, even heat, which works well for baking pastries and breads. However, some chefs prefer gas for the moist heat it produces.

Is an electric range worth it? Occasional cooks can get away with an electric cooktop, but everyday cooks and home chefs usually prefer gas burners.

Electric ranges are typically cheaper up front, but there's a hidden cost! Electric power costs nearly twice as much as gas (at 30 to 40 cents per hour to use the oven), so anyone who cooks regularly will likely save on energy costs by going with a gas or dual-fuel range.

Dual-fuel Ranges

Dual-fuel ranges use gas for the burners and electric power for the oven. It's perfect for those who prefer the dry heat of electric baking but still want the control that gas cooktops deliver.

Are dual-fuel ranges worth it? Dual-fuel ranges are often more expensive than gas or electric, but here at Hauslane, we offer both gas and dual-fuel ranges at no extra cost. Just choose the oven size and design you like, and select either the gas or dual-fuel version.

Dual-fuel ranges are definitely worth it for everyday cooks and home chefs who love baking with an electric oven, along with the control that comes with gas cooktops.

That's especially true when those burners deliver precision knob control and something higher than the standard 12,000 BTUs of heating power. Hauslane cooktops can reach 20,000 BTUs, which lets you handle everything from a gentle simmer to a heavy sear.

Induction Ranges

Induction cooktops heat the cookware itself, rather than heating the cooking surface. They do this by generating an oscillating magnetic field. The resistance in the compatible cookware causes it to heat up, while the surface of the cooktop remains cool (aside from the heat that radiates off the cookware).

Are induction ranges worth it? We've got to admit that the tech is pretty cool. It heats water and food incredibly fast. That can be convenient, but it also takes some getting used to. Most professional chefs still prefer gas because they're trained on gas, and there are certain techniques that most chefs find easier to perform with gas cooktops. That said, some home chefs master it and really enjoy it.

We should also note that you can only cook on an induction range with compatible cookware. The cookware needs to be ferromagnetic to activate the oscillating magnetic field, and pots and pans must have a flat bottom. In other words, you can't use a gorgeous, round copper pan on an induction cooktop.

Key features based on cooking style

Here are a few features you might look for based on your cooking style.

Occasional cooks often prefer:

• Easy cleaning
• Simple control
• Reliability

Everyday cooks and home chefs typically demand:

• High BTU burners for searing and stir-fries
• Precise flame control
• Convection ovens for even, rapid cooking
• Durable build to handle near-daily use
• Telescopic racks to easily remove food
• Triple-paned oven glass for safety
• Convection for even, faster cooking

It's also worth noting that your cooking habits often change over time. Consider investing in a quality range if any part of you is drawn to the culinary arts and you think you might increase the time you spend in the kitchen over the next 5–10 years.

Why do we say that?

• A quality range can save you money over time if it inspires you to cook more at home
• You don't have to spend a fortune for a premium quality range if you buy from the right seller
• Adding a modern range to your kitchen can increase your home's resale value, offering one of the easiest, highest returns on investment of any home improvement project

Hauslane ranges offer all the latest features at an affordable price, and they're built to last. That's why all HausPro ranges come with a 5-year warranty on parts and labor. The industry standard is only a 2-year warranty, but we're so confident in the durability of our products that we've gone above and beyond in that department.