Kitchen Range Buyer’s Guide

No household appliance brings joy to our lives quite like the kitchen range, especially for passionate home chefs and their loved ones. Washing machines, central heating, and range hoods are all very practical, but the kitchen range is where the culinary arts come to life. It sets the stage for tasty meals, lively conversation, and lasting memories.

Are you looking to buy a new kitchen range, but unsure where to begin? With all the options available today and such a wide range of prices, shopping can feel overwhelming. But we've got your back!

This guide will break down everything you need to know about the latest kitchen range features, the different types of ranges you can buy, and everything else you need to know before buying a range.

What Is a Kitchen Range?

A kitchen range is a household appliance that combines a cooktop with an oven. Sometimes people mistake the term "range" for the standalone cooktop (i.e., burners with no oven), but "kitchen range" actually describes the entire appliance: oven + cooktop.

Most homes today don't have separate cooktops and ovens, but there was a trend in the 60s and 70s to separate the two. You'll still find these "wall ovens" with separate cooktops in homes built during that era, and sometimes you'll find them in kitchens with custom builds. However, full ranges are the most common setup in the 2020s.

Ranges work for most kitchens because they are easier to both install and service. Plus, it's often more convenient for chefs to have the cooktop and the oven so close together.

Different Types of Kitchen Ranges

Thanks to centuries of scientific knowledge, we have a wide variety of ways to heat food these days. You've got gas, electric, and even induction ranges, which could all sound a bit confusing if you're new to the world of ranges.

Don't worry, though! It's actually quite simple once you break it down. Each technology has its advantages and disadvantages, so let's take a look.

Gas Ranges

Gas ranges use gas to heat food for the cooktop and the oven, as opposed to dual-fuel ranges, which use gas for the cooktop and electric power for the oven. We'll discuss dual-fuel ranges next.

Skilled chefs often love gas, especially when it comes to cooktops, because it gives them tremendous control over the heat. You can also intuitively tell how much heat you're applying to a pan since you can see the flame. Ultimately, gas provides a more "analog" cooking experience, which many home chefs prefer.

Gas ovens offer quick preheating and intense broiler heat that is great for browning, caramelization, and roasting. It also allows for a small amount of moisture to remain in the air, which can help with roasts and certain types of breads.

Gas ranges can use either natural gas through a gas line or Liquid Propane Gas (LPG), which connects to gas canisters.

Dual-Fuel Ranges

Dual fuel ranges use gas to power the cooktop and electric power for the oven. The gas-powered cooktop offers the control and analog cooking experience that only gas can provide, and the oven delivers dry, even heat.

The uniform temperature that electric ovens radiate can be ideal for baking cakes, cookies, pastries, and bread with a predictable rise. It's also good for multi-rack baking.

Electric Ranges

Electric cooktops come in two varieties: coil and smooth-top burners. Old-school electric burners use metal coils that heat up, while many modern electric cooktops heat the food from underneath a glass plate.

While most chefs prefer the control that comes with a gas cooktop, some prefer the consistent, even heat that comes from electric burners. It's also easier to dial in a precise temperature. Unfortunately, they're slower to heat and slower to cool, so you do sacrifice control.

The oven, of course, produces electric heat as well, offering dry, even heat—just like what you find in dual-fuel ranges.

Induction Ranges

Induction cooktops work by heating the (compatible) cookware itself, generating an oscillating magnetic field. The resistance in the pan causes it to heat up, while the surface of the cooktop remains relatively cool.

Of course, don't press your hand against the cooktop after you've finished cooking, because the cookware itself heats up, and that raises the temperature of the surface it's resting on. Still, it won't end up scalding hot like an electric burner.

Induction cooktops are energy efficient and offer precise control, but they do require compatible cookware. These ranges typically use electric heating for the oven.

What about Convection Ovens?

Convection is a cooking method where a fan circulates hot air inside the oven, so heat is distributed more evenly around the food. Convection ovens are available for all four ranges covered above.

Convection ovens cook food evenly, allow for seamless multi-rack cooking, require lower temperatures, and reduce cooking time by around 20–25%. We highly recommend choosing a range with a convection oven.

Quick Recap of Oven Range Types

Here's a quick recap of each type of range.

What to Consider when Shopping for a Kitchen Range?

Today's ranges come with a wide variety of special features and interesting technology, and choosing the ideal model for your kitchen will come down to practical concerns, special features desired, and whatever fits your budget.

Feel free to consult our kitchen range budget guide to learn more about how features influence cost, but do know that you can find a high-quality range at a reasonable price.

We recommend spending no more than $3,600 for a 30" kitchen range, $4,600 max for a 36" range, or $6,000 max for a 48" range. And the good news is that you can get a top-of-the-line range at an excellent price here at Hauslane—especially when we're having a sale.

Range Sizes

Hauslane kitchen ranges come in standard sizes: 30" kitchen ranges, 36" kitchen ranges, and 48" kitchen ranges. Measure the space available for your range so you don't have to spend money carving out additional space (unless you're already upgrading your kitchen).

Don't just think about length, but depth, cabinet alignment, and alignment with your range hood. Also, think about ergonomics and your ability to access your stovetop and oven while you cook.

Power, Installation, and Utility Requirements

Take a look at your home's current setup. Does it have a gas line connected to the kitchen? Does it have electrical lines going where you need them to go? Consider panel capacity and wiring requirements as well, and determine whether you'll need to spend extra money on professional upgrades.

Gas ranges use 120V, which most U.S. homes have preinstalled. For dual-fuel, electric, and induction ranges, the power is usually 240V. If you want to upgrade from 120V to 240V, the upgrade would be very costly. You would need to install a new, dedicated 240V circuit to your electrical panel.

Depending on how far away the panel is, you may need to open up the wall. This kind of project would likely cost more than the range itself, so make sure you know your power setup before making the purchase.

Burner Power and Control

Burner power is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs), and the best cooktops give you a wide range of heating power—from 6,000 BTUs (a gentle simmer) up to at least 12,000 BTUs. All Hauslane ranges go up to 20,000 BTUs, ideal for searing.

If you're serious about cooking, don't skimp on control and power. Get yourself a range that combines precision and heat, since overcooking or undercooking will ruin what could have been a perfect dish.

Ventilation Requirements

You've probably already got a range hood installed, but is it powerful enough for the range you're planning to purchase?

The blower is the range hood component responsible for the suction power that draws cooking exhaust out of the kitchen, and more powerful cooktops require stronger blowers.

Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM) measures how much air a blower can suck up across one cubic foot, within one minute, and it measures how powerful a blower is. Your CFM requirement is based on the combined strength of your burners.

You'll do different calculations for gas and electric power, and you can consult our installation and venting guide to find those formulas.

Special Features (from Safety to Performance)

Today's cutting-edge kitchen ranges integrate the latest technology, designed to enhance both safety and performance. Here are some features worth considering when purchasing a new kitchen range, regardless of the style.

• Child safety features: Triple-layer insulated glass means that the outside of the oven stays relatively cool, keeping kids and pets safe
• Heat-locking design: State-of-the-art ranges are designed for a tight seal, keeping the heat inside the unit for energy efficiency and rapid, even cooking
• Precision knob control: Perform everything from a simmer to a sear with perfect execution
• Auto-reignition: Gas ovens automatically reignite when the flame goes out
• Convection fan: Convection ovens ensure quick, even, and energy-efficient cooking
• Adjustable height: Ensure your unit fits perfectly into your kitchen space
• Convertible natural gas/propane connection: Connect the oven to either a natural gas line or an LPG (propane) tank
• Easy-slide, heavy-duty cooktop grates: Oven grates that hold food and are easy to slide in and out
• Telescopic rack design: Oven racks that easily slide out, the way a telescope expands or a radio antenna slides, so you can remove food with zero hassle
• Spacious oven: Giving you plenty of room to cook food on different racks
• Wide-view window: A wide window makes it easy to look inside and see what's cooking, without opening the door and interrupting the cooking process

Warranty on Parts & Labor

One final (and very important) factor to consider is the warranty. The industry standard is to offer a 2-year warranty on parts and labor should anything go wrong (Hauslane offers a 5-year warranty on all our ranges).

We recommend purchasing ranges with longer warranties because that means the manufacturer stands by their products. Durable products tend to have longer warranties since they rarely malfunction.

Looking for a new kitchen range?

Take a look at Hauslane's kitchen ranges, which come in three sizes and include both gas-only and dual-fuel options. Our convection ranges include the latest features, from safe, triple-layered, wide-view windows to telescopic racks.

Buying a Kitchen Range (FAQs)

Do all ranges come with an oven?

Yes. A range, by definition, combines a cooktop surface with an oven. This is now standard in most homes.

Is gas or electric better for cooking?

When it comes to cooktops, most chefs prefer gas for its greater control (easy to heat up, instant shut-off).

As for ovens? It really comes down to your personal preference. Electric ovens offer drier, more even heat and work well for roasts, while gas ovens can work better for certain types of baking.

You can purchase any Hauslane range with either a gas-only fuel source (gas for both the cooktop and the oven) or dual-fuel (gas cooktop with an electric oven).

Are dual-fuel ranges worth it?

Actually, every Hauslane dual-fuel range costs the same as the equivalent gas range, so you don't have to make your decision based on budgetary constraints. Each model comes with a dual-fuel option for those who prefer electric ovens and gas cooktops, as well as an all-gas option.

Visit this section of our range buying guide to learn about the pros and cons of gas vs. dual-fuel ranges.

Do induction ranges require special cookware?

Yes, induction ranges require you to use ferromagnetic pots and pans. This cookware contains a layer of magnetic materials that is essential to the heating process.

You can use cookware made of cast iron or enameled steel, and you can use stainless steel designed specifically for induction ranges (assuming the bottom is flat and not warped). You can test to see if your cookware is ferromagnetic by putting a magnet against the bottom surface and seeing if it sticks. If it sticks, you're good to go.

How important is ventilation when choosing a range?

Proper ventilation is essential for reducing indoor air pollution, keeping your lungs and your kitchen healthy and clean. Hauslane offers a wide selection of powerful, durable, high-quality range hoods at affordable prices.