A range is the mainstay of any cooking setup, used for vegetables, meats, rice and breakfasts. Your range can do things that your microwave can't and is still often the central feature in a kitchen renovation. So what kind of range should you go for? In this article we set out the basics of buying a kitchen range.

Gas Ranges and Ovens

Most communities have access to gas mains these days, which gives you the option of cooking with a gas range. There are many advantages to gas ranges - in particular, they give you fine and instantaneous control over cooking temperature. In many countries, gas is also cheaper to run than electricity.

Electric Ranges and Ovens

Electricity has a big advantage over gas when it comes to ovens, as it will bake food more evenly. But with hotplates, electricity has a much slower reaction time, meaning it is harder to control the temperature your food is being cooked at. Some people may prefer an electric range because they do not like dealing with an open flame in their house. Electric induction elements, which use magnetism to heat the hotplate, are just as fast and precise as gas cooktops, but they are expensive to buy.

Three Types of Ranges

Freestanding ranges are finished on all sides and, as the name suggests, are designed for use without cabinets on either side. This is the obvious choice if you are going to have a range that sits on its own in your kitchen.

Slide-in ranges are finished on the front but do not have panels on the sides - they are designed to be slotted between two cabinets as part of an integrated kitchen set-up. Some slide-in ranges may be finished on one side, allowing them to have a cabinet on one side, while being freestanding on the other.

Less popular these days, but even more integrated, are drop-in models. These are actually dropped in between two cabinets and encased in panelling that matches the rest of the kitchen.

What Size Range is Best?

Standard ranges are 30 inches wide, and this is the size that most people will choose. This allows for four burners and is all most people need. But in larger kitchens, you could choose to move up to a 36-inch or 40-inch model, giving you space for extra hotplates or even a second oven. For apartments and pokey kitchens, there are also smaller sizes available now that will save you space.