When purchasing a new oven range it’s important to avoid getting burned. That’s why we’ve taken the time to put together a practical guide to what’s out there, to help you make the best, most well informed choice possible. Most ranges are built to last for close to 20 years, so it’s important to choose one with the best performance for your needs. Furthermore, purchasing the right model for your family can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars in electricity and gas bills over the life of the appliance.

Although when most of us were growing up there were either gas or electric ranges, nowadays there are a few more choices on the market including various types of electric heating elements, dual fuel oven ranges, and a brand new futuristic technology that is finally hitting the stores in America known as induction ranges. Let’s highlight some of the pros and cons of each option:

Bosch 500 Series Free Standing Gas Range - HGS305US

Electric Ovens:

Electric ovens and ranges are still the most popular choice in America with over 50% choosing them over the other options. Electric ranges offer a very low heat option, something that is not always possible with most gas ovens. There are a number of different types of elements available on the market today: regular coil burners, solid disk elements, smooth top, and halogen elements. Standard coil burners are generally available in the least expensive models and anyone who’s ever had one knows that they are difficult to clean. In smooth top electric ranges, radiant elements are placed under glass, making for a totally smooth working surface for easy cleaning. The disadvantage of solid disk elements and smooth top is that they take longer to heat up and therefore use up more electricity in the process. Halogen elements are more efficient than conventional electric coil elements. Electric ovens are reported to cook food more evenly than gas ovens, since their built-in sensors are designed to react to even a one degree drop in temperature, whereas gas ovens only start reheating once the temperature drops by ten degrees. Nonetheless, many house owners report not noticing much of a difference between gas and electric when it comes to ovens.

Gas Ovens:

Gas stovetops are still the preferred choice amongst professional chefs and food connoisseurs. They begin heating up food instantly and are more accurate, so that you can achieve the exact flame you desire. Some fancier models even have special burners for faster, higher heat as well as others for very low flames.

More importantly, however, gas ranges cost less than half as much to operate as their electric counterparts. Even though gas ovens may be slightly more expensive to purchase, they will save you hundreds of dollars over the life of the oven, making it well worth the initial difference. It should be noted that models possessing an automatic pilot light use 30 percent more gas than an oven with an electronic ignition instead, making the savings much more insignificant.

This being said, it should be noted that gas is only an option in homes equipped with a propane or natural gas line. Installation of a new line may be fairly expensive, making long term savings more minimal. Furthermore, one must always remember that gas stoves do come with some risk, as low as it may be. Leaving on an unlit burner can be hazardous if windows are closed and possession of flammable liquids could be dangerous in the vicinity of the kitchen. Models with pilot lights are also more dangerous than electric ignitions since the flame could blow out without you knowing, releasing gas into the room.

Dual Fuel:

Although more expensive than both electric and gas ovens, dual fuel gas and electric ranges are the best of both worlds, since you get the immediate response of gas burners and the even heat of an electric oven. These are becoming more and more popular each year.

Induction Ranges:

Induction ranges are definitely the wave of the future, using electro-magnetic fields to transfer heat directly to the pots and pans without the need of gas flames or electric coils. Since the heat goes straight into the cooking vessel without the need to first convert the energy into heat as found by conventional cooking methods, induction cooking saves a lot of energy. The stove top directly besides the burner stays almost completely cool, not to mention the rest of the kitchen!  In fact, gas and electric ranges only use 40% of the required energy to cook, with the remaining 60% going out into the air, whereas 84% percent of the energy used in induction goes directly into the food, with the rest going into the electrical process and not wasted heat.

At this point the biggest down side to induction ranges is that they are not so readily available in America, and are therefore more expensive, although more and more stores are selling them every day. Furthermore, induction cooking only works with iron or steel vessels. This includes most quality cookware, but aluminum and copper non-stick surfaces are out of the picture at present, although research is underway to eventually include all metals.

Bosch Induction Cooktop in an Island.

Convection Ovens:

Many experts recommend buying a range with a convection oven. Made with a built-in fan and extra heating element in electric ovens, convection ovens are designed to continually circulate hot air around the food, distributing heat more evenly to cut down cooking time and temperatures by as much as 30%, saving a third on energy costs.

Most oven models come with self cleaning features nowadays which cut down on costs because of the higher insulation level. Nonetheless, frequently using the self cleaning option will end up using more energy than you will save.

Double Oven

Today, some ovens come equipped with a second, smaller oven in place of the broiler. This gives you the option to cook two different types of items simultaneously, but it is also a great money-saving feature for people cooking smaller amounts at one time. Since people rarely fill their large ovens to maximum capacity, all the energy it takes to heat the entire oven is wasted. A smaller oven is a great option, requiring much less energy to cook single items. Additional options include drawer warmers, which have the capacity to keep food warm, until its time to eat.

Styles

Oven styles include freestanding ovens, drop-in ranges, slide-in ranges, and built-in ovens. A freestanding range has finished sides and a raised backsplash. Slide-in ranges have controls on the front section of the range and basically look like a built-in with a seamless finish. A drop-in range will have unfinished sides and rests on a slightly raised platform. Built-in ovens are the most expensive, and can be inserted into a raised wall for easy accessibility. A separate range can then be placed on a nearby counter.

We hope this helps you make the best decision for you and your family. Whether you go with an electric, gas, dual, or induction range, your choice should bring you much ease and comfort and many delicious and nutritious meals. Should you have any additional questions, feel free to contact one of our knowledgeable affiliated appliance retailers. You can call anytime, just please don’t call us late for dinner!

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