Kitchen Range Info | Pricing & Installation

A standard range, with burnes on top and an oven below, provides a homey, traditional touch and is more affordable than separate cooking components.  Rangers come in three varieties including gas-fired, dual-fuel and electric.  Standard-size ranges are 30 inches wide, but you can get them as narrow as 21 inches and as wide as 48 inches - or even wider if you're buying a commercial range.

Freestanding ranges, as their name implies, can stand anywhere.  Slide-in types are made to fit between cabinets and so have no side panels.  Drop-in models are also installed between cabinets, but they're made to rest on a wood platform, and their integral rims cover the gap between range and countertop so food won't fall in.

All-in-one ranges offer the same features as separate cooktops and ovens including self-cleaning mechanisms and touch controls.  Midrange models sell for over $1,500 in some cases.  These high priced models may include extras such as a bread-rising or browning fixture.

Look for ranges with special features, such as an indoor grill and dedicated wok burner, which can be converted to handle boiling pots.  If you're shopping for commercially adapted ranges, look for sealed burners, porcelain-coated cast-iron grates, and an anti-tipping device that helps to keep these heavy units level and stabile.