Range or Cooktop for Your Kitchen?

It’s often confusing to find the right cooking appliances for the kitchen. And when it comes to ranges and stoves, things get a bit perplexed if you don’t know the differences. Then again, in order to choose the most suitable cooking appliances for you, it’s important to know not only the differences between cooktops and ranges but also what’s best for you. So, let’s talk about ranges and cooktops.

What is a range?

Ranges integrate both an oven and cooktop. The latter features on the top, while the oven is found below. There are electric and gas ranges, while the sizes vary too to accommodate all needs and preferences. Although a regular home range features only one oven, some models integrate two ovens too – one small, one big. The knobs or push buttons are found in front of the appliance, while there are models with or without a panel at the back, acting as a cover.

Ranges are also known as stoves, which is traditionally a cooker. And when stoves include a cooktop, they are considered ranges.

What is a cooktop (and why do you need a built-in oven too)?

The cooktop is the range without the oven. It’s the stove that is mounted on the countertop. If the knobs are placed on the front part, the appliance is named rangetop. Since cooktops are installed on the countertop, they often feature on kitchen islands as well. They come out in a variety of designs and sizes, with two to 6 burners, while you can find electric, induction and gas ones.

Kitchens equipped with cooktops also have a wall oven, as opposed to those who prefer an “all-included” range.

What makes ranges a good choice for you?

• Ranges are great for rentals since you can take the appliance with you. An appliance technician can install and re-install the same range over and over again.

• These appliances are great for small spaces or when there’s limited wall space for built-in oven installation.

• Having the oven conveniently under the stove is great when you are cooking, although the fact that you have to bend to reach and use the oven is not one of the appliance’s advantages.

• Having a range doesn’t keep you from investing in a wall oven too, if you have the space and if you cook for many.

What makes cooktops and built-in ovens a good choice for your kitchen?

• Cooktops don’t occupy much room, while the space underneath can be used for many purposes.

• Having a cooktop and a separate wall oven at the right height for your height is very convenient. Plus, you can add a built-in oven of any size – single or double, one unit or two.

• You can choose the power of the cooktop, induction, gas, electric, while ergonomic wall ovens are easier to clean as well.

Things to consider before you choose an appliance

• The cost is considerable no matter which appliance you buy. At first glance, buying a cooktop and a wall oven seems to be the most expensive option – after all, you are buying two separate appliances. But mind you. Ranges don’t come cheap either. And so, it basically depends on the model and the brand – your budget too.

• It’s also a matter of personal preference. Kitchens in contemporary homes often feature a cooktop and a wall oven, although there are some stunning vintage ranges that will also fit in modern environments.

• Then, it’s a matter of space. As we already said, if the space is limited, ranges often seem to be the best solution.

• Such appliances have more or less the same lifespan, with the ranges often outliving the cooktops and wall ovens. So, that’s a plus for ranges.

• As for the range installation or the cooktop replacement, nothing is easy. The only downside with wall ovens, though, is that removing them is difficult, while you also need to find the exact size to fit your space. But then again, the market is full of choices these days and any installation is done by a kitchen appliance technician. So, why worry? Just decide which appliance best suits your style and convenience.