Cooktops and Ranges

When it comes to buying appliances for your kitchen, you need quite a bit of information to help you choose the right cooktop or oven range for you. Manufacturers such as LG, Frigidaire, Electrolux, Kenmore, and GE make lots of options. Each one has its own advantages and disadvantages. Once you have enough information about cooktops and ranges, though, you should be able to choose an option that meets your needs.

Cooktops – Cooktops are often installed directly into your kitchen counters. Most designs give you four individual cooking areas that vary in heat intensity. These designs are great for families that don’t have a lot of room in the kitchen. You might also want to consider purchasing a cooktop if you frequently find that you don’t have enough burners to prepare large meals.

An additional four burners makes it much easier to cook for guests. For once, Thanksgiving might not seem like a daunting task.

There are a few types of cooking technologies used by cooktop manufacturers. Some of the most popular designs include induction cooktops, radiant-electric smoothtops and gas cooktops.

Induction Cooktops – Induction cooktops heat food with an electromagnetic field. This high-tech cooking method works very well. It heats food quickly and evenly without creating hot cooking surface. This makes induction cooktops extremely safe as well as useful. In addition, most induction cooktop models are easy to clean. You don’t have to worry about coils and gas burners, so you just wipe the surface when it gets dirty.  The downside to induction cooktops, though, is that you have to use magnetic pots and pans. They won’t work with regularly cookware.

Radiant-Electric Cooktops – Like induction cooktops, radiant-electric smoothtops are usually quite easy to clean. They have flat surfaces that you can wipe easily. Radiant-electric cooktops use electricity to generate heat that cooks food. Unlike the induction cooktops, you can use any pot or pan to cook with radiant-electric models. They do, however, tend to take a little longer to heat up than induction models.

Gas Cooktops – Many cooks prefer gas cooktops because cooking with gas offers a considerable amount of control. Since you can actually see how much fire you are using, it easy to control the level of heat. Most cooks prefer models with continuous grates because it is easier to slide pots from one burner to another without losing heat.

Keeping gas cooktops clean is a little harder than radiant-electric smoothtops and induction cooktops. If a pot boils over, then you will have to spend some time scrubbing in between the grates and burners.

Buying Cooktops – Consumer Reports recently released a list of their favorite cooktops from 2010. If you prefer electric smoothtops or induction models, then you can’t go wrong with a Frigidaire Professional. The Frigidaire Professional’s are priced modestly but received the highest overall scores. When it comes to these models, you really can’t rely on price to tell you which one is best. The Frigidaire Professional 30-inch Induction, for instance, costs about $1,100. The Kenmore Elite, which ranked just slightly lower than the Frigidaire, costs about $1,800.

If you prefer gas cooktops, then consider buying a GE. The GE Profile 36-inch gas cooktop received the highest overall score. Its price is $1,250. GE also took second place with its GE Monogram. The Monogram, however, costs a $150 more than the Profile. If you really need to save money, then consider buying the GE JGP637WEJ. Although it didn’t score as highly as the other GE models, it still performs well. At $750, it’s a good deal for families looking to cut back on expenses.

Ranges – Ranges combine ovens with cooktops, so they are the most convenient option for most families. Like the cooktops, though, there are several design options to choose from. Some of the most popular ranges include

•    Electric smoothtops
•    Electric coil
•    Induction
•    Gas
•    Dual-fuel

The first question most people consider when choosing ranges is whether they want a gas or electric model. Some homes are designed for one or the other, so it might make sense for you to choose your model based on what works in your house. If you are willing to install new gas or electrical outlets, though, then you can choose a model solely based on your preferences.

Electric Smoothtops – Induction ranges are the fastest way to cook food, but, like the cooktops, you have to use magnetic pots and pans. These models offer exceptional control over cooking temperature, but the cooking surface does not get very hot.

Electric Coil – Electric coil ranges use less energy than gas ranges, but they don’t offer as much control. Electric coils are also difficult to clean, especially when food bits get stuck between the coils. They are, however, the cheapest ranges, making them appropriate for families that need to replace their ranges without spending much money.

Gas Ranges – Gas ranges roast foods quickly and evenly. Gas cooktops also offer exceptional control and speed. Many gas ranges have high powered burners that give you maximum heat when you need it.

Dual-Fuel Ranges – Dual-fuel ranges sound like a great idea because you can combine the best elements of electric and gas. These models, however, tend to cost more than twice as much as other options. Few home cooks will find that the dual-fuel models are worth the extra expense.

Buying Ranges – If you prefer electric smoothtop ranges, then explore GE’s line of products. Consumer Reports gave the GE Café and the GE Profile the top places in their list. The models actually tied with each other. The GE Café, however, costs $1,200 more than the Profile. At $1,600, you should probably choose the GE Profile unless you just can’t live without some of the Profile’s additional features. If the idea of spending $1,600 causes you to reconsider, then think about buying a GE JB700DN. At $750, it’s pretty much the best deal that you’re going to find on a high-performance product.

If you prefer gas ranges, then consider products made by Kenmore. Several of their models scored well with Consumer Reports. Those looking to save money should consider the LG LRG3097, which sells for $600.