How To Shop For A Cooking Range

One of the most essential items to any home is the cooking range. A focal point for both style and function, the range can instantly set the tone of the kitchen. With endless choices available, the options browsing all options can be daunting.

Here are a few ways to navigate the world of cooking ranges while also choosing the range that is a perfect fit for your space. With this handy guide you'll be able to pick and choose which cooking ranges fit your lifestyle best, whether you prepare feasts or reheat meals. 

1. Evaluate Your Cooking Habits

First things first, look at your lifestyle as you would before you make any big home purchase. Do you often play host to family and friends? Are you the cook of the family, or do you prefer being the sous chef? How many times a week do you cook, if at all? Do you prepare cuisine that requires lots of cook time or many steps? By starting with an understanding of your needs, you can approach the search with a realistic view of what to look for in a cooktop range, as well as how much you're willing to spend for fashion and function. 

2. Gas vs. Electric

If you are already familiar with ranges, you've heard of the gas versus electric debate. Some homeowners might be limited to what hookups already exist. If you're one of them, your decision just got a lot easier. Click here to see the pros and cons of all the available options.

3. Freestanding Ranges vs. Commercial-Style Ranges

The largest selection of ranges will fall within the "freestanding" or "slide-in" categories. These standard ranges are very popular—normally 30 inches wide with four to five burners and one oven. Some models can be found in wider sizes with added burners. Others have a storage drawer below the oven. Freestanding ranges vary widely with the option to add and subtract cooking accessories, so expect to see prices anywhere from $500 to $3,000.

Commercial-style ranges are ideal for homeowners looking to branch out into more varied styles, power options, and customizable accents. With such a variety available, prices can range from $3,000 to $15,000 or more. Commercial-style ranges are generally categorized into the following:

·         30-inch single ovens

·         36-inch single ovens with optional griddles or additional burners

·         48-inches with two ovens and optional griddles, grill, raised boiler, or additional burners

·         60-inches with two large ovens and room for extensive configurations

For the cooks of the family, commercial style ranges offer unique kitchen elements.

3. Style

Freestanding ranges are generally offered in stainless steel, white and black finishes, with some manufacturers offering more unique design elements, like metallic accents or details. Commercial style ranges offer the most variety in terms of configurations and designs, with 36-inch to 60-inch ranges to create a more striking focal point in the kitchen. Different brands and manufacturers will each give their own character to the range—some are known for their bold and industrial designs, while others bring a more vintage, French-inspired style to mind.

Kerrie Kelly of Kerrie Kelly Design Lab is an interior designer who writes about designing your kitchen around your cooking range.  She provides expert advice on which range will fit perfectly into your space and lifestyle. Visit The Home Depot to see a large selection of cooking ranges.