Range and Stove Buying Guide

Considering the average lifespan of a range can be 15 years or more, technology has likely come a long way since the last time you bought a new one! We're here to provide you with information on the types of stoves available to you, including the latest fuel types, burner styles, smart features, and more. Get started now, and then shop our huge selection of ranges to find the perfect one for your home at the guaranteed lowest price.

Range Fuel Types

Electric: With a simple installation and low upfront cost, an electric range is a popular choice. Electric also heats the interior oven more evenly and efficiently than any other fuel type.

Gas: Gas Ranges are slightly more expensive than their electric counterparts and require a connection to a gas line, but it's the most popular fuel type with good reason! Cooking with gas means superior control over the heat on the stovetop, with clear visualization of heat levels and instant adjustment with turns of the knob.

Dual Fuel: If you've got a gas connection and want to have the best of both cooking worlds within one range, consider a dual fuel range. These appliances offer the exceptional control of a gas cooktop with the efficient, uniform heating of an electric oven.

Induction: An Induction Range is built with an induction cooktop and an electric interior oven. While they do require specific cookware, induction cooktops are extremely energy-efficient and are much safer than electric or gas. Induction uses electromagnetic current to turn the pot or pan itself into the heat source, and cools down the moment the burner is turned off. While its interior electric oven works with any type of cookware, the induction cooktop requires certain types. Test whether a pot or pan is induction-compatible by placing a magnet against its bottom. If the magnet sticks, you can use it on an induction cooktop!

Liquid Propane: If you're looking for the features of a gas stove but a natural gas connection isn't available in your neighborhood, a liquid propane range can bring you those features in a safe and environmentally-friendly way.

Surface Burner Styles

Electric Coils: Available on electric ranges, this burner offers the most economical surface type. If budget is a concern for you, choosing an electric coil cooktop can make a big difference in your upfront cost.

Smooth-Top Electric Burners: Smooth-top burners on an electric range offer a flat, even cooktop for steady heat contact and easy cleaning.

Standard Gas Burners: Otherwise known as open gas burners, this setup allows the gas flame to shoot straight upwards for better contact with pots and pans. Standard gas burners are capable of generating more heat than a sealed burner since there's plenty of room around it from which to pull in oxygen.

Sealed Gas Burners: These burners have their jets covered on the top, meaning the flames mostly stay around the perimeter of the cooking vessel. The design of sealed gas burners prevents any spills from going into the interior of the stove.

Induction Burners: Another type of smooth top range, induction is a big winner for efficiency as well as safety. Since induction turns the cookware itself into the heat source, this means maximum heat contact with foods, plus the absence of open flames greatly reduces the risk of burns.

Halogen Electric Burners: A halogen oven cooktop is made with halogen gas bulbs that sit below the ceramic glass surface. When the bulbs are powered on, food is cooked by the radiant heat as well as the conduction between the cooktop and the cooking vessel.

Types of Ranges

Freestanding Range: The most typical type of stove, a freestanding model offers the most versatility in terms of placement. Both sides are finished, so leaving either side exposed is not an issue. These styles usually have their controls on the backguard, but some models may have them in front.

Slide-In Range: If you want your stove to merge seamlessly with your countertop, a slide-in range may be the perfect choice. Slide in stoves feature a cooktop designed to overhang the countertop, and also feature all controls in front for an uninterrupted backsplash. Select models like front-control slide in stoves from GE fit into all standard 30" cutouts, making installation even easier.

Drop-In Ranges: If you're looking for something different than a freestanding or slide in range, a drop in stove delivers the look of a built-in range at a more affordable price. Made without a lower warming drawer, a drop-in range is built to sit inside of customized cabinetry - on every side except for the top - for a fully-integrated look. Drop-in ranges have the cooking controls located on the front panel.

Smart Ranges

It's not every day you buy a new stove, so why not seek out a model with the latest technology? Smart ranges bring a new world of convenience to your cooking projects, offering features like WiFi control, voice control, or connection to various virtual assistants and Smart Home systems. Use your smartphone to preheat the oven while you're still at work, double-check to make sure you turned it off in the morning, and know when the timer's going off from anywhere in the house. See for yourself how today's smart kitchen appliances make cooking more convenient than ever!

Oven Cleaning Method

Keeping maintenance in mind when shopping for a new appliance is important. How do you want to clean your stove once you've started using it?

Manual Clean: Are you looking to stick to the basics with your new range? If you prefer a hands-on approach to cleaning, just narrow your search to Manual Clean ranges.

Self-Clean: A self cleaning oven utilizes high temperatures to disintegrate oven grime and buildup. If you're looking for the most hands-off cleaning option - whether it's due to mobility issues or because you want fewer hands-on chores - shop our selection of self-cleaning ovens.

Steam Clean Oven: This is an in-between option that facilitates light-duty cleaning without putting stress on your oven. Utilizing the power of steam is a nice compromise between manual- and self-cleaning.

EasyCleanTechnology: This system from LG offers another in-between option for easy cleaning without having to worry about overtaxing your oven's heating element. With Easy Clean, a few simple and safe steps are all that stands between you and a sparkling clean oven.

Width

Under 25" Wide: Need an apartment size stove? If you're shopping for a smaller kitchen, look for a model under 25" wide.

25" - 30" Wide: The standard oven width is 30", so if you're looking to fit a new stove into an existing space, this is the size to search.

Wider than 30": If high-volume cooking is a constant in your kitchen, you may be leaning toward a more professional style of range. Take a look at our most generously-sized stoves.

Accessibility: ADA-Compliant Ranges

We want to make sure all of our customers can find exactly what they need, and that's why we offer a wide selection of different types of stoves that meet ADA standards. Every stove in this group sits at a compliant height, operates with an accessible forward reach, and has its controls located on the front for easy and safe contact.

Now that you know about your options, it's time to start shopping for your new range! P.C. Richard & Son makes it simple to search through our vast selection to find the latest stoves for sale from the top brand names. Our amazing collection of ranges ensures you'll get all the cooking features you need, in the designs and colors you want, at the guaranteed lowest prices that fit your budget. What's more, delivery within the local P.C. Richard & Son area includes unpacking and basic setup of your new stove, and we've got a team of factory-authorized technicians at the ready to help with any issues you may have. Don't wait another day to bring the very best range into your kitchen - start shopping at P.C. Richard & Son now!