How to shop for Cooktops and wall ovens
Ranges still rule when it comes to cooking appliances. But a growing number of homeowners are seeking the added
flexibility of a separate cooktop and wall oven, with burners or elements and ovens placed in just about any
location. A wall oven can also eliminate the bending required by range ovens.
Whichever you buy, you'll find more pro-style models as once-plebeian brands climb the social ladder. But our tests
continue to show that "pro" isn't necessarily a step up.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
GE, Kenmore (sourced from others), Frigidaire, Maytag, and Whirlpool are the leading makers of cooktops and wall
ovens. Other major brands include Amana, Bosch, Electrolux, Hotpoint, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, and LG, while high-end,
pro-style brands include Dacor, GE Monogram, KitchenAid Pro-Line, Thermador, Viking, and Wolf. High-end offshoots
of major brands now include Kenmore Elite and Pro, GE Profile and Pro, and Whirl-pool Gold.
Cooktops. These can be electric coil, electric smoothtop, gas, or
induction-a newer option with glass-covered magnetic coils that send nearly all of their heat to the pan, rather
than the cooking surface. Besides quick heating, induction models offer instant response, though they're pricey
and require magnetic cookware. Brands that offer induction include Kenmore, Gaggenau, Thermador, and Viking,
among others. Cooktops also offer gas-on-glass burners.
Most electric cooktops are 30 inches and most gas models are 36 inches wide. Most are made of porcelain-coated
steel or glass ceramic, with four elements or burners. Price: about $350 to $1,500 for electrics; $350 to $2,500
for gas; and $1,800 and up for induction models.
Wall ovens. These let you eliminate bending by installing them at
waist or eye level, though you can also nest them beneath a countertop to save space. Most are electric and
offer single or double ovens, self-cleaning or manual, with or without a convection setting. Width is typically
24, 27, or 30 inches. Price: $500 to more than $2,500 for double-oven models; figure on about $300 extra for
convection.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Flexibility is the biggest reason to trade the usual range for a cooktop and wall oven. But while you can get an
electric cooktop and wall oven for as little as $1,300 or so, you'll find top-performing electric and gas ranges
for less than half that amount. Some other shopping tips:
Consider your fuel. Electric elements tend to heat faster and
maintain low heat better than gas burners. But a gas flame makes it easier to see the heat level. Either is
capable of fine performance.
Consider your cooking. If you often cook for a crowd, look for at
least one high-powered element or burner and a large oven. You'll find more midpriced gas ranges with the
ultrahigh heat once exclusive to professional-style stoves. High-heat burners can be useful for searing,
stir-frying, or heating large quantities. Wall ovens that excelled in broiling produced well-seared, evenly
cooked burgers in our tests.
Balance convenience and durability. Electric smoothtops are
relatively easy to clean but require a special cleaner and can be damaged by dropped pots and sugary liquids.
Coiltops are tougher, but they require more cleaning time.
Keep high-tech in perspective. Models with special baking modes may
not outperform conventional models. While touchpad oven controls are more precise than knobs, front-mounted
versions are easy to bump and reset by accident; be sure they're well-placed and visible while cooking. And
while induction cooktops take the cake for quick heating, most begin at nearly $2,000.
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