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03/07/20255 Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a New Range
The right oven range can be your kitchen's reassuring heart. But choose wrong? Well, let's just say the difference between a range that suits you versus one that doesn't is like night and day.
Read on to find out how you can get the perfect match for your cooking style and space.
1. Ignoring How You Actually Cook
Before you make your pick, ask yourself: Are you that baker who lives for perfectly risen sourdough or a show-stopping cake? Or do you whip up lightning-fast stir-fries on busy weeknights? Let your cooking style guide your decision.
Fuel Type: The Foundation of Great Cooking
Gas Ranges Perfect for: Searing steaks, quick stir-fries, instant heat control. Why home cooks love them: That immediate blast of heat you can adjust on a dime!
Electric Ranges Perfect for: Baking enthusiasts, busy families. Why they work: Consistently even heat and easy cleanup — a godsend after dinner parties or a busy week!
Dual-Fuel Ranges Perfect for: The best-of-both-worlds crowd. Why they're worth it: Gas cooktop precision and electric oven consistency works for every cooking style.
Induction Ranges Perfect for: Time efficiency and precise temperature control. Why they're gaining ground: Induction heating targets cookware directly and swiftly.
Oven Features That Actually Matter
Convection Cooking Essential if: You're a serious baker or love hosting dinner parties. The payoff: Faster, more even cooking across multiple racks.
Oven Capacity Consider this: Will your favorite sheet pans and roasting dishes easily? Pro tip: Test-fit your go-to cookware before you buy.
Double Oven Setup Game-changer for: Anyone juggling multiple dishes at different temperatures. Skip it if: You're more of a one-pot wonder type.
Cooktop Features Worth Your Attention
High-Power Burners Must-have for: Stir-frying, searing, rapid boiling. Look for: BTU ratings that match your cooking intensity.
Burner Variety Why it matters: Different pot sizes need different burner sizes. Smart move: Mix of high-power and gentle simmer burners.
2. Skipping the Measuring Tape
Found your dream range? Fantastic! Just don't let those stars in your eyes make you forget the mundane (but crucial) reality of your kitchen dimensions.
So before you let yourself fall in love before checking that your dream range will actually fit your kitchen.
Critical Measurements to Take
Standard Range Dimensions- Width: 30 inches (most common)
- Depth: 27-29 inches
- Height: 36 inches
*These are typical dimensions, but always double-check your specific model's measurements!
Fit Considerations Beyond Basic Size
Door Overhang: Range doors often stick out slightly from counters. To get a perfectly flush fit, Bertazzoni recesses the gas and power lines in their ranges.
Space Alternatives Compact (24-inch): Great for small spaces and home cooks who like to focus on just one or two things at a time.
Commercial-Style (36-48 inches): Great for cooks with spacious kitchens who like to have multiple pots and pans on the go at once.
3. Forgetting About Ventilation
Here's a mistake that'll come back to haunt you: choosing your range before confirming what ventilation you can actually install.
Smart approach: Research compatible hood options for your space before falling for any particular range. Your future self (and your smoke alarms) will thank you.
*Check out our blog post, How to choose the best ventilation hood – Inspiring Appliances to find out more about options.
4. Paying for Features You'll Never Touch
It's tempting to go for every bell and whistle, but be honest about what you'll actually use. Focus your budget on features that match your real cooking habits.
Features Worth Investing In
Convection Cooking Worth it if: You bake frequently or cook large meals. Skip it if: You're mostly reheating and cooking simple dishes.
High-Performance Burners Always worthwhile. High-performance burners are great for searing, stir-frying, and quick boiling. If you’re a slow-and-steady cook, go for a model with versatile burners that can do all that and easily maintain a gentle simmer.
Safety Features Always important! Hot surface warning lights are essential, especially if you share your kitchen space with kids!
Nice-to-Have Features
Self-Cleaning Function Consider: Do you mind cleaning your oven, or is the convenience of doing it with the push of a button worth investing in? (If you can’t remember the last time you cleaned your oven, you have your answer right there!)
Specialty Modes (Air Fry, Pizza) A nice bonus: If pizza or wing night is a favourite treat, this is an easy way to free up countertop space.
5. Overlooking Power and Gas Requirements
Nothing ruins the excitement of a new range like discovering your kitchen isn’t set up for it. These technical requirements are an essential consideration, because although standard electric ranges work with standard kitchen wiring, that’s not the case with every type of range.
Electric and induction ranges often need higher amperage than standard electric ranges.
Gas ranges are fueled via a natural gas line, so make sure your kitchen has one or that you can have one installed before you make your purchase.
Always a smart move: Check installation manual specifications and consult an electrician before you commit to a model.
So go for it!
Run through these considerations while choosing your next range and see how it takes your home cooking to a new level of ease – not to mention some delicious results to enjoy with family and friends!
