Photo: BlueStar
All oven ranges are sufficient at the basics. They can boil, bake, broil, and roast, all in a 30” cabinet opening. However, when it comes to choosing a range that fits your home and personal style, you are given the option between a freestanding range and a more expensive cooktop, or wall oven.
Aside from price, the only real differences between a freestanding range and a cooktop are style and cleanability. With a cooktop or wall oven, the appliance is built-in to the kitchen so food, crumbs, and other by-products of cooking can’t drip down the sides or in the back. Therefore, you are less likely to need to thoroughly clean the area around the oven when you purchase a wall oven over a freestanding range (and a wall oven has a cleaner, more integrated look).
When looking for the ideal oven range for your home, consider these questions:
What Is My Budget?
A cooktop or wall oven is desirable because it can be placed anywhere in the kitchen as long as it’s finished on all sides. These appliances sit behind the cabinet baseboard for a smooth and seamless blend. In contrast, freestanding models slide into place and have unfinished sides to be surrounded by cabinetry.
In addition, a freestanding range is much less expensive than a built-in wall oven. The freestanding installation is flexible and catchpenny, and the appliance is 10-15% less as well.
Do I Have Gas Or Electric?
If your home or kitchen has a gas line hook-up, you should purchase a gas-powered range. Similarly, if you an electric set-up, you’ll want to stick with your system.
Dual-fuel ranges combine two cooking fuels in one range.
What Type Of Burner Do I Want?
Or rather, how many? Some freestanding oven ranges offer 4 or 5 burners, while others offer 6. Most freestanding models can be found with a broiler drawer, double ovens, and additional burners as well. A wall oven, however, does not come with a cooktop included and is smaller in size. Therefore, wall ovens need a separately purchased burner and hold less food than a standard freestanding range.
All-in-all, freestanding ranges are great economy purchases with incredible capabilities and variations in design. Wall ovens take up less space, are more aesthetically pleasing, are higher up at eye level, and operate best with a separated cooking area.
Atherton and BSC Culinary are happy to supply a variety of freestanding and separate ranges in an array of styles, dimensions, and brands. Give us a call or visit our showroom today for kitchen redesign inspiration.
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