If you are planning to do a lot of cooking and baking at home, having a fully furnished kitchen is simply a must. Having just a toaster oven and a stovetop isn’t going to cut it if you are serious about the quality of your cooking. It’s no accident that they say that the equipment makes the master.
When it comes to baking, there are two really good and very different options you can choose from: cooking ranges or wall ovens. If you’re unsure which one would suit you better, read what kitchen appliance experts have to say about it.
What’s the Difference?
If you aren’t exactly sure, here’s the simplest answer possible. A range (also known as a stove) is a multifunctional appliance which has a cooktop (or stovetop) on the top and an oven under it. These two-in-one devices are very common in Europe and have been around for a very long time.
On the other hand, a wall oven consists of just the oven part, which can be installed in a niche in a wall and used separately of your cooktop. You may already see what use cases might be for each of the appliances.
Typical Use Cases
Wall ovens are commonly installed in kitchens which have limited space and cannot find room for a large appliance such as a full-size range. Instead, people with smaller kitchens opt to split their oven from the cooktop and place them in different places where the space permits it.
Another important thing to consider when choosing the right oven is the position of the appliance. A range will invariably have the oven lower down, meaning there will be a lot of bending and crouching in order to see how the baking is going. Wall ovens tend to be mounted around eye level or just a bit lower than that. This also makes it easier for hot dishes to be taken out and moved safely.
What’s Powering Them?
A typical cooking range in the US is gas-burning. Due to the ample reserves of natural gas, the widespread gas pipeline network and their low cost, electric ranges only occupy a small portion of the market. That means that you will be more likely to have a gas range than an electric one (although this has been changing in recent years thanks to advancements in technology).
On the other hand, wall ovens tend to be electric and it can be very difficult to find one that is gas-powered. That makes it a very important and often-deciding factor when choosing between the two. If your home doesn’t have access to gas, or if electricity is the cheaper option in your area, an electric appliance may be preferable.
The Cost
Whenever we’re talking about buying a large kitchen appliance, one of the most relevant factors will be the price. Ovens are no different, and just like with all other appliances, you’re looking at a range (no pun intended) of prices rather than a single fixed sum.
Wall-mounted ovens tend to be a bit more expensive. Depending on the features, size and efficiency, you may be paying anything between $700 and $7,000 for a high-end model. In addition to the oven, you will also need to buy a cooktop.
On the other hand, a range is already a two-in-one appliance, and the low-end models go as low as $400. However, the high-end ones may cost as much as $12,000 or more. So, while a range can be the cheapest option, you really need to figure out which features you really need and compare similar products.
Finding the best appliance may be a tedious process, but once you find the best oven for yourself, you will be happy you took the time.