Buying a stove for your kitchen is a significant decision. Not only do you need to look at the design and finish, but you also need to consider its functionality and features. A gas stove is an excellent option for a kitchen as it is still popular and widely used, even with the advent of electric and induction types. In most nations, gas ranges offer the most cost-effective cooking option for the kitchen, as compared to electric ranges.
Gas stoves allow you to control the flame and temperature a little better, and they will enable you to cook or heat up water even when the electricity goes out. Also, propane and natural gas are plentiful in many areas of the world, making them a popular choice for a stove.
With such a large variety of options available nowadays for everything, it’s important to understand the features you’re looking for in a product. Even an item as simple as a gas stove must be carefully considered to ensure you’re spending your money wisely.
Here are some factors to consider when buying a gas stove:
Gas stove type
The type of gas stove depends on the ignition used: the conventional standing pilot or the modern electric ignition. The standing pilot provides a constant flow of gas to keep the burner lit, causing it to consume more energy. On the other hand, electric ignition uses an electric current, which is turned on at the start of a heating cycle and doesn’t need to run continuously. An electric ignition saves more gas, but it’s more expensive to buy, repair, and have parts replaced.
Cooking capability
The cooking capability of a gas stove is measured in British thermal units per hour or BTU/hr. The heat output for an hour for standard ranges varies between 5,000 and 12,500 BTU. If you are going to cook a lot, choose models with higher BTU ratings for more efficient cooking.
Type of gas
The gas range you pick must be suitable for the type of gas you have available in your town or city. Natural gas piped into the house through utility lines is the standard for most cities. For rural areas, liquid propane gas (LP gas) is usually piped into the house from a tank. If you have LP gas, you must buy a conversion kit for your stove to operate properly.
Size
Gas stove models can come with two, three, or four-burner cooktops. It depends on your needs and preferences, but make sure to measure your kitchen slab where you will position the gas stove, then decide on the size of the stove based on the available space. Assess the area you intend to place the stove in and make sure there are gas links to the place. Most freestanding gas ranges are 30 inches wide, but pro-style ranges can range from 36 to 48 inches.
The freestanding range is a popular option, as it comes with a cooking surface over the oven. Meanwhile, standard ranges slide between cabinets or fall into another cabinet.
If you want to optimize your kitchen space, gas stoves with built-in cooktops can serve you well. If you plan to do a lot of baking, you can choose a range with a double oven.
Easy-to-read controls
Make sure that the range you buy comes with multiple heat controls that are easy to read, so you can conveniently cook different foods at different temperatures. Consider if you need every electronic feature offered or if a simple dial that regulates the heat would be enough. Look for ranges with lockout features to prevent children from accessing both the oven and the cooktop.
Cost
The cost of gas range stoves varies due to their material, features, and brand. Standard versions are the lowest-priced choice, starting at around $100 to $300. They are usually made of ceramic and enamel-cooking surfaces, dials, knobs for burner controller, and some cast-iron grates within the burners.
Mid-range versions, which costs around $500, have higher-performing burners, electronic settings, and easy-to-clean steel grates.
Premium models cost about $1,000 and have high-performance burners. These usually have a detachable stovetop griddle and digital control panels for different cooking settings.
Pro-style models start at about $1,500 and often have wider sides than conventional stoves. They usually comprise two convection ovens along with different color choices.
Ranges with higher heating burners usually cost more. Most fields come with four top burners in three sizes. It comes with two regular-sized burners that perform at around 9,000 BTU, a smaller one in 5,000 BTU and a bigger one in 12,000 BTU.
Gas range features
Like with many other purchases, choosing a gas stove requires you to consider many options and alternatives out there. Your considerations may include different sizes and numbers of burners and heating components, broilers with varying temperatures, and analog or digital clocks and timers.
Here are some features you may want to consider:
Usually, gas stovetop burners come with four burners, though there are versions that have five. If you choose the dual-fuel option, the oven usually has two racks, while more superior models have three.
Deluxe choices include microwave or range hood over the cooking surface and at eye level. The clock or timer can usually be found in the rear of the stovetop panel.
Look for gas stoves with drip trays around the burners to ensure hassle-free cleanup of spills. Plus, it must have durable pan supports to accommodate heavy cookware full of food.
To save yourself from the hassle of using lighter or matchsticks, go for an auto-ignition cooktop model.
Warranties
Check the warranties of the gas ranges you are considering buying. Some warranties cover extended periods of time, while others will be void if you move the range from its original location. An extended warranty is a testament to its quality.