• Pros:
• Fine control of temperature and flame levels, which is much easier to see than on a smooth top electric range.
• Can be shut off immediately with little heat retention, reducing the risk of burning yourself or others.
• Can be used even during power outages (with a match -- use caution).

• Cons:
• Not as efficient as electric or induct
• Need a gas line hookup and electricity.

• Look For:
• Functionally, most gas ranges are very similar; the differences are in the features.
• Easy-cleaning features, such as removable grill and sealed burners.
• Heavy, porcelain grates. Or as an alternative, continuous grates that span the whole cooktop (they can be harder to clean though).
• Ceramic surfaces.
• Multiple burner sizes for different sizes of pots and pans.
• Easy-to-use knobs.
• "X-Lo" Feature: Burner will automatically turn on and off at set intervals to keep your sauce warm but not boiling. Also called a simmer burner on some models.
• Sealed burners and removable burner pans.
• Electric ignition -- easier and more reliable than a pilot light.

• See all gas cooktops. 

• Pros:
• More efficient than gas stoves.
• Doesn't need a separate gas line since it just plugs in.
• Flat-top electric ranges are very easy to clean, fast to heat up, aesthetically pleasing, and offer more versatility with expanding elements (for a small sauce pan or a large frying pan on one burner space).
• Coil electrics are cheaper than smooth-top ranges, but it is relatively easy to replace the coil elements if they break.

• Cons:
• Older-style coil ranges take a while to cool so you can burn yourself easily.
• Control is not as fine as a gas range, especially with coil models.
• Gas is considered more precise and is preferred by professional cooks.

• Look For:
• Functionally, most electric ranges within a given category (coil or flat) are functionally very similar; the differences are in the features.
• Easy cleaning surfaces.
• Safety switches that prevent toddlers from turning on the stove.
• Porcelain drip pans are easy to clean and retain their luster.
• Easy-to-use controls.

• See all electric cooktops. 

• Pros:
• Surface never gets warm, but pots and pans heat up quickly.
• Reduces risk of fire, burnt-on spills and accidentally injuring children.
• Easy to clean, smooth surface.
• Heats pans faster than other kinds of ranges.
• Extremely energy efficient -- almost all the heat generated is in the pan itself, keeping your kitchen cooler and your energy bills lower.

• Cons:
• Very new technology; not fully tested.
• Need pans and pots made of a magnetizable material -- copper and aluminum will not work.
• Expensive (at least $2000), although prices may come down in the near future.

• Look For:
• There are only two or three full-sized cooktop models currently on the market.

• See all induction cooktops. 

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Ranges 

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