What is the Difference Between a Range and a Stove?

Is a range the same as a stove? What makes a stove different from a range? Although we use them nearly everyday of our lives to prepare meals, there’s a lot of confusion about these appliances. So let’s clear up the perplexity to put an end to this kitchen debate. Knowing what to look for when you’re shopping for new cooking appliances will make the process so much smoother. 

What is the Difference Between a Range and a Stove?

A stove and a range basically refer to the same appliance, one which contains an oven and a stovetop or cooktop.

A stove is 

 

The uncertainty may have come from the fact that a stove existed long before the luxury of modern kitchens existed. Hundreds of years ago, stoves were used to heat a home, not prepare a meal. Cooking on the other hand was typically done in a large fireplace. Woodburning stoves still exist and are a popular way to add a rustic heating element to a home. However, stove is still commonly used when talking about a range and vice versa. 

What Is a Kitchen Range?

A range is the quintessential kitchen cooking appliance that we typically think of when we picture a kitchen. It’s a combination appliance, which includes a cooktop on top and an oven below. A range can come in different heat sources, such as an electric range or a gas range. Today, you can also find dual fuel ranges which feature one power source for the stove top and another for the oven. For instance, since electric can offer greater consistent heating in an oven, sometimes an electric oven is paired with a gas cooktop. There are even range models that include an air fryer as well as an oven and stove top. 

A Kitchen Range Isn’t Your Only Option

Now that the stove/range debate is settled, let’s consider other cooking options. While the range with its cooktop and oven combo might be the traditional arrangement for a kitchen, other possibilities do exist. For instance, wall ovens provide the option of a separate oven unit that’s independent of a cooktop. This can allow you to place the oven where it’s convenient for you and also eliminates the need to bend over as most wall ovens are placed at chest height. 

Similarly, a cooktop can be an independent appliance that fits seamlessly into an island or countertop. These types of stovetops are available in gas, electric and also induction cooking options. This can be a good option when you are looking to create a low-profile or streamlined look to your kitchen. 

Choose the Cooking Appliances Right for Your Lifestyle

As you can see there are many options available for cooking, baking, frying and roasting. Home Outlet Direct makes it easy for you to choose the right appliances for your needs with an easy-to-navigate shopping experience that allows you to browse ranges, wall ovens and cooktops with ease. 

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