There are a lot of choices when you’re shopping for affordable gas ranges. A few years ago, features like convection, continuous grates, fifth center burner, and self-clean required an upgrade in price but now they are standard in most ranges.
In fact, the whole process of looking for a range has changed over the last 5 years.
We will look at different brands, the ranges, then compare. But first, let's answer what convection is and does.
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Convection
Convection is a fan forced heat so more even temperatures are maintained in the oven.
European/True Convection
In a regular oven, heat radiates from the bottom to the top so there is temperature disparity in different parts of the oven. The convection fan maintains the heat throughout the oven, so you bake more evenly.
We bake cookies every weekend at Yale on three racks to show convection. Each cookie has similar color and texture.
By the way, European or true convection is a third element which blows air from the back for the most even bake. It only exists in electric, not gas for an affordable range. BlueStar has true gas convection, but starts at $3,500.
Read The Differences Between Convection Ovens here.
Convection Brands
Competing manufactures making the same product and will result in a better product for less. A fully featured range can often be found for $800 or less.
There are two types of ranges, Freestanding and Slide-In. To keep the pricing low, we’ll be looking at the freestanding ranges since they’re about 10%–40% less.
If you’re thinking Bosch, it used to be a good option but they no longer make freestanding ranges as of 2016.
The brands we’ll be looking at will be Frigidaire, Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, Samsung, LG and GE.
Most Affordable Gas Convection Ranges
GE
GE is common appliance name in the U.S. This brand was recently acquired by Haier which is a subsidiary of the Chinese owned Haier Group.
GE JGB700SEJSS - $699.99
Features:
- Continuous Grates (center grate is optional)
- Integrated Griddle
- Convection
- Storage Drawer
- Two Oven Racks
- Left Front Burner 18,000 BTU
- Left Rear Burner 5,000 BTU
- Right Front Burner 9,500 BTU
- Right Rear Burner 12,000 BTU
- Center Burner 10,000 BTU
LG
LG is also a Korean company like Samsung producing appliances as well as many other electronics. They are also very innovative. See the new Laundry set that was recently introduced to the market.
LG LRG3081ST - $799.99
Features:
- Continuous Grates
- 5 Burners
- Griddle
- Convection
- EasyClean using water or traditional self clean
- Storage Drawer
- Two oven racks
- Left Front Burner 17,000 BTU
- Left Rear Burner 9,100 BTU
- Right Front Burner 17,000 BTU
- Right Rear Burner 5,000 BTU
- Center Burner 9,100 BTU
Samsung
Samsung is an innovative Korean company and the fastest growing appliance manufacturer. They are often the first ones onto the market with the latest and greatest including the recent Family Hub Refrigerator.
Samsung is a huge company that also produces electronics. You probably own their TV or cell phone.
Samsung NX58H5600SS - $799
Features:
- Continuous Grates
- 5 Burners
- Griddle
- Convection
- Self Clean
- Storage Drawer
- Two oven racks
- Left Front Burner 15,000 BTU
- Left Rear Burner 9,500 BTU
- Right Front Burner 17,000 BTU
- Right Rear Burner 5,000 BTU
- Center Burner 9,500 BTU
Whirlpool
Whirlpool is an American company that also produces appliances under the Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, Maytag, and Amana labels. The Whirlpool line is very similar to the Maytag models. Usually, the differentiating factor is the style.
Whirlpool will have a smooth, curvy look whereas Maytag (below) is geared towards being “rugged” with the round, knobbed handles, and bulky features. Amana is the budget brand for the company.
They are often placed in rental apartments and offer little to no features. Jenn-Air does not offer a freestanding range and KitchenAid we will review below.
Whirlpool WFG715H0ES - $1039.99
Features:
- Continuous Grates
- 5 Sealed Burners
- Rapid Preheat
- True Convection
- Aqualift Self Clean
- Warming Drawer
- Left Front Burner 17,000 BTU
- Left Rear Burner 9,500 BTU
- Right Front Burner 15,000 BTU
- Right Rear Burner 5,000 BTU
- Center Burner 8,000 BTU
Maytag
Maytag is owned by Whirlpool is very similar in features and pricing to the Whirlpool model. The differences being, a more commercial look.
Maytag MGR8700DB - $869.99
Features:
- Continuous Grates
- 5 Sealed Burners
- Rapid Preheat
- True Convection
- Aqualift Self Clean
- Two Standard Racks
- Storage Drawer
- Left Front Burner 17,000 BTU
- Left Rear Burner 9,500 BTU
- Right Front Burner 15,000 BTU
- Right Rear Burner 5,000 BTU
- Center Burner 8,000 BTU
Frigidaire
Frigidaire is owned by the Swedish company Electrolux, who is one of the biggest appliance manufacturers in the world. They offer a wide variety of appliances including refrigerators and dishwashers.
In this category, Frigidaire is great option and often the one that most go with. They offer three series: basic, Gallery and Professional.
Each series offers a different level of features, looks, and pricing to fit almost any budget. Listed below is a Gallery model in convection and a lot of nice features at a mid-range price point.
Frigidaire FGGF3058RF - $679.99 after rebates
Features:
- Continuous Grates
- 5 Sealed Burners
- Quick Preheat
- True Convection
- Self Clean
- Temperature Probe
- Smudge-Proof Stainless Steel
- Storage Drawer
- Left Front Burner 9,500 BTU
- Left Rear Burner 12,000 BTU
- Right Front Burner 18,000 BTU
- Right Rear Burner 5,000 BTU
- Center Burner 10,000 BTU
KitchenAid
KitchenAid is also owned by Whirlpool but has a different look than the rest of its sister brands. Instead of the black cooktop, KitchenAid goes with stainless which gives it an upscale look.
This line was recently overhauled to feature larger oven windows, improved features like Aqualift (a shorter self-cleaning cycle using steam) and red medallion capped, round handle that runs across the entire brand.
KitchenAid KFGG500ESS - $1,049 after rebates
Features:
- Continuous Grates
- Stainless Cooking Surface
- 5 Sealed Burners
- Rapid Preheat
- True Convection
- Aqualift Self Clean
- Three Racks
- Storage Drawer
- Left Front Burner 18,000 BTU
- Left Rear Burner 9,500 BTU
- Right Front Burner 15,000 BTU
- Right Rear Burner 5,000 BTU
- Center Burner 8,000 BTU
Comparison
All of these ranges have very similar features like the continuous grates and fifth burners. The differences would be that, the Whirlpool model offers a warming drawer whereas the rest only has a storage drawer.
The Whirlpool, Maytag, and KitchenAid features the new Aqualift Steam which uses steam to clean the oven as opposed to the traditional self-clean in the other brands.
LG’s EasyClean feature is similar to Aqualift where you would spray the oven with water to produce steam. They all look similar as well.
KitchenAid would be the only that stands out from the crowd because of the stainless cooking surface.
Which Should You Buy?
LG’s blue interior is a nice touch but the overall features of the range are a little light. Samsung is a bit better.
The KitchenAid would be good choice aesthetically and they have some great packages with substantial rebates.
However, the Frigidaire would be the best value. It is also the only one in the group to offer a temperature probe, and Frigidaire is consistently one of the most reliable appliance brands.
Additional Resources
Want more information on Gas Ranges? Read the Yale Gas Cooking Buying Guide with features, specs and BTU outputs of all the best brands like Electrolux, Samsung, Whirlpool, Jenn-Air, Frigidaire, LG and more. Well over 165,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
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Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
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