A free standing gas range is a gas range owned by 90% of the American population. The majority of free standing gas ranges are 30’’ wide, although some manufacturers produce smaller 20" and 24" models for compact living spaces. Gas ranges are also available in 36 and 48 inch sizes.
Among many consumers gas is a preferred cooking method for a number of reasons. Gas cooking is more efficient than electric cooking, meaning that your food will heat up faster and more evenly without losing as much residual heat.
Gas burners are now almost 50% more powerful than 10 years ago and feature many more configurations. If you live in Boston, gas is about 65% of all purchased units.
Freestanding vs Slide-In
Freestanding ranges have a backguard behind the range displaying the cooktop and oven controls. A slide-in has the controls on the front and sits on the counter to prevent any seams for easy cleaning.
Freestanding is cheaper and typically has more selection than the more expensive slide-in.
Typically, for any brand, you will start with a self-cleaning range as a standard, add higher output burners, convection, warming drawer, second oven and then a double oven.. Let's look at each.
Burners
Compared to all of the cooking products in the industry freestanding gas ranges have some of the most diverse cooktop configurations. Your standard entry level gas range has four burners. As you move up in price point you will find that ranges will have a greater BTU variety for higher heat and better simmer. Some 30’’ ranges have a five burner construction or an oblong griddle burner in the middle of the range. A five burner construction is more flexible, especially if you like to cook several dishes at the same time. A griddle burner is great if you like to do a lot of skillet or griddle cooking. This oblong burner will provide the most even heat to your large pans.
Warming Drawers
Some freestanding ranges feature a built-in warming drawer. A warming drawer will keep your dishes warm until you are ready to serve. I use my warming drawer on a daily basis, especially if I am cooking multiple dishes at the same time and the rice dish is finished before the meat. Warming drawers are great for people who like to entertain or for busy families.
Typically, a warming drawer will cost $200-500 more as an option. Buying just a warming drawer will cost typically $800-1500, so it's more cost effective to purchase it in the range.
Ovens
A gas oven is great for broiling and will meet all of your basic cooking needs. Higher priced freestanding models have convection, or fan forced heat. A convection oven will have a faster preheat and cooking time, and will keep the interior oven temperature even and accurate.
Some freestanding ranges have a double oven construction. Double ovens can be a regular stove with an oven where the storage drawer/warming drawer would be or two equal sized ovens. Both have advantages, the true double is more versatile whereas the larger oven would be better for turkeys and roasts.
Electrolux Corporation
Electrolux is the second largest appliance manufacturer in the world. Electrolux is widely known in the US for making great vacuum cleaners and laundry however they make nice cooking products as well. This manufacturer owns both the Electrolux and Frigidaire brands.
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Frigidaire FFGF3053LS - $729 This range is very basic but has enough functional features without the fancy bells and whistles. It has four burners: a 14,000 BTU power burner and a low simmer burner and a large oven capacity with self-cleaning. |
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Electrolux EI30GF35JS - $999 This range is equipped with four burners and an oblong griddle burner. The BTU output ranges from 18,000 BTU power burner to 500 BTU simmer burner. This range has a self-cleaning convection oven with a pretty blue interior. |
BSH Corporation
BSH is the largest manufacturer of household appliances in Europe and is a big name in the North American market as well. BSH produces Bosch, Thermador, and Gaggenau brands. Bosch is well known for producing high quality European dishwashers but also produces great affordable luxury appliances in every category.
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Bosch HGS7052UC - $1,549 This range is one of the nicest freestanding gas ranges out there in the single oven category. The burners max out as high as 16K BTUs and as low as 400 BTUs. This range has a large true European convection oven with a full extension telescopic rack and an integrated warming drawer. |
Whirlpool Corporation
The Whirlpool Corporation is the largest manufacturer of household appliances in the world.
This corporation produces Jenn-Air, KitchenAid, Maytag, Whirlpool, and Amana appliance brands. KitchenAid is a well-known brand in the North American market. It is known for making high quality affordable luxury products in every category.
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KitchenAid KGRS505XSS - $1,979 This range has four burners with an oblong griddle burner. It has burner output as high as 16,000 BTU and as low as 5,000 BTU. This range has a central oblong griddle burner. You have the flexibility to replace the central grate with a cast iron griddle giving you optimal flexibility. This range has a double convection oven configuration. For a cook who likes to make a wide variety of dishes and is seeking maximum flexibility, this is a great range to consider. |
Additional Resources
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