We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.
Charr tortillas, blister veggies, or sear a steak on powerful open flame burners. cartridge gas stove
A kitchen isn’t a kitchen without a range. So when it comes to picking a new one, you want the best possible appliance that’s not only the center of your kitchen, but also something you use every day. You might consider a gas range if you already have a gas range or a gas hookup in the kitchen.
While every type of range, and appliance for that matter, has both positives and negatives, it’s important to look into your local city and state laws when it comes to installing and buying new gas ranges. Some cities and states have banned new gas ranges, and some have just placed new regulations on them due to their emissions and environmental effects.
That said, if you have the green light and want to cook with gas in your kitchen, we’ve got you covered. Some ranges feature double ovens perfect for entertaining while others have smart features that make it even easier to get a quick, weeknight dinner on the table in a flash, and with the rising popularity of air frying, many have air frying capabilities built right in. So get ready to char veggies on the open flame, get that unmistakable wok hei, and sear the perfect steak on our favorite gas ranges.
This range is affordable and includes many extra features like air fry and a griddle that you would expect to pay more for.
We would have liked to see a third rack since the oven can accommodate it.
This oven is the Goldilocks of ovens: high quality but not too expensive, has desirable extra features, but isn’t overloaded with things you don’t need. It has an extra burner and a large oven without being too big for most kitchens. With an “edge-to-edge cooktop,” the extra fifth burner runs down the middle with a griddle attachment perfect for smash burgers, pancakes, and more, and a power boil burner quickly brings water to a roiling boil.
This freestanding range has a large, 5 cu. Ft. oven with no preheat and air fry setting so you can cook crispy food in less time. It also has a self-cleaning feature. For such a large oven with space for three racks, it only includes two, so we do wish it had a third.
The SpeedHeat burners are super powerful, and the grate covers the entire cooktop for easy maneuvering.
The grates are in two interlocking pieces, which makes them difficult to clean.
For a reliable, powerful gas range for a great price, we recommend this one from Whirlpool. The SpeedHeat burners are lightning-fast and can boil water incredibly rapidly, and they provide the power to sear a steak even when not turned all the way up. The dishwasher-safe grates cover the entire surface, so moving cookware around to higher or lower heat areas is easy, giving you much more control over the heat. Other features include frozen bake technology for quick reheating and a separate broiler drawer. However, the grates are in two pieces and are heavy. They interlock, so in order to wipe up a quick spill, you need to remove both grates entirely.
We loved the luxurious smart features and the large, versatile middle burner.
The cooktop is easily scratched.
If you’re working with an existing cut-out in your kitchen, this is the perfect slide-in model. It’s a smart oven with wifi installed, so you can control your oven from virtually anywhere via the app. The best feature is the middle burners. Not only are they equipped with a reversible grill and griddle, but you can choose the shape of the ring of the burner for even more control. The oven is also loaded with features like steam-assisted self-clean, air fry, and a built-in temperature probe. The surface is sleek but extremely prone to scratches, which can easily happen with the rough grates.
We loved the heavyweight construction and restaurant-quality burners on this range.
This range is costly, especially compared to non-professional ranges.
If you ask a chef what range brand they fantasize about, nearly all will answer “Viking.” This is the perfect range for that restaurant feel at home due to its powerful and precise burners that provide the most even heat. The oven is also equipped with a GormetGlo infrared broiler that delivers intense, consistent heat; you can even sear a steak under it. Due to its heavy-duty materials and construction, this range will last a lifetime. Though it comes at a high price tag, this range is much more expensive than non-professional models.
The ample oven space and premium features make this range the best dual-fuel range on the market.
We like the touchscreen controls, but it is easy to press things accidentally.
Dual fuel is the best of both worlds regarding fuel type. And you’ll be glad with this oven; it has a whopping 7.1 cubic foot capacity, perfect for getting that perfect, even bake on tray after tray of cookies. It also includes a baking drawer to keep food warm or cook at lower temperatures and a steam rack — this oven was made with bakers in mind. It also features convection and self-clean modes. The front-mounted panel is a touch screen that, while convenient, is easily accidentally activated due to its location and the screen's sensitivity.
We loved the convenient delay bake function and keep warm functions on this range.
The double oven takes up more space than a single oven, so there’s no lower storage.
This double oven range is perfect for big families. The two ovens can be set to different temperatures to cook multiple dishes simultaneously. Plus, this range features a warm zone that can keep some dishes warm while others finish cooking. But the most handy feature of this range is the delay bake function; it sets the oven to start cooking at a set time — just set it and forget it. If you’re used to using the bottom drawer of your oven for storage, this range might feel less practical since the second oven goes all to the floor.
This range is loaded with all the extra bells and whistles; we loved the convenient settings that make all cooking easier, plus the extras like air fry and sous vide.
Though it has many smart features, this range is expensive for a standard gas range.
When it comes to top-of-the-line tech, this range has it all. It has features you know you want, like self-cleaning, air fry and sous vide settings, true convection, and built-in wifi. But it also boasts a laundry list of features you didn’t even know you wanted, like the InstaView window, where the oven light can be activated by knocking on the glass so you can check on your food without opening the oven. But the ‘smart’ in the smart range comes from the ThinkQ tech that learns your habits and streamlines your cooking. Plus, it can be connected to the app to help monitor the health of your appliances over time. Though for a range that doesn’t offer dual fuel or professional style cooking, it is a bit pricey.
The GE 30" Free-Standing Gas Convection snagged our top spot because we loved that it’s the perfect combination of affordability and luxury. For the cook that always has the newest tech, look no further than the LG LSGL6337F Slide-In Gas Range for the ultimate experience with smart features and customizable cooking.
Choosing a freestanding, slide-in, or drop-in range mainly depends on your kitchen layout. Freestanding ranges can go pretty much anywhere and don’t need anything on either side. Their sides are finished and look great standing alone, which usually makes them more cumbersome. Slide-in ranges are meant to perfectly snap into a cut-out in your countertop and cabinets. These ranges slide into the cutout and are meant to have cabinets on either side, so they’re not finished like freestanding ranges. In order to install a slide-in range, you either need to have the gap cut already or be prepared to spend more to cut out the necessary space. Drop-in ranges don’t go all the way to the floor and are great if you want to get a bit more storage space out of your range installation but also require a precise fit.
Though most ranges marketed for home use are around the same size dimensionally, their interior cubic space can vary wildly. For cooks who often only use one sheet tray at a time, you might have yet to think about it. But if you’ve played Tetris with a turkey big enough for 12 plus sides, you know the woes of a too-small oven. Consider a larger capacity if you plan to cook larger items or want to use multiple racks at a time.
Double ovens can come in handy if you often find yourself stuck in the conundrum of wanting to cook two things at the same time that require different cooking temperatures. If you’re someone who likes to braise short ribs for hours but still wants the flexibility of nachos at a moment’s notice during that day-long braise, double ovens are for you. If you don’t find yourself cooking multi-component meals for crowds or long cooking projects occupying your oven all day, it’s not necessary.
Front-mounted controls are often considered to be more convenient since they’re mounted right where your hands are. However, since they’re right where all the action is, they can easily get bumped and can pose a safety risk for children. Back-mounted panels eliminate the risk of accidental activation and are usually easier to read. The major downside is that you often must reach over a hot pan to use them.
Convection is a heat setting on your oven that uses large fans to blow heat around inside the oven. This type of heat rapidly pushes the hot air around, quickly evaporating the moisture out of food. This makes it excellent for food that you want to get really browned and crispy, like fries. You can certainly get by without it, but it’s a nice feature to have for when you want that extra crunch.
More burners equals more space, sort of. The dimensions of most ranges are about the same, whether they have the standard four burners or a few extras. Still, one or two extra burners can make more economical use of that space. If you want to keep things warm or make meals that use multiple pieces of cookware at a time, more burners come in handy. Extra burners aren't a must-have if you’re a small household or favor one-pot meals.
With gas ranges, the grates usually cover each burner individually or connect to cover the entire cooktop. Individual grates are much easier to maneuver and easier to clean. However, while cumbersome, large grates make it easier to slide hot cookware across the entire cooktop. Large grates maximize the usable space but can be very difficult to move once it’s time to clean up. What type is best for you will depend on how much you value easy clean-up versus more usable cooktop space.
Ranges these days are loaded with extra features that make cooking easier and even fun. Some features to look out for are air fry, sous vide settings, smart features, a griddle, double ovens, a steam setting, self-clean, and more. Obviously, the range will work just fine without any of these extras, but considering ranges with a few is a great way to customize your appliance to your and your household’s needs. Low on counter space? Consider an oven with an air fryer setting and cut down on extra appliances. Want to monitor dinner from the couch? Pick a range with smart features and app controls. Getting really into bread baking? An oven with a steam setting will take your bakes to the next level.
The safety of gas stoves has been getting a lot of heat lately. Alexander Hoehn-Saric, chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, made a statement acknowledging that gas stoves can pose a health and environmental risk, saying, “Research indicates that emissions from gas stoves can be hazardous, and the CPSC is looking for ways to reduce related indoor air quality hazards.” Hoehn-Saric went on to say the CPSC has not banned gas stoves and, as of now, has no plans to do so. Andrea De Vizcaya Ruiz, PhD, an Associate Professor of Environmental & Occupational Health at the University of California Irvine, confirms the potentially harmful effects of gas stoves, citing conditions such as “increased respiratory infections susceptibility, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, and neurological damage. Symptoms such as headaches, eye irritation, and loss of appetite are experienced in short-term periods. And in long-term periods, chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have been reported.”
Many things we utilize in our modern lives, like cars and even stoves, pose some health risks. It’s important to consider them before making a purchase, and with all appliances, the most crucial thing is to use them safely and responsibly. John Adler, veteran chef of Per Se and Blue Hill Stone Barns and current Senior Vice President, Physical Product at Blue Apron, warns, “If you use a gas stove in a confined, poorly ventilated space, the risk factor of these affecting humans, pets and the immediate environment increases exponentially. Gas stoves can also be turned on without automatically igniting, which can create a release of gasses into the kitchen that can create symptoms of acute illness if the stove is not turned off and the room is not ventilated and aired out quickly.” Using gas stoves responsibly greatly cuts down on the risk they pose.
Taking this into consideration, it’s vital to ensure your kitchen has sufficient ventilation before choosing to install a new gas range, like with a quality range hood or kitchen fan.
The main types of gas ranges are free-standing and slide-in. Other types, like dual-fuel or professional, describe the function of the oven but are still either freestanding or slide-in. You will sometimes see drop-in ranges that don’t go all the way to the floor and are often found in kitchen islands but are less common. Free-standing ranges don’t go into a preexisting cut-out and can be placed anywhere in your kitchen without cabinetry. The sides are finished and insulted to have nothing up against it. Slide-in ranges scoot in between cabinetry and require either an established cut-out or some light kitchen construction to make space for them. They’re designed to have cabinets on either side and won’t do well without being nestled into your countertops.
Like many chefs, Adler favors gas ranges for their incomparable heating power. He says, “Gas stoves are incredibly consistent in the heat they provide, are easy to adjust temperature-wise, and simply get hotter than other types of stoves, which allows for faster, more consistent results.”
But there are some trade-offs for that firepower. Gas ranges are usually harder to clean than electric ones because the grates come off and need to be cleaned, as well as the stove's surface. Gas burners can also be hard to control; it is an open flame, after all. Things burn a lot easier with gas, and controlling the heat can be difficult if you don’t have experience with it.
And there’s also the health and environmental implications of using a gas stove. However, Dr. De Vizcaya Ruiz recommends a few tips to help mitigate that risk. She suggests, “Adequate ventilation, open a window when cooking. If possible, run the exhaust or range hood while cooking, even if there are no “apparent fumes.” Use the back burners to cook more than the front ones. Install and maintain a CO detector. Have a yearly “check-up” and maintenance of the gas installation.”
If you have space in your kitchen for a freestanding range, you’re less limited by size and can choose based on your preferences. Most ranges are about 30 inches across, but some larger models are 36 inches. Professional style ranges are often larger and sometimes don’t conform to the standard sizes since they’re built to mimic the ranges found in restaurant kitchens. If you’re in the market for a slide-in option, the old adage “measure twice, cut once” rings true here. Make sure to take the exact measurements of the available space, especially if you plan to cut out the countertop and cabinet space to accommodate your new range.
Induction burners use electricity as a power source and heat the burner through an electromagnetic current. Under the surface of an induction range, each burner has a set of tightly wound coils in the shape of the burner, and when the current is activated, the coils heat up and magnetically lock onto the cookware above. In contrast, gas stoves use a flow of natural gas ignited by a flint. If you’ve ever used a gas stove and heard that signature clicking as you turn a burner on, that is the flint being struck. When a spark appears, it ignites the flow of gas, and as the gas flows, the flame burns.
If you’re looking for the high power of gas burners with the more even heat of an electric oven, then a dual-fuel range is for you. It combines the best of both worlds when it comes to gas and electric. Dual-fuel ranges use both gas and electric power, with the gas powering the burners and electricity powering the oven.
Burner Ring For Gas Stove Nick Desimone is a food writer, recipe developer, and former restaurant cook with over a decade of experience in writing and cooking combined. John Adler is a chef with decades of experience in professional kitchens, behind the line at a gas stove. Chef Adler currently spends his days working as the senior vice president at Blue Apron, developing the best methods and recipes, so he knows a thing or two about ranges. Andrea De Vizcaya Ruiz, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Environmental & Occupational Health at the University of California Irvine. Her research is on the effects of particulate matter, microplastics, and nanomaterial toxicity on the human body, so she is an expert in the field of environmental toxicology.