Buying guide for Best KitchenAid ranges
For avid cooks, choosing the right range is important. You want to know the appliance has the features you need to turn out delicious meals day after day. And for that kind of reliability, you can trust a KitchenAid range. Not only do KitchenAid ranges offer high-end features, but they're also extremely durable. You're buying a stove that can last for decades.
But before you buy, it's important to consider what you want in a new range. First, consider whether you want a gas, electric, or induction cooktop and a gas or electric oven. You'll also want to think about whether you want a freestanding or slide-in range, if you need a range with dual ovens, and finally, decorative touches like color and finish.
This buying guide to KitchenAid ranges contains all this information and more, so read on if you’re undecided. You can also check out our top five KitchenAid ranges above, any one of which might be your next dream appliance.
Key considerations
Cooktop
You have three cooktop choices with KitchenAid ranges: electric smoothtop, induction, or gas. (This brand doesn't offer the cheaper electric coil cooktops.) Each option has its own pros and cons, so it's wise to think carefully before buying since you don't want to be stuck with a cooktop you don't like.
Electric smoothtop cooktops feature electric heating elements under a smooth glass-ceramic material that's far easier to clean than traditional electric cooktops. These cooktops tend to be easy to use and maintain. All types of pans work on them, and there's no real learning curve to using one. The main drawback is that these cooktops aren't as responsive as some others. They take a little while to heat up and cool down when you adjust the temperature, which could lead to overcooking or undercooking.
Induction cooktops use electromagnetic technology to heat up pans, which means they only work with cookware made of magnetic materials, such as cast iron or certain grades of stainless steel. They have smooth glass-ceramic tops like the electric smoothtop ranges, so cleanup is easy. Induction cooktops are highly responsive and heat foods quickly.
Gas cooktops use gas flames below a grate that your pans sit on. These respond instantly when you turn the temperature up or down, which means you can cook dishes more precisely and is why they're used in almost all professional kitchens. It can take a while to get used to one if you're not used to cooking with gas, but the results are excellent once you master it. However, due to the grate-and-burner system, they're difficult to keep clean.
Fuel
You'll need to choose between a gas, electric, or dual fuel range, though most buyers stick to the same fuel type as the range they're replacing.
Electric ranges feature both an electric cooktop and an electric oven. We've already discussed electric cooktops above. Electric ovens tend to heat evenly and predictably, making them the first choice of most cooks. All KitchenAid ranges feature a convection oven, which uses a fan to circulate hot air for quicker and more even cooking.
Gas ranges have gas cooktops and gas ovens. While gas cooktops are popular, gas ovens are trickier to use. They don't always heat evenly and can give you unpredictable results, which isn't ideal.
Dual fuel ranges feature a gas cooktop and an electric oven, which is perfect for anyone who wants the benefits of a gas stove without the inherent drawbacks of a gas oven.
Freestanding vs. slide-in
KitchenAid offers both freestanding and slide-in ranges, though it doesn't have any fully built-in options.
Freestanding ranges are fully finished on the sides so they look good even if they aren't placed between two cabinets. One is ideal if your range will be positioned at the end of a cabinet with one side exposed or completely freestanding where both sides will be visible. You can place a freestanding stove between cabinets, but it might not look seamless.
Slide-in KitchenAid ranges are designed to give you a built-in look without the hassle. These are guaranteed to fit perfectly in a 30-inch gap between cabinets, with a countertop depth of 24 to 25 inches, a cabinet depth of 23 to 24 inches, and a countertop height of 36 inches.
AquaLift is a self-cleaning feature found in some KitchenAid ranges. It uses water and runs at a far lower temperature than most self-cleaning oven cycles.
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Features
Color
KitchenAid products like stand mixers are known for their bright colors, and KitchenAid ranges are no exception, though the colors available depend on your chosen model. Some models are only available in a standard stainless steel finish, but you can buy other models in a range of colors, including Misty Blue, Passion Red, and Yellow Pepper.
PrintShield finish
Stainless steel appliances are prone to marking easily simply from being touched, but KitchenAid ranges with a PrintShield finish have a special coating to protect against marks from fingerprints and smudges.
Double oven
Some KitchenAid ranges have two ovens, which gives you more space and is ideal when cooking two dishes that require different oven temperatures.
DID YOU KNOW?
KitchenAid ranges are high quality with stainless steel finishes, giving them a sturdier feel than cheaper ranges that have plastic exteriors.
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KitchenAid range prices
KitchenAid ranges aren't cheap, but you do get plenty for your money.
Inexpensive
These KitchenAid ranges cost from $1,400 to $2,300 for standard gas and electric smoothtop ranges. Although basic by KitchenAid standards, these ranges have some excellent features like convection ovens, touch controls, and adjustable burner sizes.
Mid-range
These KitchenAid ranges cost between $2,500 and $3,600. Again, these are high-end ranges by many people's standards, with impressive features like downdraft vents, dual ovens, and baking drawers.
Expensive
These KitchenAid ranges cost from $4,200 to $11,300. These are commercial-style models that are built to last, including larger-than-average 36- and 48-inch ranges. They offer features like extra burners, adjustable grates, and app-based controls.
The SatinGlide roll-out rack on some high-end models makes it easier to load and unload large, heavy baking dishes.
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Tips
- Check the width. A standard range measures 30 inches wide, but you can also find 36- and 48-inch options.
- Consider a downdraft vent. This is a ventilation system that's built into the range itself, so there's no need for a separate range hood.
- Check the number of burners. Most standard 30-inch KitchenAid ranges have four burners, but a few have five. Larger 36- and 48-inch ranges can feature up to six burners, plus a separate griddle.
- Consider smart features. Some top-of-the-line KitchenAid ranges have smart features and can be controlled via a smartphone app.
FAQ
Q. How do commercial KitchenAid ranges differ from those meant for home use?
A. KitchenAid offers a range of "commercial-style" ranges that are large and robust enough for use in professional kitchens but are often bought for home use, too. The most obvious difference is that commercial KitchenAid ranges are larger than standard models, with 48- and 36-inch models on offer, making them ideal for large families or anyone who makes elaborate meals that require plenty of oven and burner space. These ranges exclusively have gas burners, since this is the most popular option for commercial kitchens, and they are solidly built to stand up to constant use all day, every day. They tend to have some additional high-end features, too, such as three-level convertible grates on the burners to give you optimum results with various types of food.
Q. Are KitchenAid ranges easy to clean?
A. KitchenAid ranges aren't necessarily easier or more difficult to clean than any other ranges, but it depends on which model you choose. Models with electric or induction burners have smooth ceramic cooktops that are easy to wipe clean. Models with gas burners require more effort to keep the grates clean, especially if a pot boils over. Most KitchenAid ranges have a self-cleaning oven function, so you'll never need to scrub the inside of the oven. The exterior can be cleaned with a product designed for cleaning stainless steel.
Q. I want a gas range but currently have an electric range in my kitchen. What should I do?
A. It's tricky to switch from an electric range to a gas or dual fuel range, since any range that uses gas (whether just the cooktop or both the cooktop and the oven) requires a gas hookup. You'll need to hire a plumber to install the gas hookup for you, and this can be expensive. As such, most people stick with an electric stove if they already have one in place, or replace a gas stove with another gas stove.
