In the world where the use of induction and ceramic cooking ranges are on the rise, gas ranges still hold a firm place in the market. Their image is indeed associated with the kitchens of the great chefs, who want unmatched responsiveness when it comes to cooking food. Aesthetically, gas ranges contrast with ultra-modern induction cookers to reconnect with a more traditional style. Moreover, gas ranges are cheaper to buy than induction stoves, plus their running cost is also less because of the low cost of gas compared to electricity. Most manufacturers have also improved the safety of their appliances to make the gas stoves perfectly safe.
If you have decided on the purchase of this type of cooking range, then you need to go through the reviews of six best gas ranges consumer reports in which I have discussed all the details of six of the most popular products that are currently being sold on the market. You can select a gas range that according to you is ideal for your cooking needs.
Reviews Of 6 Best Gas Ranges
1. Thor 30-Inch LRG3001U Professional Style Stainless Steel Gas Range
Thor 30-inch professional gas range is your best option to get rid of the old gas range that you were taking work from all these years. Check out this 5-burner system, which features a double ring burner that produces 18,000 BTUs of energy and four single burners of different energy ratings.
The gas range comes with a sizeable cooktop, which has a decent griddle pan space for even cooking. The gas range features a spacious (4.55 cu. ft.) and efficient oven is isolated with a 3-layer glass window to allow you to see the status of food. You will also find a convection fan along with seamless grating, which facilitates even cooking despite the size of cookware.
The sealed burner design of the unit results in easy cleaning. To control the functionality of the gas range, control knobs have been given, which are made up of high-quality ABS plastic. The only thing that may bother you is the installation of the unit, and you may have to call up a professional for the same.
2. Cosmo COS-965AGC 36-Inch 3.8 Cu. Ft. Single Oven Gas Range
Get this gas range if you want to transform your kitchen from a boring, dull-looking to a modern and elegant one. This particular gas range also features five burners and an oven. Made up of high-grade stainless steel, you can expect this unit to last for a very long time, plus it is resistant to stains and scratches as well. The inclusion of five burners allows you to cook a large assortment of food items that require different cooking temperatures. The gas range features a 17,800 BTU triple ring burner, one rapid and semi-rapid burner with energy unit of 8,200 BTU and 6,900 BTU respectively and 5,000 BTU auxiliary burner. This gas range will seamlessly blend with the aesthetics of your kitchen, improving the overall looks of the same.
3. Thor Kitchen HRG4808U-1 Gas Range
When I first looked at this gas range, I thought it has to be as strong as the name of the character ‘Thor’, which it apparently was. However, it was not just the durable construction, which struck me, but a number of incredible features too. The unit comprises six burners, yes one more than other products that I have reviewed, so you can cook more things on this gas range, which makes this unit ideal for party lovers.
Out of six, three burners have energy output of 18,000 BTUs whereas the other three are 15,000 BTU burners. The unit features double ovens, one with a capacity of 4.2 cu. ft., and energy output of 22,000 BTU for convection and 16,500 BTU for infrared broiler, whereas another with 2.5 cu. ft., capacity and energy output of 14,000 BTUs. Overall, a strong, efficient and reliable unit, which will add an aesthetic appeal to your kitchen. Moreover, the company offers 2-year warranty on the product as well.
4. Frigidaire FFGF3054TS 30 Inch Gas Freestanding Range
Check out this freestanding model, which is made up of stainless steel and has cast-iron burner grates. It is a decent looking gas range, which is packed with many top features. Five sealed burners and a large oven are good enough to cook any type of food quickly. It’s five burners may not be as powerful as the burners provided in other gas ranges, yet they can do the given task quite efficiently. Moreover, the 5 cu. ft., capacity oven quickly heats up and distributes heat evenly, thus resulting in fast and uniform cooking. The unit features self-cleaning function, which surprisingly works perfectly too. The only drawback of the unit is the position of the control panel, which is placed on the backsplash, which is behind the burners, thus making the user go over hotpots to use it.
5. Thor Kitchen HRG3080GMT 30-Inch Freestanding Professional Style Gas Range
With this product included on the list, it becomes somewhat clear that Thor is, in fact, the leader when it comes to manufacturing excellent gas ranges. The unit sports a convection oven, so if you love baking, then you will really like this gas range. Another feature related to its oven is the inclusion of electronic ignitor, which lights up the oven in a second. However, you can also use matches to light up the oven. Coming to the drawbacks of the unit, then it has got two, absence of pre-heat notification and a self-cleaning feature.
6. Samsung NX58H9500WS 30-Inch Slide-In Stainless Steel Gas Range
Samsung has created one gem of a gas range, and it has put a heavy price tag accordingly as well. The first noticeable thing about this model is its stainless steel finish, which in my opinion suits both traditional and contemporary kitchen styles. On the unit are placed black cast-iron grates, which can be easily removed for cleaning.
As far as the cooktop is concerned, then that includes four regular burners, with two having an energy output of 5,000 BTUs and a single powerful burner of 16,000 BTU. Then, there is a dual-power burner, which comes with two separate heating elements extending the power of the burner from 700 to 19,000 BTU.
Then, there is a 5.8 cu. ft., capacity oven with three racks, which can be used for roasting or convection baking. Unlike other gas ovens, the food comes out of this oven is perfectly cooked without uneven temperatures. What else? Well, the gas range includes a self-cleaning oven-warming drawer and built-in temperature probe. A smart and user-friendly machine, Samsung NX58H9500WS Gas Range will definitely be a pleasure to use.
Why Invest In A Gas Range?
As explained in the introduction, the advantages of the gas range on the electric, the ceramic and the induction are:
- Greater accuracy and responsiveness compared to electric or ceramic stoves.
- A purchase price much cheaper than induction.
- Homogeneous distribution of heat.
- Less energy consumption
- Food becomes tender due to moist cooking.
- The absence of thermal inertia: an undeniable advantage in terms of safety, especially in the presence of young children.
- A modernized security system.
Different Types Of Gas Stoves
Aside from their size and number of burners, most gas stoves are similar. Yet, they can be distinguished into three types:
Natural Gas Operated Gas Range
It is the most sold gas stove. Once connected to natural gas (if available), it is supplied with gas and allows the use of its burners and kiln. It can also be used with a gas bottle but you will need to find a location for the cylinder.
Liquid Propane Operated Gas Range
Less common, this gas stove provides a place to store the LP gas cylinder once connected to the stove. It is therefore aimed at gas aficionados who do not have access to natural gas. It is a rather cumbersome solution but is useful in case of frequent gas cuts.
Mixed Gas Range
It is not a gas stove per se but it does use gas for its cooking plate. This is a good compromise for all those who are reluctant to dispense with the advantages of gas but who wish to regain more control over cooking in the oven.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Gas Range
A gas range can only be bought if you pay attention to certain factors such as maintenance, type of gas, number of burners and so on. Here are all you need to know before making your purchase.
Size
Depending on the space you have in your kitchen, choosing the size of your gas stove can be crucial. There are in fact gas stoves 50 cm or 60 cm wide. You can check out the best 36-inch gas ranges and buy one if you think that any lower sized gas range will be insufficient for your cooking needs. And apart from the space issues of your interior, the dimensions of your stove directly affect the number of fireplaces on the stove and the volume of the oven. While a large gas-fired cooking stove can offer 5 to 6 burners and kilns of more than 100 liters, most of the traditional stoves are limited to 4 fires of varying sizes and one kiln with a capacity of between 50 and 70 liters.
Cooking Plate
In the vast majority of cases, the stoves have 4 fireplaces. In general, you will find a small burner, two medium ones and a big one. This makes it possible to adapt the size of the fireplace to the dimensions of your container (cooking pot, small pot, pan, etc.). However, stoves with storage space for the gas cylinder take advantage to incorporate a larger fifth round. This may include a triple crown. On the ignition side, current models almost all offer an automatic lighter system. This can take the form of a dedicated button or a button that is directly integrated on the gas opening control.
Natural Gas Or Liquid Propane
There are two ways to power your gas stove. First, the most common is the natural gas connection. If your home is connected to it, you can then benefit from the public distribution network with a subscription from an energy supplier. Otherwise, you can simply buy a liquid propane cylinder that will need to be connected to your cooking appliance. But be careful, it is better to provide a spare cylinder to avoid running to the store to get a new cylinder in the middle of cooking.
The gas cylinder is more demanding in terms of installation compared to natural gas, but it is economically more attractive. There is no charge for connection, opening of the gas meter or subscription, a gas cylinder only requires the purchase of a regulator and a connection pipe. In the end, you will save a heck lot of money.
Cooking Modes
Just like its electric competitors, the gas stove can be multifunctional. It integrates several cooking programs such as natural convection, rotating heat, electric grill, etc.
Type Of Gas
If you do not have a natural gas connection, you have to choose between propane and butane gas. These gases are both LPG, that is, Liquefied Petroleum Gases. Although they are available in commercially similar formats, they nevertheless differ considerably, particularly as regards their boiling point.
They are available in similar sizes commercially but differ significantly in boiling temperature. Thus, butane returns to the gaseous state when temperatures fall below 0°C. It is therefore recommended for indoor use in order to maintain its liquid state. On the other hand, propane, very resistant to the cold, is allowed only outside. For safety reasons (its natural pressure is higher than butane gas) but also because it is able to remain liquid in front of temperatures up to minus 40 degrees C. It is, therefore, the ideal fuel to feed a gas barbecue.
Maintenance Mode
Maintenance of a gas stove is complicated by the presence of burners and the cast iron grate. Dirt and traces tend to accumulate there. It is, therefore, necessary to ensure regular cleaning of the cooking plate by removing the grate and passing a sponge stroke. Otherwise, the residue may cross the flame and affect its effectiveness. The case depends on the technological level of your gas stove. Fortunately, many gas stoves now have automatic maintenance systems such as pyrolysis, hydrolysis or catalysis.
Safety
For a long time, Safety has remained the main concern of the gas stoves. Aware of concerns about the potential for gas leakage, manufacturers have equipped their devices with thermocouple safety. This automatically cuts off the gas when the flame is cut off. Thus, even if a draft of air comes to extinguish the flame of a burner, you do not risk anything!
Features
If you cannot decide between two models of gas stoves, look at the features because nowadays, brands are trying to differentiate their products by playing mainly on the innovative features that equip their products. Timer, programmer, rotisserie and other such accessories and features can increase the performance of your gas stove. Some allow better control of the cooking when others facilitate homogeneous cooking of your dishes. Below-mentioned is some of the most important features that a gas range must have:
- The automatic timer: This functionality, which is becoming more and more common in gas ranges, ensures a high degree of precision when cooking in the oven.
- The rotisserie: Chicken lovers know that a roasting jack is a must to roast poultry pieces. The slow rotation of the spindle allows the meat to be cooked evenly.
- Ignition one hand: This system is widely used to start a fire with one hand.
- The storage chest: It is a space dedicated to the storage of all your utensils rather than holding the same in your hands.
- The cold door: This extra security is indispensable if you have children in the house.
- The thermometric probe: The most demanding of meat will appreciate this precision tool for cooking steaks and roasts.
- The electronic programmer: It allows you to set the temperature and the optimal cooking time.
Summing Up
The decision of buying the best gas range is not going to be an easy one because there are so many things to look for, but in my opinion, you should especially pay attention towards the cooking capacity and number of burners more than anything else. These two are the most important features that will make you proud of your decision or regret about it. You can go through the reviews of six best gas ranges consumer reports to pick the most suitable gas range. It is easier to make a selection from half a dozen options than hundreds, right! So, finalize your gas range and make a purchase!