When it comes to cooking ranges, gas has been a popular choice for many years. Lots of home chefs like them because cooking with an open flame allows for greater flexibility than other options. You can tilt the pan, collect juices in a corner, baste your food, and still enjoy high heat thanks to the flame. However, gas ranges do require a gas line to operate, whereas electric or induction ranges simply need a wall outlet.
Even if you have a gas line available (or plan to have one installed), there are still a lot of questions to be answered. Which brand is the best when selecting the gas range for you? What features should you look for in a range? How many BTUs do you need? What on earth is a BTU?
Don’t worry—the Designer Appliances team is here to answer all your questions, while also introducing you to the 8 best gas ranges currently available for 2019.
But first, it’s important to learn a bit about gas ranges and how to select the best one for your unique situation and needs. If you’re not sure what exactly a range is, it’s just the name for the combination oven-and-cooktop appliance that’s common in many kitchens. If your oven has a cooking surface on top of it for heating pots and pans, you have a range.
PRO TIP – Make sure to contact our staff at (888) 714-4938 to inquire about exclusive savings on all gas ranges.
Our Video on Top 8 Gas RangesTop Picks TablePicking the Right Gas Range
Wondering what makes a gas range great? Here are 6 important factors to consider.
Cooking Power & Range
Cooking power in gas ranges is measured in BTU. This stands for British thermal unit, but all you really need to know is that it’s a unit for measuring heat output. The most powerful residential gas ranges have outputs around 20,000 BTU, and the most delicate are capable of outputs as low as a few hundred BTU. Why does low-output capability matter? Because you don’t just want to boil water fast or lightning-sear a steak. You want to be able to handle more finesse tasks, like keeping a sauce warm and thick or melting butter and chocolate without burning it. That’s why choosing a gas range with a range (excuse the pun) of cooking power is important.
Size
How big is the space your range needs to occupy? Though there are common sizes that you’re likely to find across brands, including 30" and 36" options, don’t just assume that your range of choice will fit the same space as your previous model.
Depth matters too— no one wants a range that’s going to stick out several inches from the edge of their cabinets.
Reliability
Want to keep using your range in five year? Choose a brand and model that rates highly for reliability. You should also choose a brand that offers a robust warranty that covers both electronic and mechanical defects should they arise. Not only will this protect you in the event of any issues, but it also speaks to a companies dedication to quality. If a brand offers a lame warranty, it’s probably because they produce lame results.
Features
Gas ranges can offer a wide range of features on top of their basic cooking ability. Whether it’s easy-control knobs, touch controls, automatic on-off controls for low-heat simmering, or WiFi controls you can manage from your phone, don’t underestimate the power of extra features to make your cooking experience more enjoyable.
Design
Everyone wants their kitchen to look good, right? Don’t neglect style when it comes to the range you choose. Wether you opt for the popular and contemporary stainless steel look or something more distinctive, you should consider your personal style as well as your kitchen—plus, any existing appliances you’re looking to match.
Safety
Some high-quality gas ranges have special built-in safety features, including auto-reignite if the flame goes out. If safety is a high priority for you, make sure to keep safety features like these in mind when shopping.
Our Picks
Ready to find out which gas ranges we picked as the best of 2019? Here’s our list of the best of the best from a range of brands.
1) Samsung NX58H5600SS 30" Gas Range
Product Place Holder
Samsung’s place at the top of this list proves that the tech brand has established itself as a name to beat in the appliance space. This affordable gas range features convection cooking in the oven, removable griddle compatability, and 5 gas burners that even include an oval burner for oversized pots and pans. You’ll even enjoy the grate indicator marks that show you the best place to position pans for even heating. Overall, this is a top-quality range at a price point that won’t break the bank, which earns it a spot at the top of our list.
2) Samsung NX58H9500WS 30" Slide In True Convection Gas Range
Product Place Holder
Samsung occupies both the first and second slots on our list, and for good reason. This Samsung slide-in range represents a higher price point, but that comes with even more luxury features. The large oven viewing window looks great and lets you monitor your food easily, and Guiding Light controls use touchscreen functionality as only Samsung can. And with WiFi connectivity, a 5.8 cubic feet of oven capacity, and a flexible cooktop with an oval burner for large pots and pans, you’ll have everything you need for a great cooking experience for years to come.
3) GE Profile PGS930SELSS 30" Slide In Gas Range
Product Place Holder
The GE Profile series represents quality, and this slide-in front control gas range has plenty of quality to go around. It includes a cooktop with dual purpose center burner that allows you to use either the circular burner for tasks like steaming veggies or cooking with circular pots or the oval-shaped configuration for tasks that require more space (sandwiches, pancakes, etc.).
The 18,000 BTU power boil burner is great for getting that intense heat that’s perfect for fast boiling and searing, and the range’s connectivity means you can receive notifications about preheat, completed cooking tasks, and more directly to your smartphone or digital home assistant. The range even features automatic syncing through GE’s Chef Connect program, and the oven boasts true European convection thanks to a third heating element and fan combination system.
4) Bosch HGI8056UC 800 Series 30" Slide In Gas Range
Product Place Holder
We love Bosch for their longstanding reputation of qualty design and reliability. This model is no exception, featuring five sealed burners with a top output of 18,000 BTU, plus great features like a warming drawer, pizza setting, convection capability, and effective self-clean function. This is a reliable and stylish choice for your kitchen range, available now from Bosch.
5) Cafe CGS750P2MS1 30" Slide-In Double Oven Range
Product Place Holder
The Cafe series represents high-end luxury, and this 30" slide-in gas range has luxury to spare. The beautiful stainless steel finish is just the beginning, because under the hood you’ll find 6 burners including a tri-ring fast-boil burner with a maximum output of 21,000 BTU. You’ll also love the backlit touch display, double oven design for cooking multiple dishes at individual temperatures, the Chef Connect customization feature, and fast preheating that lets you get cooking faster than ever before.
6) Wolf DF304 30" Dual Fuel Range
Product Place Holder
Willing to pay a premium for a high-end cooking experience and the looks to go with it? Then the Wolf DF304 may be the right choice for you, with its signature red knobs and sports car-like sleekness.
This model’s burners are capable of heat output ranging from 300 BTU to 20,000 BTU, and the sealed black porcelan-coated burner pans make cleanup easy. Dual convection allows you to easily control heat and airflow in the oven, while a built-in temperature probe lets you leave nothing to chance. The control panel blends into the stainless steel finish when not in use, and automatic flame reignition improves temperature control and peace of mind. Overall, this is a stunningly designed dual fuel range that would be at home in the highest-end kitchens around the world.
7) BlueStar RNB366BV2NG 36" Gas Range
Product Place Holder
You may not have heard of BlueStar, but they create some extremely dependable and high-end appliances. This model speaks to that reputation, featuring six burners, a reliable oven with convection capability, and a stylish slide-in design that will make your kitchen look like a million bucks. Continuous grates make moving pots and pans easy, while the signature black knobs guarantee no one will mistake this for a standard, run-of-the-mill kitchen range.
8) Thermador PRD366WHU Pro Harmony 36" Dual Fuel Range
Product Place Holder
Rounding out our list is this high-end Thermador range, featuring a luxurious light-polished stainless steel finish and contemporary design. You’ll also notice Thermador’s signature Star Burners, which are designed to spread heat more evenly and make more contact with your pots and pans for better cooking results. You’ll also find front-end control knobs for easy access, a streamlined digital display, and precision simmering capabilities allowing you to heat dishes as low as 100F on two different ExtraLow Simmer burners. Plus, it’s all housed in a QuickClean Base designed for easy surface cleaning, so you can stop worrying about scrubbing cracks and crevices and get back to cooking great food.
Conclusion
The list above represents some of the best gas ranges you’ll find on the market in 2019. But which one you choose will depend largely on your preferences, needs, and budget. Think about what’s important to you. What do you like about your current range? What don’t you like? What have you always wished your range could do? Questions like these are sure to lead you to the perfect range for your kitchen and your home.
FAQs
What are the most common sizes for ranges?
The most common range size is 30-inch in width, countertop height, and 25-inch in depth. However, there are stoves that are 36-inch wide, 48-inch wide, and a range of other specifications (for example La Cournue ranges support 43-inch, 75-inch and even 90-inch models). Pro-style residential ranges can extend in 27-inch in depth to accommodate commercial cooking sheets. Always make sure that your range will fit your space before purchasing.
Do gas ranges require more ventilation than electric ranges?
Ventilation is important for any cooking area, including for gas ranges. This helps to vent away any smoke that occurs from burnt food as well as any residual gas residue or scent.
What is a sealed burner?
A sealed burner is designed with a cap over the central section where the flames emit on a gas stove. One of the main benefits of this design is that it makes cleaning easier, while also preventing oil and food bits from dropping down into the burners. While not essential, sealed burners can be a great feature on gas cooktops.
What are BTUs and what do they mean?
BTU stands for “British Thermal Unit,” and in basic terms it’s a unit for measuring how much heat a burner or heating element can produce. The best cooktops are capable of approaching 20,000 BTU for powerfully hot searing.
What’s the difference between a range and a cooktop?
A range is the name for a combination appliance that features both an oven and a cooktop. A cooktop is a standalone appliance that features only the stovetop feature.