Looking for a new stove for your kitchen? Handling both oven and stovetop tasks, a range is a versatile and vital tool for any home chef looking to cook on a regular basis (and look good doing it.)
But choosing the right range can be tough, particularly with so many types, brands, features, and other options to consider in your search. One of the biggest decisions you’ll need to make? Whether to go for a slide-in or freestanding range.
From the perspective of style, we believe that there’s no equal to the visual beauty of a slide-in range. They also offer all of the features, capabilities, cooking power, and usability of standalone ranges. So what makes them different from standalones in the first place?
A slide-in range is designed to, well, slide in to your cabinet area. Controls are placed at the front of the range, which means there’s no need for a bulky back panel hiding your beautiful kitchen backsplash. This front-control design also means that you’ll never have to reach over hot pans or heating elements to reach the controls.
Slide-ins are also designed to slightly overlap the countertop on either side, which results in a seamless blend from counter to stove. This creates a built-in, custom look—not to mention the fact that you can bypass drips and spills down the side of your range.
When going for a full kitchen remodel, you should opt for a slide-in whenever possible. They’re modern, stylish, and give a high-end look to kitchens.
PRO TIP – Make sure to contact our staff at (888) 714-4938 to inquire about exclusive savings on all slide-in ranges.
Top Picks TablePicking the Right Slide-In Range for You
So how do you know which slide-in range is right for your specific needs? When shopping, there are five specific areas that you’ll want to pay close attention to in any model or brand you consider.
Cooking Power & Range
This should go without saying, but your slide-in range has to have the cooking capabilities to back up its style and modern design. The power of an individual cooking element is generally measured in BTU, which essentially measures how much heat output that element can manage. The most powerful residential burners usually max out around 20,000 BTU. But it’s not just power you need—low-temperature simmering is also very important for tasks like melting chocolate or butter and warming foods at low heat. You want to make sure that the range you choose features dependability at both ends of the heat spectrum.
Size
The size of your range is particularly important to consider if you’re not going for a full renovation and the range needs to fit a predetermined space in your kitchen. If you’re going from a freestanding range to a slide-in, you’ll want to pay special attention. Ensure that you have a firm grasp on the dimensions of your area and the model you’re considering, and remember that the top edges of the slide-in will have to overlap the top of the countertop.
And don’t forget about depth—the build-in look of a slide-in range won’t amount to much if it’s sticking out several inches from the front of your
cabinets.
Reliability
There’s no way around it—some brands make ranges that last longer. It comes down to quality materials, manufacturing methods, and a dedication to ensuring that their products work as well on the 1,000th use as they do on the 1st. Stick to brands with an established history of customer satisfaction and reliability according to actual users and reviewers alike.
Features
It’s not just about cooking power. How does your range stack up when it comes to additional features that make your cooking experience easier, more convenient, and more enjoyable? These can include flexible controls, WiFi connectivity, special indicators and custom built-in cooking programs.
Design
Finally, it’s important that your range looks good. That’s particularly true with slide-in ranges, because they’re beloved for their modern looks and contemporary style. And because they take up so much space in your kitchen, you want to make sure that they’re using that visual space well. There are a wide range of designs, finishes, and styles, so decide what you like and insist on choosing a product that brings it to you.
Our Picks
Ready to discover the four best slide-in ranges for 2019? Here’s our list of the best picks currently available on the market.
1) Cafe CGS750P2MS1 30" Slide-In Double Oven Range
Product Place Holder
Available from GE’s Cafe brand, this stunning slide-in range features dual fuel configuration and full convection capabilities, not to mention a double oven design that allows you to cook two entirely different dishes at different temperatures simultaneously.
The cooktop features 6 burners in a range of BTU output levels, ranging from 5,000 to a 21,000 BTU tri-ring burner. The self-clean function even features a steam clean option, while the sealed burners on the cooktop make for easy cleaning and avoiding gunk or grease buildup. The glass touch control panel is beautiful and seamless, and the range is connectable to home assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Nest.
For a truly commercial-grade experience with high-end stylings, we can’t recommend this Cafe model enough.
2) GE Profile PGS930SELSS 30" Slide In Gas Range
Product Place Holder
Occupying the second spot on our list is this GE Profile series model, which features a cooktop with dual purpose center burner that allows you to use a circular burner where necessary (steaming broccoli, cooking with circular pots) or an oval burner for griddle tasks (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.
3) Samsung NX58H9500WS 30" Slide-In Gas Range
Product Place Holder
This Samsung model has all the bells and whistles you’d expect of a high-tech entry from the technology brand, but don’t get it twisted—there’s plenty of substance under all that flash. A large-capacity 5.8 cu. ft. oven allows for cooking multiple dishes at once, while the flexible cooktop features 5 specialized burners that can be used simultaneously. And with a total range of 700 BTU to 18,000 BTU, you’re not likely to find a task this range can’t handle.
This model features many of the treats you’ve come to expect from high-quality slide-in ranges, including true convection oven cooking, an included reversible cast iron griddle, and even a custom wok grate that perfectly accommodates the round bottom of a wok. Another great feature? Included temperature probe to take the guesswork out of cooking meat, plus grate indicator marks on the cooktop to let you know where to place your pots and pans for optimal heat distribution.
4) Bosch HGI8056UC 800 Series 30" Slide In Gas Range
Product Place Holder
We saved the best to last with the Bosch 800 series. This range is built on the rich heritage of its predecessor HGI8054UC with an important design improvement on the overhangs on the left and right. Bosch replaced the old angular flanges with the a 90 degree clean-cut overhangs.
This full-depth gas slide-in range features five burners with a max power of 18,000 BTU. 4.8 cubic feet of oven space will accommodate most pots and pans, while heavy duty metal knobs add a premium look and feel to this stainless steel beauty. You’ll also love the built-in warming drawer, 9 specialized cooking modes, standard convection capabilities, and extra-large door window for easy monitoring of your cooking.
Final Verdict
GE Cafe and GE Profile, Samsung, and Bosch have all created world-class slide-in ranges for 2019. Which you choose will depend largely on your own unique situation—your kitchen setup, cooking needs, budget, and preferences. But any of the four slide-ins listed above will reward you with a phenomenal cooking experience, world-class features, stylish design, and reliability you can count on to get the job done for years to come.
FAQS
Why are slide-in ranges more expensive than freestanding ranges?
Because they offer a built-in look and the convenience of easy-access controls, slide-in ranges have become increasingly popular. And with popularity often comes increased price, which is while you’ll often see slide-in ranges with higher price tages than their freestanding counterparts.
Can my slide-in range be positioned at the end of a cabinet?
Unfortunately, no. Slide-in ranges are designed to be positioned between two cabinets, and as a result their sides are generally unfinished.
Do slide-in ranges cook better than freestanding ranges?
Not necessarily. A slide-in won’t automatically offer better cooking quality than a similar freestanding range. What you want to look for is a comparison of two individual models rather than one category over another. A high-end freestanding range will likely cook better than a mid-range slide-in model.
Can I replace my freestanding range with a slide-in range, or the other way around?
Possibly. It all depends on the dimensions of the space where your previous range stood, as well as the dimensions of your new range. If you’re not sure whether a model or style will fit your existing space, ask an expert to assess the space for you. As far as electronics, slide-in ranges and freestanding ranges don’t require unique setups as a rule—but keep in mind that going from electric fuel to gas will always require different needs, regardless of range style.