WHAT IS A KITCHEN RANGE?

WHY IS A STOVE CALLED A RANGE?

How the term “range” became the word for the cooking appliance is largely unknown, though it likely dates back to the 15th century. Range, when used as a noun, originally meant a row or line of things. It’s been speculated that the word started being used to refer to a row of ovens in the large kitchens of wealthy homes.

When it comes to cooking appliances, the terms stove and range can be used interchangeably to describe the versatile kitchen appliances used for all types of cooking and baking. Strictly speaking though, stoves existed before the modern kitchen range to heat homes and weren't always used for food preparation.

Learn more about the difference between a range vs. stove vs. oven.

WHAT IS A RANGE OVEN?

If you’ve heard the term “range oven,” it likely refers to a standard range. Appliance manufacturers don’t use this term because it conflates two unique things: a range and an oven. A range combines an oven and a cooktop, while an oven is either a part of a range or a completely separate appliance called a wall oven.

Learn more about ranges vs. cooktops.

COMMON KITCHEN RANGE FEATURES

If you’re considering a range for your kitchen, explore these common features to get started on your shopping journey.

CONVECTION COOKING

Convection ovens include a fan that circulates hot air throughout the entire oven for optimal heating when you’re cooking on multiple racks at once. Some convection ovens also include a third heating element to enable fast cooking, like True Convection by Maytag brand.

GAS BURNER BTUS OR ELECTRIC ELEMENT WATTAGE

Gas burner heat is measured by a BTU rating (British Thermal Units) and electric element heat is measured in wattage. Most ranges have burners or elements with different heat capabilities. Look for at least one burner with high numbers that indicate high heat, such as the Power™ Burner by Maytag brand which puts out from 15,000 up to 18,000 BTUs of heat energy, or the Power™ Element which can reach up to 3,000 watts.

Learn about gas vs. electric ranges.

BURNER OR ELEMENT SIZE AND SHAPE

Some ranges feature burners or elements designed for unusually shaped or extra large cookware. Look for ranges with dual or triple elements that you can adjust according to the width of the pot, like the Maytag^® Dual Choice Element. Long burners and elements for oblong cookware are also common, like the Bridge Element or Oval Burner by Maytag brand.

SELF-CLEANING OVEN

You can save yourself hours of scrubbing with a self-cleaning kitchen range oven. Self-cleaning ovens don’t rely on chemicals, instead, they use high temperatures ranging from 800–900°F to turn spills and splatters into ash that can be wiped away with ease.

Select Maytag^® ranges offer AquaLift^® self-cleaning technology that helps clean your oven in a 40-minute cycle using low heat and water, allowing you to wipe away remaining soils once the cycle is complete.¹

AIR FRY OVEN

Some kitchen ranges offer a variety of cooking capabilities, like air frying. Much like convection baking, air frying cooks your meal with a heating element and a fan that rapidly circulates hot air around the food. Air frying helps you easily achieve a crisp, browned outer layer, similar to deep fried foods.

Maytag^® ranges with Air Fry allow you to make your favorite fried foods using little to no oil.