If you like to cook, getting a new range can be a real treat.
A freestanding range sits between freestanding counter units in Steal This Look: Smart Storage in a Swedish Kitchen.
Whenever you’re shopping for a new appliance, the best advice is “measure, measure, measure.” Once you know your available space, compare that with the specifications of the model you intend to buy.
How do I know if my new range will fit in the existing space?
That said, ranges tend to come in standard sizes, and if you’re replacing your old stove with another the same size, you should be fine.
A kitchen in Sweden with a small-scale electric range.
See Trend Alert: The Cult of the Blue Kitchen, 10 Favorites; photograph via Swedish real estate site Entrance.
A slide-in range sits flush with the countertop and cabinets once it’s installed, slightly overlapping the countertop for a seamless custom look.
What’s the difference between a slide-in range and a stand-alone range?
A freestanding (or stand-alone) range is also the same height as the countertop, but without an overlap, which leaves a narrow, hard-to-clean gap between range and counter edge.
How can I make space to upsize to a larger range?
“Depending on your kitchen layout, this usually requires adjusting the countertop and remodeling the cabinetry,” says Andrea Zaff.
A Minimalist English Kitchen is outfitted with a traditional Aga range (and an extra cooktop, located on the island).
“Going from electric to gas is relatively easy, as long as gas is offered in your community,” Andrea says. If you already have a capped gas line in your kitchen, the installer can quickly hook up your new stove to the gas line.
Can I switch from an electric range to a gas range?
The ignition source comes from an electric igniter located at each burner.
A compact range, just 20 inches wide, fits in even the smallest of kitchens in A Chic Fixer-Upper on Fire Island.
Can I switch from an electric (or gas) range to a dual-fuel range?
In a dual-fuel range, the cooktop is gas and the oven is electric. So you’ll need a licensed electrician to run a new larger electrical wire from the panel breaker to the stove location and hook up a new 240-volt receptacle there.
Daphne Javitch replaced all but the new black range in her New York apartment. See The Healthful Apartment: A Wellness Expert Finds Serenity on the Lower East Side.
Photograph by Sarah Elliott, courtesy of Rip & Tan.
I’m upgrading to a professional range. What else do I need to upgrade?
First, if you’re trading up to one of the larger professional-style ranges, make sure it will fit through your doorways! Unlike the commercial ranges used in restaurant kitchens, a pro-style range can be installed next to cabinets, without extra insulation or a sprinkler system.
(See Remodeling 101: The Verdict on Vented vs. Non-Vented Range Hoods for more.).
In remodeling her Portland, Oregon, kitchen, blogger Eva Kosmas Flores found a vintage 1950s Roper gas range on Craigslist for $375, and had the kitchen reconfigured with a gas line.
What do I need to know about installing my new range in a different spot in the kitchen?
Several modifications could be involved, depending on the location and your existing setup. And for effective ventilation, you may have to install a new range hood with a new duct to vent to the outdoors.
A Viking range fits with the white color scheme in A Vintage Hawaiian Cottage Restored (with Its Own Instagram Account).
While the EPA doesn’t yet provide Energy Star ratings for ranges, you can look for new models that save energy, money, and time.
How can I save energy—and money—with a new range?
Built-in shelves, rather than cabinets, accommodate a generous range in In California Wine Country, A Modern Farmhouse for a Brit and a Texan.
What do I do with my old range?
The retailer you’ve bought from will probably collect your old range when they drop off the new one. If you decide to dispose of your old range yourself, here are some ways to do it without damaging the environment.