Cooktop vs. Range: Pros and Cons of Cooktops and Ranges

Although they serve a common purpose, a cooktop and a range are distinct cooking appliances that function differently within your kitchen.

• Range: The term “range” typically describes a multi-function cooking appliance that features a rangetop for heating pots and an oven directly beneath it. The rangetop typically has four circular burners and an oblong fifth burner for larger pans or griddles. Most have a single oven beneath the stovetop, but fancier ranges may contain a double oven. Some of these ovens feature convection fans to circulate hot air. A gas range burns natural gas and produces live flames from a series of cooking burners covered with cast-iron grates. An electric range uses electricity to heat metal coils, which in turn heat pans. An induction burner uses electromagnetic radiation to heat metal pans. Dual-fuel ranges use a combination of electricity and gas to generate heat. For instance, you can combine an electric stovetop with a gas oven, or an induction stovetop with an electric oven.
• Cooktop: A multi-burner cooktop is effectively a range without an oven. Cooktops are built into countertops—often as part of a kitchen island—with cabinet space underneath. Much like a range, cooktops offer different methods for heating your cookware. The appliance market features an array of gas cooktops, electric cooktops, and induction cooktops. In most cases, a cooktop is accompanied by a wall oven, which is built directly into cabinetry. Both single wall ovens and double wall ovens can be found in major appliance stores.

Home chefs and kitchen designers opt for cooktops for multiple reasons. Cooktops offer increased storage space found directly beneath the cooktop—space that would otherwise be occupied by a range oven. Having a separate cooktop and oven makes it easier to have a true double oven; most kitchen ranges only have a single oven, or the second oven is quite small.

Cooktops do come with downsides. They take up counter space that could otherwise be used for food prep. They tend to be more permanent since they require a countertop cutout that cannot be patched over. Having a separate cooktop and wall oven may require more exhaust piping, and the exhaust fan over your cooktop can cause a downdraft. You may prefer the simplicity of a single range hood.

The majority of American kitchens feature a dual function cooking range, and this owes to several factors. The two-in-one functionality (a stovetop and an oven) simplifies the sometimes stressful task of shopping for new appliances. A freestanding range is easy to swap out; they are slide-in appliances as opposed to the drop-in installation that a cooktop requires. They do not compete for countertop space, and because they do not need a companion wall oven, they can also potentially free up cabinet space.

A range does come with a few drawbacks. Some models are completely flat and require the installation of a tile backsplash for sanitary and aesthetic purposes. Because most ranges only feature a single oven, they may not suit ambitious cooking styles. Finally, a range can be the focal point of your kitchen. This can be a good thing if you can afford a dynamic, elegant cooking range. If you can only afford a budget model, this may be more frustrating, as guests' eyes may drift to a kitchen appliance you might wish they ignored. Despite these drawbacks, a two-in-one range remains the preferred choice in the majority of American kitchens.

Become a better chef with the MasterClass Annual Membership. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Gordon Ramsay, Gabriela Cámara, Chef Thomas Keller, Dominique Ansel, Yotam Ottolenghi, Alice Waters, and more.