Dual Fuel Range Style Cookers - Are They Right For Your Home?
Dual-fuel ranges provide a responsive temperature control in the oven, and a consistent heat for the cooktop. Find out if this top product is suitable for your needs.
At Good Housekeeping, we test over 100 ranges every year, including many dual-fuel models. We also interview industry experts and visit kitchen appliance showrooms.
Versatility
A dual fuel range incorporates the gas cooktop with an electric oven to provide the best of both. Electric ovens are superior in temperature control to ensure even baking, while chefs appreciate the fast burner heat. These powerhouse appliances are popular in kitchens that demand flexibility and top-quality cooking performance.
Apart from the premium price, what else distinguishes these models? Dual fuel ranges can be an ideal investment for home cooks who have the necessary connections. They can also be more affordable than other options like an in-slide gas range that comes with an all-electric oven or freestanding gas stove that has an electric wall oven.
Some people are concerned about the cost of a dual fuel range. A qualified kitchen appliance installer can make the process easy and enjoyable. They can help you select the best appliance for your home and ensure that the new appliance is installed correctly and safely.
Creative curators appreciate the versatility of a dual-fuel range, since it gives them an opportunity to explore different culinary techniques. The quick adjustments of a gas cooktop are perfect to get just the right sear on a steak or creating the perfect char on peppers for taco night. Electric ovens can roast vegetables and preserve meats due to their constant temperature cycling.
Consider how often you'll be cooking and what kind of meals you prepare. For example, do you typically bake desserts for a crowd? Do you like grilling and would like to experiment with new recipes? A dual fuel range can aid in improving your cooking skills and bring your kitchen up a notch. However, if you're still not certain if a dual fuel range is the best fit for your kitchen, you should consider considering the various alternatives available.
Energy Efficiency
Dedicated cooks love gas stovetops due to their superior temperature control and the ability to quickly and easily do things like roasting and charring. However, bakers prefer the even heat distribution of electric ovens. Luckily dual fuel range cooker s permit home chefs to enjoy the best of both worlds. A dual-fuel stove is equipped with both a gas burner and an electric oven. You may need to have a plumber modify the electric voltage of your outlet to accommodate a dual fuel range, but the gas line will stay the same.
If you're thinking of buying a dual professional range with a fuel source it is crucial to to assess your cooking needs and preferences. If you bake often you should consider an electric range that has an ample capacity and think about the even heating offered by an electric oven. Gas ranges are ideally suited to those who rarely bake or cook. They can provide the convenience of a stovetop with an oven, without the need to purchase a separate appliance.
Dual-fuel ranges made for professionals have high-quality materials with a sleek design and a look that is inspired by commercial. They will impress your guests. They also offer advanced cooking controls as well as numerous programmable functions for the ultimate culinary experience. They also have a huge oven that can hold large roasts or baking trays.
The kind of range you choose will ultimately depend upon your personal taste and the overall appearance and feel of your kitchen. Based on your preferences, you can opt for an old-fashioned style with a simple-to-clean stainless steel finish or a more contemporary, black glass design with chrome accents.
When selecting a range the most important thing to consider is whether you have access to natural gas or electricity. If you're looking to purchase a dual-fuel range your home should have gas outlets and an electrical outlet. If not, an electrician will need to connect the required connections prior to installing your dual-fuel range.
Convenience
When a dual fuel range cooks it makes use of electric and gas heating to make cooking and baking simpler than ever. The versatile appliance gives you the flexibility to master new cooking techniques, with a flexible temperature control on the cooktop and consistent, even heating in the oven.
Some people feel that the combination of electric and gas gives the best of both. For example gas cooktops can char the peppers or sear the steak to perfection for tacos. Likewise, an electric oven offers drier heat for roasting cakes and vegetables.
Using a dual fuel range will also save you time because the food will be ready to serve in a shorter time. Gas cooktops respond quickly and instantly to heat settings, which means you can increase the heat for rapid boiling or decrease it to a gentle simmer. The electric oven takes more time to heat up and cook slower than a gas stove however it is perfect for cooking meals that require lower temperatures.
The flexibility of a dual fuel range makes it a smart investment for many households. The appliances are more expensive and require separate power sources. You will also require an outlet that is high-voltage to accommodate both types. It isn't easy to connect older homes. An electrician could be required to ensure that everything is done properly.
Consider the amount of meals that you will cook at home every week when shopping for a dual-fuel range. This will help you determine whether the added cost is worth it. Also, think about the amount of space you have in your kitchen to determine whether a dual-fuel model is feasible.
Miele offers dual-fuel ranges in a variety of sizes, ranging from 30 to 60 inch wide. The stainless steel finish is resistant to fingerprints and easy to clean. Most models come with four stove burners and an oven with capacities that range from 4.5 cubic feet up to 6.6 cubic feet. Some models have a choice of colored accent oven doors for a customized appearance, and a variety of smart controls, including Wi-Fi connectivity as well as integrated thermometers and preprogrammed settings.
Value
If a dual-fuel range is able to combine electric and gas ovens, it gives you the best of both worlds. The gas cooktop offers the precise control of an open flame burner and the electric convection oven is a reliable choice for baking, roasting or even quasi-air frying. Certain models let you pick a color-coded accent for the door of the oven.
Dual-fuel ranges are more expensive than those that use only natural gas, and they have to be connected to both 220-volt electricity and natural gas. They could also be more susceptible to repairs because they are equipped with more parts. You'll likely require a professional to set up your equipment.
If you love the look of gas, but want something that is more flexible, then the Cosmo 100cm Classic Dual Fuel Range Cooker in black with chrome trim is an excellent option. Although it doesn't have the name recognition of some of our picks but this one is an excellent value for less than half the price. It has six burners, which include two dual ring 19,000 Btu power burners that can handle large pots and pans, and a five-burner stove with grill. It also has two ovens that are large in capacity as well as an induction cooktop.
Another good choice is the GE Monogram Professional range in stainless steel. It includes a smart-home function which synchronizes recipes with operating settings on your smartphone, or to voice commands through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. This top-of-the-line model comes with an enormous oven that maintains constant temperatures making it a top pick for bakers. But it's a little more expensive than our other picks and you'll need to install an electrical connection in order to access the most advanced features.
A Wolf dual-fuel stainless steel stove is another alternative. It comes with excellent cooking specs and the knobs can be customized to fit your style. It's more pro-looking than the other options but it has a disadvantage: the single oven is small for serious bakers.