Keep the following questions in mind as you consider a new cooking appliance:

• What size is your family?
• Do you frequently cook for large groups, or special occasions?
• How much space do you have available in your kitchen?
• What type of power source do you prefer?
• Are there any certain foods you cook more than others, or specialty meals that require specific features?
• Is there a brand or product type that is important to you?

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Power:

Electric
Electric heat is a popular choice because it is more common in the Tampa Bay area, plus its an economically-smart way to bring out all of the flavors of your foods.  The even heat of an electric oven can help produce excellent baking results, while similar results are found on the cooktop.  Cooktops are available in the more traditional coil burner or the newer smoothtop style, which features radiant, halogen or induction cooking elements underneath ceramic glass.

What is induction cooking? It's a method of heating that uses the power of electromagnetism to turn the actual pot or pan into the heat source, and it's perhaps the most revolutionary advancement in surface cooking technology available today.  Induction cooktops offer nearly instantaneous response, similar to a gas cooktop.  Electromagnetic energy is passed directly into the pan, creating heat by vibrating the iron molecules rapidly in the bottom of the pan, allowing you to cook without actually heating the ceramic cooking surface.   

Electric ranges use two types of cooktop heat - the standard coil burner and smoothtop ceramic glass cooktops with electric elements sealed beneath the solid surface. With the coil burner electric model, the coil sits above the surface of the range top. It's reliable, fairly easy to clean and replace, and the elevated elements accommodate a wide variety of cookware. The open exposure of the heating element makes it vulnerable to spills, but drip pans capture spills and are generally easy to access, remove, and clean. Some models have porcelain drip pans, which will retain their luster longer and improve the appearance of your cooktop.

The smoothtop electric range is easier to clean. The radiant elements are encased beneath a sheet of ceramic glass and feature unique conducting properties that heat quickly to evenly cook foods. Radiant elements are generally available on mid- to high-range electric models and are very durable.

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Gas
Gas heat fits the needs of many people because of its fast and flexible cooking prowess. Gas burners heat up and cool down instantly, using a visible cooking flame, and have a large variety of temperature settings. Some gas models offer unique burners that add flexibility, such as high-output heat for quick boiling, or burners that maintain a mild simmer for liquids and sauces. Many models feature sealed gas burners, which make clean up easier by keeping spills on the surface and preventing foods from becoming trapped under the burner. Typically, gas models have a higher purchase price than comparable electric models.

• Provides an enormous range of cooking temperatures
• Today's pilotless ignition lights by an electric spark, rather than an ever-burning pilot light
• Retains minimal heat when burner is off
• When considering burners, remember that sealed burners are much easier to clean than open ones
• Installation requires a gas hookup, either to a natural gas source or to a liquid propane (LP) supply tank and a 120-volt household electric circuit for running appliance features, including the clock and lights, and the electronic ignition

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Dual Fuel (Electric and Gas)
You can always combine the best of both worlds with a dual-fuel range. With this style, you can take advantage of the immediate responses of gas burners while benefiting from the even baking heat of an electric oven. The dual-fuel option makes a winning selection for those wishing to maximize their cooking experience.

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Freestanding Ranges
Freestanding ranges are generally the least expensive and the most popular of styles. The power of a freestanding range combines an oven with a cooktop. This unit fits between two cabinets or at the end of a run of cabinetry. They generally run about 30 inches wide, but are available in sizes from 20 to 40 inches. Electric ranges are sold with either smooth-top cooking surfaces or coil elements. The ease of cleaning smooth surfaces has caused an increase in the popularity of smoothtops.  Conventional ovens, which can operate on electricity or gas, incorporate two heating elements - one for baking and roasting and another for broiling.  Convection models incorporate a third heating element and fan in the rear of the oven to circulate the air.  Convection cooking can reduce baking time by 25% and produces noticeably better results than a normal oven.  The heated air being circulated helps lock in moisture and keeps your foods from drying out.  A Thanksgiving turkey is not only more flavorful and juicy, but also takes less time!  Convection models automatically convert your favorite recipes for the proper time and temperature settings and can always be used in the thermal baking mode when needed.

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Slide-In Ranges (Including Drop-Ins)
Slide-in ranges provide a more custom, built-in look than a freestanding range. They're designed to fit 30-inch openings between cabinets. Slide-in models eliminate the back console and slide into the space to meet the countertop, while drop-ins rest atop cabinetry and typically lack a storage drawer.  Similar to freestanding models, you have many choices with slide-in models, including coil, smoothtop and convection models.

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For cooking convenience anywhere in your kitchen, consider a cooktop. They are available in all heat sources: electric coils, smoothtop, induction and gas burners. These units may be installed in a kitchen island or countertop, giving you the freedom to indulge your culinary impulses far and wide. Size usually ranges from 30 to 42 inches, and higher-end models can feature up to six burners.

A wall oven uses gas or electric heat and includes one or more ovens in a single appliance, but no cooktop. Wall ovens slide into kitchen cabinets, have unfinished sides and come in 24-, 27-, 30- and 36-inch widths. Options include a single or double oven and a combination of thermal and convection heat. They can be installed within walls or kitchen cabinets, giving you design flexibility.

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Fresh air is more than a luxury - it is a necessity (and in many areas, a code requirement) that ensures good respiratory health for your family. Range hoods eliminate the smoke, aromas and airborne chemicals released during cooking. They draw steam and odors through the top, either venting the air outside or recirculating it through a charcoal filter and also providing supplemental lighting to the cooktop. Range hoods not only provide a valuable service, but also add to the look and feel of your kitchen.  Many times, the range hood is chosen as a focal point in the kitchen!

• Standard range hoods, usually running from 30 to 66 inches, may be mounted on the wall, over a range, or over an island
• Units with heat lamps help maintain the warmth of food on the cooktop
• Down-draft vents also effectively ventilate the room, and the fact that they are built into the countertop/range keeps them out of the way
• A standard range hood vents at 200 to 300 cubic feet per minute (CFM)

If you have a professional-style range, look into a range hood that vents at least 500 to 900 CFM.

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