Dual Fuel Range Style Cookers - Are They Right For Your Home?
Dual-fuel ranges offer a responsive temperature control in the oven and a consistent heat on the cooktop. Find out if this high-end appliance is right for your home.
At Good Housekeeping, we test more than 100 ranges every year, including a number of dual-fuel models. We also interview experts in the industry and visit kitchen appliance showrooms.
Versatility
Dual fuel ranges combine gas cooktops with an electric oven that lets you enjoy the best of both. Chefs who are devoted to the range appreciate the responsive burner heat that's ideal for sauteing on the stove, while electric ovens provide superior temperature control, ensuring an even baking. These powerful appliances are a favorite in kitchens that require versatility and high-quality cooking performance.
What else makes these models stand out? Dual fuel ranges can be an excellent investment for home chefs with the right hookups. They're also less expensive than other options, for instance gas slide-in ranges equipped with an electric oven or a gas stove with an electric oven that is wall mounted.
Many people are worried about the price of a dual fuel range. However, a qualified professional in kitchen appliance installation can make the process easy and easy. They will help you choose the right appliance for your house, and then ensure that the new appliance is properly and safely installed.
The versatility of a dual-fuel range lets chefs experiment with different cooking techniques. Gas cooktops are ideal for achieving the perfect sear on meat or a pepper for a taco night. Electric ovens can roast vegetables and preserve meats due to their constant temperature cycling.
Think about how often you will be cooking and the type of meals you prepare. Do you typically bake desserts to feed a huge crowd? Do you like grilling and would like to try out some new recipes? A dual fuel range is an excellent option to enhance your cooking skills and take your kitchen to a new level. However, if you're not sure if a dual-fuel range is the right choice for your kitchen, you should consider considering the various other options available.
Energy Efficiency
Gas stovetops are favored by cooks who love to experiment with cooking techniques like roasting and grilling. However, bakers often prefer the even heat distribution of electric ovens. Fortunately, duel fuel range permit cooks at home to have the best of both worlds. A dual-fuel range is equipped with a gas cooktop, as well as an electric oven. You may have to have a plumber modify the voltage of your electric outlet to accommodate a dual fuel range however the gas line will remain the same.
If you're thinking of investing in a dual professional range with a fuel source it is essential to take the time to evaluate your cooking preferences and needs. If you bake frequently take into consideration the even heating offered by an electric oven and choose one with a big capacity. If you rarely bake or don't cook much then a gas range could be a better choice since it provides the convenience and capability of a stovetop as well as an oven without the need for a separate appliance.
Dual-fuel ranges that are designed for professionals feature high-quality materials as well as a sleek design with a commercial-inspired look. They will delight your guests. They feature advanced cooking controls, as well as a range of programmable features to give you the most delicious dining experience. They also have a large oven that can hold large roasts or baking tray.
The kind of range you purchase will ultimately be based on your personal preferences and the overall appearance and feel of your kitchen. Depending on your personal preferences you can choose an old-fashioned style with an easy-to-clean stainless-steel finish or a more contemporary, black glass design with chrome accents.
When choosing a range the most important factor to consider is whether you can access natural gas or electricity. If you're planning to invest in a dual-fuel range, your home must have both a gas outlet and an electrical outlet. If you don't, an electrician will need to set up the necessary connections prior to installing your dual-fuel range.
Convenience
When a dual fuel range cooks, it uses both electric and gas heating to make cooking and baking easier than ever. The multi-functional appliance offers the freedom to experiment with new culinary techniques using a flexible temperature control on the cooktop and even, consistent heating in the oven.
Some people believe that the combination of gas and electric provides the best of both worlds. For example the gas cooktop is able to cook peppers to char and provide the perfect sear on steaks for taco night while the electric oven delivers dry temperature that is ideal for roasting cakes and vegetables.
Using a dual fuel range can help you save time since the food can be served in a shorter time. Gas cooktops respond quickly and instantly to heat settings, which means you can increase the heat for quick boiling or reduce it for a gentle simmer. The electric range is slower to heat up and cooks slower. However, it's ideal for cooking dishes that require low temperatures.
The flexibility of dual fuel ranges makes it a smart investment for a lot of households. However, the appliances require separate power sources and are more expensive than gas models of all types. You will also need an outlet with a high voltage that can handle both types of wiring. It can be a challenge to wire older homes. An electrician may be needed to ensure everything is done properly.
Consider the amount of meals you prepare at home each week when you shop for a dual fuel range. This will help you determine if the extra cost is worth it. You should also think about the amount of space you have in your kitchen to determine if a dual fuel model is feasible.
Miele offers a range of dual-fuel models in a variety of sizes, from 30 to 60 inches wide. The stainless steel finish is resistant to fingerprints and easy to clean. Most models come with four burners for stoves, and an oven that has capacities ranging from 4.5 cubic feet up to 6.6 cubic feet. Some models offer a variety of colored oven doors for a customized look and a variety of smart controls with Wi-Fi capability integrated thermometers, as well as preprogrammed settings.
Value
When a dual fuel range blends gas and electric ovens, it gives you the most efficient of both. The gas cooktop offers the precise control of an open flame burner and the electric convection oven is a reliable option for roasting, baking or even quasi-air frying. And if you want to add some flair to your kitchen, select models let you choose an accent color for the door of your oven.
However dual-fuel ranges tend be more expensive than gas ranges that are all-gas, and they require hookups to natural gas as well as 220-volt electric power. They could also be more prone to repair because they contain more components. You'll likely require a specialist to install your range.
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 a fantastic choice. Although it might not have the name recognition of other models we have reviewed, this stove is a great value at less than half the price. It has six burners including two dual-ring 19,000 Btu powerburners that can take on large pans and pots. It also has five burners and a grid. It also comes with two large capacity microwaves and an induction stovetop.
A good option is the GE Monogram Professional stainless steel range. It has an intelligent home feature that syncs recipes with the operating settings on your phone, or voice commands using Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. This top-of-the-line model comes with an enormous oven that can maintain the same temperature. It's an excellent choice for bakers. It's however a bit more expensive than some of our other options, and you need to install an electrical connection to get the most advanced features.
A Wolf stainless steel dual-fuel range is a different alternative. It comes with excellent cooking specifications, and the knobs can be customized to fit your preferences. It's more professional-looking than our other picks but it has a disadvantage: its oven isn't large enough for serious bakers.