If you are updating your kitchen, or it is simply time for you to replace your range, you may be surprised to find a wealth of options out there to choose from. With microwaves on the decline and more people paying added attention to healthy food and fresh food preparation, it is easy to see why more households are investing in quality ranges and top-of-the-line kitchen appliances. From different finishes, styles, tech and power sources, the kitchen appliance industry is booming.ย
Design features aside, when it comes to ranges, there are three basic optionsโฆ electric, gas, and dual-fuel. The differences between the three are pretty self-explanatory. Gas ranges are exclusively fueled by gas to heat the stovetop and oven. Whereas electric ranges are solely dependent on electricity. Dual-fuel ranges, as the name suggests, offer the open flame of a gas cooktop, while using electricity to heat the oven. This is an especially satisfying option for avid bakers and passionate home cooks.ย
This leaves homeowners faced with a tough decision, should they stick with what they know and opt for a range that is reliant entirely on either gas or electricity, or should they break with tradition and dive into the โhybridโ range revolution? Letโs see how the dual-fuel range stacks up to the conventional range.ย
The Right Choice for Your Kitchen & Your Budget
If you are into concocting tasty confections, it may be worth it to invest in a dual fuel range. Bakers enjoy the accuracy of electric ovens because they stay within ten degrees of any set temperature, allowing food to bake evenly and thoroughly. Gas fueled ovens simply donโt ensure the same consistency.ย
On the other side of the coin, serious home cooks and chefs will all tell you that cooking on an open flame is superior to that of an electric stovetop. This allows for easy adjustment of the heat source when cooking vegetables and meats. Whether your passion is to cook, bake or combination of the two, you most likely will want to invest in buying a dual-fuel range to get the best of both worlds.ย
So is buying a dual-fuel range worth the expense? In short, yes. While dual-fuel ranges are typically more expensive than either a fully electric range or a gas-only range, in the last five years they have become more cost-effective.ย
Originally, only luxury brands like Wolf and Viking would sell dual-fuel ranges, costing upwards of 10k. Fast forward to the present day where manufacturers like GE, Bosch, and KitchenAid have created more affordable dual-fuel ranges for consumers to choose from.ย
Unfortunately, there are hidden expenses for having a dual-fuel range that extends past the point of purchase. While dual-fuel ranges are a great investment and can add to the value of your kitchen and home overall, it does come with some additional costs.ย
After you have shelled out a considerable amount of money for a new dual-fuel range, youโll need to consider whether your kitchen is equipped with both gas and electricity. Older homes that have a gas hookup in the kitchen typically arenโt wired with a 220-volt outlet as well, and vice versa. If you have your heart set on cooking with a dual-fuel range, you may have to dish out another thousand dollars to have an electrician or plumber come out to properly outfit your kitchen for both power sources.ย
Before deciding on which range to buy, ask yourself a few key questions before making your purchase.ย
- How often do you plan on cooking? Two nights a week or every night of the week?ย
- What meals will you be cooking?ย
- Do you frequently entertain guests and have dinner parties?ย
- Could the money spent on a dual-fuel range be better spent on a different part of your home?
Making the leap to a dual-fuel range is a great investment for homeowners that plan on cooking meals often and who like to entertain. But even if you arenโt a master chef in the making, buying a dual-fuel range still makes sense. If for whatever reason you decide to sell your home down the road, a dual-fuel range will add value to your property. You can easily add โchefโs kitchenโ to the list of selling points if your kitchen has dual-fuel capabilities.ย
Whatever decision you wind up making, remember to ask yourself how much time you plan on spending in your kitchen and go from there. When you consider that you arenโt likely to buy another range in the next ten years, it may make sense to splurge this time around.ย
