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Using a kitchen range involves the following steps – choosing the appropriate burner, turning the dial corresponding to the chosen burner to open the gas, lighting the burner, and placing a stove top-safe piece of cookware on the burner.
Ranges can also be used for baking. To use the oven portion of the range, choose the desired heat setting, and wait for the appliance to finish pre-heating.
Ranges are popular home appliances that consist of a stovetop and an oven. If you would like to learn more about how to work an oven, refer to our detailed Range usage guide below.
How To Use The Stovetop
1. Choose Desired Element
Which element/burner you choose will depend upon what you’re cooking. For example, if you’re using a 5.5 quart saute pan, you should use the largest burner. If you’re using a small saucepan, one of the smaller burners is the best bet.
Once you’ve determined which burner you wish to use, identify the control knob that corresponds to the burner.
2. Light Element
To light the burner, the first step involved opening the gas valve. Once this is done, the burner can be lit.
Some ranges have a central button that must be pressed for lighting. Other ranges have the lighting mechanism connected to each knob. In this case, the burner can be lit by moving the knob counterclockwise after the gas has already been released.
Electric stovetops don’t use gas, and as a result, do not need to be lit to function. Simply choose which setting you want, and press start.
3. Place Cookware on the Element
Now that the burner is lit, place the pot or pan you intend to use on the element. Of all pots and pans, those made out of stainless steel, cast iron, aluminum, carbon steel, and ceramic are the safest for using on a stovetop.
If you’re concerned about toxins/heavy metal leaching into your food during the cooking process, studies have confirmed that stainless steel is the least reactive under heat making them the safest.
4. Clean Element
Depending upon what you’re cooking, grease and other food material can splatter out of the cooking pan and on to the stovetop. If you let this build-up, it could become a fire hazard. Because of this, it’s a good idea to give the stovetop a quick wipe down after every use.
Gas stovetops will require more work as you’ll need to remove the steel grates. Electric stovetops are much easier as they don’t employ a grill/grate system and use a flat glass surface.
How To Use The Oven
1. Select Setting and Temperature
The first step in using the oven portion of your range is choosing the cook setting and temperature. The most common types of settings are listed below.
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- Low Heat – When the low heat setting is chosen, only the lower element generates heat, meaning whatever you're cooking is heated from the bottom.
- Upper and Lower Heating – When selected, both the upper and lower elements are engaged.
- Bake – Uses dry heat to cook food. Most commonly used to bake breads, cookies, and cakes.
- Roast – Similar to bake, but uses a fan to circulate the dry heat. Roasting is most commonly used to cook vegetables, meats, and filets.
- Broil – Broiling uses high heat for short amounts of time and is ideal when cooking thin cuts of meat with low fat.
Average cooking temperatures range from 350 F – 500 F. What temperature you choose will vary depending upon what you’re cooking. If you’re following a recipe, always double check the recommended temperature setting.
2. Wait For Oven To Preheat
Once you’ve chosen the appropriate setting and temperature, you must wait for the oven to preheat. How long this process takes will depend upon the make and model of the range. Older models can take up to 15 minutes to preheat while newer ranges can reach cooking temperature in under 5 minutes.
3. Place Food In Oven
When the preheating cycle has finished, most ovens will let you know by letting out a few short beeps. If you didn’t hear the beeps, check to see if the preheat light is still on. If it is, it means the oven hasn’t reached the appropriate temperature.
After you’ve confirmed the pre-heat cycle is over, you're free to put your food inside the oven. Always use oven-safe cookware, especially when cooking at high heat. Failure to use non-oven-safe cookware can result in a fire hazard.
What Should I Know Before Using A Rage?
What is a range? A range is a popular household appliance that is a combination of an oven and a stovetop. Ranges come in two main varieties, gas and electric.
Gas Ranges – Gas ranges use natural gas as their fuel source. The main advantage of gas ranges is they are cheaper to run than electric ranges. However, gas ranges do suffer from a higher level of temperature fluctuation.
The average gas-powered range will offer between 5,000 and 15,000 BTUs depending upon the make and model
Electric Ranges – As you may have guessed, electric ranges use electricity as their power source. While electric ranges offer better consistency as far as temperature is concerned, they are more expensive depending on where you live.
Most electric ranges have a flat glass top which makes the stove-top portion much easier to clean. Electric ranges are considered more convenient, but – as mentioned above – they are more expensive.
Electric burners come equipped with 1000 – 2500 watts although some models come with as much as 3000 watts.
Dual Fuel Ranges – For the best of both worlds, some models come equipped with a gas-powered stovetop and an electric-powered oven.
The average home range measures 26 inches deep, 36 inches tall, and 30 inches wide. While most models come as stand-alone units, there are many models designed to be built into a wall, cabinet, or countertop.
What Are The Stages of Using A Range
Using a range can be broken down into the following stages:
- Choosing the temperature and setting and pressing start
- Waiting for the preheat cycle to finish
- Cook food for the required amount of time.
If you’re using the stove top portion of the range, the process is as follows:
- Select which burner you want to use
- Start the element and choose the appropriate setting
- Cook food for the required amount of time
Does The Range Type Affect The Usage Stages?
No, regardless of what type of range you have, the usage stages remain the same. That said, some of the best ranges can come with over 10 different oven settings, which can change the way you use your range.
For example, some top-of-the-line ranges have a defrost setting, which isn’t common on most standard models.
Is Using A Range For Pasta Better Than Using A Microwave Oven
Yes, using a range for pasta is better than using a microwave oven. For starters, Because of the way microwave ovens are designed, they can’t bring water to a rolling boil. Moreover, the best types of pots to cook pasta in are stainless steel pots, which aren’t safe to use in the microwave.
When it comes to the question of ranges vs. microwave ovens for cooking pasta, the range is the clear winner.
Is Using A Range for Baking Bread Better Than Using An Oven
No, a range isn’t better for baking bread than an oven. As stated above, a range consists of both an oven and a stove top portion, making the question of range vs. oven null.
Are Electric Ranges Better Than Gas Ranges For Cooking Eggs?
Yes, electric ranges are better than gas ranges for cooking eggs. While both gas and electric ranges are more than capable of cooking eggs, electric ranges maintain a more consistent temperature, which can make cooking eggs – especially fried eggs – easier.
Of all types of ranges for cooking eggs, electric ranges are superior.
How To Use Ranges For Other Purposes Besides Cooking Foods
Ranges can be used for a variety of applications. For a more detailed overview of the different uses of ranges, refer to the sections below.
How To Use A Range As A Pizza Oven
To use a range as a pizza oven, follow these steps:
- Prepare pizza
- Preheat oven to 400-450F
- Place pizza on an oven-safe pizza rack
- Place rack in oven for 20-30 minutes until crust starts to brown
How To Use Ranges As A Heater
You cannot use a range as a heater. Although the appliance can reach temperatures of over 500F, they are designed solely for cooking food, not to function as a heater.
How To Use A Range As A Storage Units
To use a range as a storage unit, follow these steps:
- Most standalone ranges have a storage drawer at the bottom
- Locate drawer and open it
- Fill the drawer with pots, pans, and cook trays, and close the door.
