Why Do They Call a Stove a Range?

Kitchen ranges and stoves allow us to cook delicious meals for our families every day. But while we use the terms interchangeably, these popular appliances aren‘t exactly the same. Stoves refer to standalone units, while ranges are bigger and more capable. But why is a stove known as a range? The answer lies in the evolution of early cooking appliances.

A Look Back at the History of Stoves and Ranges

Humans have been cooking food over fire for thousands of years. Early cooking was done over open flames. The first rudimentary stoves emerged in the 18th century as enclosed metal boxes with holes on top for inserting pots, containing the fire safely inside.

These primitive stoves had just a single burner or grate. But in the early 1800s, stoves started to get more advanced. The iconic cast iron stove that we picture in old Western movies appeared in the 1820s. Now stoves had the ability to heat multiple pots at once, though still only a couple burners.

The first kitchen ranges emerged not long after. These were revolutionary larger stoves that combined cooktops and ovens together into one unit.

Unlike basic stoves, these new ranges had multiple ovens and burners, allowing cooks to produce a wide "range" of dishes. Hence, their name.

Innovations continued through the mid-1900s. The availability of gas lines and electricity led to transitions away from wood and coal-fired units. Electric and gas ranges became the norm by the 1950s and 60s.

What‘s the Difference Between a Stove and Range Today?

While often used synonymously, stove and range have distinct meanings:

• Stoves are standalone appliances with a cooktop and possibly one oven. They typically have 1-4 burners. Freestanding stoves can be placed anywhere in a kitchen.

• Ranges integrate the cooktop and oven(s) into one wider unit, typically with 4-6 burners. They offer more capacity and are designed to be built into cabinetry.

Fun Fact: The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers estimates that 90% of households in the U.S. have either a stove or range!

Let‘s look at some of the key differences:

The larger capacity and versatility is why many home chefs opt for ranges over basic stoves.

Types of Ranges Available

There are several varieties of kitchen ranges to consider for your home:

Gas Ranges

Gas ranges utilize natural gas or propane for the stovetop burners. Most gas ranges also have a gas oven. Gas is appreciated by some cooks for providing consistent heat with more precise temperature control. According to the American Gas Association, over 55% of U.S. households use natural gas for stovetop cooking.

Electric Ranges

Electric ranges rely on electric heating elements for both the cooktop and ovens. Electric smoothtop ranges with flat glass-ceramic surfaces are especially popular, making up 43% of the market. Their sleek appearance and wipeable surfaces make clean-up a breeze.

Dual Fuel Ranges

For the best of both worlds, dual fuel ranges combine gas burners (stovetop) with electric ovens. This allows cooks to get quick, responsive heat control on the stove along with the even, consistent baking heat of an electric oven.

Induction Ranges

Induction ranges utilize electromagnetic energy to heat pots and pans directly, rather than heating the stovetop itself. This allows for safer, faster, and more energy-efficient cooking. Consumer Reports notes that induction ranges use up to 20% less energy than traditional electric ranges.

Additional Convenient Range Features

Along with extra burners and ovens, today‘s ranges can come equipped with:

• Integrated griddles – Perfect for whipping up pancakes, grilled cheeses, and bacon
• Convection cooking – Circulates air for faster, more even baking
• Warming drawers – Keep food hot after cooking is finished
• Refrigerated drawers – Store fresh ingredients like produce and meats
• Range hoods – Vented hoods trap heat, grease, and cooking odors

According to the National Kitchen and Bath Association, over 2/3 of homeowners upgrading their kitchens select ranges with specialty cooking features like these.

The additional functionality expands what home chefs can accomplish. No wonder 59% of those surveyed said they use their range daily and view it as the hardest-working appliance!

Why Ranges Offer More Cooking Ability

There are several compelling reasons to choose a range over a basic stove:

• The larger cooktop lets you cook for a crowd, using multiple pots and pans. Home chefs report being able to cook an entire holiday dinner on the spacious range cooktop.

• The extra oven capacity allows you to roast vegetables or bake a casserole in one oven while broiling fish or chicken in the other.

• Specialty features like griddles and warming drawers make cooking large, complex meals easier.

• The built-in design creates a unified, upscale look in your kitchen rather than a standalone appliance.

• Higher resale value – realtors report kitchens with ranges sell faster and for more money.

With their increased versatility and capacity, it‘s easy to see why ranges have become such a popular upgrade for home cooks. The first kitchen ranges transformed cooking abilities, and modern ranges continue that legacy today.

So while stove and range are often used interchangeably, ranges are the more capable, powerful option. Their expanded size and features earned them the name that still sticks centuries later. Whether you‘re cooking for two or twenty, ranges give home chefs the flexibility to cook up any culinary creation.