Range, Cooktop and Wall Oven: What’s the Difference?

Every kitchen is outfitted with some type of appliance to cook food. There are range and oven combos, wall ovens, and cooktops. Let’s explore the differences between each type so you can decide which is best for you.

A range is a kitchen appliance sometimes referred to as a stove. It usually combines an oven for roasting, baking, and broiling with a cooktop/stove for boiling water, sautéing, and cooking food in pans. There are gas and electric stoves, but some models use duel fuel. They come in a variety of different sizes to fit individual spaces, colors, materials, and finishes. Some include high-tech options, as well. There are dozens of reputable brands to choose from when selecting a range/stove.

A cooktop is the stove part of a range, but it does not include an attached oven. Often cooktops are installed on a kitchen island, and the oven is located elsewhere. Cooktops include burners to cook food, boil water, and sear food using frying pans and pots. A cooktop is integrated into the countertop and decoratively adds flair to a kitchen. They come in many types; some have raised grates, and others are flat glass tops. Cooktops may be simple or elaborate. Cooktops have a typically clean look with the controls integrated into the counter.

A wall oven is a closed box-shaped appliance that is installed in a wall that cooks and bakes food. This type of oven does not have any stove or range attached; its only function is that of an oven. You can roast food in it, and sometimes they are equipped with air-fryer technology or can also be used as a convection oven. These ovens have very little exposed area, usually some metal and a door, but they come in various styles and finishes. Many reputable appliance brands make wall ovens for a kitchen where the cooktop and oven are separated.

There is no clear definitive answer as to whether a range versus cooktop is better. It depends on your kitchen setup and your personal preferences. Some people like having a stove/oven combo, and others prefer the clean look of a cooktop with an oven elsewhere. You can generally find whatever you need with the top appliance brands and choose a model that suits your needs, has the features you want, and fits your budget.

Many people swear by cooking with gas, but others love electric stoves. The newer induction models are electric, but they work like gas, heating up quickly through the use of magnets and cooling down quickly. Even though the pot heats up, the surface below it stays cool. It’s the best of both worlds.

When it’s time to replace your kitchen oven or stove, you should research brands, reliability, and available options. Also, don’t forget to check out the oven warranty. You don’t want to buy an appliance and find out the company doesn’t support it well after the sale.

Unfortunately, many appliance manufacturers offer only limited warranties for appliances that last only a year or more. Furthermore, they only cover inherent defects, and even then, there are usually very strict covenants that if you fail to maintain it, install it correctly or use specific parts, you can void the warranty completely.

An Upsie extended warranty takes over when your original warranty ends and protects your expensive appliance. With Upsie, you are covered for things like:

With Upsie, customers pay up to 70% less. In addition, there are never any deductibles, service charges, or other fees.

You can reach Upsie claims 24/7 and schedule your in-home repair quickly. If they can’t fix it on the first claim, Upsie will replace it.

Rest assured, with Upsie, your new kitchen appliance is fully covered for the life of your warranty!