You’re probably looking for a kitchen that inspires you to cook a wide variety of dishes. Your kitchen should be well-organized with convenient appliances, especially cooktops and ovens, as per your lifestyle, to make your cooking quite enjoyable.
Highlights:
- Wall ovens are on the wall, ranges combine ovens and cooktops.
- Wall ovens are convenient at eye level, while ranges are on the floor.
- Wall ovens offer flexibility and multiple cooking options.
- Ranges are cost-effective and better for small kitchens.
- Wall ovens look sleek, but ranges offer style and variety.
As you’ve clicked here, it’s evident that you’re looking for a wall oven or a range for your kitchen. If you want to prefer the right option, you have to know the differences between these two cooking stations and how they match your cooking requirements.
What Is the Main Difference Between Wall Oven and Range?
The most significant difference between wall ovens and ranges is wall ovens are installed on the kitchen wall around eye-level. In contrast, ranges are set on the kitchen floor, located beneath the cooktop. You don’t need to crouch or kneel your body while using a wall oven.
Apart from that, you’ll find so many factors, such as size, space, price, lifespan, cooking capacity, maintenance, and more, in which both cooking appliances differ. In this article, we’re going to talk about those differences below so that you can narrow down your choice.
What is Wall Oven? A Brief Overview
A wall oven is a type of oven typically installed higher on the kitchen wall, allowing you to cook various dishes by easily pulling them in and out of the oven. Wall ovens can be three different types, including a single, double, and a wall oven and cooktop combo.
Those who are occasionally baking should choose a single wall oven. However, if you’re one of those who want to prepare an entire Thanksgiving meal at once, you need to select a double or combo wall oven for your kitchen, although they’re priced more than others.
Besides, a wall oven can be either electric or gas-operated. Although electric wall ovens are excellent, many professional chefs prefer gas-operated wall ovens. These ovens have diffusers that ensure even heat distribution throughout the oven surface.
Advantages of Wall Oven
- Doesn’t bend you over while cooking
- Comes with greater flexibility
- Often features multiple ovens in one
- Allows for cooking more than one recipe
- Features separate cooking and baking zones
Disadvantages of Wall Oven
- Need to buy a separate cooktop
What is Range Oven? – A Brief Overview
A kitchen range is a cooking appliance that comes with burners and features a stovetop and an oven in one. Ranges are of three types, including drop-in range, slide-in range, and free-standing range. They have different features and benefits for preparing mouthwatering dishes.
However, a free-standing range is clearly different from a slide-in range. A slide-in range usually has a top, while a free-standing range doesn’t have a top. That’s why the slide-in range overlaps the countertop and is easier to clean than the free-standing range.
Besides that, the controls of a range may be located either at the front or behind the stovetop. So, choosing a range with front controls is a must. If yours come with real controls, you need to reach your hands behind the stovetop, and therefore, your hands may get burned.
Advantages of Kitchen range
- Less expensive than wall ovens
- Efficient for the kitchen space
- A better option for small kitchens
- All cooking functions are in one location
- Ensure ease of installation
Disadvantages of Kitchen range
- Comes with a relatively short height
Wall Oven vs. Range: Key Differences
Now that you already know what wall ovens and ranges are, you can easily identify the differences between these two cooking stations. Here we’re going to talk about a few factors in which wall ovens and ranges differentiate from each other.
1. Placement and Installation
As we said earlier, a wall oven is a type of oven typically installed higher on the kitchen wall, while a range is a cooking appliance installed on the kitchen floor. In both cases, you should hire professionals to install these pieces of equipment.
2. Size and Space
A kitchen range is usually 24, 30, 36, 48, and 60-inches wide, while the width of a wall oven starts at 57 inches, and will be even more than that. Regardless of the required space for both appliances, they also need some landing space around them.
According to NKBA, wall ovens and ranges require 15-inches extra space on one side and a minimum of 12-inches space on the other side. So, if you’re looking for more space in your kitchen, we recommend you select a wall oven for your kitchen.
3. Appearance
Wall ovens typically come with a sleek appearance, especially the pull-down doors. These days, you’ll find some wall ovens with single and double side-opening swing doors. If you keep a separate cooktop on a counter, your wall oven will be prepared to offers a linear look.
On the other hand, a kitchen range can deliver more aesthetic value and glamour than a traditional wall oven because the range usually has an industrial vibe, front-facing knobs. Besides, you’ll also find sleek versions of ranges in today’s market.
4. Cooking Capacity
When it comes to the cooking capacity, a single wall oven and a 36-inch range are almost the same. If you compare a double wall oven with any other range, you have to choose a range with more than 36-inch width, like 48 to 60-inch kitchen ranges.
5. Ease of Use
Wall ovens are easier to use because they’re installed around eye level, and you don’t need to bend, crouch, or kneel your body when you’re using a wall oven. However, using a range can be a bit more complicated since it’s located underneath the cooktop.
6. Repair or Maintenance
The kitchen range is quite simple to repair. This is because it allows you or the professional you hire to access the back of the appliance. However, a wall oven is a bit more difficult when it comes to repairing the appliance since it’s integrated into the wall.
7. Lifespan
An electric range and a wall oven typically last for around 13 years, whereas a gas-operated range sustains over 15 years. Electric ranges and wall ovens have some components that may crackdown over time. That’s why gas-operated ranges usually have more lifespan.
8. Price
In terms of price, wall ovens are more expensive than ranges. When you’re going to purchase a wall oven, you have to pay money for a couple of appliances, a wall oven, and a separate cooktop. These two appliances may cost over a thousand dollars.
On the contrary, kitchen ranges cost based on style and performance. You can find a quality kitchen range under a thousand dollars, where you need not buy a separate cooktop. However, some of the high-quality ranges may cost over 1000 dollars.
Final Words
Whatever the appliance you prefer, you should purchase one according to your lifestyle. If you’re more than one person, a wall oven and cooktop combo can be an excellent choice for you. In this case, you’ll handle the cooktop area, and another one will be managing the landing space.
| Aspect | Wall Oven | Kitchen Range |
|---|---|---|
| Placement and Installation | Installed on the kitchen wall | Installed on the kitchen floor |
| Size and Space | Wider than ranges, needs more space | Narrower and space-efficient |
| Appearance | Sleek and modern | Aesthetic and versatile |
| Cooking Capacity | Similar to a 36-inch range | Larger capacity with wider ranges |
| Ease of Use | Convenient eye-level placement | Requires bending or kneeling |
| Repair and Maintenance | More challenging to repair | Easier access for repairs |
| Lifespan | Shorter lifespan for electric | Longer lifespan for gas |
| Price | More expensive, requires separate cooktop | Generally cost-effective |
Apart from that, another lifestyle includes your heath and height issues. If you’re a tall person, having severe back pain, a wall oven will be the right appliance for you. It doesn’t make you bend, crouch, or kneel your body while removing something from the oven.
However, if you don’t need to cook for many people, a free-standing range can be what you’re looking for. It provides you with more than 2 feet of extra space for using it as a coffee station, wine fridge, or a desk area to keep your necessary items.
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Hello! I’m Paula Deen, a mother who loves to create memories in the kitchen. As a kitchen enthusiast, I love to do experiment with different kitchenware for daily recipes. This is my blog, where I’ll share my experience, knowledge, and reviews on various kitchenware and appliances.