Flip on the television to your favorite celebrity chef and you might notice something about the kitchen: Every appliance is a built-in. That is, unlike a freestanding range, or countertop microwave, built-in cooking appliances fit right into the kitchen’s cabinetry, creating an impressive setup that looks undeniably luxurious and seems like a breeze to navigate.
So, you might ask yourself, “How can I get that look for my kitchen?” To that notion, we welcome you to the wonderful world of built-in appliances. You might have been enamored by the style, but in this blog, we’ll help you understand why built-in appliances are so in-demand, plus all the benefits they can provide in your kitchen. Take a look!
Why are Built-in Cooking Appliances Popular?
There are two major advantages of installing built-in cooking appliances into a kitchen.
- Customization: By separating cooking appliances, homeowners can choose to install each product into a configuration that suits the needs of the kitchen.
- High-end look: Built-in cooking appliances provide a more luxury look than traditional cooking appliances.
Additionally, opting to create a unique setup of built-in cooking appliances also allows more room for extras that aren’t typically found on traditional ranges.
Before You Buy a Built-In Cooking Appliance…
Consider these key factors:
- Built-in cooking appliances cost more than traditional ranges.
- Built-in cooking appliances require professional installation.
- Depending on configuration, built-in cooking appliances may require more kitchen space.
- Purchasing separate built-in cooking appliances may also cost more.
Built-In Cooking Appliances: What Are the Options?
Built-in cooking appliances are available in three options: radiant electric, induction, and gas-fuel. Between cost, ease of use, and performance, each style features a distinct set of pros and cons. Here’s a quick run-through:
| Radiant Electric | Induction Electric | Gas | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Overview | A coiled cooking element heats up to heat the bottom of your pan and the contents therein. | A magnetic field “excites” compatible cookware to heat the cookware and the contents therein. | An open flame heats the bottom of your pan and the contents therein. |
| Pros | Sleek appearance, easy cleaning in most cases; lower cost than induction alternatives. | Precise temperature control no delay in adjustments while cooking; easy cleaning with very little risk of scorching. | Precise temperature control no delay in adjustments while cooking; similar price to radiant alternatives. |
| Cons | Delayed responsiveness to temperature changes; potential for cooktop scorching. | Most expensive electric option, requires magnetic pots and pans. | Not as sleek as most electric options; more difficult to clean grates and burners. |
| Found On | Cooktops only. | Mostly cooktops. | Mostly cooktops. |
Induction: Our Built-In Cooking Choice
Despite the affordability of electric-powered built-in cooking appliances, we generally suggest induction or gas-fuel built-in cooking appliances to our shoppers for a few reasons, with a slight preference toward induction overall. Why?
The Benefits of Induction
While gas cooktops are powerful and precise, induction appliances are also masters of accuracy and performance, all while being safe, fast, and efficient. That’s because built-in induction cooking surfaces use electromagnets that “activates” responsive cookware. As a result, virtually all the cooking energy translates to the pot or pan, as opposed to a flame that heats up cookware by radiation.
Best of all, the induction appliances come in stylish smooth tops and stay relatively cool, making cleanup tremendously easier. But induction isn’t without its flaws.
Consider:
- Price: On top of being generally more expensive than both gas and electric counterparts, induction surfaces also require special cookware in order to work. Unless equipped with a layer of magnetic, certain materials like glass, aluminum, and copper will not work on induction appliances.
- While durable, glass induction surfaces are less resilient compared to radiant coils and gas grills.
- Homes with a gas line will have to pay an additional cost to install a working 240-volt outlet to run an induction appliance.
When to Choose Radiant Cooking Appliances
While radiant cooking appliances are widely considered basic models, they still are effective at cooking. What users comment most on is knowing how to use a traditional electric cooking appliance, such as:
- Radiant cooking surfaces require pre-heating.
- Traditional electric elements cycle on and off, meaning temperatures are less consistent, requiring slight adjusting throughout cooking.
- Radiant heat needs time to cool, meaning it can be potentially hazardous, especially around children.
However, once these key considerations are understood, radiant cooking appliances are a great option for shoppers on a budget, and since they come in smooth top and raised (coil) styles, shoppers have a slightly bigger pool of options to choose from.
Cooktops vs. Rangetops
To the uniformed, a cooktop and a rangetop are essentially the same thing…right? After all, unlike freestanding ranges, cooktops and rangetops are installed directly into the countertop. The difference is subtle, but it all comes down to knob placement and how each is installed.
Cooktop Overview
Cooktops fit right into a cutout within a countertop and are completely surrounded on all sides. Additionally, the controls sit flat on top of the appliance’s surface. In terms of price, cooktops are generally more affordable than rangetops.
Cooktop Sizes
Typically, 30” cooktops include up to five burners, while 36” cooktops can have up to six heat elements.
Narrow cooktops are a convenient solution for compact kitchen, available with two to four burners. For even more flexibility, specialty cooktops can be added to a counter’s cooking setup, providing a single-use burner to cook on a wok, steam, or fry.
Rangetop Overview
On the other hand, rangetops slide into a cutout in the countertop, creating a slightly more pronounced look. Since the front is not surrounded by cabinetry, rangetop knobs are located up front rather than on top of the appliance. All in all, rangetops cost more than cooktops, but they provide a more professional, look and better heat output than traditional-style cooktops, plus cooking features like built-in griddles, wok burners, and char broil grills.
Most rangetops are gas-fueled, but newer models, like the Signature Kitchen Suite 35.88" Stainless Steel Dual-Fuel Pro Gas Rangetop (SKSRT360SIS), are able to deliver a spectrum of cooking options, including a built-in sous vide, induction burners, and gas. More induction rangetops are anticipated to hit the market in the near future, but as of now, they remain a rumor.
Rangetop Sizes
Rangetops are most commonly found in 36” and 48” options, but they come in dimensions from 24” all the way up to 60”. Generally, the wider to rangetop, the more burners or cooking options. For instance:
- A 36” rangetop may come with six total burners, or four burners, plus a 12” griddle or grill surface.
- A 48” rangetop may come with eight total burners, or anywhere from four to six burners, plus complementary cooking surfaces.
- Even more cooking flexibility can be achieved on a 60” rangetop, but because of the size and the need for a built-in wall oven, they’re not very popular.
Available sizes: 24” | 30” | 36” | 48” | 60”
Wall Ovens
Wall ovens have long been a popular built-in appliance choice, both for their custom look and user friendliness.
Which Fuel Type?
By far, electric wall ovens are the most popular choice on the market. It seems counter-intuitive, considering most professionals prefer gas over electric when cooking on a surface, but in the oven, electric heat is more even, accurate, and reliable. And while gas and electricity both cycle on and off when an oven is in use, gas tends to have bigger swings.
Additionally, there are far more electric wall ovens with true European convection than gas wall ovens.
Wall Oven Configurations
What we love the most about wall ovens is the ability to create a configurable setup. Since they occupy cabinetry rather than take up floorspace, users can install even more appliances into their kitchen with a relatively moderate footprint.
Wall Oven Sizes
Wall ovens are most commonly available in 24”, 27”, and 30” options, and can be installed solo, or as part of a double wall oven or a triple oven combo, such as these following examples:
- KitchenAid® 30" Stainless Steel Electric Single Oven Built-In (KOSE500ESS)
- Café™ Professional 29.75" Stainless Steel Electric Built-In Double Oven (CTD70DP2NS1)
- Bosch 800 Series 29.75" Stainless Steel Electric Oven/Micro Combo Built-In (HBL87M53UC)
Double ovens are a handy way to double the oven capacity in a kitchen. Think: Beef roast and apple pie cooking at the same time for dinner and dessert that doesn’t take all night. Note, though, while double wall ovens are capable of convection cooking, the feature may be available in one of the ovens, depending on the brand and model.
For kitchens with a rangetop, a hood is mandator; an over-the-range microwave is simply not powerful enough to properly ventilate gas cooking. That’s one of the reasons oven combos are becoming increasingly popular. Instead of purchasing a countertop microwave, a three-tiered wall oven setup provides a sleek and sophisticated center that neatly houses all three appliances.
Trending Wall Oven Features
The world of wall ovens is quickly becoming hotspot for exciting innovations that make every-day cooking more enjoyable. These are favorite features.
Door Style
It may seem trivial, but the way an oven door opens can have a major impact on usability. Think of it like a dryer door. The common drop-down door does the job, but retrieving clothes takes some maneuvering. On the other hand, a door that opens to the side provides more access to the inside.
That’s exactly why we love wall ovens with French doors or swing doors. Not only do they look ultra-custom, but the improved access means users can grab foods easier and more safely. While this is an especially big advantage for petite individuals, this is a design every user can appreciate.
Steam Ovens
Artisan bread bakers have long used steam ovens to create their signature loaves. Now, domestic steam ovens make it possible for home cooks to take advantage of the technique, too.
But steam ovens go beyond simply baking: They also help foods retain vitamins and nutrients, help cut down the need for cooking with oil, and the moist cooking environment means meats stay succulent throughout bakes. And as a lovely perk, cooking with steam is also makes it easier to clean the surface.
Microwave Drawers
Often found in aspirational kitchens, microwave drawers are becoming one of the most popular additions to the every-day kitchen. By installing into a kitchen island, under the counters, or into cabinetry, microwave drawers free up valuable countertop space. Since they can be installed virtually anywhere there’s cabinetry, users can fit a microwave drawer where every member of the home can access it.
Warming Drawers
Most home cooks are familiar with the warming drawers found at the bottom of a range appliance. However, unlike those, built-in warming drawers are often capable of doing more than simply keeping food warm. More simple options come with the capability to keep food at consistently low temperatures (great for hosting!), while some more advanced warming drawers can even slow cook.
Speed Ovens
Speed ovens are also a great addition to a combo wall oven setup. On top of be able to microwave food, speed ovens are also capable of convection cooking, so users can bake small food batches and dishes with oven-quality results.
Value Built Right In
Looking for built-in cooking appliances? With 25 locations throughout Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, Grand Appliance and TV is the place to shop for appliances for your home. Backed by a team of devoted experts, we make helping your find an appliance easy. Shop online or in-store today!