#10 Easy Pieces: Freestanding 36-Inch Kitchen Ranges: Remodelista

Anyone who has undergone a kitchen remodel will be familiar with the moment-of-truth decision: which range to install (the hearth of the house). At Remodelista, we collectively favor the six-burner, 36-inch professional-style range (space and budget allowing, of course). If you can swing it, it s worth spending money on a high-quality range that will last for decades. Here are our top choices based on personal experience, consumer ratings, reader comments, and recommendations from experienced kitchen appliance professionals. Have a favorite range not listed here? Weigh in below.

NB: While we have listed online retailers, note that several brands we ve included can only be sold in the state where the appliance will be installed. Visit manufacturer websites to locate dealers in your area.

Above: Classic, sturdy, and reliable is how Francesca describes her Viking range. Viking was one of the first to bring professional performance cooking to the residential kitchen; the Viking 36-inch Pro-Style Dual Fuel Range (#VDSC5366Bx) with six sealed burners in stainless steel is $8,079 at AJ Madison (other finishes and burner configurations are available).

Above: The Thermador Pro Grand PRG366JG 36-Inch Range is among the highest-rated ranges; it features Thermador s sealed Star burners (the five-point design reduces cold spots and speeds heating time). One burner is rated at 22,000 BTU, while the other five are at 18,000 BTU (all with an ExtraLow feature); $7,299 at AJ Madison. A Thermador Metal Blue Knob Kit is available for $279.

Above: Julie is a devotee of the Wolf 36-inch Dual Fuel Stainless Steel Range (df366) with six dual-stacked burners (other configurations available) featuring 15,000 BTU and 9,200 BTU sizes, all with simmer capabilities, and a large dual convection oven. Available with red or black knobs; $7,599 at Abt Electronics. (N.B. For more cooking ideas, see our top grill picks .)

Above: When it comes time to buy a new range, Janet s top choice is the Bluestar RNB Series 36-Inch Pro-Style Gas Range with six star-shaped open burners, offered in a choice of 190 colors (it also comes in stainless). The oven is the deepest available in the professional-style home range market; another added feature: a special wok burner. Bluestar is a highly rated, well-established American company with a history of producing of professional cooking appliances, heaters, and boilers; $5,548 at AJ Madison.

Above: Christine installed the Smeg 36-Inch Free-Standing Dual Fuel Range in her London kitchen and has been pleased with the results. The Smeg features six sealed burners, including a double-inset super burner (15,000 BTUs), a multi-function oven with eight cooking modes, and a five-inch stainless steel backsplash. The range is $2,599 at AJ Madison (the price goes up to $3,621 after December 31).

Above: Capital ranges have been on the market since 2007 and offer highly rated professional-strength cooking for the residential kitchen; the company s Culinarian series offers great flexibility, with powerful open burners (all six are rated at 23,000 BTUs) featuring a simmer capability. Available in several configurations (including an oven rotisserie) and with either a natural gas or liquid propane fuel option. The Capital Culinarian CGMR366 36-inch Pro-Style Gas Range with six burners and manual clean convection oven is $5,810 at AJ Madison. For those who prefer closed burners, consider Capital s precision series; the six-burner Capital Precision GCR366 36-inch Pro-Style Gas Range is $4,925 at AJ Madison.

Above: The Fratelli Onofri Pinnacle All Gas Range gets high marks; a reader writes, My five-burner, 36-inch dual fuel Fratelli Onofri is my favorite part of our new house. I love the cooktop; the cast iron is very heavy, and I am in love with the 12,000-BTU center triple ring burner (I can boil water in seconds). The oven is also incredible; the dinners I make are markedly, shockingly better. The Fratelli is also shockingly gorgeous for the price every person we ve had over falls in love with it and easily looks like it costs twice as much as it did. The only small downsides: the oven is manual clean (but that s standard for the industry). Also, I don t love the small storage section under the oven; it s small and feels like it might break with a ton of use, so I don t use it. The Fratelli Onofri Pinnacle ranges measure 36 inches wide and feature five sealed burners; available in stainless, chrome, or anthracite; $2,589 at Plessers.

Above: From Aga, best known for its classic British cast-iron cookers, comes the five-burner (four standard size and one extra large in the center), self-cleaning AGA Pro+ 36-Inch Dual-Fuel Range. Available in five finishes: black, cranberry, ivory, white, and stainless steel, it includes an innovative oven design with a removable energy-saving panel (which converts the full 4.9-cubic-foot oven to compact mode). Available for $4,399 via Ira Woods, with free shipping in the US.

Above: The Dacor Epicure 36-Inch Dual Fuel Range (ER36D) features six sealed gas burners, a one-piece porcelain spill basin for easy clean-up, and a convection oven with enhanced temperature accuracy for even baking and easy cleanup; $7,979 at Abt Electronics.

Above: The Bertazzoni Professional Free-Standing Dual Fuel Range with self-cleaning oven from Italy is not as powerful as other pro-style brands (its most powerful burner is 15,000 BTUs), but it s more than adequate for the nonprofessional cook. It s available in several colors and is a good option for those seeking a bright, cheerful Euro-styled range; $5,299 to $6,299 at AJ Madison, depending on color.

Above: The highly rated GE Monogram 36-inch Stainless Steel Dual Fuel Professional Range (ZDP366NPSS) offers great cooking flexibility with six sealed burners with heat settings from simmer up to 18,000 BTU. It features a self-cleaning convection oven; $7,036 at Abt Electronics.

Above: Our budget choice is the Praktfull Pro A51 S Gas Range from Ikea. Made in Italy by Whirlpool, it offers a large forced air oven with a convection option and a gas cooktop with five burners, including a larger one with triple flame. The highest power burner is 11,000 BTU s; $1,949 at Ikea.

For more kitchen ideas and inspiration, see our favorite kitchen furniture .