A new gas range is a serious investment — it’s also the heart of your kitchen. That’s why the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Technology Lab put the best models on the market to the test.
To find the best gas ranges, we tested burners to see how quickly they could reach a boil and maintain a steady simmer. We also baked cookies and cakes to test for evenness and doneness, and tested the broiler’s effectiveness by toasting bread and broiled steaks. We noted the ease-of-use of the controls, handles, knobs, the options of the self-clean cycle, and so much more to round up the only gas ranges worth your money.
For the best performance from stovetop to ovens, these are the best gas ranges to buy in 2019:
Best Customizable Gas Range: BlueStar RNB304BV2 RNB Series Range
What is the best gas range?
Depending on your needs, you may prefer any number of range styles. You should get what will work best for you and your households needs, and if possible, check out some of these models at a local store and give them a look over for yourself: cooking is so personal, and if you can get to know your range before you invest, you’ll be better off.
If you bake frequently, choose a range with only one oven cavity, or a model with the larger cavity above the lower one. Otherwise you will need to bend to take food in and out of the oven.
If you’re low on counter space, you may prefer having a range with two ovens with a smaller one above. This extra oven comes in handy for tasks that might ordinarily be performed in a toaster oven like baking frozen pizzas, making open-faced sandwiches, or reheating.
If you use the oven often, particularly for roasts, casseroles, and pies (which can dirty the oven), do not buy a range without a traditional self-clean function.
If you use the cooktop frequently for a large group, you may want more than one power burner to assist you. That means you should look for a range with more than one burner over 12,000 BTUs — lower BTUs means lower power, which translates to more time spent in the kitchen.
Read on for more about our Lab’s top gas ranges — and if you’re upgrading your whole kitchen, don’t miss our tests on the best refrigerators, microwaves, and more top-tested appliances.
This professional chef’s choice is hard to beat for cooktop performance, and if you are looking for a workhorse, this is the range for you. Four star-shaped open gas burners allow for even heat distribution, and the burners excelled at simmering. That said, if you want a lot of precise temperature control, this isn’t the range for you, since the knobs lack exact temperature markings. The oven also excelled in browning baked goods evenly.
We tested the RNB304BV2, but BlueStar also lets you build your own dream range exactly to your preferred specifications with 750+ color, door, trim, and knob options. You can choose between French tops, griddles, char broilers, and burner configuration: It’s serious fun if you’re serious about your cooking.
