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Ovens & Ranges We will start with this.... DO NOT RUN THE SELF CLEAN OPTION! This usually results in a service call. Multiple problems can result from this feature that overheats the oven. The are many different models and features out there. So, read up before you go shopping, and measure your opening where it will be placed. Wall & Double Wall Ovens - come as electric (220 volt) or gas (natural/propane). Generally these are installed without the correct ventilation. So, this being said, you really don’t want to run the self-cleaning option. You can buy cleaning agents that are meant for cleaning ovens. They are non-abrasive and work fine. Just DON’T use the cleaning agent with the self-cleaning option. Convection Ovens - are manufactured in gas or electric, wall ovens, slide-in’s, drop-in’s, and freestanding rang/oven models. If you bake, this oven is for you. Convection ovens have a fan inside that moves heated air around the food evenly resulting in a faster and more even baking. Range/Ovens - (sometimes referred to as a stove) can be difficult to buy. Here are your choices: Gas, Electric, Dual Fuel, Freestanding, Slide-In, Drop-In (with or without a down draft), or Convection cooking. If you don’t know, I’ll break it down for you. Electric Ranges & Ovens - can be made in three different stylles. Standard Elements - the elements are exposed on top of the surface. They are usually on “Standard Models”. They are generally less expensive to buy now and repair. Glass Cook Tops - the elements are under the glass which creates a nice look. They are a little more costly to buy new and repair. DO NOT use cast iron cookware on a glass top!!!! Induction Cook Tops - this is similar to the glass top, but you also need to purchase the cookware that will work with these models. Induction will only start to heat when the specified cookware touches the induction surface. These models can be very expensive. Gas Ranges & Ovens - are either natural or propane gas. When buying a gas cooktop or range, make sure you know what kind of gas service you have, whether natural gas or propane. There are cases where a conversion kit needs to be installed before it is sold. This can be deadly if not correct! Dual Fuel Ranges & Ovens - are not exactly as the name implies.  This is a range/oven that runs gas to the range and electric to the oven.  It’s said that cooking with gas and baking with electric is ideal.  This is why  they call it “dual fuel”.  You can find them with or without the convection feature for the oven. Down Draft Ranges & Ovens - can be found in two different styles. A down draft can be built into a drop-in, slide-in, or cooktop. Or, you can install a separate down draft that has a different model number and can be a different brand.  They usually raise up to the “on” position, and lowered to the “off” position all by the press of a button.  You just need a little more counter space to install these. FYI: It’s sole purpose is to suck the exhaust (smoke) from the cooking to the outside of the house.  If you have a long way between the vent to the outside, you may need to install another exhaust fan at the other end of the vent tube.  This will assist the exhaust “smoke” out Cooktops - can be either gas or electric.  They have the control knobs or buttons on the top of the surface.  The electric models are sold in three different options: element, glass top, or induction.  You can have it with or without a downdraft.  A cooktop has no oven attached. Drop-In Ranges - are similar to a cooktop, but it has an oven.  They are supported by the homes’s cabinetry as opposed to a slide-in or freestanding range which has it’s own cabinet and leg structure.  It is sold in gas, electric, or dual fuel, with or without a downdraft and a convection feature. Slide-In Ranges - look similar to a freestanding range but has no back that is raised up.  It can either be gas, electric, dual fuel, with or without a downdraft and convection feature.  A slide-in range has a look of a drop-in, but the structure of a freestanding range. Freestanding Range & Oven - is the standard range that is in most homes.  It’s only difference from the slide-in is that it has a raised backing. Microwave Ovens Countertop Microwaves  vs.  Over the Range (OTR) Microwaves Countertop microwaves are easy.  If it breaks, it usually is cheaper to buy a new one.  You also can make these models look like built-ins into the cabinetry of the home with a little effort.  They come in many different sizes.  The OTR microwave ovens are worth fixing unless you have it in your mind that you are going to buy a new one anyway!  Sometimes these ovens cannot be repaired.  Be prepared for a purchase of a new unit.  Other than cooking and cosmetic features, they are all about the same in how they work.  You mainly pay for the higher wattage and cook options. Tips on Ovens & Ranges Running a microwave with nothing in it will break it! Cooking popcorn takes the hardest toll on a microwave due to not having any real substance.....but it tastes good! Try not to get any liquids around the oven doors while cooking or cleaning.  It will get in between the glass and leave ugly streak marks.  The door has to be taken apart to clean it. Do not use a scouring pad, or the green portion of a sponge on any surface unless you want scratches.  Use specified cleaners, or soap and water. Use the cream rubbing compound to clean a glass top surface on a regular basis.  This will help from food and grease not adhering to the surface. Do not slide cookware on a glass top surface.  This will scratch it.  This is an “expensive cooking lesson” Do not cook directly on the surface of the range without using cookware.  This can start a fire.  It sounds crazy, but people do it! Do not try to make your own tin foil liners for an electric range/oven.  The have 220 volts to them.  If your foil starts arcing, it can be a shocking experience. Lastly, don’t rely on the salesman to know it all, or if any.  Do your own research.  You don’t want to get your product home and find out is was not what you wanted.  Talk to friends, family or the appliance technician who works on them to get the best information.  I hope this will help.


Ovens & Ranges


We will start with this.... DO NOT RUN THE SELF CLEAN OPTION!  This usually results in a service call.  Multiple problems can result from this feature that overheats the oven.


The are many different models and features out there.  So, read up before you go shopping, and measure your opening where it will be placed.


Wall & Double Wall Ovens - come as electric (220 volt) or gas (natural/propane).  Generally these are installed without the correct ventilation.  So, this being said, you really don’t want to run the self-cleaning option.  You can buy cleaning agents that are meant for cleaning ovens.  They are non-abrasive and work fine.  Just DON’T use the cleaning agent with the self-cleaning option.


Convection Ovens - are manufactured in gas or electric, wall ovens, slide-in’s, drop-in’s, and freestanding rang/oven models.  If you bake, this oven is for you.  Convection ovens have a fan inside that moves heated air around the food evenly resulting in a faster and more even baking.


Range/Ovens - (sometimes referred to as a stove) can be difficult to buy.  Here are your choices:  Gas, Electric, Dual Fuel, Freestanding, Slide-In, Drop-In (with or without a down draft), or Convection cooking.  If you don’t know, I’ll break it down for you.


Electric Ranges & Ovens - can be made in three different stylles.

  1. 1.Standard Elements - the elements are exposed on top of the surface.  They are usually on “Standard Models”.  They are generally less expensive to buy now and repair.

  2. 2.Glass Cook Tops - the elements are under the glass which creates a nice look.  They are a little more costly to buy new and repair.  DO NOT use cast iron cookware on a glass top!!!!

  3. 3.Induction Cook Tops - this is similar to the glass top, but you also need to purchase the cookware that will work with these models.  Induction will only start to heat when the specified cookware touches the induction surface.  These models can be very expensive.


Gas Ranges & Ovens - are either natural or propane gas.  When buying a gas cooktop or range, make sure you know what kind of gas service you have, whether natural gas or propane.  There are cases where a conversion kit needs to be installed before it is sold.  This can be deadly if not correct!


Dual Fuel Ranges & Ovens - are not exactly as the name implies.  This is a range/oven that runs gas to the range and electric to the oven.  It’s said that cooking with gas and baking with electric is ideal.  This is why  they call it “dual fuel”.  You can find them with or without the convection feature for the oven.


Down Draft Ranges & Ovens - can be found in two different styles.

  1. 1. A down draft can be built into a drop-in, slide-in, or cooktop.

  2. 2.Or, you can install a separate down draft that has a different model number and can be a different brand.  They usually raise up to the “on” position, and lowered to the “off” position all by the press of a button.  You just need a little more counter space to install these. FYI: It’s sole purpose is to suck the exhaust (smoke) from the cooking to the outside of the house.  If you have a long way between the vent to the outside, you may need to install another exhaust fan at the other end of the vent tube.  This will assist the exhaust “smoke” out

Cooktops - can be either gas or electric.  They have the control knobs or buttons on the top of the surface.  The electric models are sold in three different options: element, glass top, or induction.  You can have it with or without a downdraft.  A cooktop has no oven attached.

Drop-In Ranges - are similar to a cooktop, but it has an oven.  They are supported by the homes’s cabinetry as opposed to a slide-in or freestanding range which has it’s own cabinet and leg structure.  It is sold in gas, electric, or dual fuel, with or without a downdraft and a convection feature.

Slide-In Ranges - look similar to a freestanding range but has no back that is raised up.  It can either be gas, electric, dual fuel, with or without a downdraft and convection feature.  A slide-in range has a look of a drop-in, but the structure of a freestanding range.

Freestanding Range & Oven - is the standard range that is in most homes.  It’s only difference from the slide-in is that it has a raised backing.


Microwave Ovens

Countertop Microwaves  vs.  Over the Range (OTR) Microwaves

Countertop microwaves are easy.  If it breaks, it usually is cheaper to buy a new one.  You also can make these models look like built-ins into the cabinetry of the home with a little effort.  They come in many different sizes.  The OTR microwave ovens are worth fixing unless you have it in your mind that you are going to buy a new one anyway!  Sometimes these ovens cannot be repaired.  Be prepared for a purchase of a new unit.  Other than cooking and cosmetic features, they are all about the same in how they work.  You mainly pay for the higher wattage and cook options.


Tips on Ovens & Ranges

  1. 1.Running a microwave with nothing in it will break it!

  2. 2.Cooking popcorn takes the hardest toll on a microwave due to not having any real substance.....but it tastes good!

  3. 3.Try not to get any liquids around the oven doors while cooking or cleaning.  It will get in between the glass and leave ugly streak marks.  The door has to be taken apart to clean it.

  4. 4.Do not use a scouring pad, or the green portion of a sponge on any surface unless you want scratches.  Use specified cleaners, or soap and water.

  5. 5.Use the cream rubbing compound to clean a glass top surface on a regular basis.  This will help from food and grease not adhering to the surface.

  6. 6.Do not slide cookware on a glass top surface.  This will scratch it.  This is an “expensive cooking lesson”

  7. 7.Do not cook directly on the surface of the range without using cookware.  This can start a fire.  It sounds crazy, but people do it!

  8. 8.Do not try to make your own tin foil liners for an electric range/oven.  The have 220 volts to them.  If your foil starts arcing, it can be a shocking experience.

  9. 9.Lastly, don’t rely on the salesman to know it all, or if any.  Do your own research.  You don’t want to get your product home and find out is was not what you wanted.  Talk to friends, family or the appliance technician who works on them to get the best information.  I hope this will help.






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