Dual Fuel Ranges: A Buyer’s Guide

When purchasing a new range for your kitchen, you have a wide variety of options in color, style, size, and options and upgrades. While the considerations for a new stove and range may seem endless, considering the fuel type you want helps narrow down your choices before you look at aesthetics.

With the rise of home cooks rivaling kitchen chefs, dual fuel ranges offer the best of both gas-range cooking and electric baking, and you’ve been eyeing ILVE ranges or other professional brands, such as ZLINE and Thor, you may be wondering whether dual fuel is the way to go. This post gives you all the details.

What Are Dual Fuel Ranges and Stoves?

A dual fuel range, also known as a dual fuel stove or oven, is a kitchen appliance that combines the best features of two different fuel types to provide a versatile cooking experience. It typically refers to a combination of a gas cooktop and an electric oven in a single appliance.

The gas cooktop portion of the dual fuel range utilizes natural gas or liquid propane as the fuel source. Gas cooktops are preferred by many professional chefs and home cooks for their precise control over heat levels and responsiveness.

On the other hand, the electric oven portion of the range is powered by electricity. Electric ovens provide even and consistent heat distribution, making them ideal for baking and roasting.

The benefit of having a dual fuel range is that it allows you to take advantage of the benefits of both gas and electric cooking methods. You get the instant heat adjustment and visual control of a gas cooktop while enjoying the precise and even baking and roasting capabilities of an electric oven.

Dual fuel ranges are popular choices in households where cooking is taken seriously, as they offer the best of both worlds and are well-suited for a wide range of cooking styles and techniques. But even for a novice home cook, a dual fuel range gives you a great start for your cooking or baking experience. By having the best features at your fingertips, you can ensure greater success in your culinary adventures.

What Are the Benefits of Using Dual Fuel in the Kitchen?

Dual fuel ILVE ranges and those by Thor and ZLINE offer several benefits that make them a popular choice among home cooks and professional chefs. Here are some of the advantages of using a dual fuel range:

• Precise control on the cooktop: Gas burners provide instant heat and precise control over the flame. This allows for quick adjustments in temperature, which is crucial for tasks like searing, sautéing, and simmering. The ability to visually see the flame also helps in monitoring the heat level.
• Even baking and roasting: Electric ovens offer more consistent heat distribution than gas ovens, resulting in even baking and roasting. This feature is especially beneficial for delicate recipes, pastries, cakes, and dishes that require precise temperature control.
• Versatility: With a dual fuel range, you have the flexibility to use both gas and electric cooking methods. This versatility enables you to choose the best option for each cooking task, whether you’re using the gas burners for stovetop cooking or the electric oven for baking.
• Faster boiling: Gas burners typically heat up faster than electric cooktops, making boiling water and cooking tasks that require high heat more efficient.
• Energy efficiency: Electric ovens tend to be more energy-efficient than gas ovens, as they retain heat better and require less energy to maintain a consistent temperature.

For those who love to cook and prioritize performance and precision, a dual fuel range can be a worthwhile investment.

Considerations Before Buying a Dual Fuel Range

When considering buying a dual fuel range, take these key factors into account to ensure that you select the best option for your needs and preferences:

• Kitchen setup: Check if your kitchen has both gas and electric hookups. Dual fuel ranges require access to both fuel types, so if your kitchen lacks the necessary connections, you’ll need to decide if you want to install the necessary hookups.
• Size and space: Measure the available space in your kitchen to ensure the dual fuel range will fit appropriately. Consider the width, depth, and height of the appliance, as well as any clearance requirements from surrounding cabinets and walls.
• Cooking preferences: Assess your cooking habits and preferences. If you frequently bake or roast, the even heat distribution of the electric oven might be essential. If you enjoy precise control over stovetop cooking, the gas burners will be beneficial. Understanding these preferences can help you assess how many burners you need as well as your oven capacity.
• Features: Explore the features and functionalities offered by different models. Some dual fuel ranges come with advanced options like convection cooking, pizza and defrost settings, self-cleaning functions, built-in timers, and smart connectivity.
• Maintenance and cleaning: Consider the ease of cleaning and maintaining the dual fuel range. Some models have removable burner grates and sealed burners for easy cleaning, while others may have a self-cleaning oven feature.

By considering these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose a dual fuel range that will enhance your cooking experience and meet your specific requirements.

Why Consider a Dual Fuel Professional Range?

You can get a dual fuel range, or you can get dual fuel professional range. Many consider a professional range to be a high-end kitchen appliance designed for serious home cooks who want top-notch performance and precision in their cooking. However, professional ranges have something to offer every home cook, regardless of your experience level.

A dual fuel professional range from ILVE, ZLINE, or Thor can enhance any kitchen because of their:

• High performance: The cooktop portion of a dual fuel professional range is powered by natural gas or liquid propane. It typically includes multiple high-performance burners, often with varying heat outputs to accommodate different cooking tasks. These gas burners offer immediate and precise heat control, allowing for rapid heating and precise adjustments while cooking. The oven of a dual fuel professional range often features advanced technology such as convection cooking, which uses a fan to circulate hot air and ensure even heat distribution. Convection cooking is ideal for baking, roasting, and achieving consistent results.
• High-quality materials: Dual fuel professional ranges are constructed from high-quality materials like stainless steel and cast iron, which not only enhances their durability but also gives them a sleek and professional appearance.
• Commercial-inspired design: These ranges often have a commercial-inspired design with large, sturdy knobs and heavy-duty handles, adding to their robustness and professional aesthetic.
• Large capacity: Dual fuel professional ranges typically have larger oven capacities compared to standard residential ranges. This allows for cooking multiple dishes simultaneously or handling large roasts and baking trays.
• Precision cooking controls: Many dual fuel professional ranges come with advanced cooking controls, such as precise temperature settings and programmable cooking modes, which cater to a wide range of culinary techniques.
• Functionality: Professional ranges offer more functional options than standard ranges, such as settings for pizza or defrosting in addition to warming compartments, rotisserie cooking, and more.

Overall, a dual fuel ILVE range or one of the many brands offered by Premier Home Designs gives you a top-of-the-line kitchen appliance designed to deliver exceptional performance, precision, and versatility. Whether you are passionate about cooking and demand the best equipment for your culinary endeavors, or you want to make the most of your new cooking experience, a professional range adds class and function to your kitchen space.