Type

• Electric ranges come in three main types: freestanding, drop-in and slide-in. The arrangement of the kitchen and personal preference affect the type you choose. Freestanding smooth-top ranges stand alone and can go anywhere in the kitchen as long as the power source is near.
  
  Drop-in and slide-in models must go between cabinets. The sides are unfinished, since they are covered by the cabinets. A slide-in model looks similar to a freestanding range with a lower drawer beneath the oven. Drop-in ranges don't have the drawer. Instead, a panel that looks like the surrounding cabinetry goes below the oven.
  
  

Features

• The stove top features can help you decide between the available models. Note the size of the burners and the arrangement. Smooth-top ranges typically have two small and two large burners. The range may have both large burners in front or one in front and one in back. Higher-end smooth top ranges add a fifth warming burner in the middle.
  
  The control options give you another point of comparison. Test out the control panel on each unit to look for easy controls that work well. Some smooth-top ranges offer a simmer setting on one of the burners for additional cooking flexibility.
  
  

Oven

• Check on the sizes of each oven and the number of adjustment options for the racks. Certain models feature a convection oven option, which circulates the air as the food cooks. This makes the temperature more consistent and makes the food bake evenly and quickly. A self-cleaning feature is another option to reduce the difficulty in cleaning the oven area.
  
  

Safety Features

• The hot surfaces on the smooth-top range present burn risks for adults and children. Even after you turn off the burner, it retains heat for several minutes. Look for a glass-top range with lights that indicate which burners are still hot.
  
  Knobs that need to be pushed in first before turning prevents kids from accidentally turning on a burner. A locking oven is another way to keep the kids safe around the range.