In a restaurant or commercial kitchen, the rangetop is used more than any other appliance. For the aspiring home chef, a rangetop provides a more professional feel and quality. If you’re wondering, “Just what is a rangetop?” and how does it differ from a cooktop, we’ll explore the major differences and provide a few details about some of our most popular rangetops.
Cooktop vs. Range Top:
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The rangetop is one of the most versatile appliances in a commercial kitchen, often featuring six powerful open burners with knobs on the front rather than the top of the appliance. Having been inspired by commercial rangetops, residential rangetops share many characteristics with commercial rangetops while occasionally making a few concessions to make things a little easier for the home chef.
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A typical configuration comes with six burners, while a common cooktop often comes with four but occasionally features five or six burners. The residential rangetop often features a more commercial aesthetic than many cooktop models. However, in addition to the commercial style, two of the biggest differences between the residential rangetop and the residential cooktop are power and size. The rangetop generally features higher-power burners and is available in a greater variety of widths – 24” to 60”. Most cooktops, on the other hand, do not exceed 45”. A gas rangetop is most common, but a few rangetops are available with electric burners.
Rangetops are also constructed differently than cooktops, and have a larger chassis than a cooktop. A rangetop sits in a larger cutout in your countertop, allowing for an exposed front (where the knobs are located). The sides and back of the unit sit flush against the counter. Since most rangetops are actually not being supported in place by resting in the countertop like a cooktop does, you will need to make sure that there are adequate cabinet structures beneath the rangetop to support its weight.
Here are three examples of residential rangetops, selected from our top sellers.
Viking Rangetop (VGRT5366BSS)
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The 36” Viking rangetop features six sealed burners with a wide range of heating capability. Sealed burners prevent crumbs and drips from falling down into the burner itself, making cleaning a little easier.
All burners feature Viking’s trademarked VariSimmer setting for delicate sauces that require constant, even, low heat.
However, the burners can also reach up to 15,000 BTUs, powerful heat for searing meats or getting water to a boil quickly. If 15,000 BTUs just isn’t enough for you, Viking has added the TruPower Plus burner to provide 18,500 BTUs of power. All burners also feature SureSpark ignition and automatic re-ignition, so you never lose heat unknowingly. Below the burners sits a one-piece porcelainized surface that makes clean-up quick and easy.
Jenn-Air Rangetop (JGD8348CDP)
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The Jenn-Air 48” rangetop comes with four burners and substitutes a grill for the last two burners. Like the Viking rangetop, the Jenn-Air comes with sealed burners to make the home chef’s life a little simpler.
However, the Jenn-Air rangetop comes with a few additional features some home chefs might enjoy. For example, the modular design of the Jenn-Air rangetop allows people to customize their cooking surface with interchangeable grills and other accessories, depending on their personal cooking style.
Also, Jenn-Air built its characteristic downdraft ventilation system – common on Jenn-Air cooktops – into its rangetop. The robust ventilation system draws odors and steam down into the rangetop before they are dispersed throughout the home. Owners of a Jenn-Air rangetop need no large ventilation system hanging overhead.
Electrolux Rangetop (E36GC76GPS)
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Electrolux offers its own version of the rangetop as part of its Electrolux ICON series. The Electrolux ICON 36” rangetop features six sealed burners. Elextrolux makes versatility a priority with burners that can hold a steady 450 BTUs for the most delicate of dishes and can flare up to 18,000 BTUs when necessary.
The gas burners are prompted to ignite with an electronic ignition system, and they automatically re-ignite any time a flame flickers out or a spill douses the burner.
Like the Viking, the Electrolux rangetop burners sit above a one-piece porcelainized surface that catches all crumbs and drips. The home chef can cook like a pro without requiring a professional cleaning service afterwards.
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