Drop In Gas Ranges

36" Gas Range

When researching which 36" gas range cooktop is right for you, consider several factors before you make your buying decision. You want to make sure you get all features that demanding cooks worldwide insist upon for their own kitches.

36" Gas Range

Chefs around the world know about the advantage cooking with gas.  If you are researching a 36” gas range, you will want the same features these demanding cooks require in their own kitchens.

Whether you are replacing an existing 36” gas range or you want to make the transition from electric to gas, you want to look for many of the same traits and characteristics that I look for when I am making a kitchen purchase.  Regardless of whether it is an upgrade, a remodel or a complete replacement, the following list contains the key features that you will want.

There are a number of manufacturers that make very reliable, feature-rich 36” gas range cooktops and too many to name here.  Other publications buy, test, review and rate gas range cooktops based on their performance and reliability.  I will leave that to the expert laboratories.  I will point the features that I look for when I shop for a new range cooktop.

Burner Arrangement – Some basic models of cooktop only have all the burners consist of one size and BTU output.  What a waste!  Look for a 36” gas range cooktop that has a variety of sizes and outputs to meet a variety of cooking needs. 

Four or more burners – Look for a 36” gas range cooktop that has at least four separate burners.  You will be amazed how quickly you can run out of burners when preparing that great Thanksgiving meal or New Year’s Eve feast.

One burner should be a large, high BTU output burner.  Sometimes this large burner is referred to as a ‘pasta’ burner since it is large enough to handle a very large pot of water used in cooking pasta.  Due to its size, it can produce in excess of double the heat output as a regular sized burner. It allows you to heat water very quickly but also allows you to maintain a rolling boil soon after adding your pasta to the water.

One burner should be quite small by comparison.  This burner is often called a ‘simmer’ burner or ‘low heat’ burner.  The small size and relatively low heat output allows this burner to easily maintain low temperatures required for long, slow braising or simmering.  It also is ideal for other low heat requirements such as slowly melting butter or chocolate and for keeping completed dishes warm as you finish preparing the rest of your meal.

Burner Eye – The burners themselves should be sealed.  This means that the gas range cooktop surface should fits snug against the surface of the burner elements.  This reduces or eliminates any messy spills reaching the surfaces below the range cooktop where it is very difficult to clean up drips or leaks.

Burner Grates – This often overlooked feature can really make or break my 36” gas range cooktop buying decision.  All grates should be cast iron or preferably enameled cast iron which allows for easier cleaning.  They should feel very heavy and solid for their size and you should be able to easily remove them from their burner and replace them with the same ease.

Burner Grate Drip Pan – The drip pan is where all the mistake land.  It should be an easy to clean surface such as enameled steel.  They should be easy to remove, dishwasher safe and easy to replace once your clean-up is complete.