Slide-in Vs Freestanding Vs Drop-in Ranges | Know their Fundamental Difference

Nowadays, when it comes to buying kitchen appliances people tend to prefer combos over separate machines. Combos work in an efficient way that saves your time and money. So, if you are looking to upgrade your kitchen with modern appliances, then you can opt for a cooking range. In most of the models, you get three appliances in one unit that is cooking stovetop, griller and oven. Moreover, ranges come with multiple fuel options incorporating electric, gas and dual fuel with varying functionality, price range and installations. With the distinct options available in the market, it might get daunting for you to select the absolute one for your kitchen. Therefore, to make the selection convenient, we will breakdown the differences between slide-in, freestanding and drop-in ranges.

What is a Freestanding Range?

Freestanding ranges are the most popular models found in 90% of US kitchens. You can undoubtedly recognize a freestanding range by its stove controls mounted on the massive backguard at its back. These ranges are unattached to any dividers or cabinetry and therefore they can be set anywhere in the kitchen space where there is a gas or electrical hookup. Moreover, they feature finished sides that offer a bit more flexibility with installation. These ranges are easy to switch to another model in the future as long as you coordinate the width. 

The freestanding ranges are available with a small array of standard widths, which keeps manufacturing costs lower. The majority of models are featured with 24 or 30-inches width and are mostly preferred by home chefs. The professional chefs prefer to go with 36-inch models as they have more available space in the restaurant kitchens. Besides, freestanding ranges are available at much lower prices starting at $549-599 which is quite suitable for the homeowners who are looking for budget-friendly options.

 

What is a Slide-in Range?

From aesthetic standpoint, we think slide-in ranges are the clear winner. In contrast to freestanding ranges, slide-in ranges have no cumbersome backguard. The controls are situated upfront, making access progressively convenient. This arrangement guarantees you will never need to reach over a hot skillet to change burner or broiler temperature. Moreover, Slide-in stoves have a somewhat protruding cooktop that rests on the ledge on each side. This is a pleasant component as it keeps the food and debris from falling between the range and contiguous cabinetry. The cooktop sits flush with the counter, which makes an implicit look and shows your backsplash to maximum impact. 

Considering the installation, there must be cabinets on each side of a slide-in range on the grounds that the side panels are not finished. These ranges are mostly used in home kitchens and tend to be more expensive than freestanding counterparts. This is due to the engineering and manufacturing of the appliance. However, the ability from these ranges to fit seamlessly into the kitchen cabinets surpasses the additional expense. Generally, the price range starts at $1000 which might seem out of the budget for some buyers. Most professional grade gas ranges for home categorize as slide-in ranges and hence are seen in between cabinets.

 

What is a Drop-in Range?

The drop-in ranges are meant to be dropped into customized cabinetry. Generally observed on islands, drop-in stoves are flanked by cabinets and rest above matching cabinetry. These ranges offer a smooth, built-in appearance and can provide your kitchen space with a high-end look. The control panel is frequently found on the facade of the range, which can be a safety concern if you have small children at your home. Moreover, they don’t constitute a dashboard and a warming cabinet at the base and thus have diminished height. However, they have a similar cooktop on the top and hence are often complemented by a venting apparatus like an over the range microwave or an under-cabinet range hood.

Drop-in stoves require circumspect planning and as a rule requires the installation of forte cabinetry, which is quite daunting and that’s why they are less prevalent in the home kitchens. They are an ideal choice only if you are thinking of doing a full makeover of your kitchen space. Also, when contrasted with a freestanding and a slide-in, the drop-in style is generally costly and are not effectively accessible in the retail stores as well. It means you will have several brands to choose from and might need to special order them.

 

Conclusion

A kitchen is incomplete without a range. Period! Ranges makes kitchens what they are, a place where you can bring together ingredients and come up with recipes that your taste buds approve of. But not all ranges are same. And we’re talking in terms of both; design and functionality. How do you decide from slide in vs freestanding ranges or slide in drop in ranges for that matter?

We’ve above discussed the most prevalent types of kitchen ranges with their benefits and limitations. You must know their key differences if you’re about to put together a functional kitchen in your home.