This Range guide will cover the installation aspects of the range, cook top, and wall oven. This Range guide will not cover which is the best brand of range. Check consumer reports, and real reviews at good online retailers to find the best manufacturer. 

A Range is an oven and a cook top in the same unit that is either gas(propane or natural), electric, or dual fuel. Some people like gas top burners but an electric oven, the dual fuel is the best of both worlds. As with all appliances do some research and check real reviews. See the Links page for a list of Manufacturers.

The Electric Range needs a dedicated circuit usually 50 amp. Always pick out your range before doing rough wiring to find out the recommended breaker, and wire size. The modern range has a 4 prong plug for two hots, a neutral, and a ground. The old 3 prong plugs had no ground. Sometimes the stove comes with 4 prong cord, but some times you have to buy it separately.

The width of a range is 30", 36", 42", and 48".  Depending on how many people you cook for would determine the size. The cabinet openings for ranges are almost always an even number like 30", 36', 42', and 48". These widths are very important to keep in mind if doing your own cabinet layout design plan.




The Gas Range is either set for propane, or natural gas. Some ranges come with extra burner jets and oven adjustments to switch from natural gas to propane, but some do not. Some times these things can be purchased separately. Always check the specs for your specific range.

The Gas Range supply pipe is usually 3/4" to the shut off. Check the gas requirements for your specific range, and have your plumber calculate the size of the supply pipes. Ranges usually have a certain area where the gas pipe needs to come through the floor or wall, so have your range picked out before rough piping and check the specs for gas pipe placing. Always have a licensed plumber do the gas pipe, and always pressure test.

The Gas Range shut off needs to be where the gas pipe comes out, and then use the correct flex hose that connects to the range. The flex hose is so the range can be pulled out before turning the gas off. Always check gas connections for leaks using a gas detector, or the old soap and water bubble routine.

Everything I just said about Ranges can be said about Cook Tops. Again have your cook top picked out so you know what cabinet is needed, and the countertop people will need the hole template for your specific cook top. Know the breaker size needed or the gas pipe size for rough electric or plumbing.


Wall Ovens have your wall oven picked out so you know the opening size in your wall oven cabinet.  Wall ovens are hard wired inside the cabinet to a rough box, sometimes it is tricky to fit the connection box and the oven, if there is room in the opening above the stove then sometimes this works. The cabinet shelf floor will need to be reinforced under the shelf with metal brackets or 2x4's.

Manufacturers will often stack a convection oven/microwave, and a wall oven together in the same unit with one wiring wip. I like the ovens in a separate location in a kitchen design because it allows for multiple people to easier cook around each other.


THE KITCHEN RANGE GUIDE PAGE