Although it may not be particularly innovative, building in a range is the ideal way to pack lots of cooking performance into a limited amount of space. A one-piece range allows you to do all your baking and stovetop cooking in just 30 inches of space, which will leave plenty of room for other kitchen essentials such as storage and refrigeration. The biggest selling slide-in electric ranges are those that offer smooth, glass tops. These tops have radiant cooking elements located beneath the surface of the range. We like these smoothtops for their clean design and easy upkeep. Most smoothtops can be cleaned by simply wiping them with soap and water or with a cooktop cleaning cream. Although coil element ranges are still available, in our selections below we have included only the far more popular smoothtop units.

General Electric JSP42 slide-in range

General Electric's JSP42 is a slide-in range with components and style that will sell at a great price. The range's four heating elements rest on the easy-to-clean, smooth top. And one of the heating elements can expand from 6 to 9 inches in order to properly fit larger and smaller pots and pans. Another bonus is the storage drawer under the oven. You can keep most of your post and pans down there and save yourself some much need cabinet and pantry space. Also, when it comes to matching you kitchen, General Electric's JSP42 comes in four different colors: stainless steels, white, black and bisque. This stove has the room, the heat and the colors, now all it needs is you to do some old-fashioned home cooking.

General Electric JSP42
General Electric JSP42

Bosch Integra HEI7282U slide-in range

All indications are that Bosch, a relative newcomer to the range market, is serious about selling high-quality ranges. The Bosch Integra HEI7282U offers just about every desirable feature the market has to offer and does it well. The oven -- at 4.6 cubic feet -- is one of the largest around and offers high-performance, European-style, third element convection. On the stovetop, two expandable elements are included; one is a dual element and one is a tri-ring element. A warming drawer further adds to the allure of this outstanding model, as does an upgraded broiler with an impressive 3600 watts of cooking power. Another fine feature is the telescopic rack, which glides out in sections and is stable enough to hold even a 35-pound turkey without tipping.


General Electric JS968 slide-in range

You'll pay considerably more for the JS968 from General Electric, but then again, you'll get a lot more in terms of convenient features. This model adds an even heating convection oven, a three-setting Tri-Ring Element and a fifth heating element to the stovetop. Use the fifth element as a warming zone to keep completed dishes warm and adjust the Tri-Ring to meet the heating requirements of just about any size of pan. The oven gives you a choice of timed cleaning cycles and has a temperature probe for safe and accurate meat roasting. Three racks let you bake extra cookies and muffins without ever having to move pans around. A model with up-to-the-minute features, the JS968 comes in black, white, stainless steel or bisque.


Amana AES5730 slide-in range

A mid-price model for this category, Amana's AES5730 slide-in range offers cooktop upgrades often seen only on models priced much higher. The added fifth element for warming and the 6-inch/9-inch dual element are just such upgrades. The oven, with its variable-time self-clean and keep warm setting, is more typical of what we expect on models in the price range. The most unusual feature of this Amana offering is the U-shaped oven rack. A unique design, this rack has a hand shaped opening in the upper rack that reduces the likelihood of burning your hand as you pull out the lower rack. An inexpensive addition, it's as useful as it is innovative.




Frigidaire FES365EC slide-in range

The Frigidaire FES365EC slide-in range is sold at a low price but comes with the assurance of quality and style. It is offered in a simple stainless steel, which will definitely fit in with many of today's modern kitchens. The sleek and smooth stovetop has 4 heating elements. These expand 6 to 9 inches and are controlled with knobs. The 4.2-cubic-foot oven is self-cleaning and has digital controls. A nifty bonus is the light that turns on when the oven door is opened. Moving downward, you'll be impressed with the broiler. The Frigidaire FES365EC has two settings for the broiler -- high and low -- making this an all around decent oven for a decent price.