Keeping food warm is hot news for freestanding electric ranges. Adding little to the cost, trendy features such as warming drawers, warming zones and Keep Warm settings are coming on strong and grabbing the attention of busy families. The most popular of these new options are the warming drawers. These drawers replace traditional, lower storage drawers with a heating element, which offers a few settings or even an entire range of temperature options. Keep prepared foods warm in here or prepare breads and even casseroles. If you've always wanted that second oven, but don't have the space, here's a viable solution.

A warming zone is another feature that is showing up more and more on new models. This feature is usually an extra element added to the cooking surface that provides low heat settings for keeping completed dishes warm. Make your favorite food, move the pan to the warming zone and keep it hot and ready to go until serving time arrives. Keep Warm is yet another feature that allows you to bake food in the oven and keep it warm with the automatically programmed setting. Bake a favorite entree and keep it warm until all the guests arrive -- without any intervention from you.

Expand the usefulness of your new freestanding electric range by choosing a model with one, two or all three of these options. Perfect for those who entertain or prepare large holiday meals, these features add versatility to the range while taking up no space at all. Surprisingly enough, adding one or more of these features to your new range doesn't have to add a lot to the cost. In fact, even some mid-priced ranges offer these convenient options. Consider our selections below. Each is a recently reviewed 30-inch range with one or more of these handy features for keeping foods warm.


Bosch Evolution Electric Convention Range HES7282U

Bosch's HES7282U doesn't offer just one additional element for warming. Instead, all four surface elements convert to warming zones. Each of these elements can be adjusted low enough to hold completed dishes warm until it's time to serve, without scorching the food. The HES7282U also boasts a warming drawer in the bottom in place of extra storage. The highest priced model in Bosch's lineup, the HES7282U also includes a superior convection oven with two impressive telescopic racks. As sturdy as they come, these racks slide out in sections to make it easy to baste a bird or check on the progress of a large, heavy roast. Plenty of delightful touches make this model a pleasure to use.

Bosch Evolution HES7282U

Bosch Evolution HES7282U


General Electric Profile 30-Inch Dual-Oven Electric Range PB975

General Electric's freestanding Profile PB975 doesn't offer a warming drawer. It offers something better -- two ovens in the space of one. With one large and one small oven, this range allows you to finally bake at two different temperatures at the same time. Use the main oven for your entree and save the smaller, upper oven for warming foods or preparing vegetables and side dishes. Equipped with an extensive range of temperature settings, the upper oven also works well for baking a sheet of cookies or heating rolls for dinner. Atop the range you'll find a 6-inch warming zone that is ideal for keeping your stovetop preparations warm until you're ready to serve. Available in white, black or stainless steel, this model has a distinctive trim, making it unique among double-oven models.


General Electric Profile 30-Inch Electric Range JB900

The Profile 30-Inch Electric Range JB900 from General Electric costs less than some of our other selections, yet it offers both a warming drawer and a warming zone. An excellent choice for a busy family, the JB900 doesn't have the frills of a convection oven or a bridge element. Instead, it offers familiar basics paired with new convenience features for warming. Available in all the current colors -- white, black, bisque or stainless steel, the JB900 packs plenty of cooking power into the traditional 30 inches of space.


Maytag 30-Inch Electric Convection Range MER5875RA

The Maytag 30-Inch Electric Convection Range MER5875RA lacks a warming drawer, but it has a warming center on the stovetop. Two flex-choice melting elements are great for melting butter and chocolate, and make a perfect complement to the convection oven. An ideal combination, these features make this range the model of choice for those who enjoy baking. Three racks increase the output of cookies, pies and cakes. Stainless steel, white, black or bisque make this range workable with any kitchen color scheme.