Home Improvement

So you’re ready to redo your kitchen. Did you get new counters to match the new floor? Have you decided that along with your new kitchen, you want a new stove as well? If you’re looking to replace your out of date stove, then there are some things you need to know before you go out and buy one.

Above anything else, measure where you stove is currently at. That means get the height, length, width and depth. Make sure you measure your doorway to so that your stove will fit inside.

What sort of stove you choose ultimately depends on your preferences. Does your family do a lot of cooking? If you want a bigger stove, you’ll have to make room for it in your kitchen.

Are you the sort of person who likes going after the modern look? You can have the high tech, stainless steel look. These have an easy to clean surface, great when you spill something or have kids. Still, you could be the kind of person that looks the older, traditional look. You want the kind of look that reminds you of the times gone past.

There are three kinds of ranges to look at when you are ready to purchase a new stove. Any of these are ideal to fit into your new kitchen look.

- Freestanding - all sides are finished; controls on backsplash. May stand alone or used in corners where sides are seen.

- Slide In - Controls located on front; gives off a flawless and clean look.

- Drop In - Controls located in front; have unfinished sides. Usually go into the space where previous stoves were.

You also have the choice between an electric stove and a natural gas stove. What you choose will depend on your taste. However, cooks like to stay with the kind they are familiar with.

Gas stoves are convenient, easy to clean and if the power goes out, you can still cook with it.

Electric stoves allow for accurate heat control and are able to handle small or large pans and griddles. Stoves are easy to clean by using a wet washcloth. Easy to remove elements so cleaning can be done safely.

If something is slammed down on a smooth top stove, it can become cracked or broken. This means you will have to replace the entire top not just a coil.