What is the Difference Between Range and Stove and Oven?

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The terms "range," "stove," and "oven" are often used interchangeably, but they do have distinct meanings:

  • Range: A range is a standalone appliance that combines an oven and a stovetop or cooktop. It provides the best of both worlds, allowing you to roast and bake in the oven while also cooking on the stovetop. Ranges are also sometimes called stoves.
  • Stove: The term "stove" can sometimes refer to a range, which is a combination of an oven and a stovetop. However, historically, stoves existed to heat homes and were not always used for cooking food, so there is a slight difference between a stove and a range.
  • Oven: An oven is an enclosed cavity used for baking, broiling, and roasting food. It can be a part of a range or a separate appliance completely. Wall ovens, for example, are built into wall space and do not have a stovetop.

In summary, a range combines an oven and a stovetop, a stove can refer to a range or a heating appliance, and an oven is a separate appliance used for baking and other cooking methods.

Comparative Table: Range vs Stove vs Oven

Here is a table comparing the differences between a range, stove, and oven:

Term Definition Function
Range Combination of both an oven and a stovetop. Commonly referred to as a stove. Provides the best of both worlds with an oven and a stovetop for flexibility when roasting and baking.
Stove Can sometimes refer to a range or a cooktop, an open, flat surface for cooking. Cooking with burners or heating elements on an open, flat surface.
Oven Enclosed space for baking, broiling, and roasting food. Heating the air inside to cook food.

A range is a standalone appliance that combines an oven and a stovetop, offering both baking and cooking functionalities in a single unit. An oven is an enclosed cavity used for baking, broiling, and roasting food, while a stove or cooktop is an open, flat surface with burners or heating elements for cooking. The terms "range" and "stove" are often used interchangeably, but the main difference is that a range includes both an oven and a stovetop, whereas a stove refers to the cooktop part of the appliance.