Big Chill Range Buying Guide: Which Stove is For You? | Big Chill
December 10, 2021 by Big Chill
Considering a new range for your kitchen? While style and aesthetics are at the typically at forefront of our minds when picking a new appliance, you’ll also probably need to consider the size and price range to accommodate your unique space and budget. Modern ranges offer a wide range of options, including induction cooking technology, natural gas, or propane. Before buying an investment piece like a kitchen appliance, its important to weigh your options to ensure you find the right piece to match your space and needs. Small induction range with four burners? Large gas range with eight burners? Weigh your options here.
Looking to customize your appliance with color? Check out our Big Chill Custom Color Swatch with over 200 custom colors and shades.
![Big Chill Range Buying Guide: Which Stove is For You?]()
Induction Cooktop, Gas, or Propane: Which is right for your kitchen?
When it comes to cooking, you may be comfortable using a gas or electric stove. After all, these have been around for years – and have been easily accessible, as well. But, now, increasing in popularity, is the induction cooktop. Although it has been around for nearly a century, it is just now making its way into kitchens everywhere.
Before you sit there scratching your head at which cooktop you should be cooking your next meal on, let’s take a look at two of the most prized cooktops.
Induction
Modern induction cooktops are very different from gas cooktops – with electricity being the main component.
Induction cooking is done using electromagnetism and underneath the cooktop, a metal coil can be found. When turned on, this coil creates a magnetic field underneath the surface that begins to react with the pan upon the cooktop, creating an electric current. The magnetic forces join, creating a current that then causes the pan to heat and the food inside to begin cooking. It may sound like a long process, but induction cooktops are known to heat up quickly.
One of the best features of induction cooking is the fact that the cooktop never gets hot. Unlike gas or electric cooktops, there is no transfer of heat which means the burner and entire surface of the induction cooktop remain cool to the touch.
![30″ Retro Electric Induction Range]()
Source: Natalie Myers
Benefits of Induction Cooking
- Induction cooking is the fastest method of cooking on the market, you don’t have to worry about anything but your food heating up.
- Safer for young cooks and little hands in the kitchen as the cooktops do not get hot.
- Easy to clean. Because the surface remains cool, there I son chance for baked on food to scrap off. Wipe induction cooktops with a soft cloth.
- A reduction in heat flow reduces the need for your cooling system to work overtime, cutting your overall energy costs.
![30″ Retro Electric Induction Range]()
Source: Natalie Myers
30″ Retro Electric Induction Range
The Retro Induction Range features five selectable cooking modes, including preheat, and four cooktop induction zones that automatically adjust to the size of the pan. Featuring nine heat settings on each cooktop burner, it has the largest oven capacity on a 30″ stove and will accommodate a commercial size baking sheet.
![30″ Retro Electric Induction Range]()
30″ Retro Electric Induction Range
![30″ Retro Electric Induction Range]()
Source: Natalie Myers
Retro Induction Cooktop
Big Chill’s Induction Cooktop is a sleek and versatile powerhouse, with advanced induction cooking technology for precise and efficient cooking. Induction cooking combines the responsiveness of gas with modern safety features, including a glass ceramic top that stays cool to the touch (by only heating the cooking vessel) and heating zones that automatically adjust to the size of your cookware. Our Induction Cooktop comes with nine heating levels for exceptional temperature control. Pair it with our Electric Wall Oven for an all-electric cooking experience that delivers both precision and performance.
![Retro Induction Cooktop]()
Retro Induction Cooktop
The Difference Between Gas and Propane
Propane and natural gas are both fossil fuels, with both largely being produced domestically. For homeowners, the main difference between the two is that propane is compressed into a liquid form and either sold in portable canisters, or delivered via truck to a permanent storage tank on their property. Natural gas, however, remains in its gaseous state and is delivered to the home via a pipeline.
For homes that have the option of choosing between natural gas and propane heat, cost is often the most important factor. Natural gas rates are measured in price per cubic foot, whereas propane rates are measured in price per gallon. Like all fuels, the cost of both propane and natural gas is prone to fluctuation over time and might impact your overhead costs.
Unless indicated as an induction range, all Big Chill ranges are available in either gas or propane options.
Gas
For many people, gas cooktops have been the preferred method of cooking for a long time.
Using propane or natural gas, cooktops allow you to turn the heat on and off with the simple click of a button. The heat source is the flame itself, unlike electric cooktops that require the burner to heat up.
The downfall to gas cooktops is the danger that the gas poses. As with anything that involves gas, having it turned on to enter your home poses a potential safety risk should something go wrong, such as a leak.
![Big Chill 30″ Classic Stove]()
- The instantaneous speed of heating. Instant fire brings instant heat, meaning that no surfaces need to heat up in order for food to begin cooking.
- More precision. You have a better chance of food being cooked to the perfect temperature when compared to electric cooktops.
- Available to use even without power. Gas stoves don’t require electricity, meaning they are available to use during power outages.
![Big Chill 30″ Classic Stove]()
![Big Chill 30″ Classic Stove]()
Source: Kate Marker
![Big Chill 30″ Pro Range]()
30″ Pro Range
![Big Chill 30″ Pro Range]()
Propane
A technician can deliver propane anywhere, making it an ideal choice for people who live in remote areas or neighborhoods that don’t have natural gas pipelines. However, you might have to wait for deliveries to get your tank refilled, and you might not be able to get the fuel you need after a large storm or another emergency. Since natural gas comes inside your home through pipes, it’s always available.
![Big Chill 30″ Classic Stove]()
Source: Lindsay Salazar
- Cost effective. A leak in in a pipe that’s connected to an ample amount of natural gas could increase your utility bills more than a leak in a propane tank with a finite supply.
- BTU (British Thermal Unit) is a measure of heating efficiency. In the case of propane vs. natural gas, propane has more than double the BTU rating. This means that even if you are paying more for propane on a per-unit basis, the fuel you’re buying will burn cleaner and heat your home with greater efficiency.
![Big Chill 30″ Classic Stove]()
![Big Chill 30″ Classic Stove]()
![Big Chill 48″ Pro Stove]()
48″ Pro Stove
![Which range is right for you?]()