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We’ve added the GE Profile PGB935 with smart features as our new upgrade pick. Orange Stove
Gas ranges (or stoves) have long been sought out for their responsiveness, power, and speed. Plus, they appeal to those who like to cook over a live flame.
But an increasing amount of scientific evidence links the use of gas stoves to environmental and health issues, and today they face potentially significant changes with regard to how they’ll be made and used in the future. Meanwhile, many electric and induction ranges are just as responsive, powerful, and flexible as gas models—and they’re safer, too.
If you prefer cooking with gas, or you need to replace an existing gas range, 30-inch, freestanding models are among the most affordable ones available. All of our recommendations offer particularly good features, functionality, and design. The GE JGB735 is our top pick. This range has a convection oven and an excellent cooktop for the price (occasionally under $1,000), and it comes in multiple finishes.
This convection range has an excellent cooktop (with a built-in griddle) for the price, and it comes in five finishes.
The GE JGB735 is a sturdy stove with top-notch cooking and baking features for the price. The cooktop has edge to edge, continuous cast-iron grates with more room to perch a pan. They break down into three sections and are dishwasher-safe, so they’re easier to clean.
The cooktop has five burners, including an 18,000-Btu front power burner (for quickly bringing a pot to a boil) and a smaller back burner for simmering. A large central oval burner has a built-in double-burner griddle (a rarity for a range at this price).
The JGB735 has a convection oven with an air-fry mode—a fan circulates air for faster and more-consistent cooking. This model doesn’t have the largest oven capacity of our picks, but there’s plenty of room for larger feasts, and its two oven racks can be adjusted to five levels. It also has two self-cleaning options (high heat and steam).
The GE JGB735 comes in five finishes.
This range has a true convection oven and a slightly more-powerful cooktop. But it comes in just two finishes and doesn’t have a built-in griddle.
The Frigidaire Gallery GCRG3060A has most of the same strong features our top pick offers. But frequent bakers will appreciate that this model has a “true convection” oven, with an extra heating element near its fan, for even faster, more-consistent cooking. The oven has a third rack and adjusts to six levels (our pick adjusts to five). It also offers two self-cleaning options (high heat and steam).
This model has continuous cast-iron grates, but they don’t cover the cooktop edge to edge, as those on our top pick do. The GCRG3060A’s cooktop has five burners, including an 18,000-Btu front power burner and a large back burner that’s more powerful than the one on our top pick; this is nice if you prefer to sear or boil at the rear of your stove.
Its central oval burner comes with a separate, double-burner griddle pan, instead of an integrated griddle, like on our top pick.
This Frigidaire Gallery GCRG3060A is available in only two finishes.
For the price, this range has especially good functionality and quality. But its cooktop is less powerful, and it doesn’t have convection.
Compared with our other picks, the Whirlpool WFG320M0M sacrifices some oven performance and cooktop versatility. But it has better features, a more-powerful cooktop, and a better design than most gas stoves at this price.
The WFG320M0M also has continuous cast-iron grates—especially uncommon for a budget stove. However, they’re harder to move than those of our other picks.
This oven doesn’t have convection, self-cleaning modes, or a number pad for inputting oven temperatures and times (our other picks do). The broiler is located in a drawer under the oven, so you’ll have to crouch down to use it (but that’s typical with budget stoves).
The Whirlpool WFG320M0M comes in three finishes.
This model has one of the strongest power burners we’ve seen on a gas range (plus a built-in reversible griddle). And it has Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring and feature updates.
The GE Profile PGB935 is a step up from our top and also-great picks. Its sleekly designed, five-element cooktop has the strongest power burner (20,000 Btu) of any stove we’ve considered; it should bring water to a boil and skillets to searing faster than our other picks. The power burner also has three settings, allowing you to adjust it to work with smaller pots.
The PGB935 has a true-convection oven (an extra element by its convection fan helps it to heat faster and more evenly) and three oven racks.
This model’s Wi-Fi connectivity allows for feature upgrades (like downloading a new cooking mode as soon as it’s developed), as well as remote management and alerts for when timers go off.
The GE Profile PGB935 comes in two finishes.
The double-oven version of our upgrade pick has one of the largest lower ovens we’ve seen in this category.
The GE Profile PGB965 is the double-oven version of the GE Profile PGB935, our upgrade pick. The PGB965 has nearly the same powerful cooktop as the PGB935. Its smaller top oven comes in handy when you need only one rack. Its larger lower oven is bigger than most double-oven models (it should fit a 23-pound turkey). However, with this style, you do give up a lower storage drawer, and you’ll have to stoop slightly to reach the lower oven.
The GE Profile PGB965 comes in two finishes.
This convection range has an excellent cooktop (with a built-in griddle) for the price, and it comes in five finishes.
This range has a true convection oven and a slightly more-powerful cooktop. But it comes in just two finishes and doesn’t have a built-in griddle.
For the price, this range has especially good functionality and quality. But its cooktop is less powerful, and it doesn’t have convection.
This model has one of the strongest power burners we’ve seen on a gas range (plus a built-in reversible griddle). And it has Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring and feature updates.
The double-oven version of our upgrade pick has one of the largest lower ovens we’ve seen in this category.
I cover large kitchen appliances for Wirecutter and have nearly 20 years of experience writing about food and cooking. I’ve written guides to induction cooktops, electric ranges, and French-door refrigerators, and I also offer advice on how to make the most of large kitchen appliances (including how to clean an oven).
We’ve been evaluating gas ranges since 2018. For this guide, we did the following:
This guide covers 30-inch gas ranges with back-guard controls and a freestanding design, which are generally the least expensive type of range. They have finished sides, so they can be installed anywhere in the kitchen: between two kitchen cabinets, at the end of a counter, or entirely on their own.
All of the ranges in this guide have both a gas cooktop and a gas oven.
We also have a guide to slide-in (or front-control) gas ranges. These ranges are slightly more expensive, and they have front-mounted controls that look sleeker (and may be easier for some people to use). They are designed to sit flush with your countertop, creating a built-in look. They also tend to come with better hardware and features. (Traditionally, slide-ins were meant to be installed between two cabinets, but many are now available with finished sides.)
Some higher-end gas ranges offer dual-fuel models with electric ovens, which are widely believed to heat faster and more consistently. Their convection elements are often more powerful, as well.
We also have a guide to electric freestanding ranges, which cost roughly the same as the models in this guide but have a superior oven.
After years of research (and cooking), we think these features are important in a freestanding gas range:
This convection range has an excellent cooktop (with a built-in griddle) for the price, and it comes in five finishes.
The GE JGB735 is a convection range with the highest-performing cooktop and oven for the price. It’s been our top pick since 2018, and below we explain why.
The cooktop has five burners in a range of power levels. A large, 18,000-Btu power burner in the front can quickly bring a large pot of water to a boil, and it can heat a pan fast, so that it’s hot enough to sear. The front also has a medium-size, 9,500-Btu burner. In the back, you’ll find another large burner (12,000 Btu) and a smaller burner (5,000 Btu) designed primarily for sustaining a simmer.
The center of the cooktop is a double-element, cast-iron griddle over a large, 10,000-Btu oval burner—ideal for searing, charring, or cooking breakfast for a crowd. (If you don’t need the griddle, you can buy a grate instead.)
The cooktop has continuous cast-iron grates that are easy to clean. Sturdy cast-iron grates cover the cooktop from edge to edge. They look great, and you can easily perch a pan anywhere on the cooktop or slide a heavy stock pot from one burner to another. The grates break apart into three sections, so they’re easier to lift. And they can be washed by hand or in the dishwasher (but they can rust, so be sure to dry them thoroughly). They can also be cleaned in the oven on its high-heat self-cleaning setting (not all ranges accommodate this).
The oven has basic convection and other useful features. The JGB735 comes with a fan to distribute heat, so you’ll get more evenly baked cookies, flakier pie crusts, and juicier roasted foods in less time. Along with roast and bake settings, it has an air-fry mode and a delayed-start function.
The broiler, which has two settings, is located in the oven rather than in a drawer below it, so you won’t have to crouch down to use it. (Plus, you gain a storage drawer.)
And although the 5-cubic-foot oven doesn’t have the largest capacity of our picks, it fits standard baking sheets or a 26-pound turkey. You can also adjust its two oven racks to five levels.
The oven has two self-cleaning options. Choose between high heat (which uses high temperatures to burn off crusted-on food) and a lower-temperature steam clean (for more-frequent, less-intense cleanings).
The JGB735’s control panel is intuitive. The control panel is clearly marked, with decent plastic knobs. A number pad for the oven makes it easier to input times and temperatures.
It’s well built and looks good. This is a sturdy, handsome stove with above-average features and design for the price.
It comes in five finishes. Available in fingerprint-resistant slate, stainless steel, black, fingerprint-resistant black slate, and white, the JGB735 should fit the aesthetic of any kitchen. (Not all finishes are available at every retailer, and some finishes cost a bit more.)
This range has a true convection oven and a slightly more-powerful cooktop. But it comes in just two finishes and doesn’t have a built-in griddle.
If you bake or roast a lot, if the GE JGB735 is unavailable, or if you simply prefer a different brand, we recommend the Frigidaire Gallery GCRG3060A. It offers the same strong features as our top pick, but it has a better oven and a few other notable differences.
The cooktop has five burners and is a bit more powerful than our top pick’s. Like the GE JGB735, the GCRG3060A has a large, 18,000-Btu power burner in the front. In the back, its second large element (14,000 Btu) is larger than our top pick’s (12,000 Btu). You should be able to heat bigger pots a bit faster back there or maintain a high temperature more easily. There’s also a smaller, 5,000-Btu burner in the rear, for simmering, and a medium-size, 9,500-Btu burner in the front.
The GCRG3060A’s fifth burner is a 10,000-Btu central oval burner topped with grates. While our top pick has a cast-iron griddle above its fifth burner, this model comes with a separate double-burner griddle pan. (If you rarely use a griddle, you might prefer this setup.)
But its grates aren’t as nice as those of our top pick. The GCRG3060A’s cooktop has continuous cast-iron grates, but they don’t extend edge to edge, so there’s an edge that’s exposed to scratches, drips, and spills. This also means there’s a little less room to maneuver pots. (A smaller grate may be a tad more efficient, however, since cast iron tends to absorb heat as you cook.) The grates are not dishwasher-safe, and they also don’t look quite as good
It has a true convection oven (good news if you bake a lot). The oven has an extra heating element by its fan for faster and more-even baking and roasting (especially when you are using more than one rack at a time). Like our top pick, this one has an air-fry mode, a delayed-start function, and two broiler settings. The oven also comes with three racks (our top pick has two) that can be adjusted to six levels.
The oven has two self-cleaning modes. You can choose between high-heat and steam-clean settings.
It has a few elevated design elements we appreciate. The back-guard oven-control panel is sturdier than the one on our top pick, and its angled metal base looks a bit more substantial, too. If you bake a lot and frequently press the number pad, you’ll appreciate the extra stability.
The cooktop knobs are made of metal (a zinc alloy, according to Frigidaire), which is rare on a freestanding range. (The slash of red on each dial is also a nice touch.) A few reviewers have complained that when the oven is set at higher temperatures, the control knobs can be hot to the touch. (You can buy plastic replacements.)
But it looks a little less sleek than our top pick. This model’s storage drawer has a handle (our top pick’s drawer does not). So it looks just a little less streamlined in your kitchen, and it might stick out farther.
It comes in only two finishes. The range is available in stainless steel and black stainless steel (which costs a bit more).
For the price, this range has especially good functionality and quality. But its cooktop is less powerful, and it doesn’t have convection.
The Whirlpool WFG320M0M, which was recently updated with edge-to-edge grates, is a terrific value.
It has a great cooktop for the price. The WFG320M0M’s cooktop has four burners (our other picks have five). But its two large, 15,000-Btu burners are powerful. (This Btu level is lower than what you’ll find on our other picks’ large burners, but it’s more than what most ranges at this price offer.) The WFG320M0M also has a medium-size burner and a small burner for simmering.
The cooktop has continuous, edge-to-edge, cast-iron grates. This is unusual for something at this price (most comparable models have independent steel grates, which aren’t as attractive or as easy to maneuver pots across). The grates are dishwasher-safe, but they separate into just two pieces, so they’re heavier to lift and move for cleaning. (Our other picks come apart in threes.) They’re also interlocking, which can make disassembling them even trickier.
The oven is basic but big. The WFG320M0M’s oven doesn’t have convection, but it is large (5.1 cubic feet, which should easily fit the largest Thanksgiving turkey). It also doesn’t have self-cleaning modes or a number pad for inputting oven temperatures or times, but that’s typical for a budget-priced stove. It comes with two oven racks, which can be adjusted to five levels.
The broiler is located in the bottom drawer beneath the oven, which may be difficult for some people to reach (and you lose a storage drawer). But that’s also standard for gas stoves at this price.
It comes in three finishes. This model is available in black, white, and stainless steel.
This model has one of the strongest power burners we’ve seen on a gas range (plus a built-in reversible griddle). And it has Wi-Fi connectivity for remote monitoring and feature updates.
The GE Profile PGB935 is a significant step up, and it usually costs just a few hundred dollars more than our top pick.
It has a best-in-class cooktop. The PGB935’s cooktop has five elements and a super-strong, 20,000-Btu front power burner that you can adjust to three diameters (in addition to heat levels), so it’s great for cooking at lower temperatures or simmering. Its second large front burner (18,000 Btu) is also powerful; in the back, you’ll find a medium-size burner (9,500 Btu) and a small burner (5,000 Btu) designed primarily for sustaining a simmer.
Its large, 10,000-Btu central oval burner has a cast-iron griddle that can be reversed to a grill pan. (If you rarely use a griddle, you can buy a grate to go over that burner instead.)
The PGB935 has continuous, edge-to-edge cast-iron grates.
It has a fast, large, and precise oven. This range has true convection (an extra element by its fan helps spread heat). Roasting and baking should both be a bit faster and better in the PGB935. It has an air-fry mode, and it has the largest single-oven capacity (5.6 cubic feet) of our picks.
And it comes with a third rack. Our top pick comes with only two.
It has Wi-Fi connectivity. Connectivity isn’t yet mainstream on ranges, but that’s changing. The PGB935’s connectivity lets you use an app on a smartphone or device to track the status of and get alerts for your oven temperature and timer. It also allows you to control some oven settings remotely or with voice commands. These capabilities can make cooking easier for those who are blind or have low vision, or for those with hearing loss. Wi-Fi connectivity also allows for software feature upgrades (like downloading a new mode for air-fry as soon as it’s developed), and it could one day include remote diagnostics.
But we wish it could automatically sync with a range hood or over-the-range microwave vent. Some other GE Profile Wi-Fi–connected cooktops—including the double-oven version of our upgrade pick for electric ranges—are able to do so.
It has a sleek design. The metal and glass are more seamlessly integrated, and the oven is a glossy black enamel. The PGB935 has a big oven window and higher-end knobs and handles than our other picks.
But it comes in only two finishes. The PGB935 is available in fingerprint-proof stainless steel and black stainless steel.
The double-oven version of our upgrade pick has one of the largest lower ovens we’ve seen in this category.
The GE Profile PGB965, the double-oven version of our upgrade pick, is the best gas double oven available. If you want two ovens but have room for only a 30-inch stove, this is a great option.
The PGB965 has the same great cooktop as our upgrade pick. It has five burners, including an ultra-strong, 20,000-Btu front power burner that you can adjust to one of three diameters, so you can more easily use it for smaller pots or simmering. Sitting on the PGB965’s large central oval burner, there’s a cast-iron griddle that can reverse to a grill pan. This range has continuous edge-to-edge cast-iron grates.
Its 2.5-cubic-foot top oven is ideal for smaller cooking projects. The top oven has bake, broil, and keep-warm functions, plus settings for two racks. It’s handy for when you’re using one sheet pan or skillet, or when you want to keep a peach pie away from a roasting fish.
Its bottom oven is the largest in this category. The 4.3-cubic-foot lower oven has the same true convection oven as our upgrade pick, with a fan that blows in two directions. With 15 inches of clearance, the oven is the tallest you’ll find in this category. That means it can fit two baking trays, a tall Dutch oven, or a large roasting pan. (It also has an air-fry mode.)
It has Wi-Fi connectivity. Like our upgrade pick, the PGB965 has Wi-Fi connectivity. This lets you use an app on a smartphone or other smart device to track the status of your oven temperature and timer, or to control oven settings (remotely or with voice commands). Connectivity also lets you upgrade to new oven features.
And as with any double-oven ranges, this one has some downsides. Bending down to the lower oven can be a pain, and it probably won’t fit the largest birds or roasts. Also, there might be some heat transfer between the two ovens. And you give up a storage drawer.
It comes in two finishes. The PGB965 is available in fingerprint-proof stainless steel and black stainless steel.
The cooktop on the Maytag MGR8800FZ is similar to that of our pick, which is great. But the Maytag model doesn’t have a high-heat self-cleaning option.
Priced lower than many GE models, the JGBS60 has more finish options but a slightly weaker cooktop, and it has independent grates rather than continuous ones.
The affordable GE JGBS30 is fully analog. That may or may not result in a longer lifespan (it depends on whom you ask). But you’ll have to get used to dial controls, including for the oven.
There is increasing evidence that using a gas stove may be potentially risky for your health, even with ventilation, in part because gas stoves emit chemicals like benzene, methane, and nitrogen dioxide, the latter of which has been linked to childhood asthma. This is an especially important issue if you have a small home or a kitchen without either a ducted range hood or an exhaust vent that ducts to the outdoors.
If you own a gas stove and want to mitigate the risks, read our thorough advice on how to use any gas stove more safely—including how to adequately ventilate your kitchen, when to supplement the use of your stove with countertop appliances, and how to monitor your kitchen’s air quality.
If it’s possible for your household, consider switching to an electric range (or even an induction cooktop). If you can wait (and are eligible), you may also be able to take advantage of hefty federal rebates for buying electric appliances; these rebates are slated to arrive in 2024.
Meanwhile, as concerns grow, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is studying safety standards on new gas stoves. And the Department of Energy is considering stronger efficiency regulations that would effectively reduce their emissions. Neither of these potential regulatory changes will make it to the marketplace for several years, but some of the research shows that specific features and layouts of gas stoves may be more efficient.
Read your stove’s manual before you use any cleaning products on its cooktop surface, grates, or oven interior. Many common cleansers and sponges can scratch or mar metal surfaces, damage grates or gas ports, or react dangerously when exposed to an open flame.
To learn more about how to clean your range’s oven, read our piece on how to clean an oven.
Tyler Wells Lynch wrote a previous version of this article.
This article was edited by Ingrid Skjong and Courtney Schley.
Kanchan Swaroop, senior technical advocacy associate, Appliance Standard Awareness Project, May 4, 2023
Bree Lemmen, brand manager, Whirlpool Corporation, Zoom interview, April 26, 2023
Nicholas Shircliff, senior product marketing manager for freestanding appliances, GE Appliances, Zoom interview, April 17, 2023
Steve Swayne, director, Electrolux cooking competence center, Zoom interview, March 6, 2023
Michael Rockstroh, head of North American operations for Bertazzoni, in-person interview, February 1, 2023
Katherine Smindak-Grodman and Crystal Piligian, showroom sales consultants for Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, in-person interview, November 7, 2023
Rachel Wharton is a senior staff writer at Wirecutter covering ovens, stoves, fridges and other essential kitchen appliances. She has more than 15 years of experience reporting on food issues and a master's degree in food studies, and has helped write more than a dozen books on that topic (including her own, American Food: A Not-So-Serious History). One of her first real gigs was reviewing kitchen gadgets in less than 50 words for the New York Daily News.
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