Maytag MEP5775BA - range - drop-in - electric cooktop

With both gas and electric models, ranges now come in a wide range of options. Some cooktop ranges are inserted into a countertop and have a matching wall oven that is installed separately. There are free-standing models--range and oven combos--that have panels on both sides and can stand alone in the kitchen. There also are slide-in models, which have no side panels or backsplash and fit between two cabinets. Then there are drop-ins, which are fueled by electricity only, and are installed between cabinets on a pedestal with no bottom drawer below oven.

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Electric ranges offer less control over heat output--for example, water can take longer to boil--than gas ranges. However, you can get better overall performance from the oven. Models are slightly less expensive than gas ranges but also cost a bit more to operate month-to-month.

Coil types: Electric ranges come with a wide range of burner types, including:

• Open coil burner: The coils sit on top of the range within a recessed element--this is the most standard type of burner.
• Smooth-top: The surface looks sleek, since heating elements are covered with a glass surface. It uses radiant heat and can be easier to clean, but it can take longer to heat up and uses more electricity.
• Halogen: This new technology uses sealed glass tubes filled with halogen gas, providing instant light and heat--or induction elements--and uses a magnetic field to offer more precise control of range. You can only use iron or steel pots and pans, however, no aluminum.

• Average price: $220 to $4,000
• Average width: 20 to 36 inches

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The Sabbath Mode feature keeps cooked foods warm on the Jewish Sabbath and holidays when some followers of religious laws need to avoid cooking raw food or using electronic equipment. For any chef, this setting can also be a plus when you're hosting a lot of guests and need to keep food warm over a long period of time.

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Self-cleaning modes burn off oven residue and build-up using high heat. Self-cleaning ovens also tend to have more insulation. Some models come with a self-cleaning countdown display.

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