Freestanding Range vs Slide-In Range

What’s the Difference

Should you buy a slide-in or a freestanding range?

Find out at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

Freestanding

A freestanding range will have its control panel and knobs rising from the back of the range. It is finished on both sides and in a typical installation, a freestanding range is pushed back against the wall in a 30″ space with adjacent standard 24″ deep cabinet. Also, since the sides are finished, a freestanding range could easily be installed at the end of a cabinet run. However, they don’t work well in an island installation since the control panel sticks up in the back and is unfinished on the back.

Slide-In

To the contrary, a slide-in range has the controls in the front so there is no back panel, and it works well in an island installation. The sides are not finished, so without an accessory end panel they cannot be installed at the end of a cabinet run. There is normally a lip on each side of a slide-in range that overlaps the countertop, giving the range a built-in look and eliminating the space between range and adjacent counter. In addition, slide in ranges do not slide all the way to the back, thus allowing for a strip or moulding behind the range further enhancing the built-in look.

Though choices in slide-in ranges are limited and they cost more than equivalent freestanding ranges, slide-in ranges are an excellent choice for an island installation or when built-in features and look are desired.

Hybrid

There are some ranges with front controls like a slide-in, but finished sides, and no overlapping lip such as a freestanding range. We might call them hybrids. In fact, Jenn-Air’s new slide-in ranges seem to fit this description.

Regardless of what style range you’re looking for you should consult the professionals at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center. They have the best prices and availability on major appliances and plumbing fixtures.

---

Two locations to serve you – Calabasas and Studio City:

Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center

facebook twitter