Buying a Basic Four-Burner Stove

How does a $600 stove differ from a $4,000 one? To compare, we compiled this chart of ten 30-inch gas stoves. Unless noted, each has four sealed burners, a self-cleaning convection oven and a dual fuel option (for an additional charge).

Amana AGR5715QDS $600
BTUs 12,000; two at 9,000; 5,000
COOKTOP Includes cast-iron grates—an amazing bonus for a stove at this price.
OVEN 5.22 cubic feet; flame broiler. NOTE: not a convection oven; dual fuel not an option.
WHAT WE LOVE Great value for the basics, with an extra-large oven capacity.

GE Profile JGB920 $1,550
BTUs 15,000; 11,000; 9,100; 5,000
COOKTOP Continuous grates; special simmering burner ranges from 600 to 5,000 BTUs.
OVEN 5 cubic feet; flame broiler with adjustable high-low settings.
WHAT WE LOVE Impressively space efficient: includes extra-large oven and a warming drawer.

Kenmore Sears 22-79213 $1,550
BTUs 12,000; two at 9,500; 7,200
COOKTOP A fifth burner can be adjusted from 500 to 5,000 BTUs.
OVEN 4.1 cubic feet; flame broiler.
WHAT WE LOVE Oven has function for helping bread rise. Cooktop fits five burners in the space of four.

Prizer-Painter RPB304BSS Blue Star $2,975
BTUs Two at 18,000; 15,000; 12,000
COOKTOP Unsealed star-shaped burners; special simmering burner ranges from 450 to 12,000 BTUs.
OVEN 4.56 cubic feet; infrared broiler. NOTE: not self-cleaning; dual fuel not an option.
WHAT WE LOVE Direct flame: burner ports are aimed straight up at the pot.

Viking VGIC $3,000
BTUs 15,000
COOKTOP All burners adjust down to 1,000 BTUs for simmering; unsealed burners available on a similar model.
OVEN 4 cubic feet; infrared broiler. NOTE: not self-cleaning.
WHAT WE LOVE Lots of impressive options, from the type of burner to 14 color choices.

Thermador PGR304ZS Pro $3,500
BTUs 15,000
COOKTOP Star-shaped burners; continuous grates; for simmering, a low flame cycles on and off.
OVEN 4.6 cubic feet; infrared broiler with two flame broilers.
WHAT WE LOVE Double broiler provides for more uniform cooking (even at the sides of the oven).

DCS RGSC-305 $4,000
BTUs 17,500; four at 16,000
COOKTOP Five burners with continuous grates; simmering flame on every burner.
OVEN 4.1 cubic feet; infrared broiler.
WHAT WE LOVE Oven has function for helping bread rise. The broiler is sealed in glass to improve searing.

Five Star TTN285-BGW $4,030
BTUs 14,000
COOKTOP All burners adjust down to 1,050 BTUs for simmering; unsealed burners available on a similar model.
OVEN 3.69 cubic feet; flame broiler in a drawer below the oven.
WHAT WE LOVE Many popular extra features, like an 11-inch stainless steel backsplash, are standard.

Dacor EGR30S06 Epicure $4,050
BTUs 15,000
COOKTOP Continuous grates; a simmering plate that diffuses heat can be moved from burner to burner.
OVEN 3.9 cubic feet; infrared broiler.
WHAT WE LOVE Known for extra-large continuous grates: each covers two burners.

Wolf R304 $4,100
BTUs 16,000
COOKTOP Continuous grates; unsealed burners; simmering flame on every burner.
OVEN 3.9 cubic feet; infrared broiler. NOTE: not self-cleaning.
WHAT WE LOVE In the dual fuel model, oven door helps fully extended bottom rack support heavy roasts.

The prices indicated are manufacturers' suggested retail prices; actual prices may vary.