A self cleaning range may seem like an obvious choice for today's hectic lifestyle. For many consumers, it is! Cleaning the inside of an oven can be a frustrating and time consuming job. Owning a self cleaning range can significantly reduce the hassle of cleaning all the caked-on food that builds up inside your range from the inevitable spills and splatters that result from cooking. As you are doing research for your next range, be sure to look at self cleaning range models as part of your search (and for more info on choosing a new gas or electric range, check out our range buying guide). Let's take a closer look.

Most buyers of electric ranges in today's market are looking for smooth top ranges. However, don't overlook electric coil stoves for certain applications. An electric coil range is an "old fashioned" range with burner bowls and coil elements that plug into the range top.

What possible advantage could this type of range have over a smooth top range?  Let's take a look at a few scenarios. (And for more information to help you choose a new gas or electric kitchen range, check out our range buying guide!)

Please note: The class action lawsuits against LG for linear compressor failures beginning in 2018 have resulted in some negative reactions to LG and the linear compressor, which we will respond to below.

LG has something unique to offer refrigerator buyers: the linear compressor. The compressor is an important piece to the system that moves warm air out of your refrigerator. It's more or less a "pump" designed for vapor rather than water, pushing the warm refrigerant vapor to the coils on the back of your refrigerator so the vapor can cool off and be cycled through your refrigerator again. You can think of this as your refrigerator removing warm air rather than "adding" coolness to the air.

A stacked washer dryer combo can be an ideal option for apartments and small homes where space is at a premium. While all-in-one washer dryer combo machines totally combine the two laundry appliances into one space, the Frigidaire Laundry Center takes a different approach to saving you space and money.

Drop-in ranges were quite popular in the 70's and into the early 80's, but their popularity has since plummeted, and they are difficult to find today. The models still available today are limited to 27" and 30" electric drop-in range models. We'll review what drop-in range options are still available and discuss whether it's worthwhile to purchase a more common range style instead. You can learn more about choosing a new kitchen range (gas or electric) in our range buying guide, too!

In the old days, manual cleaning was the only option when buying a new oven. Getting down on your kitchen floor and scrubbing the inside of your oven using harsh oven cleaners was the only way to get it clean. In the 1960s, self cleaning range models were introduced by General Electric. Many consumers love the self cleaning feature, but as time has passed, consumers have demanded alternatives. Steam clean oven models were born to meet the need for a less harsh, faster, and more energy-efficient oven cleaning option. 

(Before we continue: if you want more info to help you choose a new kitchen range, check out our range buying guide!)

Your home may have come with a range hood or over the range microwave already installed. If you're considering swapping one for the other, you'll want to know the advantages and disadvantages of these ventilation methods. 

Keurig K-Cups and various Keurig accessories (plus a range of spinoff products) are found in homes across the US. What's the next big step in single-serve, fast-prep beverages? Why not consolidate your appliances and get a refrigerator with the Keurig K-Cup brewing system built-in?

Matte paint finishes are a hot trend in the high-end car market and their appeal has driven appliance manufacturers to jump on the bandwagon as well. If you can get your Tesla with a black matte finish, why not your refrigerator? If you want to upgrade your kitchen with a new distinctive and rich look, the new black slate appliances by GE might be the perfect fit. As of mid 2020, LG has discontinued their black matte color after about three years of production.

The microwave is a ubiquitous kitchen appliance found in almost every home, as well as in most workplace break rooms! Most people are familiar with the standalone countertop microwave and the over-the-range microwave, but if you're redoing your kitchen or are looking for unique ways to save counter space, you may be interested in a subset of built-in microwaves: the microwave drawer. 

In this article, we go over the details and the pros and cons of this built-in style, and review three models from Sharp, Bosch, and KitchenAid.