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!)
Coil top electric range models are around $400-600, which is less expensive than their smooth top counterparts - although you can find smoothtops starting at around $600. That's a good start. They are certainly not as pretty to look at and much more difficult to clean in the event of a spill, but they do have a couple of advantages.
First, electric coil ranges are not susceptible to one of the worst heartaches any range owner can have: a broken glass range top! One simple slip of a casserole dish out of your over the range microwave can result in a broken top which can easily cost you $400 or more for parts and labor to replace it. With coil ranges, this isn't a factor.
Secondly, if there are repair issues with the elements on a coil range, they are very inexpensive to repair. While smooth top electric ranges seldom have repair issues with the elements, when they do, they are much more costly.
Read Article: Frigidaire vs GE Coil Top Electric Range Reviews
Times to Consider a Coil Top Electric Range:
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When you are buying a range for a rental apartment that you own and are concerned with how the tenants will treat the appliances (20" and 24" wide models are available for small spaces)
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When you are looking for the cheapest range available
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When you want to be able to do more of your own repairs on your range
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When you are buying a range for a family member, perhaps your young son or daughter, and you aren't sure how they will treat the range
While smooth tops are often the way to go, don't overlook a coil top electric range for these and other applications. Overall, there are fewer coil top models available and they tend to have more limited feature packages compared to smooth top ranges. Brands producing coil top ranges include:
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GE Appliances
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Whirlpool (they also make some slide-in style coil ranges that are special order)
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Frigidaire
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Hotpoint (owned by GE)
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Amana (owned by Whirlpool)
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Summit (20" and 24" models)
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Premier
Let us know what kind of range you end up purchasing. We’d love to hear from you!
Editor's Note: This blog was originally written in January of 2018 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy as of the publication date noted above.
