A kitchen wouldn't be a kitchen without a cooking stove. Microwaves, electric fry pans and rice cookers are handy accessories, but when it comes to serious cooking, we turn to our stoves. Stoves are so long lasting, we rarely need to replace one because it breaks down and cannot be repaired. Nine times out of ten, we either replace stoves because we are remodelling the kitchen or the family has outgrown the one we've had for the past fifteen years.

In terms of functionality, stoves have not changed much over the years. Even the cheapest stoves do their job. However, if you are thinking of buying a new stove, it is worth looking at the various types of stoves and the features they include. Since a stove is a long term investment, it may be worth spending a little more and getting even more style and functionality out of your new one. Our Stoves Buying Guide may surprise you - there's more to stoves than you might think.

Types of Stoves

Upright Stoves

95% of the freestanding stoves available today are upright stoves. These have the oven underneath the hob and usually a griller, a storage area or a food warming compartment below the oven. They come in a wide variety of widths, oven capacities and price ranges. The cheapest and smallest ones are only around 50 cm wide, have a capacity of as little as 40L and cost well under a thousand dollars, while the largest stoves are over 1.2 metres wide, with internal capacities of 150L. These can cost well over $20,000. By far the most common size of upright stove sold is 60 cm wide, though 90 cm wide stoves are becoming increasingly popular in large households and designer kitchens. The 60 cm models generally offer the best value for money.

Elevated Stoves

There are very few elevated stoves on the market, but every good kitchen designer keeps them in their bag of tricks, because there are times when an elevated is the perfect solution in the kitchen. Elevated stoves have a small oven next to the cooktop. Many elderly persons living on their own are delighted when they hear that such an option exists. They don't need a large oven and find that using their existing upright is difficult and dangerous because they have to bend over awkwardly to get into the oven. While elevated stoves generally have small capacity ovens and electric hobs, there are a few high end models that feature 80L capacity ovens and gas hobs.

Hob Features

We are all familiar with the standard 4 burner gas or electric stove. While these remain the best selling types of stoves, there are other options you may want to consider. We'll look at gas and electric hobs separately:

Gas Hobs

Heat output in gas appliances is measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units). Most standard gas hobs have four identical burners that each has the same maximum BTU output. If you like cooking with a wok or deep frying, look for a model that has one larger burner with more BTUs. Usually this will come in combination with two standard burners and a smaller burner for warming or for small pans. 90 cm and wider stoves will come with 6 or more burners and even more options.

Electric Hobs

Most electric hobs on stoves still come with the electric coils that have been with us for generations, though more models featuring smooth ceramic tops, halogen heating elements and induction systems are coming onto the market every year. Even many cheaper electric hobs now have electronic controls that allow you to fine-tune your heating elements more efficiently than in the past.

Oven Features

Basic models simply produce heat from below and the griller is located in a separate compartment under the heating element. The hot air, captured inside the oven, rises and heats the food. Alternatively, many gas and electric ovens come with heating elements above and below the racks that hold the food. The top element is used for grilling and also produces a little heat to assist baking. Stoves with ovens like these get the job done, but convection and fan forced ovens have the advantage of distributing the heat evenly throughout the oven.

Fan assisted ovens have a fan that circulates the heated air that is produced by the heating element, while fan forced ovens have a fan that is surrounded by the heating element and blows the hot air directly into the oven cavity. Fan assisted and fan forced ovens are also called convection ovens and/or multifunction ovens. They cook faster and more efficiently than conventional ovens.

Gas, Electric or Both?

Most chefs and gourmet cooks prefer gas hobs because of they can instantly adjust heat, while electric cooktops take time to warm up and cool down. There is more controversy, though, when it comes to gas versus electric ovens. Especially with today's electronic controls, precise digital displays and other features, there is a real case to be made for electric ovens. Fan forced electric ovens with cooling fans are able to make fast temperature changes and remain at a constant heat level better than gas ovens. For the ultimate in versatility, some high end stoves come with gas hobs and electric ovens. The ovens on these stoves will be multifunction convection ovens.

Designer Stoves

Ilve, Smeg and DeLonghi are three of the biggest names in designer stoves. Those with very deep pockets and very large kitchens can spend up to $20,000 for a big Ilve, but the rest of us can find beautiful stainless steel designer stoves for well under $5000. To look their best, they need to be matched with an equally impressive rangehood, so there is even more money to be considered there. While we're not suggesting you should go drastically into debt when you purchase your stove, bear in mind the fact that a good stove can last you a lifetime, with very little maintenance. These designer stoves never go out of style and enhance the appearance of every kitchen.

Whatever you choose, your money will be well spent. Stoves generally last for at least ten years with very little if any maintenance problems. To get the most out of yours, look for the extras like fan assisted ovens, warming compartments, cooling fans and special functions like timers and defrost settings. Stoves with these extra features may cost a little more, but they return big dividends in the long run.