Colored Viking Ranges

Increasing my skepticism toward Pantone’s choice of orangish hue Tangerine Tango for color of the year is Viking’s choice to replace Pumpkin and other less-popular choices for  colored appliances with finishes that sound like they were plucked straight from the pantry.

Viking nearly doubled its colored appliance choices in 2008 to 24, including Metallic Silver, Oyster Gray and Golden Mist. But Dijon, Wasabi, Cinnamon and Kettle Black — as called by Viking, not the pot (couldn’t resist) — will overtake those four come March.

Coincidentally, I featured Pumpkin and Golden Mist in a previous roundup of kitchen appliance colors because I thought them so…distinctive. (Turns out I wasn’t alone.)

If you’ve always dreamed of a Cinnamon kitchen, Viking appliances such as microwaves, ovens, refrigerators and ranges can be paneled in the colored finishes.

How To Choose a Range Style

Now that you’ve figured out where to buy a stove, use these quick tips on how to buy a stove.

The fastest way to narrow your options – beside knowing your existing fuel type, is to identify your style.

Freestanding Ranges

The freestanding range is the most commonly used range style in homes, probably because it’s the most affordable and easiest to install. Featuring finished sides and a flat back, this range sits flush against a back wall.

>>Shop freestanding electric ranges

>>Shop freestanding gas ranges

Built-in Ranges

fggs3065-LGWith the growing trend of decorative backsplashes, the slide-in range has become one of the fastest growing segments in the industry. Featuring unfinished sides and back, this style is designed to be built in between two cabinets.

The body of the range is typically 30 inches wide. The top of the range is slightly wider to prevent crumbs from getting in the crevices between the countertop and range. The oven and burner controls are located on the front of the range, just above the oven door.

range-di1Though similar to a slide-in range, the drop-in range has waned in popularity in recent years.

While a slide-in range touches the floor, a drop in range sits on top of a cabinet baseboard. Though a drop-in range looks more built in than a freestanding range or even a slide-in range, it’s also more difficult to replace because of its height and the limited selection of drop-in style ranges.

>>See built-in gas ranges

>>See built-in electric ranges

Professional (pro-style) Ranges

VDSC548-6GSS-lgWhile it is the most expensive range style available in the industry today, the professional range is gaining steam in gourmet kitchens. Pro-style ranges take the performance and styling of a true commercial range and make it safe to use for a home cook.

The oven and burner controls are always located on the front, just above the door.  Professional ranges feature burners capable of reaching high temperature for rapid boiling as well as extremely low temperatures for delicate and precise simmering. Larger models (36”, 48” or 60” wide) offer flexibility in the cooking surface, allowing for the addition of built-in griddles, grills and other specialty surfaces. Large ovens generally boast convection capabilities and intensely high-temperature broiling.

Professional ranges generally come in a stainless steel finish. However, some manufacturers such as Viking and Dacor offer distinctive colors (i.e. beyond white and black).

>> Read more advice on buying a range in our Range Buying Guide.

>>See all our Appliance Buying Guides