Electric Ranges

• Electric ovens have more even heat distribution than gas.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  The standard electric stove has become technologically advanced to the point that in 2011, you can choose from smoothtop or coil, convection or trivection oven, induction ranges, and self-cleaning versus traditional. Electric stovetop cooking on a smoothtop is popular, as the heat distribution is even and the cleaning is easier, although coil tops heat faster. Induction stoves use electromagnetic coils placed below the ceramic-glass surface to generate heat in the pot or pan, rather than on the cooking surface. These heat faster and are energy efficient, but are more expensive to buy and require magnetic cookware.
  
  

Gas Ranges

• Gas stoves are more energy efficient than electric ranges.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  The majority of gas ranges have four or five burners, and experienced chefs find it easier to judge the heat on gas than an electric stove by observing the flame. Gas stoves heat up and cool down almost instantaneously, and the burners provide fast cooktop heating. Gas ranges use more energy than electric stoves, but because gas costs less, the overall bill is likely to be lower. Gas ovens come with both convection and self-cleaning, and because combustion results in water vapor, baking in the gas oven results in food that is more moist. Disadvantages include a drop in heat if the door is opened, and uneven heat distribution in nonconvection models.
  
  

Dual Ranges

• Contemporary kitchens may have both gas cooker tops and electric ovens.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  The dual fuel range has an easy-to-control gas burner cooktop paired with an electric convection oven that heats evenly. This gives you the best of both options; however, one of these ranges can cost up to twice as much as an electric or gas range. A possible inconvenience is that the dual fuel range requires both a gas outlet and an electrical outlet.
  
  

Retro Stoves

• Match your retro kitchen with a refurbished antique stove.Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty Images
  
  Choose a vintage design combined with new technology for a retro look in your kitchen. Converted antique stoves are basically new stoves, as each one is overhauled, refurbished and updated with new gas burners, a gas or electric oven and new thermostats. Swedish-made Aga cookers work using gas, electricity or oil, and although the stove is always "on," it is considered energy efficient and less costly to operate than a regular gas range.
  
  

Choosing a Hood

• Your choice of hood will depend on the location of your stove.Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
  
  A cabinet-mounted hood is all you need if you cook a few times a week. However, if you use the whole cooktop for grilling, frying and boiling at the same time, you should consider a high-performance hood. Decide where to install the shaft and where it will vent to, and match the look to the rest of your kitchen.