For those of you looking for greater versatility out of your kitchen range, sometimes four burners just won’t cut it. If you desire a greater cooking surface without going overboard, an adaptable and well-balanced option is the 36-inch range.
This larger range size offers more in just about every facet of the appliance. The additional width on the cooktop portion allows for a greater variety of burner types, configurations, and flexible cooking options. Below, the oven section offers more space to easily fit large casserole dishes and cookware to prepare a large volume of food at once.
You don’t have to feed an army, but a 36-inch range is big enough to tackle holiday meals and family gatherings without taking up too much kitchen space. It's the perfect solution for any home chef who loves to cook but would rather leave room available for countertop space and other cooking appliances.
For a kitchen renovation or an upscale remodeling project, designers and contractors will often recommend a 36-inch range model because of the stylish and spacious design—large enough to fit five or more burners with a large-capacity oven. Our expert team at Albert Lee examined how our 36-inch ranges performed in terms of even baking, temperature control, boiling, simmering, and more.
Armed with that knowledge, we can recommend the best 36-inch ranges from two of our most valued and trusted luxury brands: Wolf and Fisher & Paykel.
1. Wolf Stainless Steel Freestanding Dual Fuel Range (DF36450G/S/P)
Wolf’s patented dual-stacked, sealed burner design provides precise high-to-low temperature control and a spark ignition system that reignites the burner automatically. Whether you need a gentle simmer or a powerful boil, you can eliminate the guesswork and depend on responsive, accurate control.
The master of heat and airflow, the state-of-the-art VertiCross convection system provides a reliable heat source for cooking and baking, reduces hot and cold spots, and enables consistent multi-rack cooking with remarkable flavor. And when you need help preparing your date-night dinner, Gourmet Mode acts as your sous chef with nearly 50 presets that prompt the proper rack position, set the precise cooking mode, and automatically control the temperature to ensure delicious results.
Beyond those impressive features, the redesigned 15,000-BTU griddle is designed to handle your breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. Thanks to its even, precise heat, it handles pancakes, bacon, and eggs for breakfast, paninis, and veggies for lunch, and equal finesse to sear burgers and carne asada for dinner.
Additional Features Include:
- Premium-grade materials designed to last a minimum of 20 years.
- Full-color, easy-to-read touch screen interface.
- LED-backlit control knobs indicating which burners are active.
- Self-clean, delayed start, timed cook, and Sabbath mode oven features.
- A built-in temperature probe alerts you when your dish has reached the desired temperature.
- Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to remotely preheat, select modes, and adjust oven temperature from your mobile device.
- Stainless steel construction, pro-style handles, and iconic red knobs.
2. Wolf Stainless Steel Induction Range (IR36550/S/T)
This 36-inch range from Wolf comes equipped with many of the same features as the first range listed above, but if you hope to enhance your kitchen space even further, the stainless-steel construction and clean lines will coordinate elegantly with a full suite of Sub-Zero and Cove appliances for a fully unique and luxurious culinary environment.
This particular range features induction cooking, which as you learned in our cooktop vs range top comparison, offers countless advantages in the kitchen. Induction is quickly gaining traction in professional and home kitchens alike with instantaneous temperature-adjustment response and impressive boiling speeds.
Your range will remain cool-to-the-touch while your skillet stays hot with an instant burst of heat. This is an important aspect because an induction range generates heat to transfer to the cookware instead of the cooking surface. Getting a dish to turn out just the way you want requires reactive and precise temperature control to prevent burns and flareups, and whether you’re reheating leftovers or crisping the skin on a rich and delicate salmon filet, an induction range makes that possible.
Additional Features Include:
- Scratch-resistant, black ceramic glass cooking surface prevents staining and easily wipes clean.
- Dual VertiCross convection system and multi-rack cooking.
- Gourmet Mode with 50 cooking presets and automatic oven control.
- Ten cooking modes, including Bake, Broil, Convection, Convection Roast, Dehydrate, Gourmet, Proof, Roast, Stone, and Warm.
- Boost Mode delivers rapid heat for 40 percent faster boil times, rivaling the speed of gas and electricity.
- The Bridge function joins two induction zones into one large area, enabling the use of an induction-capable griddle, open roaster, or fish poacher.
- Self-clean, delayed start, timed cook, temperature probe, WiFi connectivity, and Sabbath mode.
3. Fisher & Paykel Black Glass Pro-Style Dual Fuel Range (RDV3-366-N)
If you’re still on the hunt for a 36-inch range, experience the best of gas and convection technology with this striking range from Fisher & Paykel. With an intuitive touchscreen and specialized guided cooking functions, this range makes it easy to prepare any recipe with confidence. Whether you have a preferred cooking method, a must-have ingredient, or a favorite recipe, the guided experience delivers perfect results for beginners and seasoned chefs alike.
A generous capacity featuring 4.8 cubic feet is designed to spread heat evenly so you can prepare several dishes at once without any cold spots in the middle. And if you frequent a homemade batch of cookies, the oven cavity is large enough to fit full-size baking sheets on each rack.
Whether you’re a carnivore or an herbivore, this range offers supreme cooking flexibility for any meal. Each of the 15 oven functions has been extensively researched and carefully designed to cater to a broad range of dishes and cooking styles, and the handy food probe helps monitor your cooking progress for added peace of mind.
If power is what you crave, the sealed dual flow burners deliver cooktop power up to 23,500 BTUs for seriously fast boiling, and precise, 140-degrees low temperature cooking with the gentlest of flames. You will also benefit from halo illuminated dials, incandescent lights, full-extension telescopic racks, a self-cleaning function, and self-clean side racks.
4. Fisher & Paykel Black Glass Freestanding Electric Induction Range (RIV3-365)
We’re sticking with Fisher & Paykel for our final 36-inch range, and once again, we wanted to highlight the brilliance of induction cooking. This range features the same touchscreen interface as the dual fuel model, but with an induction cooktop and convection oven, mealtime will look and taste better than ever.
Guided cooking using your touchscreen makes it simple to cook by function or recipe, whether you’ve been in the kitchen your entire life or your brand-new to cooking. The screen tilts for improved ergonomics and optimal visibility while cooking so you can always be in control of your appliance and your ingredients.
The induction model features a slightly smaller oven capacity at 4 cubic feet, but the heat is still well-concentrated and flows evenly to brown and broil any appetizer, entree, or dessert. Once again, the 15 oven functions help monitor the concentration of heat and the cooking process so your meals are fully cooked the first time every time.
The power from the cooktop offers instant and immediate control from the highest to the gentlest heat. The finely tuned cooktop controls let you sear, stir-fry, or simmer with restaurant-quality results. Since most of the heat generated by the cooktop is transferred into the cookware, induction offers an energy-efficient and cost-effective cooking option.
The appliance is easy to clean with real stainless steel, high-quality glass, and expert craftsmanship in every detail. The induction cooktop surface only requires a gentle wipe down after each use to keep it clean, and the self-clean side racks don’t need to be removed to run the operation.
The Choice is Yours
When it comes to your culinary conquest, there are plenty of great range options to choose from. Finding the best 36-inch range comes down to personal taste and your individual needs in the kitchen. However, a 36-inch range is a versatile appliance that will properly suit any kitchen layout and benefit cooks of all skill levels.
Browse our entire catalog of ranges and luxury cooking appliances until you think you’ve found a match. If you have any questions or would like to request additional information, chat with us online, give us a call, or chat with our friendly staff members at one of our Albert Lee store locations.