What Are the Parts of a Stove?
The broiler, warming drawer, oven racks, burners, control panel, temperature knobs, drip bowls and thermostat are all parts of your stove, also known as a range, that work together to help you create your favorite recipes. Knowing how to use the various parts of your stove can help you be more inventive in the kitchen.
Use this guide to better understand the parts of your range and how it works to help you make.
8 Parts of a Range
Whether you’re shopping for a new range or simply want to know more about the current cooking and baking hub of your kitchen, you can discover the common parts of a stove below.
1. Broiler
The broiler is located inside your oven – typically near the top – and can be used to sear fish, meat and vegetables or to create a golden crust on a cheesy baked pasta dish. The broil setting on your stove’s control panel cooks food with direct heat and temperatures up to 550ºF on many models.
You can use your broiler to experiment with a variety of unique recipes, like crisp Loaded Potato Slices, lightly charred Chicken Tikka Masala or even Homemade Kale Chips.
2. Warming Drawer
Warming drawers, also known as baking or proofing drawers, are typically found on the bottom of your range and can be used for a few purposes. This stove component can help yeasted dough rise before baking and can keep cooked meals warm before you serve them.
You can use a warming drawer to proof homemade sandwich bread before it goes into the oven to bake or keep appetizers like cheesy crab dip warm and bubbly until party guests arrive. Some baking drawers can even be used as a slow cooker.
3. Oven Racks
Oven racks hold baking trays, pie plates and dutch ovens in the proper position for baking, roasting and broiling. These racks are adjustable, allowing you to position them as close to or far from the oven heating element as your recipe requires. The lower position is ideal for setting pie crusts and roasting meats, while the highest position is great for browning and crisping. In convection ovens, rack placement matters less thanks to the fan that circulates air throughout the oven cavity.
4. Burners and coils
On your stove, you will typically find 2–5 gas burners covered by metal grates or electric heating elements that are used to heat pots, pans and cooktop accessories like griddles or grill pans. Your stove’s burners can help you create delicious stuffed omelets, fluffy pancakes, juicy hamburgers and much more. Learn how to remove your stove’s burners or coils to clean or for replacement with our guide.
5. Temperature knobs
Your stove’s temperature knobs are typically located on either the outer edge of the appliance or on the back of the stove next to the control panel. These knobs help you quickly adjust the heat levels of your gas burners or electric heating elements so you can go from boiling to simmering with a simple flick of the wrist.
6. Drip bowls
To protect your cooktop from burnt-on spills and splatters, drip pans are commonly found around the stove’s burners or coils. These bowls are designed to catch the messes that come with creating a new recipe to help make cleaning easier.
7. Control Panel
Located on either the back or front of your appliance, the range control panel allows you to select cook temperatures, timers and bake settings like broiling. Most control panels also feature an oven light function that allows you to peek in on your creations during the baking process without having to open the oven door.
8. Thermostat
A stove thermostat helps to regulate the heat inside your oven’s cavity to keep temperatures consistent throughout the baking process. The thermostat works together with the control panel to let you know when your oven has finished preheating and is ready to cook your meal.
Electric vs. Gas Range Parts
Because gas and electric ranges use different heating methods, their parts differ slightly. Gas ranges use an open flame both on the stovetop and inside the oven, so these models include flame igniters and require a gas line for installation. Learn how to convert your gas stove to an electric model.
Electric ranges generate heat with electric heating elements. The cooktops typically feature flat, glass-ceramic covered heating elements or metal heating coils rather than burners. Inside the oven, electric ranges house metal coils that generate a dry heat.
How Can I Clean Stove Parts?
You can clean the parts of a stove with a cooktop or oven cleaning solution, a scrubbing pad and paper towels. Make sure all heating elements have cooled, then spray soiled areas with the cleaning solution, like this cooktop cleaner from affresh®1. Use a scrubbing pad to break down food residue, then wipe it clean with a paper towel.
Some ovens offer a self-cleaning feature for inside the oven cavity that can be used to lighten the load of cleaning so you can get your range ready for your next creation.
1. affresh® brand products and recommending brands' products are all owned and distributed by Whirlpool Corporation
Where Can I Buy Stove Parts?
It’s important to only buy replacement parts that are compatible with the make and model of your current stove. Some replacement parts should only be installed with the help of a licensed technician, so you may need to schedule a service to swap out the parts.
If you need to replace parts of your KitchenAid® stove, you can browse the entire line of cooktop and range accessories to find the right part for your appliance.
Shop the latest deals on select KitchenAid major appliances Shop Now
Shop KitchenAid® Ranges
Whether you’re shopping for a gas or electric stove, KitchenAid brand offers a wide selection of ranges designed to fit the way you make. Explore select models with features like Even-Heat™ True Convection for crisp flaky pastries and caramelized veggies or the Steam Rack that provides additional moisture during the baking process to find the right appliance for your home.
