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Self-cleaning
This feature may add significantly to an oven’s cost, but most people consider it well worth it. Two options are available. A continuous-cleaning oven has a special finish that continually oxidizes small amounts of spilled food whenever the oven is operating; it will not clean large spills, but wiping them away is easy. A regular self-cleaning oven heats up to 1,000° F and turns any food debris into a gray ash that can simply be wiped off.
Warming drawer
A pullout compartment with its own temperature control allows you to keep foods warm while you prepare other items.
Storage drawer
Most freestanding ranges have a storage drawer. Look for one with a removable liner for easy cleaning.
Broiling features
If you do a lot of broiling, buy a range with a broiler at the top so you don’t have to crouch. Some models have only one broiling temperature, while others have variable temperatures.
Controls
Electronic controls offer a variety of features, including delayed start. Before making any purchase, test the controls to make sure you will be comfortable using them.
Low-heat burner option
Both electric and gas burners on some units have controls that allow for very low heat, eliminating the need to cook certain foods in a double boiler or to use a heat diffuser.
Racks
An oven with three racks offers more possibilities than the standard two-rack oven. A half rack allows you to bake a tall item along with several shorter ones.
Child lockout
This ensures that small children will not be able to open the oven door.
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