A kitchen stove, often called simply a stove or a cooker, is a kitchen appliance designed for the purpose of cooking food. Kitchen stoves rely on the application of direct heat for the cooking process and may also contain an oven, used for baking. A stove with a built-in cooktop is also called a range.

A traditional electric stove has a big, thick coil of wire called the heating element. On a stovetop, the pan sits on top of the element. Instead of passing the electricity along, the heating element wastes the electricity by turning it into heat. We then use that heat to cook our food.

Gas Stove Installation Hook Up Costs. Gas stoves run anywhere from $350 to $3,000 or more depending on the brand, features, quality and finish. Installation costs are $100 to $125 if there are already supply lines installed for the gas. If not, gas line installation can cost up to $200 or more.