How to Use an Oven Cooking Range

Using an oven's cooking range is a simple process, but there are different steps depending on whether your range is gas or electric.

Gas Range

1. Place the pot or pan on the burner you want to use. Select the control knob that corresponds to the burner you are using and turn it all the way to "Light" or "Ignite." This will ignite the pilot light and the highest flame setting will turn on under your pan.

2. Adjust the control knob to get the flame height you want. The higher the flame height, the hotter the cooking temperature. Do not let the flames become big enough to flare up the side of your cooking pot.

3. Cover your pot or pan for a faster cooking time. If you are boiling liquid, once it begins to boil you can adjust the flame to "Low" to maintain the boil without wasting gas.

4. Turn the control knob all the way to "Off" when you are done cooking. Let the range cool completely before you clean it. The heat from the flame can make the surrounding porcelain cooktop very hot.

5. Spray the cooktop with a non-abrasive cleaner and wipe it down with a soft rag or paper towel after each use.

Electric Range

1. Set the pot or pan on the burner you want to use. Select a burner that is similar in size to the pot or pan in which you are cooking. Electric ranges often have different sized burners for energy conservation.

2. Turn the control knob that corresponds to the burner you selected to the temperature at which you want to cook the food. Electric ranges have no pilot light and do not operate with flame, so you do not need to light anything. Simply select the cooking level from "High" to "Low."

3. Turn the knob to "Off" when you are done cooking. Let the range cool completely before cleaning.

4. Clean a glass-top electric range with the specific cleaner provided by the manufacturer. For regular electric ranges, spray the cook top with a non-abrasive cleaner and wipe it with a soft cloth. If food gets in the drip pan, lift the heating element and remove the drip pan to rinse it off.