Hotpoint's RB790 freestanding electric range is an excellent back-to-basics selection that gives you just want you need -- nothing more, nothing less. This budget-priced model includes four smooth-top elements and a spacious self-cleaning oven.

The electronic controls include a clock and timer and show cooking time and oven temperature. A handy delayed start can be ready when you are and can be programmed for either cooking or cleaning. And unlike the ovens of yesterday, this model offers a variable-time self-cleaning feature that allows you to choose a short cycle for a lightly soiled interior or a longer, more thorough cycle for baked-on soil, grease and grime.

The four surface elements on the RB790 are smooth and fairly easy to keep clean; we recommend simply wiping them down with a soft cloth or using soap and water.

Below the oven is a full-size storage drawer that is a convenient place to store frying pans and small pots. It's especially useful in a kitchen in which cabinet space is limited.

The only thing about the RB790 for which we don't care is the use of a black cooktop atop the white- and biscuit-colored ranges. Matching the top to the oven is simply a far more appealing design choice.


Pros: Good value for a basic self-cleaning range, variable time cleaning
Cons: Lacks special features, black top on white and biscuit range lacks appeal

Warranty
1 year