One of the most used items in any home is the range. Therefore, it is important that homeowners research available products to find the model that best suits for their needs. The good news is that with so many available models of ranges on the market, and the amount of information available, making an informed decision is easier now than ever.
In this article, we will review the Whirlpool Wfe540H0es freestanding electric range. We will review the features, cost, ease of installation, warranty, and other important information that will help you make the best decision when purchasing a range. We will also compare the wfe540h0es to some of its competitors to give you a more complete review.
What Is the Whirlpool WFE540H0E?
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The wfe540h0e is a 30″ freestanding electric range produced by the Whirlpool company. The range features Whirlpool’s AquaLift self-cleaning technology for easier cleaning. The wfe540h0es has 30 cubic inches of cooking space and a 6.4 cubic foot convection oven. The AquaLift self-clean technology helps to clean more efficiently by using a small amount of water. This helps the oven clean at a lower temperature and with less odor than other self-cleaning units by using steam to remove and disintegrate baked-on spills.
The wfe540h0e’s oven features a max-capacity recessed cooking rack, adjustable to make room for large items and sitting low in the oven to help crisp the bottom of items like pie crusts and pizzas. The oven also features convection cooking which allows for more precise temperature control and more evenly baked results. A fan inside the oven helps circulate hot air throughout the oven ensuring an equal temperature throughout the compartment.
Whirlpool’s AccuBake temperature management system helps deliver uniform baking results every time with its built-in sensor that monitors oven temperature and controls the cooking elements to deliver consistent heat. The cooktop features FlexHeat elements that are like having three elements in one. A 6″ inner ring is designed for cooking with smaller pots and pans, while two expandable outer rings make room to cook with larger pots and pans.
Also, the Whirlpool wfe540h0e has a hidden baking element beneath the oven floor creating a smooth even surface that is easy to wipe clean. Traditional baking elements have irregular surfaces and are placed in hard to reach areas making cleaning difficult. The ceramic glass cooktop provides a flat space for cooking and is easy to wipe clean. Whirlpool has also included the industry’s largest window available which makes checking on baked dishes easier without opening the door or disturbing the oven temperature.
Product Specs
The Whirlpool wfe540h0e is a 30-inch freestanding electric range featuring a 6.4 cubic foot oven capacity. The wfe540h0e has a glass cooktop that has five cooking elements ranging in size from 6″ to 12″ for the front left element. The front cooking elements are rated at 3,000 watts while the rear elements are rated at 1,200 watts. The center rear element, designed as a warming space, is rated at 100 watts. The oven features a convection fan, two racks, a hidden baking element, a broiling element, and one incandescent light. Both the baking and broiling element are rated at 3,600 watts of power.
The overall width of the wfe540h0e is 29-7/8″, the overall depth is 27-3/4″, and the height of the range is 47-7/8″. The range requires the conventional 240V power source, and the total weight of the unit is 150 lbs. Whirlpool has designed its freestanding ranges to fit within 2″ of the standard 25″ depth countertop so that the range does not stick out too far.
How it Compares
We picked a few similar products available on the market to see how they compare.
- Kenmore 94173
- GE JB655SKSS
- Frigidaire FGEF3036TD
Whirlpool Wfe540H0E
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| Ease of Use | |
The Whirlpool wfe540h0e is one of the easiest ranges to use that we have reviewed. Industry-leading innovations like the AccuBake temperature control and Whirlpool’s AquaLift self-cleaning technology make using and cleaning this unit easy. | |
| Installation | |
Whirlpool includes an installation guide that is easy to follow. However, this range is no different from any other electric range in that it needs to be connected with a 240V power cord designed specifically for electric ranges. Therefore, some very basic electrical wiring is needed to install this unit. Otherwise, just slide the unit into place and that’s all there is to it. | |
| Design Quality | |
Whirlpool has designed this unit with several innovative features and high-quality materials. The self-cleaning technology and a hidden baking element are two examples of innovations that make this range a very high-quality product. | |
| Warranty | |
Whirlpool includes a limited one-year warranty with this product. This level of coverage is pretty standard industry-wide for this type of product. Also, electric ranges typically outlast their warranties by many years. | |
Pros
- High-quality design
- Hidden baking element
- AquaLift self-cleaning technology
Cons
- Some users reported the glass cooktop was hard to keep clean
- Oven takes a little longer than most other models to preheat
- Markers on cooktop dials are a little hard to read
Where to buy
Kenmore 94173
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The Kenmore 94173 is a freestanding stainless steel electric range manufactured by the Kenmore company. This range features a 4-element ceramic 30-inch cooktop and a 5.3 cubic foot oven capacity. The dimensions of the 94173 are 29.9 inches width, depth 25.7 inches, and height 46.6 inches. The overall weight of the unit is 170 lbs.
The cooktop features two 6″ elements, one 6″/9″ dual-ring element and one 12″ element. The 6″ elements are rated at 1,200 watts while the 12″ element is rated at 2,700 watts. The 6″/9″ dual-ring element is rated at 2,500 watts of power. The Oven features two racks a baking element and a broiler element. The baking element is rated at 2,600 watts and the broiler element is rated at 3,000 watts.
| Ease of Use | |
This Kenmore range is very easy to use with easy-to-read cooktop dials and digital oven control. Also, the oven features a self-cleaning function that makes cleaning this unit much less of a hassle. | |
| Installation | |
Kenmore includes a well-written installation guide that is easy to follow. However, this range is no different from any other electric range in that it needs to be connected with a 240V power cord designed specifically for electric ranges. Therefore, some very basic electrical wiring is needed to install this unit. Otherwise, just like all other freestanding units, slide the unit into place and your done. | |
| Design Quality | |
The Kenmore 94173 is a well-designed range that should provide consistent performance for many years. The design is a bit basic, and this range lacks several high-end features. However, for someone looking for a good, dependable range without too much flash this is a good option. | |
| Warranty | |
Kenmore includes a 13-month limited warranty which is very typical for freestanding electric ranges. | |
Pros
- Easy to use controls
- Durable ceramic cooktop
- Dual-ring cooking element
Cons
- Lacks several high-end features
- Some users reported the cooktop was hard to keep clean
- No warming area on the cooktop
GE JB655
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The GE JB655 is sleek stainless steel electric range featuring a ceramic glass cooktop with a total of five elements, one being for warming. The JB655 has a 5.3 cubic-foot oven with single-fan convection heating, a self-cleaning mode, and two racks that can fit into six different cooking positions. The range has a full-width storage drawer under the oven.
The cooktop heating elements are rated at 3,100 and 3,000 watts for the front elements, and 1,200 watts for the rear elements. The warming element is rated at 80 watts. The baking element is rated at 3,000 watts and the broiler at a powerful 3,800 watts of power. This range is 30″ wide, 28″ deep, and 47″ tall. These dimensions are fairly common for freestanding ranges, but this range is slightly deeper than most others.
| Ease of Use | |
This range is easy to use with clearly labeled control knobs and electronic oven control that makes adjusting temperature as easy as the push of a single button. The convection fan provides an even distribution of heat, and the oven’s self-cleaning mode makes cleaning the oven compartment easy. | |
| Installation | |
GE includes an installation guide that gives step-by-step installation instructions. However, this range is no different from any other electric range in that it needs to be connected with a 240V power cord designed specifically for electric ranges. Therefore, some very basic electrical wiring is needed to install this unit. Because of the depth of this unit it may stick out past the edge of your kitchen counter slightly more than you would expect. | |
| Design Quality | |
This is a well-designed basic electronic range that is designed to provide performance without a lot of flash. | |
| Warranty | |
GE includes a one-year limited warranty for its freestanding electric ranges which is very typical industry-wide. | |
Pros
- Very affordable
- Powerful oven and broiler
- Full-width storage compartment
Cons
- Control knobs are made of flimsy plastic
- Some users reported uneven baking
- The cooktop can be difficult to keep clean
Frigidaire FGEF3036TD
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The Frigidaire fgef3036td is a 30-Inch freestanding electric range with a stainless steel exterior, a five-burner cooktop that’s easy to clean compared to other smooth-top ranges, and solid cooking performance. This range features a 5.4 cubic inch oven capacity with conventional heating. The oven has two removable racks and the baking element is rated at 3,500 watts while the broiling element is rated at a powerful 3,900 watts. The fgef3036td has two separate self-cleaning settings.
| Ease of Use | |
This range is very easy to use with clearly labeled control knobs, digital oven temperature control, and two self-cleaning modes. Also, the cooktop is easier to clean than most other smooth-top ranges. | |
| Installation | |
Frigidaire includes a well-written installation guide that gives step-by-step instructions for installing the range. However, this range is no different from any other electric range in that it needs to be connected with a 240V power cord designed specifically for electric ranges. Therefore, some very basic electrical wiring is needed to install this unit. This unit fits nicely with standard kitchen cabinet depth. | |
| Design Quality | |
This range looks like a high-end model and is available in several colors. This range has many features one would expect like a warming element, a self-cleaning mode, and full-width storage drawer. However, the lack of a convection fan is its biggest downfall. | |
| Warranty | |
Frigidaire includes a one-year limited warranty on its freestanding electric ranges which is in line with industry standards. | |
Pros
- Sleek design
- Powerful broiler
- Two self-cleaning modes
Cons
- Cooktop knobs are made of flimsy plastic
- No convection fan
Conclusion
Overall, the Whirlpool wfe540h0es is a well-designed freestanding electric range that delivers on both performance and style. The recessed oven rack, large 6.4 cubic foot capacity, and AquaLift self-cleaning technology are many high-end features that set this model apart from others in this price category.
