Summit RG200WS 20" Gas Range: Compact Powerhouse for Modern Kitchens

In today’s increasingly urbanized world, space optimization has become paramount, particularly in our kitchens. Whether you reside in a compact city apartment, a cozy tiny home, or are simply seeking to maximize the efficiency of a smaller kitchen, the challenge remains: how to incorporate high-performance appliances without sacrificing precious space. The Summit RG200WS 20” Gas Range emerges as a compelling solution, offering the power and versatility of a full-sized gas range within a remarkably compact and efficient design. This article delves into the thoughtful engineering and practical functionality of the RG200WS, demonstrating why it stands out as a premier choice for those who value both spatial economy and culinary excellence.

Overview

The Summit RG200WS is a freestanding gas range meticulously crafted for kitchens where space is a premium. Its defining feature, a slender 20-inch width, makes it an ideal fit for apartments, studios, RVs, and other compact living environments. Despite its diminutive footprint, this range delivers impressive cooking capabilities, boasting four sealed burners, a generously sized 2.3 cu.ft. oven, and a dedicated broiler compartment. It’s a testament to the fact that downsizing your kitchen doesn’t mean downgrading your culinary potential. The oven offers the versatility and size to use all your favorite cookware. Includes a 2 piece broiler pan with lid.

Design Philosophy - Bringing Uncompromised Cooking to Compact Kitchens

Summit Appliance’s design philosophy for the RG200WS revolves around the principle of “maximum functionality within a minimal footprint.” They challenge the notion that smaller kitchens necessitate compromises in cooking power or versatility. The RG200WS exemplifies this philosophy, proving that compact appliances can offer robust features and exceptional performance. This range embodies a dedication to quality, efficiency, and user-friendly design, all while adhering to ADA compliance standards for accessibility. The selection of durable materials, such as cast iron grates and a sturdy steel build, underscores a commitment to longevity and reliability.

Compact 20” Width - Redefining Space Efficiency

The 20-inch width of the RG200WS is not just a dimension; it’s a strategic design choice that revolutionizes space utilization in small kitchens. In the realm of kitchen design, every inch is valuable. While standard ranges typically consume 30 inches or more of precious counter space, the RG200WS’s slender profile opens up a realm of possibilities for efficient kitchen layouts. It allows for installation in spaces where larger ranges simply wouldn’t fit, freeing up valuable counter space for food preparation, storage, and other essential tasks. This compact design is especially beneficial in studio apartments, where the kitchen often merges with the living area, or in RVs, where space is inherently limited.

Four Sealed Burners - Precision Heat Control for Culinary Versatility

The RG200WS is equipped with four sealed burners, each meticulously engineered to cater to a specific range of cooking needs, offering precise control over heat output. This versatility is crucial for achieving optimal results across diverse culinary tasks.

• High-Output Burner (12,000 BTU) - The Powerhouse: Positioned at the front left, this burner is the workhorse of the range. BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is the standard measure of heat output. A higher BTU rating signifies a more potent burner. This 12,000 BTU burner is engineered for tasks demanding intense heat, such as rapidly bringing water to a boil—essential for pasta or blanching vegetables. It’s also perfect for searing meats to achieve a flavorful crust or executing high-heat stir-fries, mimicking the intense heat of a professional wok burner.
• Standard Burners (Two at 9,500 BTU) - The Everyday Essentials: These two burners provide a balanced heat output ideal for a wide array of everyday cooking tasks. Their 9,500 BTU rating offers sufficient power for sautéing vegetables, simmering sauces, cooking grains, and preparing various dishes without the risk of scorching. They offer the versatility needed for most recipes.
• Simmer Burner (5,000 BTU) - The Gentle Touch: This burner is specifically designed for delicate operations that require low and consistent heat. With a 5,000 BTU output, it excels at tasks like melting chocolate without burning it, maintaining a gentle simmer for soups and stews, and keeping sauces warm without overcooking.

The sealed burner design further enhances the user experience. This design prevents spills and food particles from falling into the burner assembly, simplifying cleanup and maintaining a hygienic cooking environment. It contains messes to the cooktop surface, making it easy to wipe them away.

2.3 cu.ft. Oven Capacity - Baking and Roasting Excellence

Despite its compact exterior, the RG200WS surprises with a generously proportioned 2.3 cu.ft. oven. This capacity defies the limitations often associated with smaller ranges, comfortably accommodating standard baking sheets, casserole dishes, and even a small roast. The oven offers the versatility and size to use all your favorite cookware.

• Spacious Interior: The oven interior dimensions are 15.25” H x 14.5” W x 17.5” D. Providing ample space for a variety of dishes.
• Two Adjustable Oven Racks: The inclusion of two adjustable oven racks offers a level of customization often absent in compact appliances. Users can configure the oven’s interior to suit different dishes and cooking styles. This flexibility is crucial for achieving optimal baking and roasting results, allowing for even heat distribution and proper airflow around the food.
• Dial-Controlled Temperature: The oven temperature is regulated by an easy-to-use dial, allowing for precise temperature adjustments across a wide range, catering to diverse recipes.
• Even Heat Distribution: While user reviews don’t explicitly detail the oven’s heat distribution technology, the positive feedback regarding baking and roasting performance suggests effective heat circulation within the oven cavity. This is likely achieved through a combination of well-insulated walls and strategically placed heating elements.

Drop-Down Broiler Compartment - Dedicated Broiling Functionality

The RG200WS features a dedicated drop-down broiler compartment located beneath the main oven cavity. This separate compartment offers a focused heat source specifically designed for broiling, a cooking technique that uses intense, direct heat to quickly cook or brown the surface of food.

• Intense, Direct Heat: The broiler provides high-intensity heat, ideal for achieving a crispy or caramelized exterior on meats, vegetables, and even some fruits. It’s also perfect for melting cheese on gratins or quickly finishing dishes with a browned top. Includes a 2 piece broiler pan with lid.
• Separate Compartment Advantages: Having a dedicated broiler compartment offers several advantages. It isolates the broiling process from the main oven, preventing heat interference and allowing for simultaneous baking and broiling. It also concentrates the intense heat, leading to more efficient and effective broiling.
• User Feedback Implication: The absence of specific complaints about the broiler in user reviews suggests that it functions as intended, providing a reliable and effective way to achieve broiled dishes.

Electronic Spark Ignition - Safe and Reliable Ignition

The RG200WS utilizes electronic spark ignition for all its burners. This modern ignition system offers significant advantages over traditional pilot lights in terms of safety, efficiency, and convenience.

• Enhanced Safety: Electronic ignition eliminates the need for a continuously burning pilot light, reducing the risk of gas leaks and potential fire hazards. It provides a safer cooking environment, especially in homes with children or pets.
• Improved Efficiency: By igniting the burners only when needed, electronic ignition conserves energy compared to pilot lights, which consume gas continuously. This contributes to lower energy bills and a smaller environmental footprint.
• Reliable and Convenient: The spark ignition system provides quick and reliable burner ignition with a simple push-to-turn knob. It eliminates the hassle of manually lighting the burners with a match or lighter.
• LP Convertible: The range is also LP convertible, offering flexibility for different fuel sources, catering to homes with propane gas connections.

Push-to-Turn Knobs - Precise and Safe Flame Control

The RG200WS features push-to-turn control knobs for both the burners and the oven. This design offers a combination of precise flame control and enhanced safety.

• Precise Flame Adjustment: The rotary knobs allow for fine-tuned adjustments to the flame height and intensity. This level of control is essential for achieving optimal cooking results, enabling users to precisely regulate the heat output for different cooking tasks.
• Accidental Activation Prevention: The push-to-turn mechanism adds a layer of safety by preventing accidental burner activation. The knobs must be deliberately pushed in before they can be turned, reducing the risk of unintentional ignition, especially in households with children.
• Intuitive Operation: The knobs are designed for ease of use, providing a tactile and intuitive way to control the range’s functions. Their simple design contributes to the overall user-friendliness of the appliance.
  

Durable Cast Iron Grates - Stability and Longevity

The cooktop of the RG200WS is equipped with heavy-duty cast iron grates. This choice of material is not arbitrary; it reflects a commitment to durability, stability, and superior cooking performance.

• Exceptional Durability: Cast iron is renowned for its robustness and ability to withstand high temperatures and heavy use. These grates are built to last, resisting warping, chipping, and other forms of wear and tear, ensuring a long lifespan for the cooktop.
• Stable Cooking Surface: The weight and design of the cast iron grates provide a stable and secure platform for pots and pans of various sizes. This stability minimizes the risk of cookware tipping or sliding, enhancing safety during cooking. User feedback confirms that the grates are raised so your pans aren’t sitting on the burners.
• Heat Retention: Cast iron possesses excellent heat retention properties. The grates absorb and distribute heat evenly, contributing to consistent cooking temperatures and reducing the likelihood of hot spots. This even heat distribution is particularly beneficial for simmering and other delicate cooking tasks.

High Backguard - Protecting Your Kitchen Walls

The RG200WS includes a high backguard, a practical feature that serves both functional and aesthetic purposes.

• Wall Protection: The primary function of the backguard is to protect the wall behind the range from splatters, spills, and grease generated during cooking. This helps to maintain a clean and hygienic kitchen environment, reducing the need for frequent wall cleaning.
• Aesthetic Appeal: The backguard also contributes to the overall aesthetic of the range, providing a finished and integrated look. The classic white finish of the backguard complements the range’s overall design, creating a cohesive and visually appealing appliance.

Anti-Tip Bracket - Enhanced Safety

Safety is paramount in any kitchen appliance, and the RG200WS addresses this with the inclusion of an anti-tip bracket.

• Preventing Accidents: This bracket is a crucial safety feature that secures the range to the wall or floor, preventing it from accidentally tipping over. This is particularly important in homes with children or pets, who might inadvertently pull on the oven door or climb on the range.
• Peace of Mind: The anti-tip bracket provides peace of mind, knowing that the range is securely anchored and poses a minimal risk of tipping accidents.

ADA Compliant Design - Accessibility for All

The RG200WS is designed to be ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant, ensuring accessibility for individuals with disabilities.

• Inclusive Design: ADA compliance signifies that the range meets specific design criteria that make it usable by people with a wide range of disabilities. This includes considerations for reach ranges, control accessibility, and ease of operation.
• Wider Applicability: This compliance broadens the range’s appeal, making it suitable for individuals with disabilities, older adults, and anyone who values appliances designed with universal accessibility in mind.

Material and Build Quality: Durability and Aesthetics

The RG200WS is constructed with durable materials designed to withstand the rigors of daily use while maintaining a clean and timeless aesthetic.

• Robust Construction: The range features a sturdy steel frame and a durable porcelain-coated oven interior. These materials are chosen for their ability to resist scratches, stains, and heat damage, ensuring the appliance’s longevity.
• Classic White Finish: The range’s exterior is finished in classic white, a versatile color that complements a wide range of kitchen decors. This timeless finish offers a clean and polished look that will remain stylish for years to come.
• Easy-to-Clean Surfaces: The smooth, enameled surfaces of the range, including the cooktop and oven interior, are designed for easy cleaning. Spills and splatters can be easily wiped away, simplifying maintenance.

Summary

The Summit RG200WS 20” Gas Range stands as a testament to the fact that compact size need not equate to compromised performance. It’s a powerful, versatile, and thoughtfully designed appliance that caters to the needs of individuals living in space-constrained environments. By offering a full suite of cooking capabilities within a slender frame, the RG200WS empowers home cooks to enjoy the benefits of gas cooking – precise temperature control, rapid heating, and overall superior cooking performance – regardless of their kitchen’s size. Its robust construction, user-friendly features, and focus on safety make it a valuable addition to any compact kitchen, be it in an apartment, a tiny home, or an RV. The RG200WS is a compelling example of how intelligent design and engineering can transform the limitations of small spaces into opportunities for culinary excellence.