What are kitchen stoves made of?

Common materials for modern kitchen stoves include metal, glass-ceramic and stainless steel. Historically, stoves have been made out of a variety of other materials including bricks, cast iron, copper and porcelain. Most stove materials are able to absorb a great deal of heat while remaining durable and easy to clean.

The kitchen stove is usually found in combination with a baking oven. The stove is the flat heated surface on top of the range, usually powered by gas or electricity. This configuration has been used in household kitchens since at least the 19th century, though some notable examples from earlier time periods have been found.