Would it be useful for electric ranges to have plugs on the side?

I think some of them have. I’m pretty sure I remember having some like that.

My not-very-educated guess, is that they tend not to lately because they’d complicate the range’s design and take space from it, and the plugs would end up either being custom replacement parts, or maybe be hard not to clash with the range’s own aesthetic. Also part of my guess is that the designers assume the kitchen itself will tend to be well-equipped with power outlets and that that’s the appropriate place for them.

Well, now I have to go look. On my last stove (gas oven and range, like the one I have now) there was an electronic component, so it plugged in. There was an outlet high up, far to the right, on the sort-of backsplash area.

Maybe because if there are drips from the stove, pots boiling over, etc., it would go into the outlet and cause havoc with the wiring, or maybe because stoves tend to be designed (now) with smooth facades (as smooth as possible) for easy cleaning.

Often when I’m in a hotel and the lamps have outlets on the side, I wonder why lamps made for home use don’t frequently have the same.

I have seen them, but I think on older stoves. I think it would be a big help to have a plug in on all stoves.

You would start to have issues with building code and liability. For instance, most building codes require “ground Fault Outlets” in both Kitchens and bathrooms. These are more expensive than regular outlets, increasing the cost and limiting the application. Modern kitchens already have outlets designed into them and trying to add outlets to the stove brings a plethora of problems.

As an aside, the 120v wiring is already available in any 240v outlet. No need for a transformer or anything like that.

My old Frigidaire stove had outlets just below the control panel near the clock. You had to be careful not to let the power cord rest on an active burner. I don’t recall that ever being a problem. I rarely, if ever, used the stove and another household appliance at the same time.

The only time it was really useful was when I had a few things going at the same time, like coffee maker, microwave, crockpot, toaster, etc. and the kitchen circuit in my older home could not take it. The stove was on a different breaker so I could plug an appliance in there.

I’d pay an extra $20–25 for that feature.

@LuckyGuy me too. Worth the convenience.

The way my kitchen is laid out, there is a receptacle on the wall, but about 4 feet away. Annoyingly far.

My mom’s range from 1950s had an outlet by the analog clock and also had a deep well on the right rear corner of the top for making stews and chili.

The risk of overloading the circuit to the the oven and burning the house down probably.

It would be useful for me if I had an electric range.

I’d like to have a double-outlet panel on the side of the backsplash.

I have an outlet panel mounted on the wall above a desk that’s in my kitchen. I use it to recharge my cell phone, but the prong-holding springs of the outlets have become flaccid.
Because of that, the plug on the recharging cord occasionally falls out.

So having an extra pair of fully functional outlets would be nice.

When I wasn’t using the outlets, I’d plug a power-failure lamp into the top one, and a plastic protector plug into the bottom one.

Before you get one, consult with an electrician to see if the circuit that serves your range could handle the extra amperage.

My (gas) range is built in, so no “sides” available, but on top would be desirable.

I’ve seen it, but not recently.

@jca2 I bought my aunt a lamp with an outlet when she was basically bed ridden. I thought it would be helpful to be able to plug things in at her bedside. I’ve always wanted one myself. Makes so much sense. I bought it at Staples I think, but I’m not 100% sure.

I have had two electric ranges that had a plug on the control panel.

Not sure that wouldn’t be a fire, hazzard and would probably damage either the stove or whatever you plug in or both. Remember that putting a plug in won’t help the sellers of stoves and if anything goes wrong because of this extra plug because someone put in something wrong, that it may cause them money in lawsuits should a house burn down. It just wouldn’t be worth their time or money. Most people have other sockets that they can use nearby.

@Pandora You would think that would be the case, but before I had my kitchen remodeled, the closest outlet was 3 feet away.
But since they don’t seem to be on the newer models of stoves, there must’ve been an issue with having an outlet in the stove. Probably as you suggested, a fire hazard.