A kitchen, stove, range or cooktop is a kitchen appliance designed for the preparation of food. Stoves rely on the application of direct heat for the cooking process and can also be a furnace, used for baking.

In the industrialized world, such as fireplaces and hearth appliances brazier version developed as a source for a more efficient and reliable heating, models were that could be used for cooking, these came to be known as a herd. When homes began to bewith central heating systems in Toronto, such as heated throughout the world, there was less need for a device that serves both as a source of heat and stove.