small worldcompact appliances don't have to sacrifice form or function.

Gastronomes can conquer their small kitchens with FiveStar's commercial-strength 24-inch range, which fits flush with standard countertops and cabinetry for sleek lines. Vari-Flame burners permit a constant simmer as low as 400 BTUs. A Turbo Airflow convection oven circulates heated air for fast and even cooking. Other standard features include removable drip pans and a wok ring; continuous grates and sealed burners are optional. FiveStar, 800.553.7704; www.fivestarrange.com.

Aga's Companion freestanding range brings classic style and ferrous strength to the table. At just 24 inches wide, the dual-fuel range offers the speed of convection, plus a conventional compartment with an integral broiler. Its cast iron construction is coated with three layers of tough vitreous enamel in your choice of 15 delectable colors, including chocolate, claret, and pistachio. Aga Ranges, 866.424.2487; www.aga-ranges.com.

Photo: Courtesy Miele

Miele's KM400 Series Combisets merge gas and electric cooking options for versatility. The identical width and depth of each modular unit (11 3/8 inches by 20 ¼ inches) enables a symmetrical assembly of mix-and-match parts. Choose from four electrical options—double-burner, electric boiler and fryer, contact griddle, or barbeque—and two gas selections: double-burner or wok burner. The units can also be installed individually for home chefs who want to set up separate cooking stations. Miele, 800.843.7231; www.miele.com.

Photo: Courtesy Viking Range Corp.

For those who like it hot, the Viking professional series of gas companion ranges can be outfitted with a single wok top featuring a 27,500 BTU burner. If grilling's the thing, go for the all-char-grill surface. Pancake fanatic? Then get the all-griddle surface with a machined-steel blanchard finish for stick-resistant cooking. Each unit's 3.1-cubic-foot oven features a 1,500-degree infrared broiler for restaurant-quality searing and browning. Viking Range Corp., 888.845.4641; www.vikingrange.com.

Photo: Courtesy Gaggenau USA/Canada

The Vario 200 Series of modular appliances from Gaggenau allows adventurous chefs with limited workspaces to mix it up at will. The line of 12-inch cooktops includes a deep fryer, an in-counter steamer, an electric grill, and a gas wok, as well as more traditional pieces, among them a two-burner gas cooktop and a two-zone glass-ceramic cooktop. Each unit is crafted of stain-resistant, glass-shot-blasted aluminum panels for hardiness and enduring good looks. Gaggenau USA/Canada, 800.828.9165; www.gaggenau-usa.com.

Photo: Courtesy Zephyr Ventilation

Top off that compact high-end range with a similarly small, albeit chic, ventilation hood from Zephyr's Elica Collection. The Om mini employs carbon filters to purify the air and a silencer kit to squelch noise. Its simple 21-inch circle-in-a-square design can be speced in black, white, red, or orange and customized with a silk screen. Hidden halogens are dimmable using controls concealed on the side panel. Ductless venting makes for easy installation, and an eye-catching cone-shaped remote doubles as a conversation piece. Zephyr Ventilation, 877.937.4975; www.zephyronline.com.