I didn't realize my slide in had a smaller oven. Is it that way with all brands? My slide in is slightly less deep because of the convection fan in the back. My previous free standing wasn't convection. I prefer the look of slide in :)
Monica

Never thought they were any smaller. slide-ins just have the controls on the front and lack the back upright control panel. And side panels.

Just a thought - I did run into a problem with a 20 yr old slide in range. I did not want to fix it and I was not able to find another slide in that fit exactly. One thing led to another and I ended up doing a new kit.

What is the difference between a slide in Vs free standing gas range? Any experts out there?

Free-standing ranges have finished sides, push in all the way to the wall and SOMETIMES have controls on the backsplash although pro-style free-standing ranges don't have a backsplash.

Slide-in ranges do not have finished sides and have a lip that overlaps the countertop on either side. They are less deep than free-standing ranges and require a strip of countertop behind them. Generally, slide-in ranges are more expensive than free-standing and are available with fewer options.

I believe that the OP is correct, although I have never been told why. I noticed this when I saw the Kenmore induction slide-in right next to the free-standing at The Great Indoors. It was very obvious, but the salesman didn't know why. I think it's because the controls are on the front of a slide-in, so all the electronics (and whatever else) that are on the back of a free-standing are on the top of the slide-in, resulting in a lower ceiling in the oven.

For the Kenmore induction ranges (according to the website), the slide-in is 4.2 cu ft and the free-standing is 5.8 cu ft - that is a big difference!

The free-standing is several inches deeper than the slide-in which probably is why it has a larger oven.