Which of the following appliances consumes the most wattage?

The electrical range is the appliance that typically consumes the most wattage among the options listed. This is primarily due to its function, as an electrical range is designed to heat large surfaces for cooking. Generally, the burners on an electrical range can range from 1,000 to 3,000 watts each, depending on the size and type of burner. Additionally, the oven component of the range also requires a considerable amount of energy to reach and maintain cooking temperatures, often drawing around 2,000 to 5,000 watts.

In comparison, while a vacuum cleaner, toaster, and hand iron do consume significant power, they operate on a smaller scale in terms of wattage. For instance, a toaster typically uses around 800 to 1,500 watts, a hand iron can draw about 1,000 to 1,800 watts, and a vacuum cleaner usually consumes between 500 to 1,500 watts depending on its design and power. Therefore, the electrical range's higher overall wattage consumption reflects its need to generate and sustain heat for cooking during extended periods, which solidifies its position as the most power-intensive appliance among the provided choices.