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Those cookers are energy wasters. The plates over the burners/hobs are so heavy and dense, they absorb and carry away much of the heat that could otherwise go into heating the pot or pan...also, unless one is running a catering business on the side, does one really need that many big burners? I believe it even has a griddle/grill feature so you could easily prepare dinner for 75 people, maybe more. I will venture there will never be a sitdown dinner for this many people in this house.

A better long-term investment would be in Kuhn-Rikon cookware (the insulated pots and pressure cooker). With these pots and pans, you use much less gas/fossil fuel to cook on a "normal" gas stove.

I wouldn't be surprised that if all the hobs on that cooker pictured above were going all at once, it could burn off someone's eyebrows across the room.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 19, 2008 3:28 PM

No, it's about wasting resources needlessly apparently. For that is all I ever see...no saving going on, so it's worth me mentioning when I see it...maybe it will dissuade one thoughtful young person outfitting her home...maybe she'll think more critically about these nightmare Must-Have appliances. They are like the lastest fashion trend. There is no real need for them unless you're planning on flash searing a side of beef...and that would be better in a much better ventilated place (i.e. outdoors) than in a townhouse kitchen.

Listen, friends or ours bought a cooker even more industrial than this a number of years ago. It turned out each burner had a visible pilot light sitting there like a candle flame next to it. Everything was exposed. The pilot lights (which were huge by the way) could blow out easily. They heated up the kitchen (5 or 6 burners so there were that many pilot flames) in summer and then there was the worry over a period of pregnancy and early childhood. Plus, the infrastructure necessary for the overhead restaurant kitchen ventilation was absurd, as was the noise and electrical usage, not to mention the maintenance.

I simply feel these behemoth cookers are wasteful. It's not just about "energy savings". The consumerism representing by the acquisition of these appliances is emotionally and spiritually empty.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 19, 2008 3:51 PM

So many people have no worry or even idea how much energy they use. There is little if no consciousness beyond the monthly bill...and so many people either can afford it easily, or are resigned to high costs, or have certain energy costs included in their rent/common charge so there is little incentive to become aware or at least to change.

I have friends who leave lights on in closed closets, all unused rooms...stereos, computers, televisions running and many (if not all) lights turned on on floors they are not even on...for hours and hours and hours. Their response: I can afford it. It does not matter.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 19, 2008 4:09 PM

But, when this couple gets ready to sell (if they can) in the future, the tastes may have changed. This stove (and ventilation supporting equipment) may be considered energy hogs that need to be replaced and thus NOT an asset. Also, it may not look so great physically at that point. These stoves take a lot of restaurant-style cleaning. Who needs that?

Look, it's a fad.

And Bayridge, you're correct and I think you answered your own rhetorical question.

Daveinbed, I think you did not realize Peter's point...unless you're simply full of cheek.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 19, 2008 4:17 PM

No, I haven't passed out.

I think on some of these institutionally sized cookers require industrial-strength floors such as ones you might find in a factory. I wouldn't feel safe putting one of these in Brooklyn rowhouse.

Looking at this HomePortfolio website, I cannot help thinking that these are the vendors who are imploding.

I don't think too many people are buying much of what they have for sale now. I would love to see some information on sales of these appliances and bathroom fixtures.

Dave, that is your task. Please get back to me with some info. And please, sell and move closer in.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 19, 2008 5:11 PM

Daveinbed,
I thought you were going home already to heat up our Lean Cuisine in your Sharp microwave oven and get smashed on Smirnoffs...what are you still doing answering back?

But seriously Denton, as they say in NY: "Enjoy!" I do hope you make use of this cooker for many, many years and it does not outlast the gas supply. It may be so heavy-duty it will end up used as be a curious antique cocktail table in some far-flung future.

By the way, we're still using our 1955 stove which looks great...granted, it doesn't want to cook a huge meal for 25 people but who wants all those people milling around, spilling wine on upholstrery and contributing to general "wear and tear"? Good night, All!

:-)

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 19, 2008 5:29 PM

Yes, I was referring to the behemoth cookers when I mentioned the floor strength issues. I lived for a short while in a home with an Aga cooker...those are very heavy.

I did happen to know that these Wolfs and friends are rated for home use, yes. We have friends with one they bought in the 70's or early 80's. They had to have a lot done to make it safe.

I hope Denton was able to manage a heat recovery system for the ventilator but I'm sure it was not possible given the layouts of our houses.

I wish I had some of the old le Creuset. I'm not sure what happened to it. I think I gave it away. Came back from Europe and started from scratch pretty much.

If you like the slow cooking of cast iron, you might try the insulated Kuhn-Rikon. Bring the food to a boil, simmer and then take it off the heat and it slow cooks for hours.

Posted by: BrooklynGreene at November 19, 2008 5:35 PM