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September 21, 2009
Range Suggestions (Part 2)
We are renovating a kitchen and have begun looking at ranges. From the suggestions given to me on a previous post we have looked at the bluestar, wolf, viking, etc. We LOVE the wolf but just aren't sure if we'd really need it. Does anyone have any suggestions for a step or two down that they really like? We saw an electrolux without all the eletrical components and the GE cafe. Also, we are in an apt. and although it is a bigger kitchen (10x20) we would have a duct-less hood. Please help, we have to order soon!
Comments
The GE Cafe line gets bad reviews. I would look at Consumer Reports and also post the same question on Garden Web, the folks over there are super knowledgeable.
We couldn't afford a wolf/viking, etc, etc. Went with a gas GE profile (oven has convection feature and regular oven) and a fridigdaire (sp) hood. Don't know much about the ductless piece, as we vented ours to outside.
Posted by: Brooklyn11218 at September 21, 2009 8:15 AM
I too have been researching a new range. If I could have anything I wanted, it would be a restored Chambers but, unfortunately, my space is 1-1/4"too small.
Posted by: Bob Marvin at September 21, 2009 9:06 AM
If you can find an old Chambers, they're terrific! (Pre takeover by Hobart I think.)
Posted by: Arkady at September 21, 2009 9:16 AM
i was in a similar situation and bought an electrolux icon--their 'pro' line. it's maybe a grand cheaper, but has more than comparable specs and probably a better service record than viking.
so far i'm very happy with it.
looks great too.
tough to find one on sale--as they have tight pricing control over this line--but i hunted and got one discounted.
people seem to like bluestar a lot. i was also very fond of the dacor line, and thermador's lower end model--i can't remember the name of it.
gardenweb is great for this stuff. check the appliance forums.
Posted by: guywithahouse at September 21, 2009 10:00 AM
The blue star top looked very hard to clean so that is out. We also liked the Electrolux... guywithahouse, where did you buy?
Posted by: Rocketjen at September 21, 2009 11:04 AM
try a range from fisher/paykiel. Its from new zealand. Its great looking with luxury feautures at a good price. it should save you some money but its a high end look.
Posted by: Ysabelle at September 21, 2009 11:44 AM
You may want to look at the AGA Companion. Wonderful retro styling, does not create the kind of heat that requires a hood, but has precisely calibrated gas burners for hot wok type heat (25,000 BTU) all the way down to tiny simmer settings (6500 BTU) that doesn't blow out at low settings. Two ovens, one conventional, one convection. It is 24" wide so it fits in a small space, I put mine inside the kitchen hearth opening and built two narrow black granite top cabinets on either side to fill the space. I got mine at Krups on 18th street, it was cheaper than the AGA showroom.
Posted by: hancockone at September 21, 2009 12:37 PM
You can't go wrong with the Wolf/Sub Zero combo, and they'll hold considerable value for resale.
Nobody needs a $5000 range, but if you have the scratch sitting around, and if you or your other half likes to cook, it's not a bad "waste" of money.
The Wolf with the middle grill is nice, especially in NYC, since you can't grill outside easily in inclement weather.
Posted by: IronBalls at September 21, 2009 1:47 PM
Rocketjen,
It's a bit of a long story, but essentially I got it (from an authorized dealer) on Ebay.
-guywithahouse
Posted by: guywithahouse at September 21, 2009 3:15 PM
Fisher and Paykiel may be a New Zealand company, but their ranges are made in Italy [and appear to be identical to those sold under the DiLonghi name]. They have electronic controls; I'm probably not the only person suspicious of European electronics, which is whyI've eliminated those [and also Bertizoni and Ikea/Whirlpool, built in different Italian factories]. Unfortunately there aren't that many other 36" gas ranges, other than the tinny Frigidare and Premier models and the obscenely expensive Wolf, Thermadore, DSC, Viking, etc. For now, I'm keeping my 35 year old Caloric (until it falls apart, which may not be long). People looking for 30" ranges have a MUCH wider selection).
Posted by: Bob Marvin at September 21, 2009 3:55 PM
We are looking for a 30".... I don't really know if 5k is where we need to spend our $ at the moment for a wolf. but am totally not sure what would be the next step. I liked that electrolux.... did you get the microwave with it?
Posted by: Rocketjen at September 21, 2009 4:25 PM
IB, I sure wouldn't be grilling in an apt with no hood to the outside, which is what the OP has!
Posted by: denton at September 21, 2009 5:49 PM
I work with Bosch; came across your post. If you're redoing your entire kitchen, you might be interested in a complete stainless steel package (range, over the range microwave and Energy Star rated dishwasher and refrigerator) from Bosch for $4,000 - less when you factor-in some of the current rebates http://microsites.boschappliances.com/4k_kitchen/
Hope this helps
Posted by: trgavila at September 21, 2009 6:13 PM
We bought the Electrolux dual fuel in January and love it....it also has a small drawer oven which will be handy over Thanksgiving. We looked at Sears and bought at J&R on 7thavd and President Street.
Posted by: PHfamily at September 21, 2009 6:15 PM
I'm pretty happy with our Bosch. Forget the model but we paid about $1,700 for it a year ago. Gas/gas, with convection/warming drawer etc. Looks more expensive than it is, and the full grate top is a nice feature. FWIW I looked at just about every range out there and my conclusion that for high end, Blue Star, and mid-range, Bosch.
Posted by: Bolder at September 21, 2009 10:05 PM
i have a bosch range and i have to say i'm not too happy with it. The nobs are totally cheap and 2 out of 4 of them are broken already (this is a 2 year old range!) and i've been very gentle...it's just one person cooking! i find the convection feature to be a bit of a sham (supposed to cook fast but doesnt really at all...it does cook evenly though).
the stainless finish gets so dirty looking and there some bits around the burners i cant get off at all. wish i had gone a different route.
Posted by: CGmodern at September 22, 2009 10:40 AM
If you are looking at a pro range, there is a good possibility that the kitchen will get very hot, with the burners on high, and no range hood venting. If you're not planning on using all that horsepower, consider a range with only a couple of powerful burners. Shop features over brands. I also like a range that has sealed burners (keeps things tidy) and low 'simmer burners' so you can simmer without burning, or worse yet, having that flickering little flame blow out. GE profile is a good way to go, as well as Kitchenaid.
Steve
www.StephenWangel.com
Posted by: STEPHENWANGEL at October 12, 2009 4:41 PM
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