JHZR2
Staff member
Our 1950's kitchen is bright, comfortable and very functional. But our kitchen includes a large butler's pantry and the home has back stairs coming down, and we think that we could do better with arrangement from a workflow and convenience perspective. While the cabinets are sturdy and solid and nicer than much that I've seen in "high end" kitchen stores (minus the fancy closing mechanisms and under lighting), we also think a few variations on drawers and cabinets, plus a new granite or quartz counter would be nice... And I fell in love with a checkerboard cork floor pattern that I might try to DIY...
But appliances are an important factor, and the range is one of the more important elements. We have a 40" electric range in there now, and it works great and looks good. We live the dual side by side ovens, and the electric elements work fine enough.
But 40" is not a common size, the options out there, electric or gas (we have NG supply right below the kitchen so it's not an issue at all) don't necessarily get great reviews either. So were thinking of our plan.
I'm generally not a fan of the look of 30" ranges, 36" are a little better... I like the look of the 40". A 48 or whatever the next size up is would be overkill.
Has anyone used 36" and 30" ranges back to back and seen any real big differences? The 30" ranges we would buy all seem to have five burners, while the 36" and larger have five or six.
What about dual fuel??? We currently have two electric ovens. We like the way that certain dough-based stuff like cookies come out from a gas oven versus an electric, but folks seem to pay a premium for electric ovens with gas cooktops. Is it worth it? Right now we just put some water in an oven safe bowl if we want moist electric heat. I already have 50A service there so power isn't an issue. It is hundreds of dollars though.
So, 40" vs 36" vs 30" and dual fuel or all gas? Thoughts and recommendations?
Right now were looking at bosch for range and dishwasher, but we're not tied to anything. We would need a counter depth refrigerator if we go through with our new design, and saw an LG that is better than any of the others, but it's Chinese made so I have to look long and hard for a eg or kitchen aid. We love our old kitchen aid dishwasher, so I'm happy to consider them/whirlpool or whomever else.
But for ranges first and foremost, what brands and features/layouts do folks like best? We are thinking of slide in vs freestanding, if we do indeed replace our 40" unit. I'm not opposed to sinking money, but I think if I were to spend >$5k on a range, I'd buy a like new refurbished Merritt and O'keefe versus a Wolf or Viking. Not sure though, and Id rather have a down brand model and a few thousand more in our child's college fund I think...
Looking forward to opinions.
But appliances are an important factor, and the range is one of the more important elements. We have a 40" electric range in there now, and it works great and looks good. We live the dual side by side ovens, and the electric elements work fine enough.
But 40" is not a common size, the options out there, electric or gas (we have NG supply right below the kitchen so it's not an issue at all) don't necessarily get great reviews either. So were thinking of our plan.
I'm generally not a fan of the look of 30" ranges, 36" are a little better... I like the look of the 40". A 48 or whatever the next size up is would be overkill.
Has anyone used 36" and 30" ranges back to back and seen any real big differences? The 30" ranges we would buy all seem to have five burners, while the 36" and larger have five or six.
What about dual fuel??? We currently have two electric ovens. We like the way that certain dough-based stuff like cookies come out from a gas oven versus an electric, but folks seem to pay a premium for electric ovens with gas cooktops. Is it worth it? Right now we just put some water in an oven safe bowl if we want moist electric heat. I already have 50A service there so power isn't an issue. It is hundreds of dollars though.
So, 40" vs 36" vs 30" and dual fuel or all gas? Thoughts and recommendations?
Right now were looking at bosch for range and dishwasher, but we're not tied to anything. We would need a counter depth refrigerator if we go through with our new design, and saw an LG that is better than any of the others, but it's Chinese made so I have to look long and hard for a eg or kitchen aid. We love our old kitchen aid dishwasher, so I'm happy to consider them/whirlpool or whomever else.
But for ranges first and foremost, what brands and features/layouts do folks like best? We are thinking of slide in vs freestanding, if we do indeed replace our 40" unit. I'm not opposed to sinking money, but I think if I were to spend >$5k on a range, I'd buy a like new refurbished Merritt and O'keefe versus a Wolf or Viking. Not sure though, and Id rather have a down brand model and a few thousand more in our child's college fund I think...
Looking forward to opinions.