They're both excellent products but the issue really does come down to looks. If prettiness doesn't count with your husband, stop getting your hair done and buying beauty products and use the savings for the Lacanche :-)

My husband wasn't thrilled about springing for the extra $$ until he had the opportunity to inspect a Lacanche while on a business trip to London (they are on the floor at Harrod's.) After comparing it to the usual suspects stateside, he was completely on board. I, on the other hand, haven't had the pleasure of seeing a Lacanche in person and have to wait another seven weeks until my pretty blue Cluny arrives. I'm a pretty good cook now, but I anticipate growing my skills with the help of my new "baby"!

Hi ChunkyMonkey,

Well, looks DO count, but if you couldn't cook on it you wouldn't want it. This stove cooks! I wrote a long blurb in part 37 after 2 years of use (just search for my name to get to it) I have no regrets.

We did, initially, also look at wolf, etc. I think they are probably fine stoves. A few things locked in the Lacanche for us. 1) simple to repair. We have friends with Vikings and they seem to have problems. 2) Well, they are gorgeous. We wanted something that was not stainless. 3) I really believe this stove will be the last stove I ever buy and I'm not sure I could believe that about a wolf.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lacanche Part 37

jaedwards - congrats! woohooo for you!

ChunkyMonkey - have you tried to contact Art Culinaire to see if there is a range in your area that you and hubby could go visit? Might help talk him in to it. I know they have owners in certain areas that you can visit but it is arranged with AC.

CHunkyMonkey: use fractions! "Our range is one of the central pieces of the kitchen. In addition to "mere use," it's one of the top two bang-for-buck items. We're already spending 7% of our budget on the range. It makes sense to spend another 7% to get the range that will make the project pop. We can try to shave a few percentage points off in another place." This spiel assumes your remodel costs $50000 and the $ difference is $3500.

I am concerned about oven size, Wedding cakes, up to 18 in rounds, also would like to be able to use full sheet pans. Any thoughts?

HI Chunkymonkey --

Love your moniker, my babies are called that on a regular basis. My advice is to consider doing both like I did. I got the 30" Wolf electric wall oven combined with the Lacanche Vougeot. I haven't moved in to try them out yet, but I'll let you know.

My logic was that I wanted the warming cupboard and dual fuel, but wanted the bigger oven size of the Vouget compared to the Cluny. I also wanted two ovens so the Wolf came into the picture at that point.

Good luck in your decision making process.

ahne