Vintage Lacanche range

17 years ago

I recently moved into a house with a Lacanche Cluny, about 10 years old. I love the gas/electric ovens, the burners are fine, and I'm learning to love the French top.

The only problem: this range has neither electronic ignition nor pilot light for the burners or the gas oven. There is a sort of wand, like a barbecue lighter, but it doesn't work, and in any case, it's a pain when I want to switch burners, or if I accidentally turn the wrong burner off. And don't get me started on lighting the oven burners!!

Can these ranges be retrofitted with electronic ignition? I'm in the final planning stages for a kitchen renovation, and I know I won't keep this range unless I can bring it into the 21st century, but I do like some aspects of the Lacanche, and it is pretty.

Otherwise, I'm likely to go with the 48" Capital all-gas range.

Thanks!

Featured Answer

clinresga

17 years ago

I'm curious what guadalupe bases her opinion on. If you have a Cluny, and if it's only about 10 years old, there may not be a ton to do to retrofit it. Before writing that option off, I'd touch base with Art Culinaire, the U.S. importers for LC ranges. They may have an answer, or be able to put you in touch with someone who does. It may indeed be impossible but unless guadalupe is speaking from direct experience or knowledge I'd do a bit more footwork.

For tresgirls: the current LC's all have electronic ignition on all burners and the gas ovens as well. They are not the newer generation "smart" igniters. For example, they will not start sparking automatically if the flame goes out for some reason. The oven uses an ignitor that lights a pilot light that lights the burners.

Nope, no oven lights or timers. Other than the igniters, this is a totally mechanical device. For most of us who own them, that's part of the charm. This is a solid hunk of metal, the opposite of a modern day induction or electric flattop. Cooks great, looks great, and sure is a conversation piece versus the "same old" Wolf, Viking, etc.

Here is a link that might be useful: Art Culinaire French Ranges site

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Comments (7)

guadalupe
17 years ago
No retro fit not possible. The price would be thru the roof and the result would be multiple service calls trying to tweak it.
tresgirls
17 years ago
Do the new ranges not have an electric ignition or pilot light either? Also, I've read that they don't have an oven light or timer, is that right? Is there some way that the range notifies you that the oven has reached the designated temperature?
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pirula
17 years ago
what clinresga said.

with one addition, if you have an electric oven in the Cluny, there is a little light that comes on while the oven is heating up, and turns off when it reaches temperature. With the gas, you're on your own. Open the door and see what the thermometer says. I love my Lacanche, it's well worth trying to get it up to speed if you can. Definitely get in touch with Art Culinaire.
robinson2
Original Author
17 years ago
I did contact Art Culinaire, and they're looking into the feasibility of the retrofit, though they weren't too encouraging. I'm still hoping they will come through, though, because I can't afford to spring for a new Lacanche.
User
17 years ago
I don't know about your Lacanche, but some older gas ranges have pilots that have been shut off. The owner then manually lights it with a flint wand or whatever you call those lighter things. (or uses a match)

It could be, that the owner before did not want the pilots on all the time or they were blowing out. Some people shut them off for a vacation and then never turn them back on. Usually there's an adjustment screw for the height of the pilot flame.

It's worth a minute to check. You'd have to lift out the burner bowls.
annachosaknj6b
17 years ago
Re knowing when the gas oven has reached the temperature: The pilot light is visible through the central hole in the oven floor, and the heating elements through the side holes. If you look at the side holes and see no blue flame, the oven is up to the correct temp.

Robinson2, good luck with your retrofit. The Lacanche I saw before buying was an older one that had to be manually lit, but the owners loved it so much they didn't care. They had even moved it into the new house they were building rather than buy a new one. I know it must be frustrating, however, when you want to just turn on the burners and be done with it!