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erinandmatt_gw

Range options - Wolf, GE, others...

15 years ago

Hi all,

I am in the process of renovating my kitchen and was wondering if you all can give advice on different range options...

We have very limited space so we are pretty much forced to go with a range and an over-the-range microwave.

Originally we were planning on getting a mid-priced range (GE, Frigidaire, others of that same brand caliber) but then we were told about the Sub-Zero/Wolf promo (where you get $1000 back if you get both. We are getting a sub-zero).

I have done a lot of research and it does look like its a bad idea to put a Wolf 30" range with a OTR microwave (even if we use the Viking one, which the Viking customer servie people say is enough ventilation for the 30" Viking range.)

Someone recommended the GE Cafe gas range. Model CGS980SEMSS and this is around $2000. The Wolf with $1000 off comes to $3200, so not that much more for a much better brand.

Thoughts? Ideas on good ranges in the $1500-$2000 price range (gas 30") that can handle an OTR microwave?

We also could consider putting a small microwave in a cabinet and getting a hood, but then the price difference between GE and Wolf goes up more (buying the hood and microwave) and it might not be convenient to always have to open a cabinet to use the microwave.

Also, our kitchen is small (in an apartment building) not likely to be vented to the outside unless we want to do a lot more work and try and getting building permission, and we live in NYC. We also don't plan to be in the apartment for more than 5 years (or plan for it to be a 2nd home but not our main one after children). We cook dinner often and we do entertain... but liklihood of using all four burners at once is slim.

Any and all advice is appreciated!

Thanks!

Comments (2)

  • 15 years ago

    Well I have no personal experience with the Wolf GE or Viking ranges so my opinion only comes from being in your exact situation and from about 1 year of research before we bought what we decided on.

    In the price range you list (under $2000) which was ours also you are basically relegated to just one real choice (NXR)unless you happen to live in Canada you have 2 choices because Costco in Canada sells 30" Blue Star ranges for around $1800.00.

    The NXR is WAY better than the GE Cafe and its cheaper.

    We purchased our 30" NXR (NRG3001 model) for $1799.00 no tax free shipping and it beats the tar out of anything else we found all the way up to over $2800.00.
    So for $1800-2000.00 depending on model there was nothing in our price range that even came close in our opinion after researching 100s of reviews & hands on looking & searching for over a year.
    Next best option for us would have been a Blue Star RSC model and I think the cheapest we ever saw one of those was around $2500+ though the vast majority were several hundred more than that.

    So we opted for the 30" NXR NRG3001 which we absolutely love, have found no problems with it what so ever, cooks fantastic, looks great, can put 4 large pots/pans on the range top at once and since all 4 burners are the same can do anything needed from full blast high heat on all 4 or super low simmer on any one we wish.
    this to me is a great feature, excellent full range very low simmer to full 15,000btu on every burner.

    We also had to go with a non outside vented OTR microwave for our vent hood.
    We opted for the LG LMHM2017ST which has 400CFM and what they call and "extenda vent" which you just push it lightly and it slides out about an extra 6" or so and opens up 2 extra vents.
    It has a replaceable charcoal filter at the top that filters the air through it.
    Probably about as good as you are going to get for a OTR microwave and so far works just fine for us.
    We have only had this set up NXR stove plus microwave for just under 2 weeks but so far could not be happier with both.
    The microwave has a "warming feature" that is quite nice, it uses a radiant heating element, good for heating up plates while you cook and keeping food warm until you are ready to serve. My wife likes the controls on the bottom of the door instead of the side because she is vertically challenged.

    Here is a link that might be useful: LG Microwave

  • 15 years ago

    I bought that same GE Cafe gas range and the GE cafe microwave about 2 months ago. I have been using them for about a month. The range is great. The two power burners are very good. The oven maintains a nice even temp. Everything I have baked has come out perfectly.

    A couple of things to keep in mind; the range has two ovens. The lower oven is electric and uses 110v. The lower oven works fine, but is not that powerful. Think of a toaster oven. It is fine for keeping things warm, but I would not plan on doing any serious roasting down there. The second thing is noise. The range has an internal fan (not the convection fan) that turns on anytime the oven temp is above 340deg F. I understand it is intended to keep the electronics cool. The fan is a bit loud. I can hear it in the other room. I am slowly getting used to it, but I would say I was not expecting a range to be loud.

    The microwave has been a surprising delight. It uses sensors to know when the food is done. These work great. If you use a MW to reheat, this one works great. My kids are amazed at how well it makes popcorn. There has been some bad press about the touch screen going out. Some think it is from the heat of the range. I don't have the microwave over the range. I have not experienced any problems with the touch screen, but it has only been a month.

    Hope this helps.