Looking for advice on 30' gas range (free-standing)

15 years ago

Our cheap electric hotpoint range that came with our house finally died this week! So, we are in the market for a new free standing range. We have a gas hook-up, so I'd like to go with gas.

I've spent hours researching this site and others and have narrowed it down to four options. Budget is $1000 - $1400. I cook a lot and have two children (7 & 10.) I bake a lot of bread in the oven and do a lot of stir fry/pasta/etc. on the burners.

Any thoughts on any of these brands or models?

LG - LRG3093 or LRG3095

I like the look of this one, and I like the JD Edwards accolades for LG ranges. The lower priced one doesn't offer convection or a warming drawer. (Will I use those?)

http://www.lg.com/us/appliances/ranges/LG-gas-range-LRG3095ST.jsp

Kenmore 774831

Most boring to look at, but the most features for our price range (warming drawer, convection, etc.)

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02277483000P

Frigidaire FPGF3081

Actually, I like this one best except for one thing: it has a "chicken nugget" button right on the control panel part. I honestly don't think I could spend a thousand dollars on an appliance with a chicken nugget button. Just seems so wrong. My husband is suggesting that he could cover the button with electrical tape so I won't get mad every time I cook with it.

http://www.frigidaire.com/products/kitchen-appliances/gas-electric-ranges/fpgf3081kf

GE - JGB500 or 800

We have GE washer/dryer that have worked out well for us. I like these.

http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=JGB500SEPSS

Anything else I should be thinking of? Is it worth a few extra hundred dollars for features like a convection oven or a warming drawer?

Thanks so much for your help! Why is it so hard to choose? I swear I spent less time researching my last auto than I've spent on the range!

-K

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Comments (12)

weissman
15 years ago
Definitely worth getting a convection oven - great for baking and roasting. Skip the warming drawer.
kp123
Original Author
15 years ago
Thank you so much! I've never had an oven with convection before, so I wasn't sure if it would be something I'd use.

Some of the ranges come with a "built-in griddle" burner thing. Does anyone actually use that? It looks really cool, but I suspect I'd still use my regular old griddle....
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parrym
15 years ago
Convection is something I use frequently and would recommend.

From what I hear, the warming drawers at this price point are not worth the money/space.

Regarding the center burner... If I had a choice, I would rather spend the money on 4 good burners (15k BTU+) than 4-5 mediocre burners, but in this price range, they all seem to be a similar setup (probably built by the same 2 companies). I have a hard time envisioning a decent size griddle getting evenly heated with any of these center burners.

The Frigidaire has slightly higher burner output on average, but then there's that CNB to deal with.
kp123
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks - I hadn't thought about the 4 burner options. For some reason, every model I'm looking at has 5. Is this a new trend, the 5 burners? Will I use all 5? I must admit, I think they look cool. Not sure why.
brooklyngirl
15 years ago
I thought I was the only one that was completely irked by the chicken nugget button. I actually dismissed Frigidaire as an option when I saw that feature (even though I had a good experience with my last Frigidaire range.) I used convection all the time. My last range had the dual oven and I ended up using that more than I thought I would but I never used it as a warming drawer. When I did my kitchen redo a few years ago I went with a pricier higher end cooktop and I was completely disappointed. On the other hand the Frigidaire range which was more of an impulse buy was a happy surprise.
deeageaux
15 years ago
Frigidaire FPGF3081

That is what I would pick.

Dated but reliable components is the bread and butter of Frigidaire.
jenma
15 years ago
Anyone have the KA: KitchenAid Stainless Steel ArchitectÂ® Series II 30'' Freestanding Gas Range w/ True Convection Oven KGRS205T. We ordered it because it matched our frig (I know dated convention) and it was the cheapest ($850). Maybe I should have thought about Frigidaire?
mdrive
15 years ago
RE: the frigidaire with the 'chicken nugget' button...

too funny....i have been researching appliances for my kitchen remodel and *almost* decided to go with the frigidaire professional...but that 'chicken nugget' function on the oven (in my case the 'pro' wall oven) just seemed so silly to me...i complained to the salesman 'who on earth markets a PROFESSIONAL style appliance with that...

sorry i don't have anything to offer on the range, i ended up doing a wall oven cooktop combination...

i'm just happy to read i wasn't the ONLY person who found the chicken nugget 'function' off putting
palomalou
15 years ago
I agree: a "chicken nugget" button? A "pizza" button? Are those for people who can read words but not numbers?
moelarrycurly
15 years ago
Wow... a chicken nugget button??

instead of degrees for the oven.. they should have words like cold, warm, hot, hotter, etc.
ashebooks
15 years ago
Please remember Kenmore is not a brand but a label. If you ask hard enough at Sears they will tell you the name of the actual manufacturer.

If you can afford the additional expense, Id strongly recommend looking at one the the 'double' oven ranges.

The upper oven (directly under the burners) is small but you'll probably find you end up using it the most and don't have to bend over.

The lower oven will be full size.

Kat
pcweary
15 years ago
Oh, this is too funny. I am waiting for my daughter to pick me up to go purchase the Frigidaire FPEF3081 and while waiting, thought I would do a last check on this site for any more info re:range.....and there it was, "chicken nuggets". It never struck me one way or another and now, that is all I shall see on the back of the
stove. Thanks a bunch, ladies! If anyone comes up with an idea on how to cover it, please post.