Need help with range decision: mid-range vs. high-end?

16 years ago

Hi all,

I've been lurking for a while and reading lots of posts on ranges. I can't decide whether it's worth it for me to spring for a top-of-the-line model, or if I'll be satisfied with something on the high end of the mid-range. Would love to get some opinions.

Here are my thoughts/goals...

I cook fresh food most days and I'm a competent cook, but I'm not a fancy cook. I never stir-fry or do anything really dramatic on the cooktop, but I do occasionally entertain for large crowds of family & friends. I don't think I would take advantage of a suped up high-BTU cooktop, but I would like the burners to perform reliably at both boil & simmer modes. My concern about the mid-range models is that they all seem to have dedicated burners for high and low heat. Does that mean you can't simmer on the "power" burner? Because that seems annoying to me.

I'd like to have enough space to fit 2 or 3 large pots on the surface at once, so I was originally planning on a 36" model, but I found a few slide-in 30" models that make such efficient use of space that they almost feel like 36". (The GE Cafe, for one. I think Bosch makes one, too.)

I'm an avid baker and would like two ovens that perform well. I don't need them to have lots of fancy features, but I would like them to have even heat and low maintenance.

I'm planning on a dual-fuel range.

Re-sale value is not a factor. We've been in our house 5 years and it is our "forever" house - not planning to move for at least another 15-20. (Also, we live in a modest middle-class neighborhood, where GE Profile is considered the high end.)

Budget and space considerations exist for us, but I'm willing to make sacrifices if it's clear to me that I have to. If we go with something in the $2500 price range, I could afford to buy the range now. If we decide to move up to $6K+, I will have to postpone the purchase for another couple years to save the money. That would mean continuing to cook on my 10yo+ all-electric GE, which only has 3 working burners and is so shallow that I can only fit 2 pots at a time on the entire cooktop (the oven works great, though).

I have no doubt that a Wolf or a Bluestar would outperform a GE. I just don't know if it's worth it for me. But I don't want to go the cheap route and then be disappointed and regret the decision for the next 20 years. I'm also curious about the Five Star ranges. They seem to be the low end of the high end, price-wise, so maybe that's a good compromise for us. But I can't seem to find one in person.

Any thoughts or advice would be most welcome!

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Comments (10)

springplanter
16 years ago
Have you looked at the Fratelli Onofri 36" ? It has the possibility of double ovens (although I understand they are smaller than what most bakers want ) or single, are dual fuel and have a five burner configuration with the largest in the center. They've had good reviews here
laheen
Original Author
16 years ago
The side-by-side ovens are definitely too narrow on the 36" unfortunately. If we go with a double oven range, I think our options are to choose one of the 30" models which have the ovens one-over-one (like on the GE Cafe, Electrolux, or Kenmore Elite) or break the bank on a 48" pro range, where there would be enough room for side-by-side ovens.

I also don't like that the Fratelli has a manual clean oven. It is very pretty though.
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kaismom
16 years ago
laheen,

If you have to break the bank on a range, I would NOT do it. If you say that you have to save couple years to make up for 4k difference in a range, then you really should not be looking at 8k to 10k (48 inch) range. That is ridiculous. That means you have to save 5 or more years for that range. Egad!

Do not keep up with Internet Jones. Many have found themselves in deep trouble by doing that.

I don't know you from adam, but you need to fund you retirement, kids' college tuition, adequate emergency fund before you can think about splurging on a 10k range. Just because other people are doing it is not a reason to do it.

I know this is none of my business, but....

Sorry to be harsh.
dianne47
16 years ago
Your description of both your cooking style and your budget should lead you to a mid-range cooking appliance. It would seem that getting a new range that you can afford at present is the smart way to go.

I agree with the PP who mentioned keeping up with the internet Joneses. And you said you live in a neighborhood where GE Profile is considered upscale. You should be able to get a nice range and meet all your needs for $2,500.
laheen
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the reassurances. That is my inclination, but I read all these posts online that made it seem like anything less than a Viking would be inadequate!
tam39
16 years ago
We just ordered this range:

Frigidaire Gallery 30" Freestanding Gas Range
Model: FGGF3056KF $1,300

It is all gas with an 18K BTU burner up front. There is a regular size convection oven and a warming drawer down below. Seemed like a great value for the features.

Good luck!
michaelct
16 years ago
You're looking for what I'm looking for, more or less. I've narrowed it down to the GE Cafe or the 30" Electrolux ICON (which, with their OTR convection/microwave, gets you the second oven). I love the look of the Electrolux, but at this point am leaning towards the GE because I think it's a more sensible choice. And though I'll miss the Electrolux's ball bearing racks, the GE has self cleaning racks which I think is brilliant. Good luck!
Laurie
16 years ago
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but with the Electrolux Icon, wouldn't using an OTR microwave be a safety hazard due to the high BTU output of the range?

My understanding is that all OTR microwave blowers only put out 300 CFM's, not nearly enough for the heat that a professional range generates.
laheen
Original Author
16 years ago
I haven't looked at the ICON line, but I took a look at this range today and it is now my top contender... dual fuel with four burners (one goes up to 18000 BTU) and two ovens.

We'll be venting with a hood to an exterior vent, though. I don't know much about the OTR microwaves. I definitely want outside venting, even if the range doesn't require it.
Rachel
10 years ago
This thread is 6 years old, but I'm in the same predicament...what was your final decision, and are you happy with it?