Question about Bertazzoni Range re: baking

15 years ago

After two years of lurking here and a year of planning, Mr. Rosiebean and I are about to turn the breakfast room in our 100-year-old four square into a proper kitchen. I'm *this close* to buying a 36-inch all gas Bertazzoni for a variety of reasons: 1) I've read good things about it here, 2) all local dealers (Baltimore) have had good things to say about it, 3) I don't need a cooktop with huge BTUs on all burners given my cooking habits, 4) the current buy the range, get the hood free deal, and 5) the look/style goes with our older house (and we'll have a smallish kitchen...the current push out kitchen is seriously about 4 x 5, but the breakfast room is a scant 12 x 12).

That said, what I really want is something I can bake with.

Our old 1970s era Caloric all gas range gave out two Christmases ago. I have twice cooked holiday turkeys over a charcoal outside (in a rather dilapidated bbq pit at that) and was able to make excellent skillet cornbread for stuffing and assorted sides using the stovetop. I KNOW I can cook no matter what tools I have. But in two plus years, I have lacked a proper oven and I long to bake. I had an excellent hand at bread and before the old Caloric went kaput, was experimenting with finer baked goods.

So my question is...is the Berta something I can really bake in, or should I go with a Wolf/American? Should I save for a bit longer and splurge on an electric oven and get an average cooktop? I can't say that price isn't an option, but I CAN afford an all gas Wolf or American (up to 6K) if one of those ranges would offer better options for baking. And though the styls e of the Berta fits my old house, looks are not a necessity...performance is.

I'm also considering adding a microwave/convection oven to our plans given feedback from relatives.

And, as many before me, now that the time is approaching to actually make a decision, I'm about to pull my hair out second guessing myself. So...Berta owners, can you help with first-hand reports on its baking capacities? Advice from others?

And thanks in advance.

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Comments (7)

Nunyabiz1
15 years ago
I do NOT have a Berta, so what I am saying is merely opinion.

I think the Berta would be just fine performance wise, the only problem I would think is the SIZE of the oven, even on the 36" it is only a 3.6 cu.ft oven.

Personally I would not spend 6K on a Wolf or American, you can get a nice 36" NXR gas range for about $2800.00 delivered. Has a 5.2 cu.ft oven.
Spend the extra $3000 on a nice range hood and a Big Green Egg for your backyard BBQ.
rococogurl
15 years ago
I have a Berta, which I feel is great, including the oven size. As I've said in the past, however: it's not a Wolf. These are not comparable products. Think Chevy vs Benz.
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segesta
15 years ago
If the Bertazzoni is a Chevy, what's that old Caloric? A Trabant?

I prefer to say Aprilia vs. BMW.

Anyway, I love my Berta, but if you can afford it and you're a serious cook, go for the Wolf.
rococogurl
15 years ago
Caloric = Beetle
rosiebean
Original Author
15 years ago
I am seriously loling at what my kind of car poor Caloric is. The stovetop still works, though I have to finesse things to get 1/2 of the burners to ignite. IMO, it used to be a...oh, Toyota Corolla...but now it's a Chevette (I had TWO of those, so I know what I speak of).

I CAN afford a Wolf, but is the oven really that much better? (And if I don't buy a Wolf, I have that much more to spend on an Advantium or the granite I like, etc.) I'm not concerned with oven size...I can buy smaller baking sheets, and I rarely cook for more than 5 or 6 (and that's on holidays...we're a family of 4). If the oven on the Berta is good and won't burn my bread on top while underbaking it in the middle, that's good enough for me.

Thanks for the replies, everyone.
joycedc
15 years ago
Mine bakes perfectly fine. I have the little 24" unit. The lowest setting on mine is 265 degrees. Then 310, 350, 425 and 500 degrees. I did use an oven thermometer for the first few months to figure out where 400 and 450 were since I had read that some Bertas were running hotter (or cooler) than they should. Mine was, and remains, fine. Personally, I'd go for the Berta and get the granite you like or the Advantium. Love the car analogies! Anyone remember the VW Karmannghias (not sure that's spelled correctly)? That was my last stove!
Pevo
15 years ago
My caloric ag 24" oven still works and I can still get parts. I just have issues with hot and cold spots, racks, broiler, cleaning, oven door coming apart....but I still use it everyday! Researching it's replacement but am waiting to start reno! Ford Pinto (fix or repair daily)!