With a nudge from Trevor I've been reading endlessly about Bertazonnis as well as its competition. So I really ought to be able to figure out the answer to these questions given how many keyclicks have been devoted to this range. But I'm failing to understand several points/questions:

1) I gather there is some issue about the lighting of the Bertazonni - perhaps does the door of the oven need to be open in order for it to light? Do you need to use a flint or is there an internal spark that lights the gas? Why does the door need to be open for lighting (if I'm presuming this correctly?)

2) I gather there is also some small distress about lighting the burners -- is that because there is a delay in lighting them? Does the delay diminish with time? I think I'm gathering that but can't quite figure out where it's stated up-front. Plus, a lot of the Berta threads are a little old and I know things change, complaints get fixed, etc. Do, then, the burners need to be lit with a manual flint?

I have some other questions and concerns based on what I've read and on my needs.

First, let me explain the use: -- summer home shared by several families of very different use-habits that range from feeding hoards routinely (15-20 people 3x/day for weeks) to heavy-duty stir fry. There is an outdoor grill. The house is very leaky so ventilation is, um, "automatic". Which is good because no auxiliary ventilation is planned. Oven use can be heavy with sweetmeats (pies, cookies); thanksgiving turkey is not an issue. Nor is pizza for that matter.

So cookie sheets need to fit, but not a giant roasting pan. More than one oven would be ideal, but there is no more than 36" to spare, probably. Less would be better. More could be squeezed out but would require major negotiating.

The range must be standalone. It will replace a 40s/50s white enamel "New England Maid" that is beloved by some and will be mourned by many. Its replacement would ideally retain some of that spirit.

A true AGA is too heavy-duty, though its radiant heat would be a big plus. However, it's just too aberrant for the non-devotional user-base that would be its mainstay.

The Berta seemed a good possibility but I have further concerns:

3) There is some suggestion that venting can be very hot, either through the front of the top of the oven door, or perhaps from the back too. Some have stated the back venting is scalding hot. I'm not sure whether this is still the case, whether this depends on the model of Berta, or what. I am concerned about fire as this is an old (300 yo), wooden fire-hazard of a house. Reports of that kind of heat make me cringe. I'm not sure it would really be a fire hazard in actuality, but it sure sounds scary under the circumstances. Thoughts please? Verification of venting heat please?

4) I'm also very concerned about the learning curve on the thing. It sounds quirky, something that a dedicated owner happily gets over after a little honeymoon, but would this be a problem for a rotating cast of new users and some-time users? It sounds to me as if the absence of oven readout and lack of gradated markings on the knob of the oven can be easily overcome (thermometer and sharpie pen respectively), but as a package, would the quirkiness of the burner and oven lighting, and the inscrutability of the oven wind up scaring and/or just quashing people? Is this too quirky of an appliance under these circumstances? Would a Berta owner be willing to hazard a guess about this? Someone noted they use the oven in a summer house, but it seems that the house's use is limited to the pair of owners. Would a rotating cast of semi-observant people be a problem perhaps?

Because this range will be used by a cast and crew, some of whom are, well, klutzy, some of whom have remarkably little common sense, some of whom have very conventional tastes and expectations and so ... I'm worried it might just present too aberrant a front. Critically, the fuse of many of its potential users is kinda short as well. I'm not sure there will be too much patience in evidence for working through a very steep learning curve.

5) Also of concern is the reliability. It seems the Berta is fairly solid in this regard. Seems this is a good chunk of the machine's attraction, in fact. Repair options will be very limited so if a true artist will be required to attain a fix, this could be a problem.

Conversely, a more standard brand, say, the GE Cafe, which might be easier to find a competent repairer for, seems perhaps also to require more such repairs. It seems to me that best is to require no repairs at all, exotic or otherwise.

I would really appreciate current and especially long-time Berta owner's opinions about these concerns. And if anyone has another brand to suggest, I would love to hear it too.

I think truly snazzy cooking machines are not in order because the necessity for high-function isn't really there plus we can't handle the high BTUs with no ventilation. As well, the stainless steel appearance would be inappropriate.

OTOH, the range gets quite a bit of heavy use for anywhere from 3 - 6 months. But it should be simple to use, too.

Thanks for any and all thoughts....