36' Range recommendations

18 years ago

I am in need of recommendations for a 36" range. I had hoped for a LaCanche Cluny, but my pocketbook says it ain't happening. So, back to the drawing board. Since I'm looking at a 36" (can go 30", but I'm afraid this will make the cooktop too small), I'm planning on a separate oven stack for the micro/convection and baking/warming oven. Here's what I need:

5 burners with at least one high heat for wok cooking and a simmer. Prefer sealed burners for ease of cleaning. Prefer a ss cooktop.

Oven that does not get hot to the touch on the exterior (we have two little ones) large enough for roasts, hams, turkeys, with a broiler. Warming drawer underneath would be nice, but it's not a requirement. Prefer self-cleaning oven.

I would prefer an oven that comes in colors rather than a strictly SS look, but SS is okay as long as the exterior of the range doesn't get too hot.

I've looked at the Aga Legacy, but I'm not sure what good those itty bitty ovens would do, and the burners don't seem to have sufficient btu's. From all accounts, the Bluestar gets VERY hot to the touch, so I have eliminated that one. I understand that the Wolf is prone to many problems with gas starter ignition, etc. I've also heard not so happy reports about the Viking. With all these negative reports, I'm having a terrible time making a choice(plus I really, really, really had my heart set on a LaCanche and I'm so sad to give up that dream, but it is what it is). Any recommendations for a mid-priced workhorse that is not dangerously hot? TIA!

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Comments (10)

luisa_at_home
18 years ago
Sarchlos, check out the remarks on the American Range here. After reading them I am thinking of going with the 36" American myself. The reports have been glowing!
sarschlos_remodeler
Original Author
18 years ago
luisa, I'm confused. When I do a search on this forum for American Range I get threads discussing the problems people are having with burner ignition and multiple returns, etc. This sounds just as bad as Wolf and Viking to me. Am I missing something? Also, how hot does the American range get?
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coleen3201118
18 years ago
Check out Capital Precision. Exterior doesn't get hot; sealed burners - 19K Btu's. No colors, though. Just SS. I have one (48" w/ griddle) and love it.
gizmonike
18 years ago
We have a 36" all gas 6 burner DCS range & love it. The oven door gets warm, not hot. Every burner has simmer, and 4 of the 6 burners are 17,500 BTU. Love the rolling racks in the oven, which can accomodate full sheet sized pans. The infrared broiler is awesome.
johnnytugs1
18 years ago
hey giz nice set up.

sarschlos_remodeler
i have a 48" american range and i do have
an ignitor problem with one burner. but it is a great range and alot more affordable. ck the posts, the only negitive post that i'm aware of is mine and i still love it.take the time and read them all. there is alot of good info about american out there.as far as price goes dvorsons food service equiptment is about the best depending on your location and taking into consideration the shipping fee.
ck the post Calling all American Range Owners there are more too. merry christmas to you and best of luck in your search.
john
917-842-1809
froggie49
18 years ago
I'm another fan of the Capital Precision. I have the 36 6 burner AG -- it meets all your requirements except color. Knobs stay cool, stainless top, self-sealed powerful burners, and to the best of my knowledge, it's the only pro AG range with self cleaning.
pggirl
18 years ago
I can put a second on the 36 AG DCS. Ours is exactly like the one pictured above. Got custom stainless backsplash and side counters being made as we speak so was nice to see how good it will look gizmonike. Great kitchen you have there!!!
Chris Vaughan
18 years ago
Gizmonike,

Where did you get those custom cabinets made on each side of your range? I take it right hand one is a teppanyaki grill from Gaggenau and the left hand one is an induction burner? That is a COOL setup. Thanks!
pggirl
18 years ago
Not sure where Gizmonike had theirs done, but we are getting our counters done at a local stainless place. Place is just a regular sheet metal type shop. We found them by talking to a used resturant supply place. We were in the supply place looking at shelves and mentioned looking for a back splash to fit and maybe some counter tops. Chap told us about the stainless place they use and so down we went. Found later that if we'd have looked in our phone book that the shop was listed under many of the kitchen categories as making cabinets, counters, vent hoods, etc.
Might be worth a look in your phone book. Maybe just under stainless or metals if there is no mention under cabinets or the like.
When we went in our place it was just an office with a counter, but there was a woman in front of us picking up a vent extension for her vent hood and there were albums of pictures of various things made by the shop. Quite impressive what they can make. Wish we'd have found them before we purchased our vent hood as we might have had them make us one to fit and then just put in a remote blower.

Not sure if our pricing is good or not, but worked out cheaper than the other options we were looking at for two counters and a back splash. Cost for us for a 38 x 26 counter top, a 9 x 26 counter top and a 37 x 36 back splash with finished edges and custom made to fit around things we have on the wall and the cabinets, is going to be around $480. All from commercial grade stainless, counters with welded and polished seams etc.

Hope that helps.

Cheers
gizmonike
18 years ago
The lower cabinets that flank our range are pullouts, using the same box material (plywood) as the rest of our custom cabinets. The fronts were clad in stainless steel by a local fabricator, who also did our SS backsplash, outer hood (with 2 VAH liner units), similar SS backsplash & "hood" at our main sink, and our SS countertops.