Maybe you could buy a used, or scratch and dent, range, in a model that you have researched and think will bake well. Then when you remodel, you can sell it again. The investment would be less. That's what we did.

Alternatively, you could purchase the larger range that you want, and have a cabinet maker alter just that one area to accomodate the larger size. We didn't do that, so maybe it's not as simple as I am imagining.

I think the only way I would spend the $ is to get something used or scratch and dent at a very deep discount, knowing I was going to remodel in a few years and rearrange the layout to get a larger setup.

If you can do this for a reasonable cost (and sell what you have now to help) then I would do it. Sounds like you are very frustrated now...and even if you do plan to remodel in a few years...you never know what could happen and you may have to postpone it for a few more years after that.

Keep an eye out on Craig's List, floor models, scratch and dent centers, etc.

Thanks both - used/scratch & dent sounds like a good plan and honestly not one I'd really thought about.

I had assumed it wouldn't be easy to modify the cabinets to accommodate a larger range so hadn't considered that further.

And yes, the remodel may well get postponed if anything else pops up that is more urgent.

what about investing in a Breville toaster oven for baking overflow? I did that a few years ago & we love it. (it can fit a 9x13, provided there are no handles!)

For the cooktop - how about a portable induction burner (or other kind) you can pull out when needed?

How about a combo:

First get the induction burner (hopefully a newish house has the electrical needed). If that takes care of your burner issues, invest in a good 30" range. If not, get a cheaper 30" range with a better oven that you can donate when you remodel.

The Breville (or other counter top ovens) is better than you think if you haven't tried the new ones!

When my stove broke before I was ready to remodel I bought one at the Habitat re-store for cheap. It may be worth a look if you have one in your area.

Thanks all.

I hadn't really considered adding induction to provide extra cooking space when needed... Hmmm... that could be an interesting solution. When I remodel I'd intended to put in two ovens (either 48" range - don't really have the space for 60" in this kitchen though I'd truly love 8 burners, or 6 burner rangetop and two wall mounted ovens) but I could in theory split the ovens and have one in the range and one in the wall with a microwave above it - that would potentially solve several issues for me and the separate induction top could provide additional pan space (which I could either do permanently in the future if I so wished by putting an induction cook top on the island, or just have one I pull out when I need it which would normally be at the weekends when I'm cooking up batches of different things)

Maybe I'll have a play with planning the remodel to see if I can get that option to work as then I could stick to replacing the 30" range and still give myself the ability to add to it to get what I want in the future without having to replace the range again...

So after costing out in approximate terms what I would want to do to remodel (steal some space from my master closet to provide more storage space and space for wall mounted oven/microwave) I got a bit of a shock $$$$! (I've added a sketch of the current layout just for info).

I like the actual kitchen (I just would like to tweak a few things which I can't do without relatively high cost) so at this point I think I'm going to put the remodel on the back burner and focus on replacing the range and getting a portable induction.

So the next decisions are which portable induction to get and whether to get a duel fuel range or stick to AG? I love the Wolf 30" range but although I'd pay the premium on the AG the additional premium on the DF is eye watering...

We also had a 30" stove. Second thumbs up for Breville oven. It seems to be able to handle most cooking chores with exception of frying. We are currently using Breville in temporary kitchen and had a place created in the new kitchen for it.

I have no idea if it can be done, but maybe you can get a wall oven you can continue using after the reno, place it to one of your base cabs, and use your present range for cooking only (plus the portable induction). Oven of the range can be used for storage. Not a very elegant alternative, but just an idea.

Thanks for the suggestions all - they're all food for thought.

Sena - That's a good idea though I think I may struggle for an electrical connection without butchering the granite/cabinets in some way. Perhaps I could remodel the wall where the pantry is and steal the space from the master closet as I had intended to do, without remodeling the entire kitchen. I don't really want to lose any counter space so if I were to put in wall mounted ovens, it was my intention to try and do it where the pantry is now and move the pantry to the right (see pic below - to where the art is). That would reduce my costs substantially to the point where I could realistically do it in the near (ish) future and would be happy living with it like that until I was in a position to remodel the rest of the kitchen. It would mean no new granite (I like our current granite and it's present throughout the house in areas visible to the kitchen) and only a small area requiring cabinets (built ins).

Like you, I purchased a spec home that had an OK kitchen, but wasn't set up as I would have planned it. A short-term PO had installed a pro dual fuel range which, though a major selling point when we bought, ended up being a lemon. We also have an OTR that we want to replace w/ a proper venting hood.

Our issue (in addition to costs) in tackling even a minor remodel was time, as I was caring for my Mom who was very ill. I posted here last year as to what to do & was advised to hold off until I could invest in what I wanted long term & try going with a Breville & induction burner.

So glad I waited. That Breville has been a gem. Between that, the micro, my electric pressure cooker & the grill in summer, I' ve managed very well. Thr Breville will stay and be part of my remodel.

The other star is my little induction burner (mine is a Max Burton/under $100) which has sold me on induction. And I was a die-hard gas cooktop person.

Sounds like you'll be hosting those large gatherings well into the future and that yours is a hard-working kitchen. I agree with others who advise taking temporary measures till you can do what you really want.

Removed and started as a new thread

This post was edited by nosoccermom on Tue, Feb 11, 14 at 9:22