To clear up confusion above, I meant to say "separate cooktop with built in (or wall) oven underneath", like this:

{{!gwi}}

I think the look (cooktop over oven) is pretty sleek. But I think it's only practical when you have a kitchen with plenty of storage. A good range can look just as nice while providing storage underneath. I know we really need the storage drawer under our range!

Typically a wall oven mounted under a cooktop will sit far lower than a range, so you are really bending over to use it. Also be careful that a cooktop you choose can have an oven under it--not all can.

I'm hoping to switch to a cooktop/rangetop and separate built-in oven(s) because I'm tired of pulling my range out to clean the sides of it and behind it.

As far as putting the oven below the cooktop, it can be advantageous to put a built-in oven below the cooktop so the venthood will take care of smells/fumes coming out of the oven. Another thing is that if you want a 36 inch cooktop, you may not want a 36 inch oven. Doing built-ins solves that problem.

I'll be on a tight budget when we finally reno, but doing a built-in cooktop and ovens will definitely be a priority for me. I think you just have to think about how you cook and clean your kitchen, and it will become clear to you which way is better for you.

What about a slide-in range? They are overpriced and have limited selections, but you don't have to clean the sides.

(You can even get a slide in induction range with two ovens.) (After all, nothing is sleeker than induction!)

I actually suggest posting your layout options here before deciding for sure. You might have more options than you realize!

FWIW, a range is almost always cheaper than separate elements of similar quality. And you pay a huge premium for dual-fuel ranges compared to all gas. Lots of us bake, broil, and roast with excellent results in modern gas ovens.

I'm hoping to switch to a cooktop/rangetop and separate built-in oven(s) because I'm tired of pulling my range out to clean the sides of it and behind it.

Oh no! We're supposed to pull it out and clean behind it!? Who knew?? LOL.

Marcolo is correct-- we had a wall oven installed below the counter in the old kitchen and it was very low. And the controls are below eye level. These are not showstopper considerations but I personally think a range would be better if you cannot find space for the wall oven at a higher level.

With respect to dual fuel -- when I started looking I was convinced I wanted dual fuel and was afraid of a gas oven never having had one. I wound up getting a Blue Star which is an all gas range, and I love the oven, especially the broiler. Think hard and do some more research before you decide you really want dual fuel.

Good stuff guys/gals :) Glad I asked. I'll reconsider the range, but I definitely want gas. There's a gas line right under the kitchen counter area, but for some reason the previous owners went electric oven and smooth top. The smoothtop is nice visually but it's nothing like a gas range.

Keep in mind I'm not looking for anything super high end- this is my first house, a

Eric, my setup was pretty much the same, small kitchen with cooktop and separate wall oven. I had replaced the original 1950's cooktop only 5 years ago so I tried to see if I could keep it and just add a wall oven under it. It ended up to be cheaper to sell the unit on CL and buy a new slide-in range. I got mine at Sears during their end of model year sale for a good price. You might also want to check out the Sears outlet store.

I'm gonna go for a range. I'm not rich lol and my kitchen is small. Here's what I'm using now- the cooktop and oven aren't bad but the configuration is horrible. The sink is only 20" or so to the left of the cook top, very little counter space.

Classic setup! I had that in my last kitchen (with an oven/microwave stack). When I remodeled I moved the cooktop over about 2 feet for a little elbow room. Have you posted your layout? Having the oven at that height is nice if you can fit it in where it won't be like a monolith glaring at everyone. You can get your microwave in the same cabinet, saving it from being elsewhere. You'll be able to store all your baking pans above and below the oven and all your cooking pans below the gas cooktop. You're going to recover a ton of storage after you redo those old cabinets. (I love old cabinets but you have my blessing to repurpose those in the garage.)

And it's okay to spend a little extra on something nice for yourself like a professional cooktop/rangetop/range/whatever. You'll enjoy it even more if you get a good deal of course...

Many of these old ranches have functional layouts that just need minor tweaking to make them awesome. Let's see how bad yours is and what you want to do with it!

I have not posted my layout yet, you're right its a decent setup now, just needs some tweaking. I'm having trouble of where to put the microwave. I "temporarily" put in an over-the-range microwave a few days ago, still trying to adjust to it if I'm gonna keep it or do something else. I'll post another thread on the layout, as this one was on the range vs built in.