Help with appliances please

11 years ago

We can't finalize our cabinet design until we choose our appliances. The kitchen designer wants an answer within the next few days. Unfortunately, our house is in a neighborhood with no natural gas, so we're limited to electric, induction or propane. I've always preferred cooking on gas. I know that I definitely do not want an electric stove, so this narrows it down to either induction or propane.

I've read a lot of the threads on here and elsewhere about induction. It seems that people really love induction. Are induction cook tops hard to use? We had toyed with the idea of getting a 36" induction cook top and a 30" wall oven, but I'm a little nervous about the longevity of the cook top; I don't want to be in a situation where the cook top or oven breaks down and I can't find appliances to fit the specific spaces in my counter top or cabinet. I really wish that there was a 36" induction range. It seems it would be easier and safer if we got a slide-in or a free standing range.

As for the propane option, I like it because of my attachment to gas cooking. It's going to cost us about $1000 to get the propane established in our home. The local company quoted me a rate of $3.50/gallon. I understand that cooking with propane is not the same as cooking with natural gas. I read somewhere that there may be a 20-25% decrease in output at the burners. However, we live in New England, so having propane can come in handy if we have a power outage....

Even though I know this topic has been discussed before, I'm just wondering if anyone would like to give their two cents about what they cook with, what they like and dislike about it, and recommendations for brands (professional grade appliances are not an option at this point in time). I've done extensive research on Consumer Reports to narrow models down some. Thank you!

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Comments (5)

HomeChef59
11 years ago
Post this thread in the appliances forum, too. You will get more opinions.
szruns
11 years ago
In my endless research a few months ago for consumer-grade but good quality appliances, I settled on:

- Samsung (largest made french door) refrigerator
- Bosch (800) dishwasher
- Electrolux (wave touch something or other) electric wall ovens
- Bosch (800) 36" gas cook top (I think it can be converted to propane, as I know there were instructions in the installation packet to do so)
- Sharp microwave drawer (this was a compromise, as apparently all microwave drawers are manufactured by Sharp, and none of them have great longevity, and they are costly. I wanted it for my design, so I just decided to do it, and I bought the extended warranty, lol.)
Kobe range hood (42", chimney style)

So far as I could tell, these were good quality choices in consumer-grade price ranges. (About $10k for all appliances, buying on sales as much as possible.) My kitchen is still being put together, so I can't vouch personally for the ovens or range hood, but everything else is in use and doing great.)

If you want replaceability and are trying to budget, then a slide in range is for sure cheaper, as not only are the appliances very replaceable, but you save a lot not having to buy a cabinet to house the cooktop or oven(s). It's probably just as economical to buy a 4-5000 fancy slide in 48" range with double ovens as it is to buy the items I did, since you wouldn't have to buy the cabinets to house them. Actually, it'd be cheaper, as I spent more like $3600 on the double ovens + cooktop . .. and at least that much on the related cabinetry (expensive custom cabinets). So, maybe consider a higher end large slide in range with propane conversion?
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crl_
11 years ago
My mom always had electric cooktops. When I had houses of my own I switched to gas and loved it. When we bought this house I started researching for a new gas range (the existing range was electric from the 1960s and did not work). I found induction on the appliances forum and was convinced to switch to induction. I would not willingly go back.

It is incredibly easy to use. Very responsive and very fast to heat (it boils water so fast it's like a parlor trick). And so much easier to clean than gas.

I have an older 30 inch Frigidaire range. I'm happy with it (though not thrilled with the looks--only stainless is available at my price point and I needed freestanding for the current location and neither would be my first choice).
eandhl
11 years ago
Some ranges come from factory set up either way. There is considerably less loss of BTU on those. Most companies can tell you, or a good repair person.
AujS
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for your thoughts. Any thoughts about 30" versus 36"?