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jillmarklook

Can't decide on a range, help?

10 years ago

So I can not seem to commit to a range. I have read up and researched all of them, looked at them in person, and still seem to be at a loss on this. The 3 I am deciding on are all 48" duel fuel. Wolf w/ griddle, GE monogram w/ griddle and the Thermador pro grand steam with griddle. If I went with the wolf or GE I would get a separate combi-steam oven for the wall either Miele or Wolf. I live in a city where servicing any other range would not work such as Capital, Lacanche, Ilve, etc.... I have heard nightmare stories of trying to get service in the town I live in, so I decided to go with something that I can have serviced easily. I do want a range and not a cooktop with wall ovens. I am short and hate stacked wall ovens. I cook and bake daily and use multiple ovens at once. I don't know if knowing the other appliances matter, I will add them if anyone cares :) Thanks for any input anyone has!

Featured Answer
  • 10 years ago

    Lilly'smom, I would avoid the self clean and wipe out the bottom periodically with a damp white paper towel looking for tiny flecks of blue. Mine degraded after the third or fourth self clean at 4.5 years. It is directly over the heating element.

    "James May

    In my experience open burners are significantly better than sealed burners. It is much easier to full use out of the btu range of your burners."

    I think you have to be a little more specific now than open vs sealed as this speaks only to the burner tray, which is about the perceived ease of cleaning. I don't see how that would have to do with using the full range of BTUs. The other attributes of the burners that might make one better than the other for a specific cook would be capped vs uncapped, range of BTUs, or shape, and configuration of burners. You would also have to consider the cookware you use.

    " Personally I think that the benefits of an electric oven are way over blown."

    It is important to understand what you are getting whatever oven you buy. If you mostly do meat and vegetables, you would be ok with gas. If you do a lot of baking, you might want some of the additional features some electric ovens provide. There are those who love their combi ovens as well. It depends on how much control you want over temperature, direction of heat, humidity and fans.

    FiveStar has a unique concept of DF. Most of the time that refers to gas burners and an electric oven. FiveStar's DF has an electric and gas oven.

    Queensinfo, here is a list of 48" ranges. Are you wanting all gas or DF? If you want electric ovens, I would go for a rangetop and separate ovens. You could keep your costs down a little and pick your oven rather than getting what comes with a 48" rangetop.

    48" ranges

    Comments (15)

    • 10 years ago

      Since you bake, the quality of the ovens is important. Will you regret having only two ovens if you get the Thermador? Or is it a tick in its favor that you won't have to have the separate combi-steam? I don't really know anything about the GE, but my general sense is that Wolf ovens are the best performing of the three and Thermador are next, but that's from the wall ovens. Someone else may know if that also applies to the ranges.

      What about burners? I have a small Wolf cooktop, with a small and medium closed burner, and I'm very pleased with the output and distribution, as well as the simmer ring, when I use it (I mostly use induction). As I'm sure you know, the range lovers here mostly want dragon's breath. What do you want. Which burners suit you best? Do you need a power burner for large kettles and woks? Which has that?

      If you have all the answers to these and still can't choose, get the Thermador. The dial is really cute.

    • 10 years ago

      I would avoid the Wolf DF because of the chipping blue enamel issue. There are posts here about my experience with Wolf and there is a lawsuit now with the DF ranges. It is sad because it was a good range. The M series wall oven was redesigned to fix this issue but the E and DF range have not been.

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    • 10 years ago
      last modified: 10 years ago

      Question, would you have enough room to put two ovens side by side on the wall instead of stacked? Also have you looked at the Bosch side opening ovens? Bosch, Thermidor and Gaggenau are all made by the same company. Just different levels.

      The other thing you could do is put one oven under the cooktop and one on the wall.

    • 10 years ago

      Well, that sucks about the Wolf ranges. :(

      Get the Thermador. People seem to like it and the dial is cute. :)

    • 10 years ago

      Based on my limited experience with GE I would avoid them. We just moved and are in the process of replacing the GE appliances. They work but they are disappointing and have issues. For example our GE range pumps out more heat into the condo than any range I have ever seen.

    • 10 years ago

      We've been running a 48" wolf with grill since Dec 2015. No problems and no regrets.

    • 10 years ago

      I love my Wolf 36" with griddle. My wife, not so much as she's in charge of cleaning.

    • 10 years ago

      I will not comment on your three choices. I think there are some others out there to consider. That said I will confine my comments to more generalities that may help you make your decision.

      We loved our 48" range. It was 6 burners, a grill, infrared broilers, etc. In my experience open burners are significantly better than sealed burners. It is much easier to full use out of the btu range of your burners. As much as I liked the grill the wife was not as enamored with it. I would recommend getting a griddle instead of the grill. The griddle is more versatile. When I analyzed what and how we cooked we never needed more than 6 burners. So for me the grill or griddle is worth it. Also ensure that you budget for a proper hood. You will want to stay infront of your cooking when using the hood.

      Are you talking about true dual fuel - gas range, electric oven? Or are you talking about a range that can support both LP and NG? Personally I think that the benefits of an electric oven are way over blown. If it was me I would go with either a completely gas range. Or an induction cooktop with either oven.

    • 10 years ago

      James May- what else are you alluding to for choices at 48 inches?

    • 10 years ago

      I looked at these and decided on Thermador fwiw. Don't actually own it yet. Little concerned about reliability but seems an issue with all brands. I'll get an extended warranty and avoid the self clean function. The "free" dishwasher is a nice bonus. Their fridge options are also pretty good which gets you a "free" hood.

    • 10 years ago

      The "free" dishwasher is a nice bonus. Their fridge options are also pretty good which gets you a "free" hood.

      My sister got the free dishwasher and she said if she had it to do over, she wouldn't have gotten it. Nothing but problems so far.

    • 10 years ago

      queensinfo - Probably ranges you have already looked at. It has been several years since I have been through the process for a range in the size you are looking at. So I am not up to date on who I think has the best range.

      • Blue Star
      • American Range
      • Thermadore
      • Viking
      • Jenn Aire
      • Five Star


    • 10 years ago

      Thanks james. I am first starting to look and have no idea about what are the Better ones on the lower end of the cost scale.

    • 10 years ago

      Was investigating all gas. Probably no room for separate ovens and may not have the electric to run it. Electric is not popular in NYC also.

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