I much prefer the 36" range top and a set of 30" double ovens. It's a much better arrangement than the full range with ovens. First, you can select the best available units and they may not necessarily be from the company. Second, if one dies, the other is still functional.

The five burner 30" cooktop. just doesn't have enough space to slide multiple pots and pans around.

Also, in looking at just one retailer, they carry 380 different 30" ranges costing from $400-$9000.

Versus, 181 different 36" ranges costing from about $650 -$13,000 with a jump to over $2000 past the first few inexpensive and featureless ones.

My preference, if space allows is a 36" cooktop and a separate oven. I've had mounted underneath but if you can do it elsewhere at about waist high for a single wall oven, great.

Sometimes it's hard to find one without that fifth burner but you don't have to use all five and the continuous grates are nice.

You guys are really making this decision clearer now. I'd like to fit a lot on a cooktop but with he 5 range it just doesn't seem super doable :/

I discovered an interesting point while researching 5-burner cooktops vs. 5-burner dual fuel ranges: The ranges (convection oven and 5-burner gas top) had MORE actual space to accommodate numerous pots/pans than the slimmer profile (front-to-back) 5-burner gas cooktops. I have a small kitchen and with space at a premium I decided to go with a dual-fuel 5-burner range and I really cook. Even after all the research, I never saw the obvious until I brought my own pots to the appliance store. Just passing along what I've learned in my travels. Good luck!

If you habe the room, I'd highly recommend the 36". I lost cabinet space if I went up.

I have a 30" with a griddle burner in the middle. If I use my large 12" skillet it hogs a lot of space. All burners can not be used unless you use 8" pans.

I had a 5 burner with a simmer burner in the middle, useless.

At least with the oblong burner, I can use it at the same time a corner burner is on.

It would be a lot easier with a larger stove top.

:)

We remodeled about 5 years ago and went with a 36" gas cooktop, with 4 burners. The 36", five-burner models are too cramped. We have found that 4 burners is generally entirely adequate. Make sure you check the Btu specs so that at least one or two of the burners are high output...like at least 17K Btu. And you don't have to spend a fortune: ours was under $1000 and has performed faultlessly.

Terri, what do you mean a summer burner vs an oblong burner? This is the one I was thinking of getting...

https://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/C2S985SETSS.html

Thanks p wirth! The 5 burner cooktops you compared it too - were they 36" or 30" wide?

cniss, where would you put the oven in the kitchen? Is that on the meat side? Any chance to put it into a cabinet?

That is a "pro" model of basically what I have now.

Mine is a continuous burner type. The center oblong burner has a swap out griddle grate.

The range I put at my moms and used for 10 years has 5 burners with a tiny simmer burner in the center. Which means the only time you can use it is alone, or with a few small saucepans.

On my current range. My simmer burner is in a back corner burner. Much more user friendly.

I usually use a 12 lidded skillet or fry pan as my main cooking pan. So I use the other side burners for smaller pans. I find I can effectivly use 3 pans at a time, even though I have 5 burners.

I also buy free standing ranges and slide them in.

They cost less and I prefer controls at the back. As it is my 2 yr old GD tries to turn the knobs.

Of course they look a little old fashioned. :)

Terri - nothing wrong with old fashioned! I call that classic :)

Cp - hi! I was thinking it would be in one if the base cabinets if I separated the oven and cooktop.

Hi cniss20, I was comparing a 36" Thermador cooktop with a Bosch 30" dual fuel range. I wish I had room for my whole wishlist.