Run away from Viking. This is a company in dire straits with a very poor track record to boot.

If I were looking for something like a LaCornue, but more affordable, I would start with Lacanche and consider Ilve while I was at it. I would also give Blue Star (available in many, many pretty colors,) consideration. Oh, and don't ignore the AGA that is a rebranded Falcon from the UK (it doesn't look like a traditional alway-on AGA- it's a regular range in cool colors at a reasonable upmarket price point.)

The only problem with my advice, come to think of it, is that only the Lacanche comes in around 60". Ilve maxes at 48" I think. Blue Star does get to 60"- it's the least pretty though. And AGA goes to 48".

Here is the AGA- it comes in 48". It is a rebadged Falcon. You can read up about on Mumsnet. https://www.agamarvel.com/aga/products/aga-designer-ranges/aga-elise-dual-fuel-range/

Good luck.

Hi. Thank you so so much for all your extremely helpful info. I looked into the Lacanche. The major drawback that I see is that the ovens are TINY!!! They do not specify the CU.Ft. for the ovens. so I have no way of telling for sure. I am going back and forth between buying builtin wall ovens such as Wolf or Melie with all the bells and whistles they have to offer. Such as, self-clean, dual convection, infra-red broiling and precise temp control. Or to give up all that for the very coveted look of the Lacanche. what do you think?

Tuscany comes in 60? Was only 36 or 48 when I looked and the website doesn't show a 60. It's pretty but decided against it in the end since I could find no reviews and Viking reputation not so great. Got a Thermador steam range which I've been happy with... The steam oven more than makes up for the appearance which is still pretty impressive.

Whether you get a steam oven as part of the range or in wall oven form (wall oven would be better... the steam range while good isn't as good as the Miele or wolf wall oven), I think the functionality of it is worth any appearance trade off.

Bonjour Ruth,

I'm sure other Lacanche owners will comment with more practical experience on the size of our ovens (GardenWeb also has a lot more threads on Lacanche if you are interested in reading more). I took this picture recently at one of our clients' home, and thought that it would be a good one to show that our Lacanche ovens are anything but tiny!

The large ovens are 21" w x 18" d (gas oven) and as you can see, can accommodate a large roaster and a delicious roast with no problem. You are correct however that our ranges do not have all the trendy bells and whistles, just efficient, reliable and beautiful cooking machines!

Good luck with your decision, I know that there are many factors at play and hope that you will find your perfect range!

Patrick

Thank you so much Frank for your input.
Would you know if the oven fits a full size cookie sheet?
What are the cubic feet that are useable?
Does it show you when the oven has reached it's intended Temperature?
Does it have a timer?
An oven light?
Can you turn it on to it's highest temp and keep it on for 3 hours so it gets clean as in a self-clean mode?
If the brass gets scratched and loses it's coating, what do you do when sticky, oily stuff gets on it?
How do you clean the French Top well without scratching it?
How about the induction option? what are the comparable BTUs? How do you control the heat on them? Are people happy with the induction?
This is a very unique opportunity to have both gas burners AND induction on one cooktop! NO ONE that I know offers it! I love that you offer it!

Sorry Patrick:( I called you Frank, by mistake...
In my defence, it IS 2:14 am...

Dont worry, Ruth, I have been called Frank before... and Peter...

I'll try to address your questions here, but you are also welcome to get in touch directly with us if you are in Canada (sales@french-barn.com) or Art Culinaire in the USA (www.frenchranges.com)

- the large ovens will accommodate a 18" x 13" sheet. All ovens also come with a Lacanche pastry sheet specifically designed for these.

- the large oven has 2.44 ft3 of usable space. Slightly smaller than most North American ovens but enough for most daily needs. As you can see on the picture above, that large roaster is no problem for a Sully!

- The electric / electric convection ovens do have a light that turns off when the oven is at temperature. The gas ovens do not but they are very accurate at maintaining their temperature throughout the cooking cycle.

- No timer

- All ovens are equipped with oven lights, yes.

- You can certainly have the oven on for 3 hrs at max temp (no ill effect) but it's not comparable to a self-clean mode that gets to much higher temperatures (think 900F to literally burn everything to ashes). A gentle oven cleaner or soapy water will usually do the trick.

- all of our knobs / handle supports are made of solid brass, not coated or painted like many others. This means that it won't easily scratch, and even if it does, you can keep using a brass cleaner (like Brasso), no issue. Alternatively, they will develop a nice patina over time if you dont polish them.

- The French Top should be cleaned with a soft cloth and soapy water while it is still warm, and dried thoroughly.

- The new induction option is indeed very popular. It's hard to give an accurate BTU equivalent, but for reference, the large burner will boil a big pot of water in 90 seconds! Each induction burner (1x1400W and 1x1850W) is controlled by a knob on the front of the range, just like the gas burners, with 9 heat levels + boost (1800 W / 2500W) + 2 warming positions, and an indicator on the top for easy reference. Lacanche is indeed one of the only brands to offer this combination of gas and induction, and more and more of our clients seem to enjoy it!

Cheers,

Google GW and Lacanche and you will find many, many threads and many pictures of how commodious the ovens are in fact. I just got a Lacanche in my new house (from the previous owner.) But I am not at home for another 10 days, so I can't post pictures of the oven with a big turkey in it.

If you are considering the French top, think twice. I was enamored of a French top and always thought I would get one, but later decided that the metal plate Lacanche sells to put over two hobs to act as a burner is probably best (lucky for me the PO of my house agreed and this is what I have not there.)

In my other house I have induction and love that too. You may want to consider the induction domino on the LC. A poster here just got that and she is over the moon thrilled with it. She says she reaches for the induction more than the gas.

Bonjour ruth7kids !! Congratulations on the upcoming changes to your Kitchen. Regardless of what Range you welcome into the heart of your home, know that no question is too small - you must be in love! If you're in the US, please feel free to reach out to us via frenchranges.com where you can configure your own Range, with estimates delivered directly to your inbox. My email as well, Blair@frenchranges.com, should you have any pressing questions (or hope to see some very large Turkey photos in our ovens ;) )

Happy shopping, happy cooking !!

Blair

Art Culinaire | Lacanche US

I have a Viking Tuscany 48" dual fuel range - LOVE IT!!!

The Tuscany range is made in Italy. Looks great in my kitchen. Use the smaller oven the most. Baking is wonderful, but still have a lot to learn about the different settings.

@ruth7kids, what did you end up with? Beginning my own search now!