I do have one more question. I love the idea of the traditional simmer plate, but wonder if the removable one that comes with every classique is just as good.

The Aga Elise is called a Falcon Deluxe in the UK. You may have better luck searching for reviews from UK sources, like Mumsnet and such using the English moniker. I grew up with a Falcon range (in the 80s) and can tell you that it was a well built, sturdy machine, that was beautiful to boot.

Currently I have a Lacanche. I like it very well, but I would not stretch my budget in order to get one. I am not at home so I have no pictures (and I won't be back home for several months). The brass on the burners will discolor. It's a matter of "heat treatment", I am told. And there is nothing you can do about it (at least not practically.)

The Lacanche came with my house, I can't tell you what my hood is exactly. Cleaning the hobs is easy enough- though induction is much easier and my personal preference. I have not had any repair issues. Most posters here seem very pleased with customer service, so I don't think that would be a problem. And lastly, I am not responsible for cleaning the inside of the oven. My housekeeper has not complained to me about it being too difficult to accomplish, though. And the removable simmer plate is great. I use that a good deal.

The Falcon has the added benefit of coming in an induction version at the 48" size which is very unusual (unique?) for ranges in the US.

Good luck on your search.

Thank you so very much for your help. I appreciate the feedback and will look for Falcon reviews.

Hi, I explored both an Aga and a Lacanche. Used two traditional Aga's while living in England was what prompted me to explore the electric Aga's before I bought a range. I decided on the Lacanche because the reviews were better both here and in the UK. Also, Aga is no longer owned by Aga, but by Range Master. The had also purchased part of the La Cornue brand. So I considered reviews for those brands as well when making my decision. Also, since I was buying such an expensive range I wanted it to actually be build by the company who originally made it.

I have a Lacanche Cluny 1400 with both an electric and a gas oven. I don't use the gas oven for anything other than meats, so I believe you would be fine with just electric. We use the electric oven for everyday cooking and it's also the oven my children all use. The gas oven is a little bit more challenging to turn on for safety reasons. We've owned it for almost 3 years.

I have no trouble cleaning the range top. It's very easy to spot clean after cooking and I usually deep clean it as needed. The oven is more difficult than a self cleaning oven, but as long as you get things cleaned up quickly it isn't really too bad. I also don't expect it to be sparklingly clean either.

I have had only one service call for an ignitor which was bad. The cost of the part and the repair were covered under the warrantee. The Lacanche service and sales representatives are fabulous. They are quick to respond and always friendly and professional. I do believe that repairs for both the Aga and the Lacanche will be more expensive than your typical ranges, but I also don't expect that I will have to repair it often. I expect it will last for my lifetime and I hope to hand it down to one of my children. It's build to last.

In our old home we replaced our range three times in the 15 years that we lived there. They were your typical home improvement store, middle priced ranges. The glass door on the first exploded and we could buy a new range for not much more than the repair cost and that was faster than inconvenience of waiting for a repair person to fix it. The second one was replaced because it wasn't the desired stainless steel needed to sell many houses these days.

I bought a Best By Braun range hood insert and my hood was custom made. I can provide you the exact details if you want.

The cooking experience on the Lacanche is in my opinion completely worth the expense. I love cooking on it, and so does my husband and our four children. It's easy to use and turns out wonderful food. If you want more specifics, please let me know.

I went with the traditional brass. It has a patina to it, which I love. I'm sorry, but my photo disk isn't pulling up on my computer at the moment. I will take some photos with my phone and post them when I return this afternoon.

The bottom line is I love my Lacnche and I would purchase it again in a heartbeat. No regrets.

Also, if you search Gardenweb (which was the original site for these post before Houzz took over, you can find so much information on Lacanche. Search Lacanche Part 1, 2,...etc. Also, The Ina Garten just bought a Lacanche and many other chefs also own them too!

Here are a couple of photos

It is stunning! Thank you for the pictures and for all of this valuable advice. Is your simmer plate the portable one or the one that is a permanent fixture? If so, how do you find it and would you get one if you were only able to get the 6 burner range (thus giving up the large central burner)? Thank you so very much again!

Thank you, gmm7! My simmer plate or French Plate is portable and that is still what I would chose if I were to do it again. I wanted the ability to use the burners when I wasn't using the FP. I like having the ability to simmer or keep things warm on it and to make sauces or melt chocolate. But, I also like being able to I remove it all together and use all seven burners. Or switch it from one side of the range to the other. I use the 18,000 BTU large central burner much more than I would a fixed FP. The central burner is great for boiling large pots of potatoes, soup, and stir frying. Most of the time, I do leave the FP on the range, because I like the way it looks and it's a great place for resting pots, or dishes that come out of the oven. Let us know what you decide!

Bonjour gmm7 ,

Big congratulations on the upcoming remodel, it's an exciting time ! So much great advice here across many fabulous Ranges, but please do let us know if we can help in any ways, large or small, for any logistics regarding Lacanche. A range purchase is so special, and will live in the heart of your home for years to come - you must be in love :)

Happy shopping and chat soon !

Blair | Lacanche US

blair@frenchranges.com

I just wanted to write to thank you all for your advice. I have decided to go with the Lacanche, and I couldn't be happier. After visiting the NY showroom and working with Elisa, I was utterly convinced. She is remarkably perceptive and was able to help make the vision in my head a reality. My renovation begins in September. Until then, I will be dreaming of my future Lacanche Saulieu. Perhaps soon I will be back on these boards helping others make the same decision. In the meantime, now I have to figure out a refrigerator, dishwasher, floors, countertops ... back to work! Thanks again to all!

We couldn't agree more gmm7 - Elisa is magical !! Can't wait to meet your new French bébé when she arrives :) And welcome to the family !!

@gmm7 ~ So excited for your purchase! Elisa is a treasure and was SOOOOOO patient with all my questions! Though we were working with Victoria, she arranged a lovely meeting for us while on a visit to NYC. Congratulations on your decision.....you will love your new LC! :)

gmm7, Congratulations on your new Lacanche! I hope we hear from you once you start using it! I second the comments about Elisa, she's a gem!

I absolutely will come back to share my experience Corie Hall. Thanks so much for invaluable advice and enthusiasm. It's very exciting!

Hi pirula1. Thanks for this wonderful feedback. It makes me all the more pleased that I followed my heart and went with a Lacanche. I am so happy to know that it indeed performs well over time. What color do you have? If you wouldn't mind sharing pictures, I would love to see it!

@twobelles Thanks for sharing in my excitement!

Hi! Congrats! Ours is the dark blue. Forget what it was called. I used to know all the details backwards and forwards. Now we just enjoy what we've built. I'm only just back so have no clue how to post pictures yet. Once I figure it out, I will with great pleasure post a pic for you.

Well unfortunately, this is all I can find on this computer at the moment. I had just reoiled the counters. You can see glimpses of the Lachance at least.

She's a beauty peeking out from the back! And your counters are stunning too!

Thank you!

so... I *just* bought a used Lacanche which was being sold because it was all manual ignition (including the oven). It's 20 years old. I haven't had it installed yet (everyone I've called is two weeks out, but one is trying to squeeze me in). I will say however that I have taken the range somewhat apart (undid the top stainless plate and removed some of the covers over the gas and electric element) and I simply CANNOT BELIEVE the condition it's in. It looks like it's 2 years old, not twenty. (I have seriously said "I can't believe this thing is 20 years old about 20 times today, lol) The lines have zero corrosion, the enamel has NO scratches (there is one dull patch where someone touched something corrosive to the surface, and now two more on the side where i mistakenly attempted to use the wrong cleaning agent, barkeepers friend, on the enamel :( but they're thankfully on an invisible side), the gas lines are perfect, the seals look great. The stainless top has some use scratches but it cleans up so nicely. There was who knows how many years of grease splatter on the side of the enamel (between the range and counters) and i cleaned it with a soft sponge and soap and water and THATS IT. I put the stainless vents and oven racks in the dishwasher and they are almost new looking. Not all stainless cleans up the same way I have found. I could check my makeup in the warming cupboard mirrored surface if i wanted to. The quality of the materials used is superb. I am beyond amazed. I fully expect this will last us another 20 years. The continuous stainless top plate was super easy to clean, and when I lifted it up, I was able to get to the rest of it fairly easily. There is some dusty greasy accumulation in crevices and corners, but most of it wipes out fairly easily. The person who bought the range originally was very much a home chef, so it was undoubtedly well used until the second owners got it a few years ago. I can't wait to have it installed and use it, but I can say for sure that they clean up well.

Actually, one thing that is filthy is the cast iron grill accessory plate that came with it... Lots of caked on grease and grime on there... If anyone has any good suggestions on cleaning that up easily and effectively, I'm all ears. I've cleaned lots of cast iron pans, but this looks like years of grease.

Bonjour spatialthinking and welcome to the Lacanche Family.

So happy to hear your vintage bébé is in such wonderful condition. While this particular Range is most likely out of warrantee, we are always here to help with questions large or small. A collection of cleaning tips can be found at https://www.frenchranges.com/customer-care/range-cleaning/ and feel free to reach out to care@frenchanges.com .

Let us know how we can help, and very happy cooking !

Merci,

Lacanche US