I'd recommend looking at the ranges you'd consider on appliancesconnection.com (because it has an excellent search engine) before deciding. For example, 30" stainless steel, freestanding gas ranges are $500+ and 36" ranges are $1500+, but the next size up 48" are $4000+. Induction: 30" $800+, 36" $4700+, 48" $9000+.

-- amateur

First I would live with the existing for a while-you might find other uses for your money in your new home. You mention expensive possible hood replacement for a larger single range-a very good reason in my book to keep with the two 30 inch range format along with less cost for two range replacement and no cost for cabinet replacment. Other good reasons to retain two ranges-preserve the Kosher kitchen for resale, retain full cooking ability if/WHEN something breaks down and the subsequent repair time wait, easily allow for two cooks at a time. If in future you might possibly buy matching gas and induction ranges for more options and freedoms for your cooking. You would be correct in thinking I am a bit envious of your kitchen!

Adequate hoods require adequate make-up air (MUA), and the more exhaust blowers that can be in use (or not) at any particular time complicates MUA control.

A long time ago here at GardenWeb, Sabjimata put two Five Star ranges together,

https://www.gardenweb.com/discussions/2671320/five-stars-for-my-fivestar-ranges#n=6

Other old GardenWeb threads,

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2318527/rangecookers-side-by-side

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2288344/side-by-side-ranges-bad-idea

The house bloggers Chris Loves Julia did something similar,

https://www.chrislovesjulia.com/lets-talk-about-appliances/

My kitchen is kosher, although I don't have two ranges :). Agree with Kaylie Keesling and Venmar that yours might have been a kosher kitchen as well.

Are you in a Jewish neighborhood? I.e., are you within a reasonable walking distance to any synagogues? (Which is what many observant Jews do, walk to the synagogues on Shabbos, instead of driving). Walk around one day and see if there are doorposts with mezuzahs on them. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mezuzah

If you are, I would even go as far as inquire with a realtor as to whether to get rid of one range, as it might potentially hurt your future resale.

(Kitchens can be kashered - i.e. made kosher, even if the previous owners didn't "keep kosher", but putting new range would be obviously more work).

HTH!

Thank you all for the feedback. I had not considered it but the kosher kitchen makes sense. It is not close to a synagogue so I don't think resale is an issue. I will definitely live with it for a bit before doing anything drastic but I do wish ours were abutting each other, making it look more like a 60 inch range. We have a 12 inch cabinet between them. Although the extra landing space might be useful.

It’s also possible that the former owners had a large family? I have a smallish sized large family with only 5 kids, but I know a lot of families much larger than ours and it’s not all that unusual for large families to have two dishwashers, and I have also seen two ranges right next to each other in some large family kitchens. (Sometimes directly next to each other, sometimes with a counter in between) Personally, I now have a 60” range and feel very blessed because we got a great deal on it and the size makes it very convenient in my family... plus, I think it looks awesome... but two normal ranges side by side still would’ve been a heck of a lot more cost effective, even with our great deal. Nevertheless, I think a kosher kitchen is a more likely. :)

Few people would install two ranges side-by-side as the trickle-down costs are so high. You lose upper and lower cabinet space, you need a humongous and super expensive hood, and you probably need an elaborate and rather expensive make-up-air system.

But if somebody else already went through all that trouble for you, and if the kitchen is otherwise fully functional, then there are lots of advantages to two full size ranges. With the small space in-between, you have an extremely useful although somewhat oversized cooking area.

I personally wouldn't need quite that much burner space. So, I'd probably permanently convert one of the ranges into a griddle. But two big ovens is nothing to sneer at.

I'd recommend living with it for a year and see how much you like it. It could very well grow on you.