We are getting a 36" because we're stuck with an opening that size, and shrinking it would require a much larger scale renovation. I wish we could do 30" because that's our ideal price range too and there are much better options at that price point in the smaller size. I'd stick with 30" unless you really need the larger capacity. I do like the bigger cooktop (we currently have a vintage range that has a large cooktop over a small oven, and I wish someone made an induction range like that--only ones out there don't fit half sheet pans, which is a dealbreaker for me) but there are tradeoffs with a larger oven that takes longer to preheat.

All good points! May I ask which model you chose?

Freestanding or slide-in? Do you want knobs to control the cooktop or are digital controls okay? Are there any features you want (e.g., warming drawer, bridgeable cooktop elements, etc.)? Color/finish? Answer those questions before selecting a product.

We haven't decided yet--waiting for our state to get the new federal incentives on line, so probably still a number of months out from buying. But right now Fisher & Paykel's Classic model and Aga's Elise are near the top of the list, though both more than we'd like to spend. We really don't want a screen/digital controls, which eliminated a lot of options. In an ideal world we'd have a white freestanding range but I'm coming around to stainless--we're getting a stainless refrigerator this week after finding only one woefully-backordered option that met our needs in white. But our kitchen layout/design is such that our refrigerator is in a bank of white cabinets on one side of the room and our range and dishwasher, which are both white, are in a run of gray cabinets on the opposite side, so I think they can be mismatched and not have it look too crazy (or at least not any crazier than it looks now!) But that will be a Design Dilemma post for another day!

I just had the 30” Cafe Induction installed a week ago. So far, it is very easy to use. A few of my pans seem to make a buzzing noise at higher settings, but the sound is largely drowned out by the range hood.

Three reasons that I chose the Cafe:

1) Knobs

2) Size of oven - the interior of the Cafe oven is much larger than some of the other brands

3) 40 Amps - Some induction ranges require a 50 Amp Circuit and some only require a 40 Amp Circuit.

I ordered the range back in June for a remodel that started in January. My kitchen contractor required that appliances be ordered 6 months in advance. Since that time, Bosch has come out with a new model which has knobs. Had that been available at the time I ordered, I would have been tempted to get the Bosch.

We have had a 36" Miele for about 6 years. Love it. Would not want smaller. There are times we use all burners but then again we cook and entertain a lot.

@wdccruise

freestanding or slide-in? Either

Do you want knobs to control the cooktop or are digital controls okay? I prefer knobs but could go either way

Are there any features you want (e.g., warming drawer, bridgeable cooktop elements, etc.)? Roomy oven (single is fine), bridgeable cooktop, self cleaning preferred but not a deal breaker

Color/finish? Stainless is fine

otherwise, easy to use, reliable and well made (dont want those cheap plastic knobs)

Thirty-inch ranges (of all types) are the sweet spot of the range market: most competition among manufacturers, most features, lowest prices, best performance. You'd pay a lot for a 6" wider range. I bought the CR top-rated LG LSE4617ST which works well and meets all your requirements except no bridgeable elements. The LSE4616ST is similar but has fewer features at a lower price. The Studio LSIS6338F has a more modern appearance. Yes, the LSE4617ST has metal knobs.

Samsung ranges have lower predicted reliability but the double-oven* Samsung NE63T8951SS tested well and the NE63B8211SS is a bargain at around $1500. Owners whose reviews are on the Home Depot website like both (but do note the reviews' source).

*but read the instructions to see how this works.

When I was looking, the bridge feature in the models I was looking at (30") weren't creating a big oval or rectangle of cooking surface, but just allowed you to control two burners with one knob, so I eliminated that option from the specs I was looking for, and I haven't missed it yet. I have the frigidaire and the two things that I think would be nice on it would be if it had knobs, just easier with wet hands/fingers, and now that we are doing the kitchen, I wish we had a slide in. My parents may go induction soon and would need freestanding so maybe I can give them mine and pay the difference for a slide in at my house.

@snappity, curious what the benefits of slide-in vs. freestanding would be. We're planning freestanding right now since we have an existing freestanding, but could really do either since we will need to cut down our counter regardless. (Our existing range is 34.5" so our counter is cut to that size, but with filler attached to the cabinets on either side that can be removed to widen the opening to a standard 36" space.)

@artemis78: "curious what the benefits of slide-in vs. freestanding would be"

Just the location of the controls: slide-in has them on the front while freestanding has them on the back. Slide-in provides no protection for the wall behind it unlike freestanding. The Frigidaire GCRI3058AF is freestanding and 25-3/4" deep while the Frigidaire FGIH3047VF is slide-in and 26-3/4" deep. Except for the control locations, these two ranges are nearly identical.

Oh, interesting--the brands we're looking at all have controls on the front regardless so maybe just the depth/finished sides? Our cabinets are 24" deep and we're not planning to change them, so sounds like we do need to stick to freestanding if slide-in is that deep. We have a tile backsplash behind the space but I don't think that counts as non-combustible. (I haven't seen many/any slide-ins without digital controls anyway, so probably moot!)

It is 100% about aesthetics for me. Edited because I realized I was referencing the wrong thread! I love the backsplash- straight- across look.

@artemis78: "Our cabinets are 24" deep and we're not planning to change them, so sounds like we do need to stick to freestanding if slide-in is that deep."

There's not a uniform definition of "depth" among appliance manufacturers. Examples:

• Frigidaire GCRI3058AF: Depth including door: 25-3/4", Depth including handle: 29-1/4"
• Samsung NE63B8211SS: Depth including door: 26-7/16", Depth including handle: 28-11/16"
• LG LSE4616ST/LSE4617ST: Depth without door: 24", Depth including handle: 28-15/16"

So the Frigidaire (the only induction freestanding range available) is actually the deepest of the four ranges listed, though they're all within 1/2" of one another.

Thanks--yes, to be clear, I'm not expecting the range to be flush with the 24" counters (current one isn't either). But if a slide-in doesn't have finished sides and is designed for counters deeper than 24", then it won't work for our scenario and we're better off sticking to freestanding. (We have freestanding now so are already accustomed to things falling down the side, so no biggie there!)

When I look at slide ins, the sides look the same as my freestanding. I think it might have made more of a difference in the past, but now it's not so much about the sides as it is about the back control panel sticking up vs the front controls allowing for a seamless look on the backsplash. I would not write them off without looking in person. THey also are not designed for deeper counters, they are used with standard cabinets all the time.

Click through to the LG for instance and you can see the sides in the gallery: https://www.lg.com/us/cooking-appliances/lg-LSE4617ST-electric-range#

@artemis78: "But if a slide-in doesn't have finished sides..."

In many cases you can "spin" an appliance around to see all sides on the Home Depot (and other) websites. For example, click the "360-degree" photo of the Frigidaire Gallery FGIH3047VF.

The LG ranges have finished sides but you wouldn't see them because the range cabinets are 24" deep and would be hidden by your kitchen cabinets.

Over and out.

Are you confusing slide-in ranges with cooktops, which are built into the counters themselves?