Dear lord, I hope you don't have to spend that kind of money to get a range that lasts more than a few years.

I know you don't like to do research but you might end up back where you started if you don't. You want to do google searches for gas range reliability, gas range least service calls. And look at Yale Appliances resource center. They compile stats on this kind of thing and are a really useful guide for purchasing appliances.

If you are looking for things only make in the US, they will cost more because we actually pay workers, pay their healthcare, and don't allow child labor or forced labor like China does. And, I found when searching for my range that those without electronic doo-dads tend to me in the very low price range or the high price range. Harder to find middle range without circuit boards.

By definition, a slide-in is unfinished on the sides, and has controls in front. Your range is a free-standing model, finished on the sides.

I’ve had a slide in Samsung gas for five years. Obviously new models may perform differently, but I’ve been happy with it. I I cook daily. However, I am not a baker. I’d suggest if you really like to bake that you convert to a duel fuel, regardless of what make or model you buy.

sushipup2 I have seen some slide ins with sides on them.

Hi Richard,

If you are a serious cook, I would suggest a serious range—Wolf, Viking, Thermador, Meile or Monogram. While Kitchenaid, LG and Samsung may have good reviews, their service is questionable—Kitchenaid has the best service. Look for reviews about service, as service is almost as important as the range. Yale Appliance has excellent reviews on appliances—even ones they don’t carry.

I am a former chef who has made good decisions and bad decisions when buying ranges. While price needs to be a consideration, I’ve found that trying to save $1000-$2000 inevidently doesn’t pay off as the cheaper ranges don’t last as long and the repairs can be a nightmare. Trying to get parts with many brands is very difficult.

I like Viking and Thermador, but am open to the other brands. You need to take into consideration how you use a range. If baking is important, look for one that excels in that area. I‘m not sold on Dual Fuel, because I’ve had two and the extreme heat from the burners can mess with the electrical over time. If roasting and broiling are most important, get an all gas unit. Baking is different, but not that much. Dry heat (electric) is preferable to wet heat (dry) for baking.

I prefer gas as I roast more than bake, but at holiday time, gas has been fine for my baking. Also, I like a very low simmer (think chocolate) on the burners and high BTUs for searing. (Thermador and Monogram are best in that area.)

If it helps, my repairman works on almost every brand but LG and Samsung—won’t touch them. He likes Thermador. That’s my next range. There can be a wait, but quality is worth waiting for.

Good luck with your search.

Kate Spak Thank you very much! Do you know anything about BlueStar ranges?

You might consider the LG LSGL6337F which earned a "recommended" rating in CR's tests, has 18K and 22K front burners, that 93% of Home Depot customers recommend, and is reasonably priced at $1800. It appears to readily available. Specs. Also at Best Buy and Lowes.

Yes, many chefs like Blue Star, and I've been tempted. I've read a lot of mixed reviews. My personal reason is that as I'm aging. I'm finding that the heavy grates are more difficult for me to lift, and since it's an open burner, it's more difficult to clean. Some complaints have been that that cleaning under the burners can cause the gas lines to dislodge or leak. I like that the company has been around for so long; you can get it personalized in so many colors and trims, and it's American-made. It throws off a lot of heat and has a great simmer temperature. If I were a young chef, it would be a serious contender. Hope that helps.

Kate Spak I was just on their website and they have sealed burners now. Thank you again!

Along the lines of the $5000 gas range, I too am in the market for new range due to a kitchen remodel. Can someone please explain to me why there are DOZENS of chef style range manufacturers out there whose products look exactly the same as the other 20 brands? Are they all private label manufactured in China in the same factory under different brand names??

To name a few...

Hallman, Ilve, Forno, Bertazonni, AGA, Thor, Zline, Kucht, NXR, Cosmo,Empava, Akicon, Hestan, Smeg,...the list goes on. And on. And on

Bluestar claims its made in US but are they making other brand names as well?

This is all totally confusing for me to choose the RIGHT brand. Thanks for any feedback!!

If you are a serious cook, buying a serious range, will result in a serious fire, with it in that location. It violates multiple fire codes. You are goin gto have to choose if you want to remodel you whole kitchen to get in a better range than a lower end consumer one. That still violates fire code where it is.

@DeWayne -- can you help us out with the code sections that now prohibit the OP's present stove position in a residence? I'm asking because I'm not having any luck finding any in online searches. I've also checked with my small town's building department who tell me that there is no code provision that prohibits having a residential range with an exposed side. In my town of old houses, there are many small old kitchens' layouts (mine included) that leave little choice but to have a stove with one or both sides exposed.

I'm not seeing a wall on the left side of the stove in the OP's kitchen photo, and the right side seems to have the cabinets set sufficiently above the open counter space. It's a freestanding stove with a built-in backguard/riser so there doesn't seem to be an issue with the rear wall, either. What fire codes now prohibit that kind of set-up?

Now, a "serious range" could be a problem if the OP were to buy one without an "optional" backguard, say, a pro-style model such as a Blue Star (suggested by Kate above) or a backless high-BTU slide-in range. Those ranges usually come set-up with so-called "island trim" in which the oven vent is more or less level with the top of the stove. Optional back-guard risers are offered for installing such ranges against a wall rather than in an island. Blue Star's installation instructions, for example, specify/require one of their risers (the shortest of which, IIRC, rises 6" above the stove level) when their stoves are to be installed against a wall. Another random example: Kitchenaid's site says: "without a backguard, a stove or range should typically be installed at least 6 inches away from a combustible back wall surface, like drywall. With a backguard, the range can usually be installed with zero wall clearance." Are you saying you know of a fire code (or building code or electrical code) provision that makes those illegal without a commercial grade fire-proof enclosure?

I totally agree on everything Kate said. I have an all gas (propane) Wolf. I bake everyday of the week. French Breads and every other type of bread at high temps 450 + degrees. Roasts, pastries, casseroles you name it. That Wolf is now going on 22 years. Still going strong. I have the open burners, cause that’s all they had back then. No “Mother Boards”, no electronics at all. It does not even have a clock. Wouldn’t trade it for the world. Best of luck to you in your search.

I have a Bluestar with open burners. It is not difficult to clean at all. It is almost 6 years old and the only problem that we had was the broiler ignitor went about 6 months ago. We bought a part off amazon and fixed it ourselves.

If looking for a higher power gas range such as Bluestar that microwave venting aint gonna cut it.

While bluestar has introduced a new line of ranges with sealed burners, they still produce their signature ranges, cooktop, and range tops with available open burners.

DeWayne Why does it violate fire codes?

I am looking at this model. RCS30SBV2. It's not that serious of a range.

Just had to replace my eight year old Whirlpool Elite for same reason. Bought a $800 Frigidaire range.

Building codes can vary as they are state (rather than federal) law (with the exception of HUD code). Many states adopt the same "model code", but some adopt that code with a lag, adopt that code but modify, or craft their own. Because developing and maintaining a building code on a governmental level is expensive and time consuming, local municipalities often just adopt state code, adopt that code but modify, craft their own. Some municipalities are restricted in terms of what they can do.

So blanket statements about violating building code need to be checked to the particular jurisdiction in question, which appears to be what you have done Richard Dollard. My guess is there is a lot of similarity across jurisdictions, though.