Need a bigger range

2 years ago

I currently have a 30” Jenn Air dual fuel downdraft slide in range. I love the way it cooks but it’s 16 years old and shows signs of wear that are bothersome. I’ve tried to see about getting replacement parts and I was told it is too old and not possible. In addition, the built-in microwave on the wall to the left of my stove is not working properly. Oddly, everything works except the number 2!
I cook a lot and would like to have more stovetop space if/when we replace this range. I would also like to have a second oven. Given my layout, would it be best to get a 36” range (hard to find this with a downdraft!) and replace my microwave with a combination microwave/convection oven or replace with a cooktop and double wall ovens?
I realized that when I replace anything, the cabinet to the left of my stove will need to be modified. I also think I will replace countertops and eliminate the raised bar area behind my stove and make it all countertop height. I think I would prefer lighter, brighter countertops and backsplash to update the kitchen without painting these cabinets. My cabinets are custom cherry cabinets and the cabinet maker is no longer in business so I would need someone to build something to replace cabinet to the left of my stove. Wondering if it is possible to use and modify the existing box so wood color would match.
Any advice/guidance/recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

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Comments (6)

palimpsest
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
If you are changing the range to a wider one, switch to an externally vented island hood instead of a downdraft and do Not cut down the pony wall, leave it as a barrier behind the new range just like it is behind this one. If the joists run across, you should be able to go straight out through a joist space over the cabinets to the right of the range.

Whatever sort of cabinet you place to the left of the range you really want at least a foot of counterspace there as a buffer and set down area.

You will probably get a lot of advice to gut the kitchen and rework the entire layout. That is always an option.
wdccruise
2 years ago
"I’ve tried to see about getting replacement parts and I was told it is too old and not possible."

Is the range broken? What doesn't work? What is the range model number?
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Howard Hanna
2 years ago
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Howard Hanna
2 years ago
It is more an issue of wear, scratches, staining and the tightness of space when cooking multiple things at once.
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Howard Hanna
2 years ago
Reconfiguring entire kitchen is not an option.
palimpsest
2 years ago
Yes, it is frequently not an option. However when a client of mine needed a new range we were able to convert from a downdraft range to a conventional range with an island hood in this exact scenario with the range in a peninsula.

There were a number of reasons he did not get another downdraft including that the duct run was much too long, and that the gas range ruined one of the light fixtures hung over it repeatedly (I guess the heat that was constantly generated that vented out near one burner, from the oven or something?) And finally budget.

It was less expensive for the client to buy a new conventional gas range install a range hood and run the ducting (a relatively short distance) and repair the drywall than to get a new downdraft that would fit.

If you are looking at 36" ranges anyway this may not be the case, but the point is that it was not all that expensive in his case to run a duct and put in a hood.