What is the Useful Life of a Range Top

a1an

10 months ago

last modified: 10 months ago

We have a Wolf Stove....

It is circa almost 20 years old.

I'm OCD. I have replaced the PAN top cause it needed a refresh.

All servicable parts are replaced when I refresh it (all spark modules, ignitors, gasket + o-rings)

Due to their design flaw....I do end up refurbishing the unit every 3-4 years.

Brand new gaskets, spark modules, ignitors....everything is replaced.

Don't ask...it's alot of money, like your typical deee-ziner brands. Everything is all at MSRP and it's a kings ransom just for some sub-standard gaskets.

Anyhow, either one of their parts suppliers or manuf. must have gone out of business as their replacement ignitors are garbage.....in a million different ways. Someone from R&D has screwed the pooch as it doesn't even fit and their response is to just SHOVE it in and make it fit.....

I was sent a video showing how to SHOVE the larger ignitor into the smaller hole opening of the pan top and and I'm still blown away this was their official company response .....I was expecting someting like, yes, we measured it, we confirm your findings, it is larger than the pan top and won't fit, etc.

Since this oversight of fitment was a clear indicator of someone not choosing:making the correct part , the ignitors don't even work 85% of the time. It is not isolated to just 1 burner head but all of them.

Just short of this single fault of needing to take a flame to light it, thoughts, feedback.

When is a range too old.

It's not like it's needs servicing....I just overhauled it except their new parts don't work nor are they taking ownership. At least $500+ in parts. No tech time:labor as it was self repaired. Not would it make sense at $$$ tech per hr x X hrs for a full overhaul.

Hot garbage or make the squeaky wheel squeak further

Featured Answer

palimpsest

10 months ago

I have the compact version of this rangetop, without the center grille/broiler, which was produced in the mid to late 1950s (the large version pictured was made into the 1960s). It's open burner, probably not as powerful as Wolf but works better than a regular modern gas cooktop. It has a standing pilot (which may not be allowed in your area), no electronics, no moving parts (this one has levers for the grille broiler) and everything can be adjusted with a screwdriver and a manual, which is available online. Mine can be taken apart almost completely for cleaning. So my range top is approximately 68 years old. Since you are obviously good at servicing things, you could easily take care of this. Maybe you should consider something like this, or another vintage appliance

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Comments (11)

HU-867564120
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
It sounds like you have answered your own question. It's time to replace it with new.
HU-918119203
10 months ago
You can replace it with a new one but since you are, in your own words, needlessly overhauling your existing unit (repeatedly), I think the call is coming from inside the house and you're likely to be just as dissatisfied with any replacement. Good luck!
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a1an
Original Author
10 months ago
What's a replacement for a DF304. I hardly bake but the SO does.

I recall looking at the BS DF but it had called for a 40 amp circuit. Running a 8AWG (versus 10AWG) is going to be next to near impossible.....without opening up walls and floors.
HU-16168550092
10 months ago
Gee, that looks like a chambers brand range top with the daisy wheel style burners. How very cool. Chambers is most well known for their incredible ranges, but they did range tops as well and I think wall ovens, though I think the wall ovens were gas like #MIN from that.
John Liu
10 months ago
last modified: 10 months ago
Do you require dual-fuel? All-gas would widen your choices. Vintage ranges, and near-commercial ranges.
a1an
Original Author
8 months ago
last modified: 8 months ago
I did the overhaul back in late September - Mid October as a datapoint

Fast forward 4 months later . Factory service tech is out to look at the unit today....

This was the only factor tech aside from the ones done during warranty.

This diag was -comped- by SZ as I showed them how bag their new ignitor replacement was ..

He need to lift one buner to do his diag. The new *o* ring I put on it literally in some portions was heat rotted already as such....only 120 days in service...
wdccruise
8 months ago
"What's a replacement for a DF304"?

The current model is the Wolf DF30450/S/P ($8740). The only CR-recommended pro-style dual-fuel range is the Monogram ZGP304NTSS ($6800) which also requires a 30 amp circuit.
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Minardi
8 months ago
Just move to Bluestar if you want to DIY tinker. It's super powerful, and super simple. Also forget buying "manufacturer" brand parts for anything. Most are available as generic parts from your local supplier, at about 1/10th the cost.
a1an
Original Author
8 months ago
last modified: 8 months ago
"Also forget buying "manufacturer" brand parts for anything. Most are available as generic parts from your local supplier, at about 1/10th the cost."

This is not buying parts for a Whirlpool or the like where you can get the OE PN on parts appliances site. That is not how Wolf parts works....
wdccruise
8 months ago
last modified: 8 months ago
Minardi: "Just move to Bluestar"

He explained above that he didn't want to upgrade his electrical circuit from 30 to 40 amps.