Help me pick a new gas range!

[SusanT]

Gotta get this posted before Tuesday!

First, thanks to Beth and others for advice, etc on convincing my DH to let me replace our bizarre electric range with gas.

Now my problem is picking a new one. First, my budget doesn't allow for Viking, Thermador, etc. I can't seem to find one range that has everything I want, though. GE makes a range that is top rated by Consumer Reports with a huge oven, convection, warming drawer, high efficiency burners, etc.

The only catch is it does not come with stainless accents which the DH and I really want. Our dishwasher is a Kenmore Elite with a black and stainless steel front and we'd like to have the range match.

GE does make a range with all of the features I want except convection. Jenn Aire's range has single speed convection doesn't have the warming drawer and a slightly smaller oven than the GE. I've never had convection but I do like to bake. But then again, a warming drawer sounds handy.

Does anyone convection and/or a warming drawer? If you could only have one of these, which would you choose?

[Beth]

Not looking at them, I say I'd go with the larger oven. That was the deciding factor for me last go round. The fact that it is also top rated by Consumers would be a plus too.

Have you looked at Kenmore Elite? I've seen their ads in the magazines, and they have a nice looking one in black with stainless. I don't know what kind of features they have, but they are trying to compete with the top of the other major lines in going to a more profesional look.

[SusanT]

I've looked at the Kenmore Elite and it's at least $500 more than comparable ranges. It was not very highly rated by CR.

If anyone owns the Kenmore Elite, I would be interested in your feedback.

[Beth]

Have you looked at Dacor at all? Their Preference line tends to run up with the top of the standard lines and below Thermador, Viking, etc. I had a Dacor Preference cooktop and we liked it so much we brought the griddle madeto fit it with us when we moved. Good high and low heat, loved the grates and very easy to clean). Now we find out there are at least 3 different size burners and griddles.

BTW, my mom has a Jennaire she likes very much. I have only used it a couple of times. It cooks fine, but I would not want a downdraft things can fall into and only want sealed burners after having the Dacor. I would highly recommend getting sealed burners -- they are so much easier to keep clean.

I just took a peak at www.dacor.com (http://www.dacor.com) and it looks like the Preference line has stainless with black trim (rather than the other way around), all stainless or all black, but there may be other options.

[caregiver50]

I have a warming drawer and I love it. You can fix dishes or meals and just place them in it and there you are. It has kept grilled fish warm and fresh for several hours. I can't say enough good things. Wow is it great while entertaining! You can really enjoy your guests.

As far as a convection oven, they are just great, but if I had to choose, the warming drawer would win out.

By the way, when you aren't using the drawer for food, you can keep towels there for a special treat.

[SusanT]

Caregiver - thanks for the feedback about the warming drawer. It certainly sounds useful!

Beth - I'll take a look at the Dacor. Did you have the freestanding range? I notice that the oven controls are on the front which is a little unusual for a range.

[Beth]

We had a cooktop and double ovens (KitchenAid ovens, one convection and one reg). The controls on the front I think are two-fold: a more professional appearance and allows larger burners. The thing I loved about the burners and grates (I think ours were the 13 or 14" ones) was that you could have a very large skillet or stock pot on a burner and not lose the use of 2 of the remaining 3 burners for anything larger than a 1 qt saucepan. We have considered a range in this kitchen as one way to get double ovens and a micro in the existing spaces.

We saw the Epicurian 6-burner range and thought we might do that plus one wall oven, but we learned we can't use that in our island because it can't be used with a downdraft. I think I'm just going to have to splurge on the Calypso washer and use my 2-burner stove until the perfect appliances come along. Or I snap. Which ever comes first.

[Bhamdining]

We recently replaced our avocado, 1970s-era electric range with a gas one from Sears, Kenmore's "America's Best," and we love it. We didn't get a warming drawer or convection oven, but it does have an "accubake" feature that makes for extremely even heating. It has two "power burners" and one "suresimmer" burner. It doesn't have black trim, but several of the other ranges we looked at did.

[SusanT]

Oh Beth, you're an appliance geek, too! I'm not the only one obsessed with appliances! I love finding out about new home technologies.

Good point about the burner size. I'll check out the Dacor dealers in my area. I'm having such a hard time deciding that if I can't find exactly what I want, I may just wait a little longer and hope the manufacturers catch up with me. I have only one chance to change this range and it's been such a chore to convince the DH to consider this that I don't want to blow it! If I don't like what I pick, I may not have a chance to undo it.

PS We were watching Mario Eats Italy on the Food Network and guess what he was cooking on. Yes, my bizarre cast iron covered electric coils. Apparently these are popular in Europe because they're more fire-safe than regular coils. Of course, my husband had to point out that Mario was cooking on this and it seemed to be working fine for him.

[Beth]

SusanT, I thought of you tonight. I was in Sears and saw a Kenmore Elite gas range in black and stainless with an electric convection oven and a warming drawer. I wrote down the model number for you -- 46813.

Oh, that's right. You said it was not that well rated by CR. Bummer.

Don't know if I'm as much an appliance geek (though that could be true) as I am a determined shopper.

[This message has been edited by Beth (edited 06-12-2001).]

[SusanT]

Beth, I've seen the 46813 in the store too and it sure seems to have everything I want. The only problem is my current range is freestanding. I wonder if they have panels to put on the side of a slide-in to make it have a finished appearance.

What did you think of the burner controls being on the right side of the 46813?

I would dearly love to have dual-fuel but it seems that the only dual-fuels under $2,000 are slide-ins.

[Beth]

Sorry, I saw your post last night but did not get to reply. First, the controls on the rigt side would not bother me. That's how they were on the Dacor cooktop I had, and I am right-handed so they were handy.

I don't know if you can get panels to finish the sides, but I would ask. If not, how unfinished are they? It's been a long time since I've studied the sides of ranges. I don't know what your kitchen decor is like and whether you have small children (I'm sure you've posted, but I can't keep up or keep everyone straight), but would it be possible to either put something along side of your range -- a narrow bookshelf like one I got at Cost Plus, a wine rack to show off flavored oils and vinegars, a short jelly cabinet or little table? Could you paint the side surface, either decoratively or with a magnetic paint. Use it to display magnets collected from travels and such. Can you take a negative and turn it into a conversation piece?

If none of those would work, I'd do the best you can and work on next time. Dual fuel is not essential, and neither is convection. Nice, but most important is to have a well adjusted oven with a good seal, good insulation and am accurate thermostat.

BTW, I told the saleman you had called me an appliance geek as he was entering my puchase into his terminal....my washer and dryer arrive tomorrow.

[Beth]

Sorry, I saw your post last night but did not get to reply. First, the controls on the rigt side would not bother me. That's how they were on the Dacor cooktop I had, and I am right-handed so they were handy.

I don't know if you can get panels to finish the sides, but I would ask. If not, how unfinished are they? It's been a long time since I've studied the sides of ranges. I don't know what your kitchen decor is like and whether you have small children (I'm sure you've posted, but I can't keep up or keep everyone straight), but would it be possible to either put something along side of your range -- a narrow bookshelf like one I got at Cost Plus, a wine rack to show off flavored oils and vinegars, a short jelly cabinet or little table? Could you paint the side surface, either decoratively or with a magnetic paint. Use it to display magnets collected from travels and such. Can you take a negative and turn it into a conversation piece?

If none of those would work, I'd do the best you can and work on next time. Dual fuel is not essential, and neither is convection. Nice, but most important is to have a well adjusted oven with a good seal, good insulation and am accurate thermostat.

BTW, I told the saleman you had called me an appliance geek as he was entering my puchase into his terminal....my washer and dryer arrive tomorrow. He also sold me our dishwasher and had to endure me talking to a couple of his other customers. He got a chuckle out of that.

[SusanL]

I am also late in replying, but wanted to thank you for your post, we are looking for a new gas range for the end of the summer. I think from your responces that I want the warmng tray but I also want the continuous burners... you can put extra pots on the stove top. What did you buy????

[SusanT]

Beth - I hope you enjoy your new washer and dryer! BTW, I saw your other post about dishwasher detergent. I tried Electrasol because it was top rated by Consumer Reports and because it's much cheaper but it did a terrible job. Cascade works much better in our dishwasher.

Our range is at the end of our cabinets and slide-in ranges usually have completely unfinished sides with the insulation showing. I don't have kids so no huge preference about where controls are but it's something to consider. I notice that the Dacor's are slide-in but have optional panels and backsplashes.

SusanL - we haven't bought anything yet because we're trying to finish a bathroom renovation. I am leaning toward the Frigidaire Gallery or the Kenmore Elite. Both have the professional style grates, stainless steel, and a warming drawer. I'm also going to check out Dacor on Beth's recommendation but have't had a chance to get out to the dealership. I've also considered the Jennair 8550 and some other mid-line ranges with stainless trim but they don't have the warming drawer which sounds awfully handy.

[SusanL]

Susan,
I would really appreciate if you would let me know when you purchase. We are looking towards the end of the summer, taking the one in the kitchen downstairs and buying one that the builder didn't install-long story. I really think the warming tray is the way to go!! I have downloaded this thread so that I don't forget anything!!!!

[SusanT]

SusanL - I'll be glad to let you know what we finally decide since as you can see, we've given this a lot of thought!

Beth - thanks again for all your help and thoughtful responses.

[SusanL]

did you get one? We didn't, other things got in the way but I am going out today to look. I really want the continuous grate...limits my choices.

[cori44]

ba- bump

[Kjente2]

We own a Dacor Preference RSD30. Installed last December, love it. another option that I've heard good things about but put out of the running at our house was the frigidaire gallery dual fuel. I put it out because the oven width was less than the dacor by 2 or 3 inches which was a big deal to me.
Good luck!!

[Julia1Pin]

We got the:

GE Profile Performance Stainless Steel 30 in. Gas XL44 Self-Clean w/Sealed Burners/QuickSet V Control. There is a warming zone on top of the range, a warming drawer and the oven is convection. It was on sale for $1,449.99 at Sears and we don't have to make payments or pay interest until July 2003.

We also got the Kenmore Stainless Steel 24 in.c built in dishwasher with SmartWash cycle. We were going to go with Bosch but this one seemed even better for the same price.

[Leisa M]

You will like a larger oven. If you go with a small oven you will kick yourself for years. Also check them out on BBB or Consumers Digest.

[SusanT]

I got the Kenmore Elite gas range back in September. It has a gas on glass top, convection and the warming drawer (didn't have to choose between the two), as well as a warming zone on the top (a small electric burner under the glass top). It has two high output burners, a simmer burner, and a wok ring. It has continuous grates from front to back but not from side to side. It's stainless on black so it matches our Kenmore Elite dishwasher.

Best of all, because it was a floor model, I got it for $500 off regular price.

If I hadn't found this model on sale, the GE that Julia got was what I had planned to buy.

I'm VERY happy with it. I love getting what I want at a great price!

[SusanL]

I spent the day looking on the internet and through Consumer Reports. I am going out today to look! Thanks for your suggestions, I'll be back with news.

[Julia1Pin]

How funny - we were deciding between the GE and the Kenmore Elite you got. It kinda came down to aesthetics for us - we liked the handle on the GE better. Also, the Kenmore Elite we were looking at had everything you mentioned (including the wok ring) except for the warming zone on top.

[CKL]

Very much interested in seeing how this all pans out as we're also in the running for a stovetop - renovating the basement to turn it into a second suite, and all our appliances are going downstairs so we can get brand new upstairs! So we would like to get it right the first time.

[CKL]

Wanted to add also, if there're any other resources you're looking at to help you with your decision, that'd be great if you could post them - whether they're forums elsewhere or information resource type sites...

Thanks very much in advance!

[SusanT]

Consumer Reports just did an edition on everything for the kitchen. I believe it's the current issue. It covers cabinets, applicances, countertops, etc. You can also get all of their reports on line for a small fee.

[Kjente2]

I personally don't trust consumer reports all that much. They do some great work, but their perameters are a little sketchy, so I consider them a tool, not a guide.
I love the forums www.thathomesite.com (which is also the gardenweb forums). Look at the appliance forum as well as kitchen and bath. I recently read a thread about a guy that took his pot to a working showroom to boil water to test btu power.

[SusanT]

What do you mean about "parameters are sketchy"? It seems to me they always go into great detail about explaining their criteria, testing methods, etc.