OMG shoot me now! Trying to choose a new range/stove/oven unit. ARGHH

[NMDemDist2]

my needs are simple, I want a new range that the self cleaning cycle actually works.

Gas Range
White please
standard size (a slide will work, or freestanding)
controls on top (I tend to bump my front controls reaching for colanders and measuring cups causing gas leakage)
grates that will hold up to my cast iron without chipping off in twenty two seconds
storage drawer
less than $1500 fer dawg's sake :banghead:


you'd think this would be easy, but NOOOOOOOOO

:banghead:

[Tab]

1. I'm pretty sure you can get any decent oven for under $1500

particularly nowadays (hint: try Circuit City :) )

Mine is electric (gas weirds me out, at least indoors), but a few years ago I got a great convection oven for, I think, $750. And it wasn't any special deal either. I think for $1500 you could get whatever the hell you want.

Personally, I love convection. I tried my first one about 20 years ago, and I really don't want to own anything BUT convection. I assume gas comes in convection too. I love convection. The three best things about convection are convection, convection, and convection.

What I'd like to try is induction "burners". Obviously with gas, you won't get those.

Not sure why you're finding this hard, if that's your budget, I'd think you'd have the pick of the litter. Still, it's been a while since I bought an oven, but I'm having trouble thinking you can't. Even if you go to Sears, it shouldn't be that much of a problem. What's the problematic part?

[NMDemDist2]

2. controls and burner configuration

I really need to get those controls off the front and i have a griddle I really like but getting a top with two standard burners on one side so the heat is consistent is tough on a range with decent quality grates that won't chip

it's the controls that's driving me nutz

[Warpy]

4. You're stuck with front controls on a gas range

because having them on the back is a hazard with an open flame, unlike the electric stove you are used to. Think sleeves catching fire.

Now, for the burner, you can get a 30 inch stove with a center burner unit in an oblong configuration for a grill/griddle for just about a grand. I don't know if the oven is self cleaning, but for that price range it generally is.

Unless you want to go back to an electric range (ick), learn to love those front controls. The other stuff is negotiable.

[NMDemDist2]

12. Ithey have an angled front on some

that I like a lot but it's only available on the slide in unit

one company puts them on the side that works too

[tomreedtoon]

11. Have you tried Craig's List?

I see ovens for $50 to $250. On a good weekend you might find one on the side of the road, for free, that's a fixer-upper. Here's a web site with tips about fixing old ovens:

http://home.howstuffworks.com/how-to-repair-an-oven3.htm

If it heats food, it's okay. Stop listening to that cursing jerk Ramsay; he's the real kitchen nightmare. Don't spend money on the oven; spend money on food.

[hippywife]

16. There's alot more to it than just heating food.

I personally would kill for this one:

[Name removed]

33. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Phentex]

42. I coveted a vintage stove...

and as you know, it was fully restored and not a replica. Alas, it was insanely expensive! But it would have looked great in my kitchen! :)

I have a friend who was renting a house and hated her stove. Turns out it was an old Magic Chef with the center griddle, etc. - the kind the vintage stove places restore and make a fortune off of! She wanted her landlord to replace the stove. I offered to replace the stove if she'd let me have the old one - ha! Didn't work out and she moved but damn!

I now have a regular gas/convection oven and I love it. But a girl can dream...

[NMDemDist2]

17. my old oven works except the self cleaning part

I may just nag hubby and get it level and live with it for a couple more decades

:rofl:

[Lucinda]

30. Induction rocks. I love ours.

The fact that it can be at a full rolling boil and stop immediately slays me very time.



Love it. But it's a PITA to clean. :)

[Lucinda]

3. I did a LOT of window shopping at this link when we were building.

It helped me to narrow things down. Then I took the product information to a local shop and had them order my oven. We went with a sears induction cooktop and a wall oven. But I looked at EVERYTHING. LOL

http://www.ajmadison.com/Cooking_Products/

[NMDemDist2]

18. great link thanks!!!

I can get my fancy schmancy decor store to order it for me I bet

:hi:

[Lucinda]

27. Yup. We window shop at AJ then have our local mom and pop outfit order.

Found that we can get just about anything that way and still buy with a local contact for repairs etc.

[hippywife]

5. It would be easier

if you have the room for a cooktop and then a built-in oven.

[fishnfla]

6. My wife hates our white stove

but what can ya do?

[Warpy]

7. Stainless is actually going out of style

something you'd never know from HGTV. Black is now in, although I can't figure out for the life of me why that should be. Black appliances are just a little too Darth for my taste.

White is the classic color that will never go completely out of style. It tends to look clean unless it's totally encrusted with grease and spilled sauces.

I've lived through multiple fads, from coppertone through harvest gold and avocado green to that yuppie tan of the 80s and nothing dates a kitchen more than appliances of the last decade's silly color fad.

Encourage her to like the white.

[fishnfla]

8. lol, it was on sale

she likes it well enough :)

[Tab]

28. I don't know, I kinda like black

The brushed steel seems a little pretentious - trying to give it that "industrial kitchen" look. Personally I like the glass black better.



Edit because I can't spell "pretentious" properly.

[NashVegas]

43. Which Is Why One Should Never, Ever, Base Their Kitchen Purchases on What's In Style

Imagine spending thousands, tens of thousands, on a kitchen re-model for home re-sale value, only to find that people who have the extra money to spend have moved beyond Stainless Steel and granite counter-tops.

I say: get what colors you like and appliances that do what you need.

[Warpy]

45. Right, and if they whine that it doesn't look like HGTV

they can pony up the cash to change it.

[hippywife]

9. I agree with Warpy.

Plus it really is easier to keep a white one looking clean, I think. And white really never does go out of style. :hi:

[fishnfla]

10. oddly enough, we learned how to clean it here

i think it was long ago thread from some poster Azdemdist6

[NMDemDist2]

13. ROFL

:spank:

[hippywife]

14. Hmmm.

Not often spankings are delivered in C&B. Now I'm curious. :rofl:

[NMDemDist2]

15. he's taking my old name in vain

silly rabbit

[fishnfla]

19. i'm just bustin' her chops

get it? chops? cooking?

<cue the crickets chirping>

:9 :hide:

[hippywife]

20. Ar! Ar! Ar!

:rofl:

I really thought it was referring to some long ago post about some disaster with her current or an older oven and a meal run amok that caused a mass discussion about how to clean an oven.

[fishnfla]

21. no it was this cleanser

"The bartenders friend" or somesuch and a razor blade. thread had photos and all

that poster AZDD6 has the same cutting board as me, iirc.

[NMDemDist2]

22. and I still do!!

[fishnfla]

23. yup there it is. we use ours for display, like a platter of condimenst, spices though

what a beautiful kitchen!, I always wanted a window in mine, can look out whilst you cook

[NMDemDist2]

24. I'll be putting up new pics of the kitchen next week

I got all new hardware on the way

:bounce:

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

34. I have that one too!

DH really snarked for spending what he thought was a ridiculous amount of money for a cutting board. After the first day you couldn't pry it out of his cold, dead fingers.

[NMDemDist2]

36. I got mine at costco a long time ago

seems it was around $30 which for a high quality hardwood board didn't seem excessive

:hi:

[wakemeupwhenitsover]

37. Tuesday Morning for $25. a couple of years ago.

I didn't think it was excessive either. But, DH....... :eyes:

Mine's bamboo. It's flat on one side & the other has the groove to catch meat juices. Love, love, love it.

[yy4me]

25. Is the timer the problem with your self-cleaning oven? Although

my stove is electric, it is obviously older than yours . The self-cleaning part will work if I time the cycles myself. I have to set the on,off, minutes, clock all at once. I believe it is because the clock itself is dead. Don't really know but it had made me learn that I can get away with far less time cleaning my oven than the books indicate. I do it in 45 minutes,(sometimes with a cast iron pan inside if I picked up a scrungy one) the booklet that came with the stove said it would take about 2 hours. Sometimes breaking something can be a good thing. Set my little counter timer and it is all set.

[NMDemDist2]

26. mine is new enough that the self cleaning cycle won't start with out the

door being locked

the lock is what's broken

[The empressof all]

29. I had a beautiful white gas stove in my old house

I don't remember the brand...But it had gray ceramic burner thingies that chipped when you looked at them. I'd never do that again. I think you have a heck of a search in front of you...They don't make em like they use to.

[NMDemDist2]

31. yeah, I saw those in the store. Pretty when brand new BUT

didn't look like they could take a punch

this one looks interesting but I'm not sure I like that whole grate the whole top look

I like the control layout though....



http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/JGSP28WEKWW.html?infoview=reviews#tabs

[Warpy]

32. There's one thing you're not considering

when you're complaining about controls on the front instead of on a slant or at the front on top: splatter.

Those controls are going to be a bitch and a half to keep clean.

That stove seems to have all the drawbacks: massive areas of white, stupidly enameled burner grates, and controls that will collect the maximum amount of yuck every single time you cook.

No thanks.

[NMDemDist2]

35. thanks my dear, you always save me from myself

now I can get a freestanding $600 unit and live happily ever after

:yourock:

edit to add, I don't like those grill thingies on top either, where the heck do you put your spoons?

[Warpy]

38. I have to admit I've been a little perplexed by the continuous grate

fad--it's not only spoons, where the hell do you stick the salt and pepper?

I guess everybody wants to fake a restaurant stove these days. If we had the stainless shelving above it and the massive hood over everything, maybe it would work.

As for saving you from yourself, one of the advantages of moving from one slum apartment to another for most of my adult life has taught me what works and what doesn't and what sort of works but is a pain in the ass.

Post a picture of the new stove so I can drool.

[NMDemDist2]

39. I've decided after much gnashing of teeth, I'm keeping my old one for a couple more

years

if Mr. K will level it for me I'd be fine and the only thing that doesn't work is the self cleaning part, the oven bakes fine, the burners work fine, I don't need to add to the landfills and with as much bread as I bake, it burns off the stuff to gray ash that I can wipe up. I'm an ass. :hide:

I replaced the DW cuz it didn't work and the inside was a mass of rusty tines and it was so old I couldn't replace the racks.

i will post pics of the new hardware in DIY next week though, I can justify $100 and a small box of old parts :evilgrin:

thanks for talking me down Warpy, I really need to drive up and buy you lunch :hi:

[fortyfeetunder]

40. I feel your pain

I've been looking since 2001 and my current range works but is on borrowed time....

[NMDemDist2]

41. oh joy

:banghead:

:hug:

[fortyfeetunder]

44. yeah, head banging is right

no room for wall oven or cooktop...
current range is in an island...

I won't buy GE (just a philosophical rant about them)
Jenn Airs don't appeal anymore...we don't want a downdraft range.

Now you see why it's taking so long....

The only good news is we can now go dual fuel...

Fortunately I saved up $$$ so I can get the best of what I am willing to cook with.

[NMDemDist2]

46. I've given up for now

I'll revisit it in a few years

I (well, technically Mr. K after I whined and moaned long enough) figured out that one of my grates was twisted so we moved that to the least used burner and got a flat grate back in front so my eggs and pancakes don't run downhill.

I'm happier now :rofl:

[eleny]

47. Wow, what a thread!

You'd think it would be easy to find a range. It's not like you're ever unreasonable. But it can be a bear sometimes finding what you need. How long did I look for a fridge and then there it was when I least expected it? Not exactly the color I'd choose, stainless with the grey sides, but I appreciate it every day that I don't have to be on my knees to scrounge something from the back of a shelf. We'll integrate the colors by a wise choice of flooring. Where there's a will there's a way.

Now I know what to look forward to when we go to buy a range. Jeez! Last time we got one I told hubby I want an inexpensive gas range so long as it was almond (easy to find back then), sealed burners and was self cleaning. It took me 5 minutes.

These days, I know it might not be that easy. I want gas, sealed burners and self cleaning. But I also want grates that can go into the dishwasher. And I want 5 burners. Being at high altitude I gave up on fancy baking long ago so it's not supposed to be hard for me to get a basic range. But I'm prepared for a battle because I also don't want to spend like I'm a diva.

Glad your pancakes have been brought under control!

[NMDemDist2]

48. i wonder if convection helps with the high altitude?

something to ask Stinky I guess

and yeah, I'm really happy all it took was switching the grates around

it was really frustrating trying to make a pretty round pancake and have them all run downhill

:hi:

[eleny]

52. I used to have a Tappan that was convection

You have to be careful with it since it blows the heat down on the baked goods. I used to make a foil ring to put on top of pies so the edges of pie crust didn't burn. What I loved best about convection was how fast and nice roasts came out. I'd get another if convection was optional via a switch.

:hi:

[troubleinwinter]

49. "You'd think it would be easy to find a range."

Every time I read the thread title, I read it as "OMG shoot me now! Trying to choose a new range/stove/oven mit", and I think, "Jeez, NM has gone totally around the bend and can't even pick out a damned pot holder."
:hide:

[NMDemDist2]

50. omg, don't even go there

oven mitts.... silicon? quilted? full hand? finger grips? square? round?

:argh:

[troubleinwinter]

51. Me and my big mouth.

[eleny]

54. uh-oh

:rofl:

[Warpy]

55. I crochet mine, a double layer of single crochet squares crocheted together along the edge.

It's the only time I ever crochet anything, when the potholders have caught fire and I need new ones.

I've had the present ones for 10 years now and only the hanger upper loop of one of them has gone to a better place. Their bodies are still intact, and remarkably free of stains

I'm getting sick of hunter green, so I suppose it's about time to go cruising around to find an alternative.

[NMDemDist2]

56. my grammy used two face clothes then crocheted them together around the edges

they work wonderfully!

I just went through my photobucket but don't have a pic

I can take one if you'd like.

[Warpy]

57. I always found those too flimsy

and often burned myself with them.

I'll stick to the heavy cotton string crocheted jobs.

[NMDemDist2]

58. actually, I just took pics of the latest bread and you're right, she used 4 cloths

then crocheted them together

I took some pics for ya

and here's one of the bread just for kicks (and the pot holder in green LOL)

[troubleinwinter]

60. That's a pretty sly way to show off your beautiful bread.

[NMDemDist2]

62. hey it's for my sick friend

It's coming on the airplane with me


O8)

[troubleinwinter]

63. Those are COOL!

I really like those! And they've got the soft nature that silicone doesn't. And they're clever. And they've got soul and they're cute! And Grammy made 'em.

[troubleinwinter]

61. I vote for celedon.

[Warpy]

64. I'm thinking of bowing to local custom

and going turquoise. That would look really sharp next to my flame Le Creuset pots.

I really need new countertops and they're not making the color I have now, so I need to do something different. Cabinet hardware is easy, I just take it off and spray paint it.

[troubleinwinter]

65. OH! Right on!

I hadn't realized til today where ya live. Go for it!

I went to a talk by a Navajo woman at Prescott today (she is an associate professor at UNA) on 'The Long Walk', and Navajo history and culture. She spoke a moment about the four colors, white, yellow, turquoise and red.

I spend time with Navajo friends each year on the reservation... those ARE the colors of the country, the sky and earth.

I detest the pale, washed out, wimpy fake pretend "southwest pallet". But strong rusty reds and turquoise are the true colors of the country.

[Warpy]

67. Only when I moved out here and watched sunsets

did I realize what a great combination turquoise was with oranges and yellow-oranges.

I never understood that washed out stuff, not here in the desert. Rugs only look like that when they've been exposed to the sun out here for years.

The washed out stuff is the same color palette designers were using during the Reagan years. Yuck, no thanks.

[troubleinwinter]

68. I have a number of special pieces of

Navajo and Zuni jewelry. Red coral (trade item) and turquoise. The complementary (opposite) colors are so beautiful.

If I have to have purple (which I don't much like at all), I want it with YELLOW. 'Complementary colors'.

I have a historical Navajo outfit that I am invited by the elders to wear at certain Navajo ceremonies and wear at other history events. The velvet shirt is of a burnt rusty red color. The turquoise jewelry just leaps out on it! The skirt is an 1850s cotton calico of deep mustard and rust, further setting off the turquoise.

The speaker today, when discussing the meanings of the four colors, said that the sky is turquoise (she did not say blue). The area where I spend time on the reservation is windy and there is usually some dusty sand carried up by the winds, making the sky truly look turquoise, and coral looks like the red color of the rocks.

[troubleinwinter]

66. I think spray paint is one of the great inventions of modern times.

[eleny]

53. The other day I misread a title of a thread - cracked me up

I'm the first one who posted a reply here
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x271542

[troubleinwinter]

59. Thanks. I feel a LITTLE bit better.

But I feel a pot-holder flame war abrewin' in C&B.

I was gonna say for her to go to the dollar store, buy about a dozen at three for a dollar and throw 'em away when they get dirty.

But she never actually did ask the question.

And I don't like the silicone ones.

[Tab]

69. An old girlfriend's parents had one of these

(in their "spare" house (they were rich))

I always wanted an Aga