Your Opinions re: Range vs Cooktop & Wall Oven

11 years ago

I made the decision to replace my DF range w/ an induction range and DH & I made the trip to the appliance store today to see things in person and get prices.

Our salesperson (we worked w/ her on another project 5 yrs. ago) told us how happy she's been w/ her new induction cooktop. Suddenly, DH was thinking that we should reconfigure our kitchen to have wall ovens & a cooktop instead of just replacing the range.

His reasoning is that our home has become the hub for all big family gatherings and holiday dinners and we aren't getting any younger (I had to chuckle at this.) We're in our mid-50's, in good shape & health, but looking out at the next 10 yrs.+ or so that we hope to have this range, he asked if we want to be pulling heavy turkeys and LC Dutch cookers out of an oven so close to the floor.

Perhaps I'm being shortsighted, but I think I can manage fine with just sliding in a new range.

I'd like to know your opinions if you've chosen one over the other. Do you think it's really worth the cost and the loss of prime cabinet space?

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Comments (5)

Peke
11 years ago
I have remodeled three kitchens and put double wall ovens in all three. First house I had a single wall so I never had to use a lower oven. Second one had a slide in range that I used for a month before we got rid of it. Third was a new build....double ovens and waist high dishwasher....loved them.

I have been in my new house (new for me) for 1 1/2 years and have hated every moment of my low dishwasher and horrible electric stove/oven. I hadn't realized how I was used to not bending over. I can't wait to get my dishwasher and double ovens on the wall again. I have a huge island so I do not miss the counter space. I will also have one of those Stages sinks so I can do my prep work there...an extra counter space...sort of. I will never have a low dishwasher or oven again. Mid fifties too.
eandhl
11 years ago
My main reason for always selecting a range over built in oven/cooktop is - I like having the broiler under my hood. I broil a fair amount of fish and the vent removes all odors.
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I'm going to be the voice of dissent - I would NOT want double ovens. I do a lot of cooking that starts on the the stovetop and then finishes baking in the oven, using a cast iron dutch oven. I couldn't do this if the cooktop was across the room for the oven. Also, I only know two people in real life with a double wall oven, my grandmother and my aunt. Both only use them both if they are having a holiday meal with more than 10 people. Otherwise, they seem to be a huge waste of space. I'm short and I can't reach the top one very well, and I hate the pull down door on top - its right at my face, and I'm always burning my arm on it when I try to put something in or take something out. I have to get someone else to that job when I'm cooking with the family. I love my range, however. If I had lots of extra money, I'd go with something like a Lacanche, with two ovens. But I'd never ever want wall ovens. It just doesn't suit my cooking style. I say get what you want. I never worry about resale, except when I'm trying to justify having to spend a ton on something...oh well, if I have to put in new HVAC, at least it will up the value of the home. Well, if I have to redo the entire roof, at least it will up the resale value.
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I have a small kitchen - it's a galley with an 8' run of counters but no uppers on a portion of the counter. However, since the wall of my dining area runs along the same wall as my kitchen, I effectively extended my kitchen storage by adding cabinets to that wall which are designed to look more like a classic hutch/buffet. I opted for a Bosch side opening wall oven with a microwave drawer below. This provided me with the ergonomic benefits of a side opening wall oven as well as having the microwave off the counter and yet still ergonomically functional. I had almost NO counter space prior to my remodel - your island provides you with a lot of counter space. It looks like your design plan includes a double bowl sink. I would ditch that and get a large single bowl sink with a ledge which effectively expands your counter space. In my small kitchen I got a 36" sink with a cutting board and drain board that fit in the ledge. Therefore my sink has become a very functional counter for prep - drying dishes if I hand wash. It's actually more functional than a regular counter would be because all the detritus of prepping and/or thawing is contained right above the sink so the counter never has to deal with dirt or chicken juice or whatever. The pros of a wall oven are obvious since it is far more comfortable to use than below the counter oven. The cons are that you lose some storage and some counter versus a contained stove; the cost of the cooktop and wall oven are generally more than a comparable stove would be; the cabinets would be a bit more expensive since the stove replaces cabinets versus needing a cabinet to hold the cooktop and a tall cabinet for the wall oven is probably more expensive than a more standard lower and upper in that space. I don't know what my cost differential would be because my bid was for building the cabinetry to my exact specifications and I didn't get pricing for each cabinet. Regarding storage, you will have storage below the cooktop - I have two drawers as well as in the tall cabinet housing the wall oven since I have drawers below and a combination of "tray" storage and another storage component above the wall oven.
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clarygrace
11 years ago
I'm with Peke on this one, much prefer double ovens for the convenience of having two when I need them, which is often -- We recently renovated our kitchen and purchased Gaggenau 30" double ovens, with side swinging door which makes it soo much easier to check food, place and remove from oven. I'm 50 and hubby is 57 and very tall, so oven heights are not much of an issue for us. We opted for a 6 burner gas cooktop from Bertazzoni and could not be happier with it.
Bottom line, make the choices you believe will be right for you, your cooking style and needs, especially if you will be in your home for a long time. Best of luck!
orcasgramma
11 years ago
I am short (5' 1'') and I much prefer a range. I like to be able to see what I am preparing and to be lifting hot dishes up rather than down. I feel more in control and less fearful that I'll end up burning myself. I think clarygrace gave you good advice - to make choices that fit your needs.
wekick
11 years ago
I have a range and wall oven. We are in the middle of having lots of gatherings at our house. We are in our late 50s. I did get a range for one oven because I thought it would be good to have it under the hood. I use it mostly though when I a cooking for a big group and cook the long cooking things in it. I probably would buy separate pieces when I do my next kitchen.
Some advantages for separate components for me would be
- the ability to pick the "best" of each
- the ability to place each appliance in the best place ergonomically
- each piece can be replaced separately if need be

I think ergonomics is one of the most overlooked things in some of the kitchens I've seen. I don't think looking ahead a little is a bad thing especially if you want to age in place. Changes in your abilities can come on suddenly. A friend of mine has issues with balance and the first thing the occupational therapist told her was no bending over to the oven.

Your Opinions re: Range vs Cooktop & Wall Oven

Comments (5)

Peke

eandhl

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clarygrace

orcasgramma

wekick

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