Must Rethink My Range Choice - Anything Decent Under $2000?

13 years ago

Due to escalating construction costs in my home, I am forced to rethink my choice of appliances in my kitchen. Not only that, but other items as well; countertop materials, and my cabinet choices.

My budget has absolutely been blown out of the water because of plumbing and electrical issues (old home) which I had no idea would occur (you just do not know what is behind those walls at inspection time that will come to bite you in the ass).

So, with those costs mounting and necessary due to Code, my much coveted professional range, and other items will probably have to go for now. I'm getting used to the idea and, if lucky, down the road will be able to afford to put them in but for now I need to reign myself in. After all, having a safe home is more important than an expensive stove and I know I can still have a good looking kitchen on a budget, let alone cook well in one too.

So all of you incredibly informed formumites - with all the research you have all done to come to the decisions you've made, if push came to shove and you had to cut your budgets (or, those of you who had smaller budgets), what would you choose and why?

I'm now trying to keep this under $2000 if possible, but still looking for the highest BTU's I can get and it MUST be all gas. Not interested in electric in any way shape or form.

Now if only there was a microwave over the range which had enough CFM's to make it worthwhile, so I could save a bit more money - I'd be set lol.

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Comments (11)

deeageaux
13 years ago
How about this Capital AG pro-style range for $2699 including delivery?

Get an inexpensive Kobe hood for it too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Capital Range
segesta
13 years ago
The other approach might be: spend as little as possible on your appliances for now. I mean, like Estate/Premier/Hotpoint.

Then commit to saving saving saving and getting your Holy Grail appliances when you can. Then sell the cheap stuff on Craigslist.

Rather than going for something sort-of-expensive, and sort-of-undesirable and always thinking What Might Have Been.
Just a thought...
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I wonder if you are spending that much what are you getting for your money? There are a lot of people here with big budgets and houses that are in expensive neighborhoods. Lots of expensive stuff get put in these houses/kitchens for the relative luxury value for the place it is in, not necessarily for the performance value. (If a house is worth $1 mil then, you are just not going to see a $500 range.) You really have to remind yourself that this forum has a huge spread of budgets. Many people (not necessarily here but where I live) stick in $5000 range in a million $ house because they can and they have to for resale. You asked.... Will it last longer? In my personal experience, the less electronics there are, the longer the range tend to last. This has nothing to do with the cost. The electronics control panels tend to break down and are expensive to replace ($100 to several hundred$). So on a cheaper range, the entire range gets chucked and replaced. If the range was expensive to start with, the owners are more likely to replace the broken parts. I have a pro all gas range ( ie $5000 range) that is quite old and still going strong. No electronics. I had an all electric range (ie $500) without any electronics in my rental condo that was 25-30 years old and tenants never complained. When I lived there, it worked fine. I have had other ranges with electronics that went kaput on me when not very old. (I have rentals, so I have somewhat higher than average user experience.) Regarding looks: some higher end appliances will keep their looks longer. I have a 15 plus year old custom color Viking and their models have not changed much. (The ranges with electric control panels tend to date themselves sooner, IMHO.) Ovens: I agree with others that the more expensive ones tend to be more even. My gas oven on the range is pretty good. My expensive Miele oven on the other hand is amazing! Are they for serious cooks only? No. I do not consider myself a serious cook. I like to cook but not a serious cook. I live in an affluent neighborhood where everyone has expensive appliances. Some of these appliances get rarely used, sad to say. Some folks put in the expensive appliances because that is what they really value and they are willing to scrimp on other things to make it happen. There is no right or wrong answer to your question. I have used expensive appliances that did not perform that well and cheap appliances that were great. Even if you get expensive appliances, you need to pick carefully. Price alone does not guarantee higher performance as many people will tell you on this forum.... Good luck.
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I adore your kitchen. It is beautiful and has character and looks like a place I would want to be. The cabinetry is beautiful inset and shows craftsmanship. The ONLY thing that I dislike is the accent tile behind the range, but it isn’t so off putting that I would turn my nose up. Can I move in?
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hpxmirage
13 years ago
It's not as nice as the Capital recommended above, but it comes in for less than $2K. GE Profie stainless with self cleaning convection oven and warming drawer, 17,000 BTU power burner.

I have an earlier version of this all-gas range without the warming drawer, and for the money (around $1500 at the time), it was perfect for what I needed at the time. Mine's black (as are all the other appliances in my kitchen, and it both cooks nicely and gets rave comments from guests).

http://products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/Dispatcher?REQUEST=SpecPage&Sku=PGB916SEMSS
Laurie
Original Author
13 years ago
GE is a decent choice HP. I can live with that. Thanks for that suggestion.

Segesta - it never even occurred to me to Craigslist the appliances I purchase now, later on. Fantastic idea. At least I'd get something for them down the road.

And yes, I do hope that a couple of years from now I'll be able to spring for the better stuff. Part of the problem also is my partner has been out of work for a long time (darn economy) and right now the burden of everything is on me. Once he's back employed, and I get my tax credits from the purchase of the house and things settle down with the renovations I'll have a better idea if I can splurge a little bit. On a bright note - at least he's been available to supervise what's going on during construction :)

Right now, saving a few thousand on the appliances, counters, and other items which can be swapped out easily is the extra for the overage on electrical and plumbing. I'm hoping not to cut the cabinetry as that can't be changed as easily.
chesters_house_gw
13 years ago
Or look out on Craigslist now, saving even more. Just make sure that the right space is waiting (30, 36 or whatever) when you're able to splurge. I too ran into construction issues, and wound up buying on ebay. (A perfect for me Craigslist range popped up after I pulled the trigger, sadly).
dndsmom
13 years ago
I just ordered a Frigidaire Professional Convection Gas Range for our new house (CPGF3081KF). I have one in our current house, but it is staying when we move. I love it and am even more excited for the new one - new look, apparently better design (as per salesman) AND it was less money than my first ($1699 CDN)! I personally liked it more than the GE, but that's just me!
User
13 years ago
There are tons of barely used white appliances on Craig's List in my area for almost no money. Side by side fridges for $300 and ranges for $200. I'd probably do that for the current reno until the budget recovered. There are cabinets as well. Many people are now renovating that would have just moved before the recession hit. I'd check out the cabinets from CL as well. You'd be surprised at what some paint and creativity can accomplish in rescueing your budget. White appliances with painted white cabinets is a great look, and easier and cheaper to accomplish from recycled goods than any other look.
maks_2000
13 years ago
Aren't you glad you didn't buy the appliances 1st?

Good luck!
txcook
13 years ago
Sear's outlet!
busybme
13 years ago
Have you considered NXR? I have had my 30" all gas DRGB3001 for about six weeks and am very happy so far. 4 - 16.5k btu burners, an infrared broiler and a 22.5k oven (if I am remembering correctly).

Very industrial looking with substantial knobs and grates.

I bought mine sight-unseen from Josh Dvorson at marinresturantsupply.com. $2000 with no tax and free shipping.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dvorson's Appliances
Laurie
Original Author
13 years ago
Someone else had suggested the NXR before, but I can't find anywhere near me to see it in person. It certainly would fit the bill but I'm just not the type of person to buy something sight unseen. I'm going to keep trying to find a place to get my hands on it, if possible, since I have time now. The project had to be stopped for a while due to lack of permits (misunderstanding between DOB and I) and I wanted to make sure that we did things by the book as we went forward from this point onward.

Thanks for reminding me about it!

Must Rethink My Range Choice - Anything Decent Under $2000?

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