Why get a stripped down Fratelli with plastic knobs when you can get a real Fratelli with steel knobs for under $2500? Here are two: http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/FREV905S.html (also see link below--I'm emphasizing this one because it has the larger oven of the two) http://www.ajmadison.com/cgi-bin/ajmadison/FRPN365SS.html I just ordered another Fratelli model myself--haven't used it yet, obviously, but I saw one in person and it was solid and beautiful, and you have to love those reviews (17 people giving it an average of 4.3 stars out of 5). The big reason I got a Fratelli, apart from the looks (I got the Royal Chiantishire, a very particular look) and the great reviews... ok wait, there were two big reasons apart from those: (1) It has almost no electronic parts. On these ranges I linked to here, the clock is the only electronic part. None of those fancy wave-touch control doodads that are 99% certain to break as soon as the warranty expires. Basically it's all mechanical, and I would expect that to be much more reliable, although having not even received the range yet much less used it for years I couldn't really say. (2) It's got everything you would need, unless you are a professional chef or so close to a professional chef that you truly do need 18,000 BTU burners. Personally I just saw no point forking over $5000-$10,000 for some uber-powerful range that not only has features I don't need (do I care that the spaghetti water boils 2 minutes faster than it will on my Fratelli? No, I do not) but also will force me to invest another $1500 in a range hood capable of dealing with that much power. Not to mention, another $1000 or so reworking my ventilation system to provide makeup air--my local building codes require makeup air for any vent hood over 400CFM. But add up the BTU's on the Fratelli and you find that you can get away with a 400CFM hood... which saves me not only the cost of the high-powered hood, but also the cost of reworking the ventilation system. BTW, you may also be able to get a better deal with AJ Madison. I was originally going to order my Fratelli from them, but they're out of stock on the one I want. But when I was going to order it--and at the time it was $2999--the guy I talked to on the phone said he would throw in a free five-year extended warranty. So it's certainly worth calling them to see what they can do. Here is a link that might be useful: Fratelli range, 36

The 36 looks beautiful! I have to get a 30 inch. Checked out ajmadison and they have an Electrolux that might just do it. Model EWDF65GS. The EW#LDF65GS is the same price, but when doing a comparison the latter has lower burner outputs. Both are the same price. One reviewer wasn't happy with his Electrolux,but you can't please everyone. The only thing that I would want to know is how to override the electronic ignition for the oven. I think there is a way to do it. One of the reasons for getting a gas stove is for when our power goes out, which is more than I care for. Thanks so much! You may have helped me find my stove. :) Here is a link that might be useful: Electrolux E36DF76GPS

I have the Wolf DF. Google Wolf blue chipping. It is well documented on this site. There is one lawsuit over thus and maybe more to come. Wolf has redesigned the M series wall oven to supposedly address this but they have not on the DF range. I would recommend a separate range top and oven so that you can pick what is best for you for each component. With a range you are stuck with replacing the range if the oven goes. I have not seen any DFs that I am that taken with. I am waiting to see how the Miele is over time. I am also looking at BlueStar which is all gas, but I have an electric wall oven.

48" Miele ranges can have a speed oven and a "moisture plus" oven which I'm not super knowledgeable about but it isn't the same thing as steam. I have a miele speed oven it's great but an in the range placement would be more of an issue than with a steam oven imo. My problem with any 48" range other than Thermador is that I wanted a steam oven & mw (or better yet good speed oven) in the kitchen. After having a combi steam for 6 months it's something I would now say is pretty much mandatory for a new high end kitchen. Other 48" ranges with two normal ovens would give me 4 ovens in the kitchen which was just too much. I think ideally the best cooking appliances would be a 36" or 48" rangetop/30" wall oven or 36" range plus a speed oven and steam oven (ideally both of these Miele).