Oh and I HAVE looked at several Lacanches. I was offered a Macon at a discount but I was surprised (after reading about 1000 posts on here confirming how amazing Lacanches are) to find that the ovens are really small. The Macon just wouldnt do in my kitchen. The Lacorufe and the aga legacy both have significantly larger ovens. And the Macon doesnt have a ceramic grill either (the Aga six fours do and they are the same size as the Macon). I couldn live with a 1400 or 1500 Lacanche but then I would be going up into the 10,000plus dollar range and I would probably just go with a Godin then. They are nicer and have self clean ovens etc etc. But budget restrictions being what they are (I am spending lots on a Miele Mastercool fridge and a fabulous worktop)I would be happy with an Aga Legacy because it has the induction hob. I have small children and the induction hob is very attractive to me. I know the Lacornufe does one too but then I'd have to pay full price!!!

And I have gone onto the espares website and you just wont believe it but the Aga Legacy spare elements also fit onto a Falcon range and the Lacornufe!!!!! IT seems to me that the Lacornufe is a bit of an ornament. Now I will admit that the cooktop is the nicest I've seen - far nicer than the Lacanche cooktops which appear a little less chunky and the gas burners have more bits on a Lacanche (more bits to mislay I say). But gas wouldnt be my first choice anyway and now that induction hobs are appearing on ranges is there really that much difference between the really expensive ones and the cheaper? There was when the burners were brass or not or sealed or not etc etc and the price difference really showed in the finish but with induction ...does it matter?

Clearly I am starting to go insane. I am repying to my own posts......

Please help.

Dippy

"And I have gone onto the espares website and you just wont believe it but the Aga Legacy spare elements also fit onto a Falcon range and the Lacornufe!!!!!"

Yes, I do believe it because as I understand it they are all made by Aga in the same factory in the UK. I believe the guts of these ranges are probably the same (or similar) and the differences are mainly the different "skins".

Out of interest, what we know as the Aga Legacy is marketed as Falcon in France. However, the Falcon marketed in the UK is not available over in the States (as far as I know). I actually really like the appearance of the UK Falcon and would have loved to have had one in my kitchen. In the end I ended up with Bluestar which I am now extremely happy with, cooking and looking wise. I am sure I would complain bitterly now if I had to go back to sealed burners and if pushed would rather do induction.

Good luck sorting out your range priorities, it is a challenge I know.

Tina

Thanks Tina . I am totally confused. I am really really tempted to buy the lacornufe but am I buying an expensive dinosaur. Is induction the future? Would I be better off spending less and making do with less class but more modern technology? Is a la cornufe really that good? It LOOKS great but..... What would you do?

Btw. The lacornufe was developed by la cornue techs in tandem with rangemaster techs. Both companies are owned by the aga group as is falcon. Rangemaster is the cheapest range company owned by the aga group. They are nice looking machines but the knobs are plasticy and overall they are lightweight. Rangemasters are sold in the uk as rangemasters but are rebranded as aga legacys for the US market. My sister in law has one and Loves it. They have a separate grill big enough ovens and lots of burners. They also have an induction job version available. I looked in the ovens and they look identical to the la cornufe. The racks on the LC ARE More substantial I admit The aga group also produce all falcon ranges. They are a little more substantial and are priced accordingly. But again the ovens are the same. Same spare parts. Racks more like the LC. They also do an induction version. They have a good feel to them but I don't care for their looks. I think they are a little ugly. Too plain. A friend has one and loves it but I know it's not for me. Aga group then produces the aga six four which also has two ovens and a separate grill This is a very heavy set rangecooker. It's the one that passes the thumb test. But the ovens are tiny. I was going to buy it cos I love the look and feel but the ovens are too small. My husband was surprised at how small they are. But they have a ceramic grill behind one door a simmer oven behind another and then two separate ovens so lots of functions but I couldn't fit my turkey in so no cigar. so then there is the most expensive option the lacornufe. It has lively burners and cooktop. By far the best I've seen. But it doesn't have the separate grill. And they don't have a simmer oven. And the doors only open 90 degrees. Aga six four ovens open 180 degrees And the others all open down. Then there are the lacanches. They have ovens similar in size to the six four if you are going for a 100 cm model. To get a good sized oven you have to buy a really big one.

I can spend about $7000/�5000/�4000the prices as I see them are as follows

RANGEMASTER �lan 110 cms/aga legacy in Uk �1800/�2500//$3500. much more expensive in US
Falcon 110 - I've seen one with an induction hob for �3000/�3800/$4800
lacanche Macon 100 �4200/�5200/$6200
lacornufe �5000/�6300/$7500 full price but the can be got much cheaper.
Wolf 48 inch in uk �10,000 /�12000/$14000
VIKING - well I wouldn't bother.
no bluestar thermadors or other us brands available in uk. (we keep hearing how us manufacturing is hurting. Pity they won't sell their products abroad. Impossible to buy from US websites - they just won't deliver. Somebody is missing a great opportunity!) (note: reason Japanese cars sell well is cos they sell them everywhere. US products are not sold outside US save for very few. Subzero wolf are here but double the price of what they are in us.

Can anyone help? I suppose my question is whether induction is so good is it worth foregoing a lacornufe to get it.

Thanks. Dippy.

I've been lurking on this thread and haven't chimed in as yet because I've got no experience with, or advice to offer, regarding the Cornufe or Aga Legacy. However, now that the conversation has momentarily shifted to Aga in general - including your brief mention of the Aga 6-4, I think now may be time to dip my big toe in the water here. :-)

I've had an Aga 6-4 installed in my kitchen since 2009. Yes, the ovens are small in comparison to American standard ovens. However, I've yet to be challenged in my cooking needs because of their size. For one thing, those European looks deceive. In practice, I have found those little ovens capable of handling every pot and pan I already had in my inventory at the time I purchased that range. As for turkey, I've always said this: I can easily get a 16 lb turkey into one of those ovens. If I were ever to need more turkey than that for one meal, e.g. Thanksgiving (and I haven't thus far), I would simply get another bird and simultaneously cook it in another oven. OR, I would get one large bird and spatchcock it. Problem solved! Now, keep in mind, that I am a small family of . . . one. lol. I'm also not a big time baker. Still, with 4 "small" ovens at my disposal, I've yet to be overwhelmed even when I've prepared meals for 12+ guests.

That said, I think we Americans tend to go really gaga over size when size is not all that necessary in most instances. I also think, that after our long love affair with really big houses, really big cars, really big appliances, and so forth and so on, the current economic downturn is going to force a reverse in size appreciation such that "small" becomes regarded more favorably). At any rate,if you regularly cook meals for a rather large group of people and/or are a furious baker, then, you may be right that the 6-4's ovens are actually inadequate for you.

BTW, whatever you decide, should you go with purchasing a foreign-made niche market appliance,I strongly advise you to do some pre-purchase research on who the central servicer will be here in the US and their reputation for competence and responsiveness, whether your vendor has a good relationship with that servicer and whether there is a servicing firm or tech in your local area that is truly knowledgeable and competent with your product.
And good luck!

Oh thank you so much. Aga six four would be my first choice. I would even pay full price for it!! (not at all like my usual MO!) I am going to go check them out a little more.

Dippy

Oh, Dippy, I was going to ask where you are. But then I looked at your member page. Are you really in Ireland? If so, woo hoo! I love how the GW kitchen forum can truly span the globe!

Dippy,

You did not explicitly say, but I gather now that you are in the UK and NOT the US, correct? It may help some people here to help you if that is clarified.

I shopped both the UK and the US markets when looking at ranges a couple of years ago (I am a Brit in the US) and was somewhat foolishly considered importing a range from the UK for a while. I was in love with the Falcon looks and if I could have got one here in the US I might have gone for it. I will say I agree that the finish quality on the Rangemaster in the UK is not a patch on the Falcon and in fact the Aga Legacy over the the US although it looks very similar to the Rangemaster I believe has higher BTU burners and a better cooktop (what you call the hob). So I don't think the Legacy and the Rangemaster are strictly comparable. I looked at the LCF too - but way too over priced over here IMHO and the looks are too gussied up for me - I actually love the plain British look of the Falcon. I saw the Wolf products in the UK and could not believe how expensive they were - but there again if you want a Lacanche over here in the US you are going to pay FAR more than in the UK. In the end I decided I could not afford to pay through the nose for looks and in any case the Legacy, the LCF and even the Lacanche would have been total compromises for me looks wise vs the Falcon.

Have you looked at the Mercury ranges? I really like those too. That was independent but I believe it has been sucked up by Aga now. You also have quite a range of options under the Britannia brand in the UK (aka ILVE). But perhaps you want a UK built range?

I think it might be easier for you if you decide whether you want gas or induction, right up front (that would at least alleviate your angst over that LCF offer you have). Then move on to the offerings available from the various companies/brands. Also it might help if you prioritize the look you want too - you say the LCF is a bit of an ornament yet the Falcon is too plain. I know this is really difficult because I spent forever trying to balance the looks vs function thing.

It is quite a minefield I know and I wish you the best of luck!

Hi Marthavila & buffalotina. YES! I am in Ireland. Is that odd? The UK is just a drive away (Northern Ireland) and Britain a short hop on a ferry. I was there last week - (stayed in hotel where Jane Austen stayed while writing Pride and Prejudice - how cool is that). I'm builidng a new home and I like to shop around. Half my family live abroad - the UK; Switzerland or in US. I lived in Boston some years ago and have lots of friends there still and I will be shopping for all my furniture in the US and all my sheets and bedding - much better quality for reasonable money in US than here). Shipping doesnt cost that much and is usually uncomplicated. A builder friend of mine goes to North Carolina to buy all the furniture for his showhouses so I might give that a try - High Point is apparently the place to go. I suppose I am taking the term "shopping around" to a new level!

I live just one hour flight from Paris - I am putting that in just to annoy the lacanche owners!!!. And just to annoy you guys further we flew out to Carrera in Italy to buy the marble for our bathrooms! Stayed in Florence. Cost about 50 dollars each for flights from Ireland to Italy (return) with a budget airline. Costs just 400 dollars to get to US return. So worth it to go. Lots of Irish fly to new York to do their chrismas shopping - my sister in law does in every year (and half the yummy mummies from the school gate) so its not really considered a big deal.
I just noticed that Miele Mastercool 36 inch wide fridge freezer costs THOUSANDS less on USappliances website than in the flagship Miele showroom twenty minutes from here. And they are made in Germany. How can that be right? I was quoted �7999 (about $10,000) for that appliance yesterday in Dublin. Its only $7K on US Appliances. Gees.

And Gaggenau is cheaper here too. I've got my coffee maker and combi steam oven from Gaggenau and am thrilled with them.

Dippy

And I LOVE this forum. The lacanches and LaCornufes etc are much cheaper here and much easier to find working displays of too. The Wolfs and Vikings etc are Much Much more expensive here than in US. the Wolfs sell like hotcakes but I understand Viking are pulling out of Ireland and England because of a lack of interest. Just 40 mins from here I can see two or three different Lacanches and two Lacornufes Three or four Wolfs, lots of Ilves Fratelli Ornofio. . I keep reading posts where people are FLYING to William Sonoma or Purcell Murray from Alaska to see these ranges. I can't believe it. We are not in the shade here.
Mercury looks really nice. I am now resolved to find out more about eh Aga Six Four and the Mercury range.

This is a tough decision.

Wow, Dippy. You really know how to make a girl sigh with envy, don't you! :-) I'm thinking that, if some of the Appliance Forum regulars get a load of what we're talking about, there will be many more hits on this thread. And, by all means, you must join us over at the GW Kitchen Forum! We'd love to stay in the loop on this as you progress. From just this bit you've shared thus far, this sounds like one house build and design project that will gain you lots of avid followers around here from start to finish! Good for you!

Dippy you are so lucky to have access to so many options! But perhaps that makes it more difficult! I know in the end I had to rule out importing and that made things so much easier. Your new home is going to be an exciting project. I agree with Marthavila, that the kitchen forum will be a great place for you to glean all kinds of great help and useful information.

If you check out the Mercury range let us know what you think! It might be too modern looking for you though, if you like the LCF and Lacanche look. However I believe it is very solidly built. I know someone in the UK who bought it over the Lacanche because they thought it would perform better and they are thrilled with it. The ovens are larger too!

I am surprised the Miele appliances are cheaper over here than in Ireland. I always thought Miele was marked up over here so much more - I know the vacuums are much more expensive here than in Europe.

Well very best of luck as you go along with this project and, keep us posted!

Hi Marthavila and Bufflotina. Thank you so much for your advice. I went out yesterday to pick up the following:

Quooker faucet/Tap - bought for E699/about $750. Its the polished chrome basic design one. No more kettle. These , and their insinkerator cousin (which produces hot but not boiling water) and a similar ZipHydro are everywhere. The fact that this produces BOILING water makes it the best I think. You turn the tap on (child safety on this one - not on some of the other brands - that why I chose quooker) and TADA!! Boiling water comes out all bubbly and spluttery. Its going to save me a whole lot of time. I boil the kettle once an hour. I can make tea without a kettle. In case you're wondering what I'm talking about please see: http://www.quooker.com/07_uk/site.html (the one I got is the "basic" model PRO3 VaQ- it was on sale and would normally cost at least 1000 dollars/ 899 euro. Here is a review: http://honestcooking.com/2011/04/12/testing-the-quooker/.

Garbage disposal - I got a viking one - they were on sale at a good price for Europe. VCFW750 Viking 3/4 HP Continuous Feed Food Waste Disposer was E450/$550 (I know its really really expensive here but the hassle of changing plugs and electrics for such a small item isnt worth it so I bought here instead of US). This is for my prep sink in the island. I'm going to get an insinkerator model 1HP one for my sink beside the dishwasher. I got the Viking one for the prep sink because I love the viking logo on the rim - it just looks nice. I am afraid of Viking products since I saw one of their fridge freezers recently in a showrrom here. It was actually rusting in the freezer compartment - and its only about two years old. Either the dealers abused it or its a bad product. But this is a small item so ......fingers crossed it works ok.

I've been picking up bargains for the past few months: I have the following:

BlancoMaster-S Baby Faucet/Tap http://www.tapsaver.co.uk/tap_1506.asp

which is gorgeous in real life and the professional spray is really forceful cos I have a good pressurised water system. I think its called a Blanco Gourmet Professional in the US. I didnt like the full sized Blancomaster - Its too big - about three foot high and it would dominate the kitchen. This one has all the pro features and function and blends in. However it means my other faucets/taps have to be polished chrome. I was going to go for polished nickel but...... the Blancomaster baby was picked up half price - E350 ($420) so it was an absolute steal so i dont mind. Polished chrome is ok.

I've also got a blanco tap/faucet with pro spray for my utility room see:
http://www.blanco.co.uk/products/tap/blancotubetwist

I picked it up for E200 /$270 last week. Again half price or less.

Gaggenau: 24"Combi-Steam and convection Oven http://www.gaggenau.com/GB_en/products/product-detail.do?contentId=08bc3306-c804-4796-983e-58cb2b13f810&family=SteamOven
- bought for E2000 ($2700). Ok I paid the full price (not like me at all) but I HAD to have it. They TOLD me that it was 700 euro off but when I got home and checked the price I could have gotten it anywhere for that. But I wanted it and was overcome by impulse and had to have it. Cant wait to crank it up once the kitchen is in (about 8 weeks from now)

Gaggenau Coffee Maker http://www.gaggenau.com/US_en/products/coffeemakers-overview/product-detail.do?contentId=3f015e54-a127-4cc9-959f-9d8d2af07820&family=Coffeemaker.
I LOVE IT. I picked it up ex display for E500 (about 600 dollars). The price makes the coffee taste sweeter! (having said that the way you put the coffee and water in is a little bit of a nuisance. If I hadnt picked this up for a song I would have gone for the Miele one which has much more convenient way to fill etc)

I have had a good look at the Falcon rangecookers. YOU WERE RIGHT. The cooktop is the same as the La Cornufe but the burners arent brass and the grid of iron is enamelled whereas the la cornufe is not I think. The La Cornufe grid (what is the name of that - escapes me right now so i'm calling it a grid) is not shiny whereas the Falcon one is shiny black. Anyhow they are THE SAME SHAPE. Clearly from the same designer and same machine. The door hinges on the falcon are identical to the La cornufe. But the Falcon doesnt have the easy clean system whereby you take out the sides and top of the oven. However the Falcon does have the additional grill. So I am decided. The Falcon retails for about E5000/$6000. THe La Cornufe for about E6200/7500. I have been offered one ex display for less than the Falcon retail price. Its ok that the hinges etc are the same. Its ok that its not a real La Cornufe (who was I kidding at that price). I like it. I am going to go and buy it and I'm going to pick up a neff or miele or siemens 24 inch induction cooktop(hob) to go to the left of it and I'll get a 24 inch butchers block for the other side of it. It'll look good. I'll get a nice pot filler tap and some fired earth tiles (http://www.firedearth.com/)for behind it and I will be set.

I will still have a look at the Mercury but from the pics i've seen its the wrong look.

I saw a really nice Fisher & Paykel three door (french door) fridge freezer yesterday. http://fisherpaykel.com/product/refrigeration/refrigerators/index.cfm?productuid=A11C44C2-EAF3-81BC-9B6A6087173AA8A9

Only 2K as opposed to 8-10K for the Miele.http://www.appliancist.com/refrigerators/miele-refrigeration-line-mastercool-control-system.html (You think the Miele looks good in these pictures. You ought to see it in real life. It is lovely. THe F&P is a good bit smaller but so is the price.... I am torn.

I saw a Miele dishwasher ex display a little while ago. Based on the almost unanimous good opnion of same on here I think I will just go and buy it. Hope its still there.

Thanks so much for your help.

I had another look at the Aga Legacys/rangemaster induction cooktops yesterday and decided definitely that they are too cheap looking for my new kitchen. The induction top is surrounded by rubbery looking plastic stuff. I don't know what material it is...I only know its unattractive. The falcon and ilve (called brittania in UK called Ilve in US and Ireland) ones have steel surrounds around the induction tops which are much nicer, and stop spills falling onto the floor. I did check out a Bertazzoni but they are a little lightweight compared to their rival Wolf so it was a no. So Hopefully by this time tomorrow I shall be a proud La Cornufe owner. See pics of product here: http://www.thestylishhouse.net/2009/04/in-my-dreams.html

I have a laundry room upstairs and i have bosch washer and dryer for there. i fancy putting another washer/dryer into mmy utility room for towels and dishcloths etc. i've been offered a kupperbusch integrated w/d and i'm thinking i'll take it. I still need

fridge freezer - I love the Miele but it super pricey
microwave Probably Gaggenau
Warming drawer - probably gaggenau
winecooler: something small and unobtrusive. Its not the look I want really i might integrate one into a nook in the dining room.
small dishwasher for island (a little drawer one)
refrigerated drawers for fresh meat. my husband keeps mixing raw and cooked meats in the fridge so i'm buying drawers for the meat now and keeping the big fridge raw meat free!
faucet/tap for island - I'll have to go with blanco to make everything match. The polished chrome quooker will be beside it.
prep sink for island - I wanted the kohler http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?from=thumb&frm=null&module=Kitchen+Sinks&item=337202&prod_num=6588§ion=1&category=5&resultPage=0--1543372007
but i mightgo for the Shaws of Darwen model which is half the price with all of the good looks. See: - http://www.shawsofdarwen.com/classic-sinks/10-round-sink.html Its the undermounted I like.

I will get a shaws of Darwen 36 inch (900cms) double for my kitchen and 36 inch (900cms) single for my utility room. A 36 inch wide single sink will be able to accommodate my bbq burners and grills which is what I need.
http://www.shawsofdarwen.com/6-classic-sinks

I had been stuck on the franke big one made for villeroy & boch http://www.appliance-world.co.uk/Franke_VBK771_Belfast+Sink.html
but in my kitchen that might be a dirt gatherer. Too many nooks and crannies.

What do you think?

I'll be back with photos of kitchen space soon.

Dippy

P.s. My flooring is from Mandarin Stone - the Jerusalem grey gold Ramon see http://www.mandarinstone.com/products/limestone/classic_jerusalem_ramon_tumbled

It is beautiful. I have no regrets whatsoever. Even my Mother in law likes it. Its a first.

Dippy,

I think people are surprised to have someone from Ireland here because we just rarely have folks from outside of North America. I remember one Brit (in the UK), one Aussie, one South African, one Spaniard, a couple from the Caribbean, and one from South America, here and in the Kitchens forum, in the last four years. The rest either lurk, or don't mention where they're from. :)

I've been following your thread because I know someone who has been waffling on interest in the Aga Legacy. :) I'm confused about the differences between here and there and the names, but I like the fact that you have total control over the oven elements on the one she's looking at. I don't know if that's also true for the Cornufe. The style here for induction cooktops is not to have any edge at all. I brought in a Gaggenau one from the UK, which came with the stainless frame, and I really like it. It does stop spills, and it also makes it look good next to the Wolf gas domino, which is stainless with a black grate. (Was that the word you were looking for? "Grate"? "Grid" works. :) )

The reason for the different pricing of the Miele fridges is "what the market will bear". They charge that because they can. Also, is there a direct competitor? Here, they have to compete with SubZero on the 36" over/under units, which are SubZero's big fame. They've been keeping their pricing to the same neighborhood as SZ. I have the Miele all fridge and all freezer and am delighted with them. If you don't have to have integrated, however, you can save a lot of money with the less expensive, smaller unit. You could even leave enough space (possible with trim to cover) so that you could change your mind later.

The Viking garbage disposal is the best money can buy, so don't worry about it. Viking have had an iffy reputation for at least a decade. They're been trying to get it back, and the disposer was one of the first entries there. They designed it and had Insinkerator make it. Then Insinkerator set themselves the challenge to design one that would have the same performance specs, and developed the Evolution. It's not as pretty, but is supposed to perform as well. You can't go wrong with either.

The Quooker sounds fab! My objection to instant hots is that they aren't hot enough for tea. :)

Unless it has a look you're anxious to have, don't waste money on a Gaggenau microwave. All microwaves are made by Sharp, Panasonic, GE, and maybe one of the Koreans. Or something like that. Unless you're getting a great deal, I'm sure you can find something nice looking for a lot less than the Gagg.

Warming drawers are very simple. I have Gaggenau ovens so was very tempted by their warming drawer, but I was able to spend half and get more with another brand. Again, if you're matching looks to your combi-steam, go for it. The open sides are nice. :)

For the wine cooler, if you're not happy about the looks, you might be able to find one which will take a cabinetry panel door. We have them here. I think the ubiquitous glass doors are for guys who want to look at their money inside. ;) The other thing you could do, unless the plans for the house are too far along, is put in a proper cave, in the ground, if you can have a basement area. :) Just a dugout with bottle holders is adequate, though it would have to be finished against water and freezing earth. Depending on how much wine you keep, and how much you need to control the temperature, you could also put the raw meat in one refrigerator drawer and wine in the other. I keep most of my wine in a pantry, away from sunlight and outside walls. Even in Southern California, where the air in the kitchen can get to 80 degrees F (26.6 C), the wine is kept constant and cool enough not to go bad, but our wines are in the moderate range ($15-30), and we don't keep a lot on hand, so aren't over worried about losses. My Marvel fridge drawers are specifically made so that you can stand up a recorked bottle of wine in the lower drawer. I keep ales in that drawer, opened wine, and whatever I'm chilling for a meal. (BTW, you can also separate the raw meat by getting a polypropylene or glass pan or box to store it in the main fridge, unless you're buying it by the side. I use my top fridge drawer for vegetables, and keep my onions, potatoes and carrots in the bottom drawer with the ale and wine. The only time there's raw meat in it is the 25 lb. holiday turkey (stainless drawers--easy to clean). I do get the appeal, though...)

One thing that people with more than one dishwasher report is that it's a pain when the two are far apart. When one is too full, they want to put a last dish in the other, for instance. Just something to think about when you're placing your drawer DW. Closer to the Miele is a good thing. :)

I almost went for a V&B sink which had a channel in the back for drying cutting boards, etc. The problem with any fireclay sink is that it's much more easily damaged than a cast iron or stainless or other metal sink. If you overtighten the drain/disposer flange you can crack the sink. If you drop something, you can chip it to raw clay, etc. Plus, since each is made individually, you have to have it in place and fitted by your carpenter then have the countertop templated around it.

As to the rest, most people have moved away from double bowl sinks, which were invented for double basin dishwashing, and aren't needed with dishwasher machines. Check out past threads in the Kitchens forum, or start a new one, if you're interested in more on how people use their sinks. If you're happy to keep on with what you've liked, that's fine too.

The stone for the floor is gorgeous! It is a limestone, however, so treat it accordingly. :)

It sounds like you're having a ball shopping, and like you're going to have a truly excellent house!

Hi Plllog!

You are a mine of information!

Re: Aga Legacy v Rangemaster Elan etc. I think they are pretty much the same. They all have total & separate control over the fan and the upper and lower elements. The La Cornufe is the same. I do like the Aga /Rangemaster brand - as I say my sister in law has one. So does one of my best friends. Its the most popular rangecooker here and in the UK. They are well made reliable but.... they are everywhere. Every second person has one. I wanted something different for my kitchen and so I thought I would go for the induction model. But the surround really isnt nice so I'll go for the duel fuel LaCornufe (subject to my trip tomorrow to see a Mercury in action).The Aga brand is the most highly thought of here and in the UK. If your friend likes it and it is something that isn't so common they should go for it. I've never heard a complaint about them.

I have seen those Wolf dominos in a local showroom with a "living kitchen" - really really nice. And ANYTHING Gaggenau impresses me. Lucky you.

RE: edges of induction cooktops (hobs). Most here have no edge or trim along the side. But that scares me. I DO allow things to boil over occasionally - particularly big pots (pans?)of soup - and the ones with no edge and particularly the ones with bevelled edges allow the boiling water to cascade onto the floor (or my children's heads). Scary. I need one with a trim. The 24 inch Siemens has a trim as does the Miele domino one. I hadnt even considered a gaggenau. I hadnt noticed the trim. (silly me - And I've almost been LIVING in that dealers showroom)

Thank you for the advice re the sinks, fridge freezer and the warming drawer. I DO have to make the warming drawer match so... I best start saving!!

Re: the Fridge. I think I am in love with the Miele. I caught myself thinking about it while driving. Oh dear! (the market may be able to bear the price but can my purse?) Its all the lighting that makes it. And the promise that last years left overs will be fresh this christmas!!!

Too late for the cellar. It was in the plans but we hit a couple of springs while digging and the costs escalated... Had to make a few cuts but we went up into the attic for a granny flat instead so....

This is a really great forum. I think what surprises me is the fact that while we are on different continents we are looking at the same appliances. The global village truly exists. Or else these big companies are megalomaniacs and they have taken over the world.

Dippy

Hi Dippy,

It sounds like you are feeling much more comfortable with your range options now which is great. If you do see the Mercury I would love to hear your thoughts, but yes, it is a very different look. I agree that the LCF and the Falcon have very similar cooktops and I think the build quality is similar. Because I like the Falcon so much I did for quite a while consider a LCF over here, but they are sooo expensive here and at the time the shipping from Purcell Murray or whoever was something like $1600 which I balked at. If it had come to that I would probably have gone with a Lacanche. If I were in the UK I would definitely have a Falcon or a Mercury (that is unless they suddenly had a Capital Culi or Bluestar avaiable over there - open burners really spoil you).

All your other appliances sound like a wonder and you will be all set for serious entertaining. There are only two of us and when I remodeled I desperately wanted two ovens. In the end my kitchen layout really precluded wall ovens and I could not run to a 48" range. When the Euro options (Aga, LCF, Lacanche, Ilve etc) went by the wayside I ended up with a 30" Bluestar. My second oven is the Breville counter top. But what I have found in practice is that the thing I really need two of is the dishwasher so you are very sensible having two of those.

So keep us posted and good luck!

Well Tina. Thank you very much. I went on a hunt for a mercury which it turns out are also made by the aga group (megalomania??!!) and their rep told me that the mercurys are a step above the falcon. Now I've had another good look at the falcons and they are nice. Really nice. Sturdy. Big. Solid. Everything you want in a range really. There weren't any mercurys in that showroom so I'm planning a trip to Manchester to Altrincham to COD appliances to see what they've got there. That's plan "B". Plan "A" is the la cornufe. I put an offer in on it today. About a Thousand less than the already reduced price cos it's been sitting there for a long time and no one else is knocking the door down for it. They didn't bite. But they didn't say "No" either. I expect a response by tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Dippy

Dippy, ...for all the hype and branding I am a little disappointed by it.

I get the bargain. But do you really want it? Is the short term savings worth it? I know, I know, there are always overruns in building a house, but the range is so essential to your enjoyment of the house.

From what you've said, I really think you think you'd like the Aga group one better. Is the look really worth it?