Anyone with input at all?

What real final info do you need on the Culinarian?

A few considerations that may or may not mean anything to you.

I think the gas ovens in general have a little more of a swing in temperature. I'm not sure that would be all that significant. If you have convection in the gas oven it will not have the element around the fan. I don't think that makes much difference either. Dacor has actually reversed their fan now to pull the air in and then redistribute to avoid a hot spot in front of the fan. If you don't have an element there you don't have to worry. I usually use the convection roast or bake and that uses a combination of elements. One thing to consider too about the Wolf and I don't know about the others is that it has a double fan. IMHO this really contributes to even temperatures within the oven more than anything.

Another thing some gas ovens have an infrared broiler. The Culinarian doesn't have that. If I was to have a gas oven, I would definitely want that feature.

I thought that roll out racks were coming soon on the Wolfs. I only like the roll out rack on the bottom. I move my racks around quite a bit and it is easier to have slide out racks on top. I keep one in most of the time.

Do you really use the full sized baking sheet? I use half sheet and I cook for 30 people 1-2 times per month. Full sheets are just too big to wash and will they fit in your frig?
I love my half sheets with covers for getting things done ahead and stacking.

Will you have a local appliance store that actually has Culinarians and is capable of working on them?

I would read the user manual on all the models you are considering and see and handle what you are going to buy even if you have to travel. Only you can then decide what is best for you. Another thing to check since you are looking @ a 48 inch range is make sure the little side oven is big enough to accommodate a 9x13 pan with a little room.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dacor convection

I think it sounds like you like the Culinarian best. There are some differences between gas ovens and electric ovens, but as long as they get hot you can use either and get good results, better if there's some kind of temperature control. (My old (old old, came with house, half dead) gas oven had none so it was all guesswork every time I turned it on and I still managed to bake just about anything but a proper souffle.) You have to learn all the quirks of whatever oven you have and learn how to adapt to them. I wouldn't choose an oven, or range, just for the racks. The burners are more important, though the oven size is too if you really need the full sheet size. For cookies and the like you can easily use smaller sheets, but if you want to roast a big turkey, or anything really big, it's important that that fits.

It's very hard to choose a cooking appliance that isn't even out yet. From that point of view it makes sense to choose one that exists. I, personally, would choose the Wolf (ignoring whatever price considerations there are since you haven't presented them), but that's because I'm a Wolf fan.

It sounds like what you really want is the Culinarian. Can you make a flex space where the range goes that will work for any of them, and make your decision once you can actually touch a Culinarian and be sure?

Trevor: Nothing really as far as info, other than does installation and sizing info exist yet, and if it doesn't any idea when it will?

There do seem to be some small evolutions happening before the Culinarian comes to market, nothing that makes or breaks the range, or really changes anything at this point in the decision process.

What I think is making most hesitant is that my local retailer, who has access to Capital, can't get any info about the Culinarian, not even from their supplier which they claim is one of the largest Capital suppliers in the U.S. The fact that only you seem to have details (which is nothing personal towards you at all) and that no one in my area can say it'll be out on this date or provide final specs is turning me slightly off to it.

Wekick/Pllog: Yes, I do believe I like the Culinarian the best as far as features and ability, but I am bad about being a first adopter of things, and sometimes regretting that decision. Price isn't really a consideration at this point, I just want something where I don't go back and doubt a purchase.

I realize that I can't really go wrong with anything that I've listed, and I do think a flex space is the best idea at this point. I am a huge wolf fan, but if something better exists so be it, I'm just not sure going unproven is a good choice.

All the install specs and sizes are the exact same as the Capital Precision.

No more changes will be made to the range. All changes that have been discussed on this site will be in the first production run of all ranges. Part of the reason to publicize this range on a pre production basis was to get peoples input from outside the business. Capital wanted to make the best cooking range they could. I don't believe any manufacturer in the past has enlisted or asked the public what they want to see or use like capital did with this range.

I understand your hesitation due to the comments from your local dealer. Distributors wont take the Culinarian to local retailers until they (the distributor ) elect to take the range into stock and then offer the Culinarian out to local retailers. I don't see retailers getting the range in stores for at least 2 months, even then only displaying dealers will be able to sell the range.

Eurostoves had a very small hand in readying the range for market and doing extensive testing from a cooking point of view. Eurostoves was then offered the chance to introduce the range on a pre production basis to the public, these are two of the reasons Eurostoves are in the know more than others. I don't take anything you state in the above post personal. You could take some comfort in those who have posted that have been to the factory in CA to see the range and meet the owner of Capital personally.

So...with the "disappointment" issue, which will disappoint you more? A Culinarian that might need some tweaking and fussing because it's the first of the line out? Or a Wolf, which is a great range but just doesn't have the things that drew you to the Culinarian, once everyone has a Culinarian and you're left with old hat? Which would annoy you more? Which would make you happier? Which would be more disappointing? Because with everything else you've said, we're down to your emotional reaction to the consequences of your eventual choice.

I have found that most appliance companies are like car companies, where the advance information isn't great, but without the amount of sneak preview advance press. Capital might be a bit moreso than the big brands. It looks like a great range. How much do you want it? How disappointed will you be if you don't get it?

I can't see being disappointed with either Wolf or Monogram. That said, I have only focused on the rangetop portion because I'm getting separate wall ovens, but Wolf and Monogram are my top picks so far. They both have beautiful fit and finish, good specs, and good reputation and service. I like Monogram's x-shaped grates better than anyone else's.

I am also interested in the Culinarian, and I have the luxury of time to wait.

I would probably choose the Monogram over the Wolf, because I prefer Monogram's grates, higher BTUs, and all burners with the same low-to-high configuration. Also back in October, I could get the Monogram rangetop for significantly less than the Wolf, but I don't know if that's still true.

For wall ovens (don't know how similar they are to range ovens of the same brand), I much prefer Wolf to Monogram (with the exception of the Monogram Advantium oven which is cool).

I think everyone who has considered the Culinarian has had the same concerns. Many have taken steps to see the range in person and, in some cases, meet and talk to the head of Capital. I may be speaking out of turn but I'd wager a large percentage of people who are serious buyers that has seen a Culinarian in person has been impressed and had their concerns put at ease.

Trevor is being a bit modest I think in saying he had a small part in bringing this range to market. My read is that Surjit is a very conservative individual which is a very good thing for someone in his position. I think Trevor has done a lot to balance that with more aggressive marketing to the early adopter market. The combination is a good one and I think drives innovation tempered with caution. Surjit seemed pretty confident in a September delivery and reluctantly said maybe early in the month.

In the end, I think transparency is a very good thing. We, the consumers, get to have a level of input that we never get otherwise. Capital, the manufacturer, gets early feedback that results in a much better (i.e. sellable) product right off the line. Only you can decide if you want to be one of these early adopters. I can only repeat what I've said many times before. I was very skeptical at first but after seeing the range in person and meeting Surjit, I'm convinced that this will be a quality product right out of the gate.

Will you be disappointed with Wolf or GE Monogram? Only you can answer that and only after you make your decision. If you want open burners but settle with sealed, I think chances of you regretting your purchase is reasonably high.

Good luck.

::snicker::Jon, the whole point of all those fancy golf clubs is so that people don't have to be as good as Jack and Arnie! It's what I've said all along: Good equipment won't make you a better cook, but a better cook can do more with poor equipment.

I don't know about the ovens, since range people do go on about the burners but rarely discuss the quality of the ovens, but as all have said, none of these choices is poor. (Unlike a half broken, rusted out Hotpoint with a sagging door.)

Ha! And hopefully a mediocre cook such as me can do a little better with good equipment. I guess IÂm hoping the CC range IÂve ordered will add 20 yards to my drive.

Jon

I think everyone who has considered the Culinarian has had the same concerns. Many have taken steps to see the range in person and, in some cases, meet and talk to the head of Capital. I may be speaking out of turn but I'd wager a large percentage of people who are serious buyers that has seen a Culinarian in person has been impressed and had their concerns put at ease.

Trevor is being a bit modest I think in saying he had a small part in bringing this range to market. My read is that Surjit is a very conservative individual which is a very good thing for someone in his position. I think Trevor has done a lot to balance that with more aggressive marketing to the early adopter market. The combination is a good one and I think drives innovation tempered with caution. Surjit seemed pretty confident in a September delivery and reluctantly said maybe early in the month.

In the end, I think transparency is a very good thing. We, the consumers, get to have a level of input that we never get otherwise. Capital, the manufacturer, gets early feedback that results in a much better (i.e. sellable) product right off the line. Only you can decide if you want to be one of these early adopters. I can only repeat what I've said many times before. I was very skeptical at first but after seeing the range in person and meeting Surjit, I'm convinced that this will be a quality product right out of the gate.

Will you be disappointed with Wolf or GE Monogram? Only you can answer that and only after you make your decision. If you want open burners but settle with sealed, I think chances of you regretting your purchase is reasonably high.

Good luck.

sorry.. repost due to browser history.

I (also a middle level cook) think I'm cooking better in my new kitchen, certainly more. That's probably the convenience and pleasure factor, though, since I didn't buy a Big Bertha. Probably pushing the metaphor, but I think one gets more assistance, kitchenwise, from perfectly manicured greens, than the ultimate mashie. OTOH, as Amcook has pointed out, a range of the Culinarian sort will do things that you just can't do on any old stove. And what good are perfectly manicured greens if you're in the woods?

Jon, I hope your new range not only adds 20 yards but drives straight and true! :)