I have an 8-burner Wolf gas rangetop. I have a 2-burner griddle-grill pan parked almost constantly on 2 of the burners. A lot of the reason we chose this is because we have a family of 10, and it seems the kids always want to cook at the same time, or when I'm cooking, so it's good for side-by-side projects. I was just thinking the other day, though, that we might have done fine with a 36" and its 6 burners. Before this we've had 30" electric ranges and were always short on large burners, so we may have gone a bit overboard, especially since all the burners on a gas rangetop are large. I believe, though,that when we host Thanksgiving, and when the kids are grown and bring spouses and families back for visits, those 8 burners will come in handy.

We have a 55 1/2" lacanche (so equilivent to 8 burners on an american range) and also use our green egg (bbq smoker) 3 to 4 times a week minimum. We use every inch of both and love them to death! 3 ppl, 2 eat food one eats baby bottles....if we had more kids we'd have to go to a 100" range...

According to my appliance dealer, many of the 48" ranges he sells goes into trophy kitchen to impress friends and family. One buyer even admitted that she'd never use it.

Since the current range meets your requirements, you shouldn't feel the "need" to replace it with something larger. You do already have the equipment to do complicated recipes.

If you don't need the larger range, I agree with riverspots and would not buy it and have the extra counter space. Me on the otherhand cannot wait until my 48" Bluestar 6 burner and grill is installed! I'm a little worried that range isn't big. There's 4 of us and one with food allergies and I always have all the burners going now and wish for more. The kids just started to enjoy cooking this past month and the 48" was suppose to be all mine. Oh well, I'll just have to make more complicated dishes.

I think the reason alot of people get the 48" is to get 2 ovens. But you can get 30" range and a separate 2nd oven. The 2 ovens is really nice for parties, thanksgiving, christmas. I rarely use more than 3 burners.

We are getting a 60" b/c DH insists on needing 2 full size ovens. I think it's waaay over kill, but I've let it go forthe sake of our marriage :).

First off, it sounds like you don't have any need for a larger range. You have the perfect size for you.

I have a 48" blue star heritage with raised grill and a salamander. But we entertain family and friends A LOT. F&F with multiple needs and desires. Vegans, Veg, full on meat lovers. People with allergies or dietary constraints.

So we'll find on any given day, making multiple meals/choices for guests. Say....less spicy red beans and rice,polenta, spicy shrimp, alligator gumbo and then a full on spicy red beans and rice with sausage.

Or pasta, gnocchi with fresh herbs, sweet potato gnocchi, two types of sauces and something meat or fish.

Or whatever meets our fancy but must be constructed to fit family and guests.

Some days I use very few burners and never use the griddle. Other days I use them all. We have multiple cooks in the family and a few real life chefs in the extended. The range is there for when it's needed....and beloved by all.(I love it when friends come over and it's a huge party around the range)

For us a big range works. But that's the point...a range NEEDS to fit you and your lifestyle. Anyone can cook on anything. But overkill is overkill and nothing but waste. There are sooooo many other ways to show off than a range:)

Another thing to consider: Your current range suits you now...but IF you had the larger, might it offer you the opportunity and motivation to do things differently and try new things you haven't been able to accommodate before? It's not how you do things now, it's more of how you want to do things when the remodel is finished.

In our previous house, my kitchen was 13 x 12. I had a Kenmore Elite 5 burner gas top/electric "convection" oven range and very little counterspace.

When I cooked meals, not just getting people fed, but meals for 4, I would use both my big oven, my toaster oven, and I'd TRY to use all 5 burners, but they were so small, my pans would bump into the other pans. I would constantly have things on a potholder on the kitchen table, while I used a burner, then would have to rotate something else onto a burner.

I knew darned well that I wanted and would use an 8 burner rangetop!

What an absolute pleasure it is! The large burners are awesome! I make pasta, soup, grill meats in a cast-iron grill pan, simmer sauce on another burner, all with plenty of room! I usually take a minute to just look at my awesome huge range, easily handling all my cooking needs and sigh with pleasure!

At Thanksgiving I don't have enough burners, ovens or warming drawers and wish for more!

I also thank goodness that I have a large enough kitchen for two full-sized sinks and two dishwashers, which I also use at least once daily!

To each his/her own! You already know what you need based on your current cooking, so plan accordingly and enjoy!

They're great if you have a large family, especially on holidays. ;o)

Actually, I have often wondered about it. I have a cheapo frigidaire (sp?) 4-burner range in my kitchen currently (not my choice!) -- but it's got 3 big/1 simmer burner. The columns of burners have a nice landing area between them, which is the key to usability. I have used the rear two burners simultaneously many times over but never find it convenient to use front + back on the same side, simultaneously.

That makes me think that either I am a freak cook or the burners are fairly useless! And therefore I often dream of having two 36" ranges side by side with a landing area of ~24" inbetween - I imagine they would get better usage! 2 sets of front burners would be still wasted but hopefully back burners would be used!!