Well, I don't know the "pros and cons" but I'll tell you why we went with a cooktop and oven:

1. We have electric, and I wanted induction. At the time I placed my order, the only induction range available was Diva's, and it was $9,000. Not in the budget for us -- but now Kenmore makes one for a little over $3,000. (Unfortunately, it's not at all my taste appearance-wise -- it looks like a regular Kenmore slide in, not the look I'd hope to get for $3K.)

2. I like the clean look of continuous countertop in the front.

3. The built in oven sticks out way less than the slide-in ranges. It's flush with the cabinets, where the range would have stuck out an inch or two. In a kitchen as small as mine, every inch counts.

The major drawbacks are a slightly smaller oven space and higher cost compared to an all-in-one unit -- though I shopped E-bay and ended up with a Bosch induction cooktop and top of the line Bosch oven for less than the cost of the Kenmore induction range. Oh, and another drawback is lack of storage or a warming drawer under the oven.

One thing to watch for as you shop is whether the combination will actually work -- not every wall oven is approved for undercounter installation, and some cooktops are too deep to accomodate an oven below (especially when looking at induction).

Thanks, Kitchen1921... I appreciate your reply. And your comment about a storage drawer (in a range) was something I hadn't thought of, and I love that feature of a range and would miss it with a cooktop/oven combo! It's an extra kitchen drawer. So, that's exactly the kind of info I am looking for! Thank you again!

And oh, BTW, our KD chose a gas cooktop and an electric oven that would work together (space-wise), so I'm not worried about that. But again, I appreciate your mentioning that!

Anyone else?!!

Off the top of my head....

Slide-in Range Pros

• With a slide-in range the oven will be higher off the floor than an undercounter mounted wall oven.

Slide-in range is probably less expensive than a separate cooktop + wall oven
Less granite (or whatever counter material you're using) with a slide in range AND one less cutout (cutouts usually cost extra)

Cooktop + Undercounter Mounted Wall Oven Pros:

• If one appliance breaks down completely, it would probably be less expensive at replacement time to replace just a cooktop or wall oven than a slide-in range

Cooktop might be able to be switched to induction in the future if you have electric (but, granite cutout might need to be resized for you to do it)

Thank you, Buehl, for your informative post. Very helpful!

And, oh, one more thing. Does this "make sense" to anyone?

In our proposed design, the sink (likely a 1 3/4 black silgranit) is angled in a corner cabinet, with a shelf behind the sink, and 3 cabinets above it (front one with glass doors). It should be lovely.

The cooking area is *opposite* that, on the other side of the room. I am not a symmetry nut, but I do like balance. Therefore, I *think* that a slide-in range, being "chunkier" (and more substantial) than the *sleek* and *minimal* look of a cooktop/oven combo would be a better "balance" for the busy-ness of the other (sink) corner.

Does this make sense? Is it a valid consideration?!

I'm one who does believe looks matter ... so I would say visual balance is a valid consideration. After all, a kitchen isn't just a box full of cooking tools, it's part of your home!

I just wanted to post an update, and hopefully it may help others who are struggling with the same decision.

I decided on a slide-in range. Four reasons that tipped the scales:

1. I saved money by not having to buy the cabinet that the oven would be housed in.

2. I saved money because my slide-in range will be less expensive than the separate cook top and oven unit would have been. (As I understand it, all other things being "equal", that is usually the case.)

3. Although the range is only 30" wide, our KD said that it would have needed a 33" cabinet to house it. So, choosing a slide-in range gave me an 3" extra in my design, and allowed my nearby pull-out spice cabinet to "grow" from 3" to 6" wide.

4. As Kitchen1921 pointed out, you essentially gain an extra drawer when you choose a range, vs. the cooktop/oven combo.

Those 4 reasons were quite compelling to me, and once I thought of it like that, the decision came easily to me.

And oh, one more thing that you guys probably all know, but I didn't... so I'll post it for other newbies, too:

I thought a slide in range was like a free-standing range... in that there would be an inevitable "crack" between the range and the cabinet/countertop on each side of it. But our KD showed us how slide-ins have a "lip" on each side that actually fits down OVER both edges of the countertop, giving a lovely, "finished/built-in" appearance.

I feel very happy with our choice, and I thank all of you for helping me make it.

I just wanted to post an update, and hopefully it may help others who are struggling with the same decision.

I decided on a slide-in range. Four reasons that tipped the scales:

1. I saved money by not having to buy the cabinet that the oven would be housed in.

2. I saved money because my slide-in range will be less expensive than the separate cook top and oven unit would have been. (As I understand it, all other things being "equal", that is usually the case.)

3. Although the range is only 30" wide, our KD said that it would have needed a 33" cabinet to house it. So, choosing a slide-in range gave me an 3" extra in my design, and allowed my nearby pull-out spice cabinet to "grow" from 3" to 6" wide.

4. As Kitchen1921 pointed out, you essentially gain an extra drawer when you choose a range, vs. the cooktop/oven combo.

Those 4 reasons were quite compelling to me, and once I thought of it like that, the decision came easily to me.

And oh, one more thing that you guys probably all know, but I didn't... so I'll post it for other newbies, too:

I thought a slide in range was like a free-standing range... in that there would be an inevitable "crack" between the range and the cabinet/countertop on each side of it. But our KD showed us how slide-ins have a "lip" on each side that actually fits down OVER both edges of the countertop, giving a lovely, "finished/built-in" appearance.

I feel very happy with our choice, and I thank all of you for helping me make it.

tiskers, which range did you decide on? What about others? We like the look so much more than a freestanding range and are willing to pay for the look, but there are not many out there under 2000, and that is our absolute high.

Kathleen,

We decided on the GE Profile 30" slide-in gas range, model # PGS908SEMSS.

It's in at the appliance store, and they are holding it (along with the other appliances) until we are ready for them. I can't wait to see it and USE it!!!

Kathleen, all gas or dual fuel?
dual fuel: Bosch has one you might be able to get for 2K. Same with KA Architect series II. ( They had a problem that I think they corrected-search the forum using the search at the bottom of the page.)
Haven't researched AG. HTH