LOVE it. I have the Kenmore and the only thing i don't like about it is the lack of knobs. BUT I didn't want knobs on the cooktop. Knobs on the front would be perfect. I realize that this is the range and not just the cooktop. But I hope by the time I build another kitchen there will be lots of induction options. I LOVE induction. Thanks for posting this!

Thanks for posting. From the picture does it look like the right side hobs are just 1 long hob? Also, Rangemaster (U.K.) makes 36" & 44" range cookers with induction hobs. They do import them here to North America.
And one of those French companies has an induction range. Cost big bucks though.

If anyone gets anymore information about this Viking range, please post. Unfortunately, it looks like it's only 30".

cookie... do you know who imports the Rangemaster? Do I deal straight through Aga or is there a contact for distribution? The French company is the Diva... comes in around $9500... crazy. I won't spend that much and I like the Kenmore fine at under 3K. I'd just like to check out the alternatives and anitcipate that others will come out between now and summer. I believe that will be my time frame. I don't mind going a little higher but only if it offers features I like that aren't on the Kenmore/Electrolux.

The French Range is Delaubrac. The Rangemaster point of contact is Malcolm (e-mail): malcolm@chef-rangecookers.com. Also, the site for checking out the ranges is: http://www.chef-rangecookers.com/index.htm. Aga rebadges and sells some of them in the U.S., but only a select few.

Here is a link that might be useful: Delaubrac French Ranges

The french ranges are beautiful but did you see the cost? They are out of the realm of anything that exists in my world for sure! I just wrote to the Rangemasters link to get more info. Instinct tells me I'm not one who would import especially if adequate choices are available in the US. The one thing I'm not crazy about with the Viking is the size of the largest hob (9" I think). The Kenmore has an 11"(?). Most of my cooking is done on the cooktop though I am baking more and more and I like the styling of the Viking oven better.

Ooh, a Viking induction range. But their expected price is beyond my range. OTOH, if their oven is better it might be worth it (if you can swing the price). While the oven on the Kenmore is good, it's just a basic convection oven with some fancy controls.

I was thinking about you this morning. I told Hubby that you were watching my comments, etc. on the Kenmore range. He says you should go for the free standing (as opposed to the slide-in which is what we got). He's not real fond of the slide-in as he says the sides are "flimsy" (I don't think they are) and it's not as flexible as the free-standing. It was also a bit tricky to get into our space. One other minor thing - the free-standing range has a ~1/2 inch lip on either side that rests on top of the counter so you "lose" that space.

I honestly don't have an issue with any of this as I love having the controls in front. Also, as you'll be building from scratch you won't have some of the issues we have. I will admit that it was really tricky to get it positioned properly (and I think that's why Hubby doesn't like it).

According to the Viking spec data, the Left Front 8" hob will take a 12" pot. That's what they also say about their 9" hobs on the drop in cooktops.

Really cookie... wow. I'd like to hear from Viking Induction cooktop owners on how that works for them. I always thought the transmission of heat was based on contact between the magnetic field of the flat pan bottom and the hob. You're a great source of info... thank you so much.

pb... I'm definitely going for a slide in. I prefer the controls up front and after always living with a free standing electric; don't like the back part that sticks up. I think it looks cheesy and will hide my future fabulous backsplash!

I'm guessing the Viking will be somewhere in the 5K range. I might be willing to go that high depending on what the comparisions between available units look like. Also, I'd want to see whatever is available in person so I can get a feel for how substantial it is. The Viking has one glide out rack but that in and of itself would certainly not be worth an extra 2K.

I don't know if anyone on this forum has the Viking 30" induction rangetop. That would be the best comparison. The oven seems standard.

Bertazzoni also has an induction range. It's about $14,000 U.S. though.

Exactly, remodelfla. Hubby just doesn't understand. A few less hours fiddling with getting it installed is nothing compared to the years of use, etc.

Just make sure your SO/DH pays attention to all the little details of spacing,e tc when it comes time to install. It's all the little things that mess things up.

This is pretty exciting! My planning stage is taking longer than the long time I thought it would take so now I can look at that Viking b/c I am looking for a 30" slide in range. Did you see all the colors it comes in?

I'm in love with the Cotton White myself.

Do you need more than a fairly basic convection oven? (What would make the oven 'better' than on the Kenmore/Electrolux to spend the extra $$?)

Back when there were fewer domestic choices for induction I read lots of glowing reviews from Viking induction owners (since theirs seemed to be the best at the time about not having to share power between hobs...so you could run all at once at whatever power you needed), but more bad reviews from range and oven owners...So I'd feel confident about the induction part, but more concerned about their oven. I obviously can't show you any of these things from a couple years ago, but I'd just recommend doing some checking before spending on a Viking. I've never had one, so have no facts of my own, but read enough to be scared off of them when I was looking for appliances. YMMV

The Induction Site no longer recommends their induction cooktops.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link From The Induction Site

Maybe that's why we don't hear about them much any more. There is more competition and better options.

I found this while looking at the specs for this range:

"All finishes, except white, have dark red glass ceramic top with gray graphics."

The induction cooktops that I checked where all black, but it seems this range top is dark red. I am wondering how this dark red is going to look.

Is this the Viking range with the dark red top?

Yes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Viking Induction Range Specs

Thanks for pointing that out, I would have missed it.