I had this range until Nov 2013-see review below. I plan to post and see if anyone else has experienced what I did. My 2 1/2 year old dual fuel convection range with steam assist (48 in) caught fire and was non-repairable. I was baking in the smaller oven when I heard a pop. Black smoke started pouring from the front of both ovens. Upon opening the smaller oven door, I saw flames up around the broil elements (I was NOT broiling at the time). My husband commented that it smelled like an electrical fire. We proceeded to cut off the power to the range. Smoke still poured out. We then heard the sound of gas burning off inside the oven (I was NOT using our gas stove top at the time). The stainless steel outside top and sides of the oven were burning hot to the touch. The control knobs were so hot they had become gummy/tacky to the touch. With no end in sight to the black smoke pouring out and the extreme heat OUTSIDE of the oven, we called the fire department. They cut the gas off to the house. The firemanâÂÂs hand-held temperature reading gun (Bullard Thermal Camera) measured over 250 degrees atop the range and along the back wall behind the range. Firemen said had we not been home, the back wall would have caught fire and this would have become a rescue call. Kitchenaid sent a repair person to look at the oven. Deemed not safe enough to repair, the spark ignitor box inside was melted, wires crystallized, touch screen displays melted, wall plug charred and melted. After many lengthy calls and emailed pictures, we were given 2 options: get a replacement unit only by paying a âÂÂparticipation feeâ of $2500 or get a prorated refunded due to age of unit (2 1/2 years old). We opted for the partial refund, as this unit is a FIRE HAZARD. To get a different brand, we still were out several thousand dollars, since we were not offered a full refund on a faultily designed range. Funny, because 8 WEEKS later when I finally had a different brand installed, the installer noticed my old unit had steam assist. He said he had replaced 3-4 other Kitchenaid models that had burned up-all with steam assist. No one at Kitchenaid could tell me anything. There has been no recall. BEWARE: this unit is poorly designed and is a fire hazard!

In general: I have had open and closed burner gas tops and closed are 100% easier to clean, I would never never get open unless I had daily cleaning help. The BTU rating on the highest burner is important, as well as a very small BTU simmer burner. I also need continuous grate to slide a pot over, and prefer mechanical knobs to electronic keypads. There are some cooktops where the grates are too high off the burners and there are complaints of a feeling of under-powered burners despite the BTU rating. I think this whole open burner for the home thing is nothing short of ridiculous, it is more of a high volume restaurant issue, but his is gardenweb... I do not like the performance of gas ovens. I like electric and I love the functionality of convection. I would never buy an oven without convection. So I would vote for closed burner gas cooking and electric ovens.

I have a 30 inch DCS range and don't think it looks too big at all. I could definitely see it in a smaller kitchen. My kitchen isn't huge either. Very exciting,you'll love it and it looks so pretty! Here is a picture when my range first went in. From pendant lights RE: DCS 30in range in small kitchen? Posted by: kpaquette (My Page) on Thu, Jul 30, 09 at 8:58 I have a 30" range in my small kitchen - honestly I'm not sure I'd want to go smaller than a 30" unless it was absolutely the only possibility (like an apartment kitchen?) How big is your kitchen? what's there now? Pics? RE: DCS 30in range in small kitchen? Posted by: idrive65 (My Page) on Thu, Jul 30, 09 at 9:05 30" is the most common size for a residential range, so I don't think it will be too large at all unless you are living on a boat. :) RE: DCS 30in range in small kitchen? Posted by: susanilz5 (My Page) on Thu, Jul 30, 09 at 9:06 I wouldn't go any smaller then a 30" unless there was a physical barrier which dictated a smaller size. RE: DCS 30in range in small kitchen? Posted by: weissman (My Page) on Thu, Jul 30, 09 at 9:19 I have a 30" range in the U of a fairly small galley kitchen and it fits fine. I actually had room for a 36" range but decided I wanted the extra cabinet and storage space. Pictures on on my homepage or Finished Kitchens Blog. RE: DCS 30in range in small kitchen? Posted by: eandhl (My Page) on Thu, Jul 30, 09 at 9:34 I have the 30 inch DCS in a small galley kit and I think it looks fine. Post a Follow-Up Your Name: Your Email Address: Subject of Posting: Message: Optional Link URL: Â Â Â Name of the Link: A copy of your follow-up will automatically be emailed to the original poster. Return to the Kitchens Forum

I am 100% with bagofchips. I'm getting a 48" KitchenAid range. It is the highest rated on Consumer Reports and I love it! I still want some color knobs - not red. Why in the world is no one making after-market knobs for these ranges? Let us choose our colors. Kitchenaid! Are you listening? If anyone knows where I can get these knobs in color, please let me know. Thanks!