Losing my mind shopping for an oven

6 years ago

I have spent many, many months researching online and in person. I've read a kajillion reviews and every time I think I've made a well reasoned decision, I come across some piece of info that makes me question again.

I am in a condo. I hate the space that collects things between my current old school stove and the countertop, and that things can get under the oven. So, I thought I should get a wall oven and cooktop that will need to be placed where a normal range would go (so, not on a wall, but integrated into the lower cabinets).

I cook A LOT. I probably won't use convection so don't think I need it. I was hoping to spend under $3000. My dream is to have a side opening oven door (but I know I'll likely have to give that up)

I found a frigidaire with side opening door, but I found a thread on here, and somewhere else about frigidaires catching fire and cooktops exploding. I've looked at a lot of different GE wall ovens, and some slide in ranges as well so at least there's no gap between the countertop and the cooktop. But I've also read some terrible GE reviews, and complaints that there is a gap at the back of the slide in stove - that's it's not flush with the wall.

I'm doing a complete kitchen overhaul and feel this is my one chance to get it right.

I'm completely losing my mind. Please help! Thank you.

Featured Answer

cpartist

6 years ago

Bosch 800 induction cooktop and a Bosch 500 oven. I've had Bosch in my old condo and am putting Bosch in my new build. Total is a little over $3000

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

H B
6 years ago
Sounds like you are on top of this, if I understand right it’s a wall oven mounted in cabinet under a cooktop? It’s helpful to check manufacturer as not all cooktops etc. can be mounted over ovens. We have 36” gas cooktop over 30” wall oven.... just got new ones and went with KA for just over $3K...for me, oven drove the choice a bit...opened doors and pulled out racks and some just felt totally flimsy and I didn’t like the ones with the extensions...my sister has induction over side opening oven...think it’s German? I don’t care for the oven as I find the controls very hard to use. Very handsome oven though!
Lou Smith thanked H B
Related Discussions
Am I losing my mind? Search function? Virginia mist
Q
Comments (5)
I was wondering the same thing because I am seriously considering Virginia Mist right now and I keep going back to search for your pictures and try to get answers from folks with VA mist. Luckily, I had e-mailed myself the link to that page a few months ago so I can access it that way because the search function doesn't seem to pick it up. Very strange. Anyway, my one concern with my VA mist sample is that it seems to have a zillion tiny scratches in it when I test it with a fork or knife or ball of aluminum foil. I'm assuming this is because it is honed. It's making me worry about this option at all and steering me toward brushed Cambrian black or soapstone (where the scratches can at least be buffed out). Does your countertop show any tiny scratches in the surface? Granted, my sample is not yet sealed. Also, how was the price? Honestly, the quote I got for the VA Mist is almost the same as the price quote I got on soapstone! So I'm wondering if I'm getting taken for a ride here! If it was more in line with Cambrian Black, it might make our decision easier.
...See More
Kitchen Layout, plshelp me make up my mind (about to lose it)!
Q
Comments (3)
Aloha! thanks for sharing your thoughts! As for the desk -- actually, it will not be used as a desk since our office desk area is right by the kitchen. It is just a breakfast bar type of area. But I wanted a lower countertop (30" vs the 36" height in the rest of the kitchen) in case some activities such as kneading call for it. A desk base cabinet allows for it without customization. I was also pleased to find out that the desk base is only ~21" deep, which will allow me to use 24" deep countertop (to be flush with the side panel of the tall cabinets) and still have a decent overhang. I'm planning to store dishes in those drawers. The void to the left of desk base is also not meant for sitting. It will hide the pet feeding zone, a stepping stool and my innovative towel rack (can you tell I'm excited about that idea?). Does any of those three layout options (of the tall cabinets) speak to you?
...See More
I am losing my mind...Danze Faucet in brushed nickel--really?
Q
Comments (8)
Danze is known for its high style and reasonable price. When asked about this or any other brand I always reply that you get what you pay for i.e. you can many times get a great looking Danze fixture for 50% of the cost of a high end fixture like Grohe. I also believe you have to look at how long will you be using this fixture or staying in this home? If not forever why spend the money on Grohe when if all things failed including Danze's guarantee you could still go out and buy another one and probably not spend as much as you would for some others. With that said I have a Grohe Bridgeford pull down(replaced the worst Kohler ever made) and love it and always kiddingly tell people I drive a Mercedes (a very old one) and so I like German things so I bought the Grohe. As far as other brands at reasonable costs I feel that quality and guarnatee wise Moen is hard to beat. They have since 1985 had a lifetime guarnatee and I read at least once per week where they have replaced an entire faucet for someone that was so old parts couldnt be gotten for it. Thats hard to beat. For a good price comparison on several brands, someone else mentioned National Builders Supply, and in interest of fairness Ive made no secret that I know the owners personally(really nice folks) and they own another online site called "danze factory outlet" I think. If nothing else the NBS website will give you the chance to look at most every brand from Danze to Grohe and everything in between whether you buy anything from them or not. I hope this helps.
...See More
Desperately Need Helpï¼ I'm losing my mind for the Granite!
Q
Comments (17)
Of course. I love sharing pics of my kitchen. :) The first is before the faucet was installed and before we moved in but it shows a large piece. Ignore the dust and dirt. There were crews working most days. The slabs I picked were really large so the L shaped piece has no seams. Huge plus!!
...See More
plllog
6 years ago
The cooking appliances are where you'll get the most for your money, where it will make the most difference in your enjoyment of your home. The Frigidaire really is a non-starter for someone like you. I think the only other ones are Bosch and Gaggenau (sister companies). Can you extend to the Bosch and same some money elsewhere?

There are a few "French door" home ovens on the market, that work like commercial ovens where you pull one door and the other opens automatically. Some people find them an adequate compromise between drop door and size opening. I think BlueStar makes one, but am not sure of all the choices or how them compare for the budget.
Lou Smith thanked plllog
Lou Smith
Original Author
6 years ago
Thanks for responses! I started looking at induction today but I was worried that would send me down a rabbit's hole of new research and that it would further complicate making a decision...plus the costs of buying all new pots and pans.
Toronto Veterinarian
6 years ago
"plus the costs of buying all new pots and pans."

You might not need all new pots and pans.......it's easy to check the ones you have now with a magnet. In all of my huge kitchen reno (also in a condo), the change I like best was switching to induction.
Lou Smith thanked Toronto Veterinarian
Helen
6 years ago
Bosch Benchmark makes a side opening wall oven. It's what I am going with. It's $2800 which is less expensive than the French Door ovens - the cheapest of which is the GE Cafe at about $3300

I am biting the bullet in terms of expense to have an oven that I can actually stand in front of instead of attempting to lean over the side.
Lou Smith thanked Helen
Jerry Jorgenson
6 years ago
FWIW, I went with a Bluestar wall oven and Wolf induction cooktop. I use the convection fan a lot because it eliminates the need to turn the trays when baking.
Lou Smith thanked Jerry Jorgenson

Losing my mind shopping for an oven

cpartist

Comments (7)

H B

Related Discussions

plllog

Lou Smith
Original Author

Toronto Veterinarian

Helen

Jerry Jorgenson

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Losing my mind shopping for an oven

cpartist

Comments (7)

H B

Related Discussions

plllog

Lou SmithOriginal Author

Toronto Veterinarian

Helen

Jerry Jorgenson

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Lou Smith
Original Author