rangetop question and seeking recommendation

6 years ago

I and my youngest daughter love to cook and bake. I need to decide what we are getting for a range and ovens. Thinking we want a rangetop and double wall ovens, but not totally decided. I have been looking at the rangetops that have 4 burners and a grill and wondered how functional and useful the grill actually is. We raise beef cattle, so eat a lot of beef and steaks, and like to grill year-round. Thoughts?

Also, any recommendations of brands you recommend (or recommend avoiding) would be helpful too. Thanks!!

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skmom

6 years ago

I have a Viking 60" dual fuel range with six burners, a griddle, and a grill. I have a large family and we cook a lot and in bulk. I fire up my grill probably more than most, but I still don't use it very often. It just can't get as hot as my Weber outside, and it's just not big enough to cook much meat for my family of seven (our kids are all teens and young adults). I live in Indiana, and there's only a couple of months out of the year that I won't really fire up my outdoor grill. However, I do use my grill for veggies and pineapple because the clean up isn't that big of a deal after those items. (It's kind of a hassle with meats or anything with a marinade) However, I use my griddle constantly! I find the cleanup on the griddle to be a breeze. I use it for tortillas, pancakes... even for frying up batches of meatballs! (I have done meats on it too, but find my cast iron pans to be more effective for searing... I've also tried vegetables on it, but find it easier to use my nonstick skillets for that... easier to control for me.)
We ended up with the 60" because we found a great deal, wanted two full sized ovens (didn't feel we had the space for wall mount any longer, though I've had them before and love them) and so we got the grill and griddle along with that purchase. If I were going for a smaller range or cook top, I'd personally most likely stick with a six burner and a cast iron griddle. ;) I use my grill because it's there... but I wouldn't buy an appliance just for it. I still be tempted to get a griddle again if I found a great deal... but I know I could still have great success with a cast iron griddle... I just wouldn't want to lug it in and out of a cabinet. Hope that helps!

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Comments (12)

pwanna1
6 years ago
I went back and forth between 4 burners and a grill and 6 burners. In the end I ended up going with the 6 burners and use a grill pan across two at a time if I want to grill indoors (although I'm in SC and can grill year round outside :) ) I ended up doing Kenmore Pro 36" cooktop...I'd changed my mind so many times I finally decided, it's an appliance I can ALWAYS change it if I hate it! Good luck!
cpartist
6 years ago
Momma ask in the Appliance Forum.
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I love the theory of a grill that is always accessible. But I never felt that anything I have seen was very practical. Clean-up is tedious, flare-ups are scary, and venting requirements are going to be really difficult to meet. If you have easy access to some outdoor space, I'd place a good gas grill there, and make sure it is hardwired to a gas line. That way, it is always ready for use. Charcoal or wood (pellets) of course tastes even better, but it also takes more prep time. For in-door cooking, I'd learn about alternative techniques. Sous-vide and a good broiler can result in amazing steak. Even just using a cast iron skillet that has been heated to 500°F in the oven can result in amazing steak. It's not the same as grilling, but it can come close. I do applaud you on the decision to separate stove and oven. Depending on the layout of your kitchen, that can work really well. I suggest that you make at least one of your ovens a combination steam oven though. You'll like the versatility. For convenience, I'd look for a hardwired model that doesn't require you to manually refill the water. If you prefer gas, then in their RNB series Bluestar makes an amazing open-burner range top that is really hard to rival. I would not recommend getting their closed burners or their cook top, though. It's a distinct step down from the range top. The alternative is induction. A lot of people in this forum like it. I personally am not a fan, so I can't give you any specific advice on models to look at. But I am sure somebody else will chime in.
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chispa
6 years ago
Never used the grill on my old range and doubt I'll use it on my new one. I prefer to grill outside and living in southern CA makes that pretty easy. I used to also grill outside year round in the northeast. Wolf doesn't have an option of 8 burners on a 48" range or I would have chosen that. Miele has that option, but I thought the range had too many electronics.
E K thanked chispa
rrah
6 years ago
We have a Dacor cooktop with a grill. We don't use the grill very often. If I was doing it again, I would probably skip the grill. I selected the Dacor because it was (and maybe still is) the only manufacturer that made cooktops specifically for propane without the need to convert for propane.
E K thanked rrah
ILoveRed
6 years ago
I foolishly had a jennair range with a grill in the first house we built. With a downdraft no less. Ah the folly of youth, lol. I think we used the grill maybe three times. I would not advise an indoor grill even with proper ventilation.

I am putting in a 36” rangetop and wall ovens...one regular and one combi steam. No built in griddle either. Been there done that. I would rather have a $30 dollar removable. I bought one for my son in law who does all of the cooking and is an excellent cook...much better than I am and he loves his griddle.
E K thanked ILoveRed
Fsal
6 years ago
I have a grill in my current house and have amazing ventilation yet rarely use my grill. It doesn’t cook the same and cleaning is a pain. For my new build decided to forego the grill and get a griddle instead.
homechef59
6 years ago
I hang out in the appliance forum a lot. I love appliances. In a past life, I was a real chef. Here's my take on it.

The best combination is a six-burner range top with a double oven. Grills and griddles tend to be a PIA to clean. Not that you will work six burners all at once, but having the extra real estate to slide pots and pans across the surface is invaluable. You can always use a grill pan or a griddle pan. That's what I do.

Currently, I have a six burner plus griddle. I didn't buy it, it came with the house. I don't use the griddle unless I need to keep something warm and I've run out of oven space. I use my old portable griddle.

I have owned and am very fond of the Bluestar six burner gas range top. It's an awesome machine and simple to use and maintain.

For your ovens, I suggest either double convection ovens or a combination of a convection oven and a speed oven. I've never had a speed oven, but a lot of people seem to be very impressed by them in the appliance forum. You will never be able to run the self-clean. It's a marketing gimmick. Self-clean creates so much heat that cannot escape the oven cabinet and will result in fried electronics. So, don't do it.

I like the range top/separate oven combination because if one dies, you don't have to replace the other.

Don't forget that you will need good ventilation. Everyone forgets to budget for that.
skmom
6 years ago
Ditto on the self clean ovens... I refuse to use that feature ever again, no matter the brand of oven. I've had too many glass doors explode on me. It's not worth the risk.
freeoscar
6 years ago
We have a Capital 6 burner rangetop. Been very happy with it
E K thanked freeoscar
pamells92
6 years ago
My first range top was a 48 Thermador. 6 burners and grill. Grill was great when it was super cold and I wanted to grill anything except steaks. Doesn't get hot enough to char the fat while still having med rare steaks. Super messy with Italian sausage and can get flare up due to grease. MUST have excellent vent with the grill. Next place I got a Wolf 48 - 4 burners, grill, and griddle. The grill is only used now for shrimp and clams. Love the griddle and don't miss the 2 extra burners. Now we just got a vacation home and yet another kitchen remodel.... I am getting the Wolf 48 with 4 burners and a double griddle! After years of grill snobbery and watching Guy's diners, drive-ins, & dives, I finally started using the flat top/griddle. Love it, love it, love it! I cook just about everything on in and the burgers are amazing with that crust and I have even made perfectly cooked streaks. It's not just for pancakes! As for ovens - hated my double Thermador. Have double Bosch 500 series and love it. In vacation kitchen I am using the Bosch side door - HBLP651LUC. I have had to live with a single oven and 1st generation Thermador cooktop for a year now. I can not wait to get my double ovens back. Honestly don't know how anyone can live without them..hahaha. Totally worth the money for the Wolf range top. Bosch 500 series oven is a great price compared to Wolf and I have never been disappointed. Hope this helps a bit - good luck!
ILoveRed
6 years ago
Nope...not going to use my self clean either on my new ovens. Not worth taking the chance.

rangetop question and seeking recommendation

skmom

Comments (12)

pwanna1

cpartist

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