Lacanche, Combi-steam oven suggestions/advice/opinions please :)

5 years ago

We are looking at options for our kitchen renovation and I have been scouring this site and anything I can find to make up my mind on appliances! We are pretty set on a 55" Lacanche but I've wavered a bit on which one. Initially we were going to put in a microwave drawer and a wall steam oven but upon lots of reading I am thinking of skipping the microwave altogether and going for a Combi-steam oven in a larger size to compensate for choosing a range with the smaller oven sizes so I can get the warming cupboard. Seems I would be covering pretty much all the bases besides being able to make microwave popcorn? Cutting out the microwave would allow for a bit more storage space which would be great too. We have 3 kids and are a relatively busy household. I am by no means a gourmet chef but I have enjoyed cooking and baking in the past and am quite frustrated with my current kitchen and think I would spend a lot more time honing the art of cooking and baking in a beautiful space. I anticipate preparing meals mainly for my family but neighbourhood kids drop in sometimes and we do host get togethers that would likely become more frequent with a beautiful space :) Any words of wisdom, advice, things you wish you would have considered or done differently? I have gone between several ideas on the Combi-steam oven but because I am new to it I am thinking something that has the preprogramming would be very useful. I would love to be able to cut costs somewhere but I'm not sure this is where to do it?

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Comments (5)

Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
5 years ago
I have a Cluny 1400 and an XXL Miele CSO under the counter in my island. No microwave. I cannot say enough good things about the CSO. You will love it. The only time in my life a MW was important to me was when my kiddos were very small and I needed to heat their bottles.

The CSO will be your go-to oven. The learning curve is not steep. Be sure to go to a class at the Miele showroom if you can- the YouTubes out there are good as well. You can look up Gagg CSO YouTubes as well.
Carla thanked Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
waverly6
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Sounds like you have thought out aspects of your cooking and are on the right track. Your choices sound great. If you have a pantry you can always put a small mw in there if you need it. That being said, I still have a hard time at the thought of giving up a mw completely and am installing a mw drawer as well as the larger cso Miele oven and a wall oven. (I envy you your lacanche though) I like the idea of the miele cso as I like the convenience of the plumbed model and know that I will love the ease of the directions and programming. Someone here mentioned that with the smaller model you can't fit multiple racks of taller items in the smaller ones. so I felt this is a good area to splurge and go larger.

As to your comment about enjoying cooking more in a beautiful, convenient space that is indeed very true. The kitchen that I am planning a renovation has such limited counter/prep space, limited storage space and a crappy oven. It is so frustrating to cook in it that I HATE cooking now. Cooking in that kitchen is like trying to build a house with a nail file and a pair of scissors. I just came back to my "real" kitchen in my other home and it is such a different experience to cook when you have the space, well thought out cooking zones and good appliances.

My only other advice is to think about how you cook and the steps taken between areas. I divided my kitchen up into zones and it is so efficient. I have general everyday prep with frig, mw, speed oven, cooktop, clean up,, trash and dw and storage all within a few steps near a casual eating area. Then I have a baking zone, for storage and prep of all things baking related near the ovens, a wrapping and food storage container zone, pantry storage, entertaining zone ;entertaining clean up with an additional dw, tras and sink and storage for those dinner services and flatware services there and so on. (Hope that makes sense. )
Carla thanked waverly6
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I don't know the answer but I am curious. if I were you (and having the benefit of hindsight) I wouldn't hesitate to call any of the Miele USA "Experience Centers" and ask to talk to any of the design staff. If you are in the US start with the Princeton, NJ center, their US headquarters. Even better if you can get to a center. The staff at these centers are a world apart from anyone you'll encounter at any appliance dealer, they use the products for demos and classes and typically have the appliances in their own homes. And it's their job to know the details on what you are asking. And report back and let us know. P.S: A little searching and I found this: https://www.mieleusa.com/media/ex/us/PressReleases/2021/9.2021_Generation_7000_Launch.pdf. Food View sounds interesting. There's also this thread: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6229141/miele-7000-series-speed-combi-steam#n=10 Advice on calling the experience centers still stands.
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DrB477
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Ive got 3 kids and a cso which i love (both the kids and the cso, depending on the day the ranking may vary). I couldnt/wouldnt go without a microwave. The CSO is just too slow with hungry, impatient, busy kids. I dont know how differwent lives we live but often the difference between 1 and 15 mins is massive, especially when trying tl get off to school. Plus the kids (and my parents & inlaws) can use the MW, the CSO isnt "hard" per se, but definitely more challenging/intimidating. Realistically if i had to pick a MW or a CSO, i would have to pick the MW... And be sad :(
Carla thanked DrB477
Carla
Original Author
5 years ago
Thank you both for your responses! Rita - I have read so many reviews and opinions on Combi-steam ovens that my head is spinning. I keep debating between a few different options and Miele is definitely in the running but I have read about some problems and criticisms. Have you had any issues? A cooking class is a great idea and I will definitely see what is available in my area!

Waverly6 - great advice on the cooking zones. I have done this in my current layout as much as possible but am looking forward to it being more streamlined this way in my renovated space! No pantry sadly but I am planning to put in some Richaleu pullouts that should help a fair amount and sneaking in storage here and there where I can. Because of the upgrade to bigger, better appliances I am giving up space for those and the hood fan required but it seems a good trade off :) I have been trying to weed out some kitchen/serving items I don't tend to use and just collect dust so hoping this will all work out!
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
5 years ago
Carla, I have had zero issues with my Miele CSO. I have the Gagg CSO at another house and slightly prefer the Miele because of computerized assist.
Carla thanked Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real

Lacanche, Combi-steam oven suggestions/advice/opinions please :)

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Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real

waverly6

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Lacanche, Combi-steam oven suggestions/advice/opinions please :)

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Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real

waverly6

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DrB477

CarlaOriginal Author

Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real

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