I come on here about 1to3 times a week and rarely post anything. When I do it is in response to what I know about which at this point is gas stoves because I spent a year researching them. I usually mention NXR's because very few people know about them, in fact less than a year ago I had never heard of one either but fortunately saw a few owners of NXR's on this website that got me interested in them. There are no NXR showrooms near me either, there are several along the East Coast and several on the West coast. My wife & I were going to Florida to visit friends and I thought I would check to see if there was a place to see, touch, feel, slam and bang an NXR stove along the way. We found a place in Tampa Florida, was about a 2 hour detour for us but decided to stop by and check it out, glad we did because we were sold as soon as we saw it. The place we bought it from said they have sold quite a few over the years and have never had one come back. He then opened the oven door and stood on it with his full weight, probably about 190-200# just show how well built the stove was. We bought one from them because they had as good a price as any we had found anywhere ($1799.00). I can basically guarantee the NXR is better than the 3 you listed but I fully understand not wanting to buy something sight unseen, we didn't.

Wow! I am doing the exact same thing as you right now. I also really like to bake an I'm used to an electric oven. Wanting to move to gas for the cooktop advantage of gas so was really researching dual fuel. That's when I found induction. ( AnnieDeighnaugh is right). Induction gets rave reviews on the cooktop ~ both former gas and electric users would never go back. Plus I won't have to deal with a prophane tank and plumbers bill. I Also am stuck on freestanding or slide in but my thing is I love the look of slide in but don't want to spend the extra money on the slide in plus the extr expense of a filler piece on the back ( $130) or the granite piece there. Still not sure what I'm going to do. Might have to go with freestanding and hope the ugly back piece sticking up won't bother me after awhile because I want to spend that $ somewhere else. My KD just came up with a plan that includes built in bench seating with storage under my bay window. So excited!

Going back to the NXR and Thor brands listed in your original post, and whether they are "seriously problematic." The answer is, it depends. You've no doubt seen the extensive past threads here on the NXR ranges and the more recent two or three (though not so extensive) threads here on the Thor ranges. Both brands are assembled/fabricated in China by Dongguan Hyxion Works for sale to and through US based import marketing companies. Post sale support is not great. The current models are pretty much the same as the older ones except for some having features like more LED indicator lights and some models now being more "downmarket" which might be what you have been looking at. Basically, the differences between the lower priced and higher-priced versions of current model lines pretty much come down the burner size and arrangements and a few glitzy features like LED indicator lights. I would say these are not "seriously problematic" if you are good at DIY repairs and are comfortable with scrounging generic replacement parts when needed. Have you run across the threads here where I and other NXR owners have discussed DIY fixes (See, for example, if-susan-fixed-her-nxr-oven-ignitor-u-can-2) If not, I might summarize by saying that these ranges are mostly old style designs from back when we expected to have to fiddle with and fix things much as you might do if you bought an imported knock-off of an old, manual everything Jeep. Fine if you like doing back-country rock climbs or live on a ranch where you need high-ground-clearance, need 4wd/awd, need manual-everything, and have the tools and skills to keep them running. Not so good as an urban daily driver for those who don't have both the time, skills and interest in fixing niggling things that will come up that need adjusting or replacing from time to time. BTW, these things will need a good vent hood. Do you already have one or are you planning on installing one?

I completely feel that. I finally broke down got a subscription to consumer reports. Smeg reports not great at all, nor was Thor. I’ve decided on Kucht 36 inch dual fuel !! It had great consumer reports and I actually called and spoke w the company they will replace any broken parts and send service people out for free w your warranty, and then after warranty they still help you just pay for service. When getting my first range that’s alittle more expensive than normal ease of repair is very important to me!!!