Regular gas or dual fuel?

Regular gas.

We went with all LG for our kitchen remodel and so far are very happy. We did double wall oven (electric) and separate gas cook top, but I really like them both. The cook top feels pretty roomy (even at 30") - I was worried it would feel crowded but it really never has and we've gotten through a Friendsgiving since the remodel hosting 20+ people plus other parties before COVID hit. The layout seems to work well for spacing. The cook top cleans up nicely, has removable grates and parts that can all go in the dishwasher. The knobs are metal vs plastic; one of the few cook tops I could find with that feature. The knobs on our model also light when the burner is on, which is a great safety feature especially of the low btu burner. I did like their ranges as well when we were looking. Price was very reasonable and we scored a rebate deal. Everything was installed late last summer - just over a year ago and no problems whatsoever.

Things I considered in picking a cook top:

- Spacing of the burners and overall layout of the cook top for maximum cooking space. I literally took big pots and frying pans to the showroom to see how things would sit, and I was not the only one doing that. A good dealer will have those on cooktops so you can see how the spacing works.

- Where are the knobs? Do they impede the cooking area (will they be in the way of the pots/pans)? Are they so close to the burners that the flame will heat them (and possibly melt them if they are plastic)?

- Are the parts removable and the surface of the cooktop relatively smooth so that you can easily wipe down the top after cooking?

- How may and what variety of burners do you need for the cooking you do? Do you need an ultra high-power burner? A low btu simmer burner? These will add to the cost of your range so decide how important they are. I didn't know what I was missing until I had a high power burner - I've never been so happy to boil a big pot of water!

- Do you want/need grates and other parts that you can throw in a dishwasher or do you not mind washing them by hand?

- Do you want/need any special features or extras? The LG model we picked came with a free griddle - I didn't realize how much I would use it but I do, all the time. We had a griddle but this one is designed to fit perfectly over two of the cook top burners so takes up less space but cooks as much or more than our big square griddle so I can make more food at one time. It cleans up beautifully, in the dishwasher or by hand. I love it.

- Once you narrow it down to two or three options, take the time to read reviews - it's a worthwhile investment. I decided against cook tops because I saw umpteen reviewers complain that the knobs melted, or that the burners were weirdly positioned, or the space was too tight for two normal pots to sit side by side, for example.

I know you said the oven is less important but there I considered:

- Total CF capacity (again, if your dealer doesn't have baking dishes for their displays take your own biggest baker and see how it fits with a cookie sheet, etc.)

- One oven vs two? Even with ranges you can get a "double" oven. I love having two to make different things at different temps and again there, use it way more than I even imagined I would. Consider whether this is important or not and whether one larger oven is better than two smaller ones.

- Convection or no convection? Something else I didn't know I was missing - the crisp convection feature has made me more of a baker than I ever imagined I'd be.

- Do you want to be able to pre-set or remotely start your oven? Some have one/both of these features.

- Glide racks are really nice and the one thing I didn't get that I wish I had, especially pulling something really heavy in/out. Consider whether you want these and if so how important it is. My ovens didn't offer both convection and glide racks; one model had one and the other had the other. Try them out at a store compared to regular racks; you will feel the difference.

We have a great dealer in the area - family owned and been in business forever; if you have a place like that close enough I'd recommend talking / working with them. Places like that will be honest and help you find what you are looking for in your price point because they live by reputation. Our dealer kept reducing our invoice every time another sale came along - I ended up saving enough on the price of the appliances to help pay the install cost for the double ovens and the warranties.

Probably more than you wanted to consider but hope at least some of this is helpful.

Good luck!

Are you open to dual fuel? If so CR recommends Kucht 36” dual fuel - affordable compared to others

Stick with 30” and a name brand. Not a questionable import.

We want a wider range.

Then it won’t be a budget choice if you want something reliable, with available service, and with features worth owning. The lowest cost 36” that is a value, and not just a sunk cost that gets repeated in 2 years, is BlueStar.

Never buy off brands unless you can afford to 100% replace it at the end of the manufacturer’s warranty. Never expect warranty service from any of those low cost imports either. Most wont give it.

ProSource - BlueStar had some lovely ranges when we were shopping. Almost converted me to a range vs cooktop and wall ovens!

Hi Whitney Klein, what did you end up choosing? I'd love to know what you ended up with and your thoughts. We are in the same boat and I'm having such a hard time knowing which brand to go with for our 36'' range. Thanks in advance!