Looking to remodel and I'm also looking for some advice on choices: cooktop, drop in range, freestanding, steam, or separate ovens. I really like the new color choices BUT I would like a stainless top / continuous grates / a real low simmer burner and 1 or 2 high speed burners. The kitchen is small but I could just barely do the 36 size w 36" hood. Is it possible to get those features? I've been looking at the American Range because it says it doesn't need 220 wiring but it is a little over my budget with hood and installation it is over $6000. Reading about the ranges, I didn't like the pre heat time being so long for the larger ovens and therefore looking at other options. And, does anyone know if I will need to get 220 wiring for the cooktop or for the built in wall ovens? Right now I have a microwave hood 300 cfm over a 30" freestanding range (6yr old gas). Thanks so much for any advice.

I wouldn't go with viking. Do not know much about the Dacor.

First, a warning -- I have never lived in a house that needed make-up air. Not even close. Double-pane glass makes little sense for us since all the heat goes around the sashes in our Victorian. My experience with MUA is related to commercial systems. What follows is an opinion about the kinds of things that would make me consider MUA. Unless you have a Code requirement for make-up air, you have a fireplace you use when cooking (I seem to remember that you are South Bay?), have a "naturally" vented gas appliance in "connected space" (no always-closed doors between the hood and the appliance), or have a "tight" house (recent, energy-efficient construction, most likely), I would skip MUA. Even if you do need MUA, the difference in the maximum hood flow probably wouldn't significantly influence the the cost of the MUA system, which I would think was primarily labor driven. If not significantly more expensive, and you can run at least an 8" duct (preferably a 10"), I'd go with 900 CFM for two reasons: * You have it when you need it -- guests over, and the kitchen fills with smoke... * A 900 CFM blower at 600 CFM may be noticeably quieter than a 600 CFM blower at 600 CFM The 24" will serve you well. Enjoy your new range!

I didn't do a lot of searching before choosing my KA 6 burner. It is installed, but not yet hooked up. But one thing I really like is that the granite gets cut in under a flange, so there is no "crud crack". Another thing I like is that my counter run is extra deep at 27" (29" granite), so the rangetop was set back nearly to the wall and nearly flush with the countertop. Here is mine, followed by the floor model which is set in a standard run and protrudes an extra 3+ inches.