40" gas range replaced with 36" induction range now or later?

last year

Hi, we are going to do a mini kitchen remodel to replace our countertops, repaint our cabinets, new backsplash, and new range hood. We have a 40" gas range (12 yrs old, no problems) but we want to eventually move to an induction range. The problem is that the only 40" induction range in the market is the expensive Ilve model that is high maintenance that has 2 small ovens. We would prefer one larger oven. There are a few decent 36" induction ranges on the market that we like, and I expect easier to replace eventually as well than a 40".
Should we bite the bullet and replace our 40" gas range now with a 36" induction range so we have the countertops and the 2" of empty space filled in seamlessly? Or should we hold out and keep the 40" until it dies out and hope that there will be some newer options of 40" induction ranges in the future? Or should we just get the Ilve 40" model because it's worth it? Or are there any good 2" space fillers out there for either side without looking awkward if we change it out later?
What would you all do if in our shoes?

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Sabrina Alfin Interiors

last year

If you're going to repaint the cabinets, I'd suggest getting a 36" induction cooktop with a 30" wall oven underneath rather than getting a range. Then you can get a cabinetmaker to create a cabinet for the wall oven and paint it the same color as the rest of the cabinets. Doing it that way will allow the countertop install to be a lot more seamless. Here's a photo of that same configuration for a kitchen we just completed:

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Comments (10)

Benita Wong
Original Author
last year
Thank you so much for this advice and the photo! I was actually originally wanting an induction cooktop but I thought that the 30" wall oven would be too small with so much extra unused space. Your remodel looks fantastic and the sides do not look awkward at all. I will show this to our contractor. Thank you for your help!
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artemis78
last year
I am contemplating doing what @Sabrina Alfin Interiors suggests to replace a 34" range--we put a 1" filler on either side of the range opening when we renovated so that these could be removed and the counter cut down to create a 36" space for a more typically-sized future range. I am curious to know how the kitchen in the photo uses that space, though--is it functional, or just filler?

@Benita Wong while I'm sure this depends hugely on what you cook, I have found the ovens in 36" ranges to be much too big for our needs. 30" is pretty perfect. YMMV if you cook larger dishes, though. (Our current range has a 24" oven, so even 30" is a big upgrade!)
wdccruise
last year
"Should we bite the bullet and replace our 40" gas range now with a 36" induction range so we have the countertops and the 2" of empty space filled in seamlessly?"

Yes. No manufacturer is going to introduce another oddball 40" range. There are a number of 36" induction ranges such as this Frigidaire Professional PCFI3668AF. Adding a 2" filler to each side of the opening should be easy and wouldn't be noticeable if the cabinet is painted and the countertop extends over it.

A wall oven mounted under a cooktop as suggested above would be nearly on the floor (see Diagram 2B of these GE Installation Instructions).

-- amateur
mcarroll16
last year
We're doing what Sabrina Alfin suggested. 36" induction cooktop over a 30" wall oven, with a 6" cabinet on one side to hold cutting boards. BUT, I wish we had bitten the bullet and gone with a range (we're reusing a cooktop we bought a few years ago). Induction cooktops have annoying touch controls. They take cooktop space and they are fussy to use. We should have abandoned the cooktop and gone for a range with front knob controls for the burners.

Agree with wdccruise about 40" ranges. We've been stuck with very old low-function appliances for 10 years, because they were odd outdated sizes and new models wouldn't fit our cabinetry. Stick with standard-sized appliances that will be easy to replace.
dan1888
last year
last modified: last year
A 36" pro gas range was a kinda statement centerpiece in some kitchen designs last century. I think with induction you can choose for function alone. A 30" induction range, if the 4 burners meet your needs, will open up a volume of options from multiple manufacturers. A Bosch 800 30" range is a good option. There's a rumor of a new model coming with knobs. Bosch and some others offer 17 power levels for heat control.
clt3
last year
We also have a similar set up. Be aware that only certain induction tops are shallow enough to fit the oven underneath The only one that would fit our configuration was a Wolf.
Benita Wong
Original Author
last year
@clt3 beautiful kitchen! Thank you for the tip about the shallow wolf cooktop.

Thank you all for some really excellent advice about ranges vs cooktops and sizes. I agree, we don't really need a 36" when a 30" would do. Great points to think about.
mcarroll16
last year
If you are good with a 30" range, you have great options. Miele, Fulgor Milano, Fisher Paykel, GE, Bertazzoni all make ranges with knobs. The Bertazzoni model is gorgeous, although I don't know whether it's reliable.
awm03
last year
Also think about whether you can deal with bending down to see the oven control screen every time you use the oven. My wall oven controls are about at that height. I can live with it, but I miss having controls at a more comfortable level. I sometimes use the phone app to operate my wifi connected oven just to avoid bending down to see the oven screen.

40" gas range replaced with 36" induction range now or later?

Sabrina Alfin Interiors

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40" gas range replaced with 36" induction range now or later?

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