I understand the attraction of French ranges and the conflict between the high end and the moderately priced ranges, but, were I doing cooking for a large family and catering on a regular basis, I'd probably go with a Blue Star plus a couple of induction modules. We are looking at small Lacanches and Cornue Fe 1908s for a secondary kitchen because I want the "French look" and because I specifically desire less fire power in this one than in my big kitchen. The other brands that you have mentioned are simply out of the question for us. You may want to contact Green Demolitions with your specific needs and preferences and see what they come up with.

grlwprls, Thank you so much for the comprehensive review! I will admit that while I try to be a big baker (cakes, pastry and breads) I work 60-80 hour weeks and can only really cook on the weekends. Looks are probably more important to me than top performance - my husband often complains I elevate form over function. As far as Thanksgiving, we not only are not big bird people, we aren't even really bird people. I generally order out for a smoked turkey if we host, which has only been once (my grandmother still wants to do it and unfortunately we live pretty far from them so we travel for holidays anyway). In addition, I'm not a vegetarian officially but I don't eat much meat and if my husband wants a steak he wants a grill. I have never had a broiler so I don't know that I would miss one. I'll try to find a live version of something with one and try it out. But again, I'm much more of a baker than a cook, and while my husband cooks, he's a stovetop kind of guy. The pizza thing is the only thing I could see being an issue, we do occasionally pop those in the oven. We did look at the 48" Bertazzoni Pro, but no one here has one in a showroom and given my experience with the Lacanche (loving it in photos, not so much in person), it makes me nervous buying it sight unseen. I'm starting to think we may as well flip a coin. If we got the Berta I'd have room in the budget for a separate electric oven if we went all-gas there, so that might be the most functional option. My only hangup is whether it looks too modern. I much prefer it to my husband's choices, though! Suzanne, that was definitely a reaction to seeing people rave about an appliance and then find out later in the post that it was still boxed up in the garage! I am definitely interested in issues people have had with things to decide if it's an issue I can live with. I.e., I'm willing to deal with things that are a pain to clean (we don't have kids and probably never will), but not an oven that has horrendous hotspots. If this process has taught me anything, it's that it's a matter of knowing what tradeoffs you'll need to make and whether you can live with them, because every brand seems to have its quirks!

Hi Catherine, you are correct in that no stores carry Lacanche ranges. Art Culinaire Lacanche USA is the sole distributor, www.frenchranges.com. If you would like more information, please call us.

Not sure what you want. If looking for a used one this is pobably not the right place but not sure where to ask.