630418 Mon Jun 22 15:51:44 -0700 2009 14 41 Cookware 0 4796095 Hi All -- So we're on track to replace our oven in the next few months... current oven is underpowered, annoying that the temperature controls are too dim to see how hot the oven is (no brightness setting) and I want a burner that can at least do some wok cooking (at least 16K BTU). So we're shopping, have developed the following list: -- Convection, yes -- We like the glide-out ball bearing shelves we've seen on Electrolux or Dacor brands -- Wok attachment is a plus, I don't like the current wok ring that we have that slides around the burner grill -- as said above, minimum a 16K power burner -- timer settings/delayed bake settings so we can cook while we're both working Any suggestions? So far the top of the line Electrolux meets the above criteria but we're wary of the brand as we've read some negative reviews about the products and customer service online. Also, on some ranges we've seen what looks like a little burner on top of a big burner, I think on Electrolux they call it a min/max burner. Like the concept as I assume if it's on full bore, both burners are on and say on the bottom of a wok you wouldn't get a ring of heat. If that were available too (and if you know what that's called rather than the Electrolux name for it I'd be grateful) then we are talking our ideal range. Considering most all brands, would like SS to match the rest of the kitchen. Seems like Wolf and Viking professional series do not have timer/delayed options. Thanks in advance! Mon Jun 22 15:51:44 -0700 2009 198247 stomsf 1 4796368 Last summer my wife and I bought a Blue Star 30" stove. It doesn't have the timer setting you wish, but it has everything else. The arrangement for using a wok is especially useful to me, as I use a wok every day. The oven is the largest I know of in a 30" stove. Three burners are very hot--22K BTU. The oven has a convection fan which I find useful, sometimes. The shelves (there are three) are sturdier than any others I have seen in home stoves. My wife cooks very little, and she says she loves the stove. I think that means that even the occasisonal cook appreciates its excellences. Mon Jun 22 17:37:58 -0700 2009 4796095 15172 Michael Rodriguez 2 4797350 "Three burners are very hot--22K BTU" On a 30"? You might want to check that again. Tue Jun 23 05:35:40 -0700 2009 4796368 253154 Fritter 3 4797440 Yep- they are 22K BTU: http://www.bluestarcooking.com/pdfs/Bluestar_30_RNB.pdf Personally, I'd go for only one if I had a 30" range. They're great for wokking, but the turn down isn't great unless you're cooking big stuff most of the time. We're a family of 3, and there are too many really small pots of rice, beans, soup, whatever that it'd be a pain to always shuffle away from 2 of the 4 burners on that range. Tue Jun 23 06:17:36 -0700 2009 4797350 12626 ted 4 4798264 "Yep- they are 22K BTU" Three of them? On a 30" range? I've never seen one set up like that. Tue Jun 23 10:06:42 -0700 2009 4797440 253154 Fritter 5 4798373 Looking at the Spec sheet ted posted, looks like two 22K burners (front) and a simmer and 15K burner at the back. Tue Jun 23 10:32:15 -0700 2009 4798264 198247 stomsf 6 4798479 I agree with Ted. I would like one 22k burner better. No self cleaning oven which is a bummer but IIR even Viking has dropped the 30" VGSC with open burners. Tue Jun 23 11:00:50 -0700 2009 4798373 253154 Fritter 2 4797935 Thanks for the suggestion! I'll look into Blue Star, but the lack of a timer is a bummer. Nice to hear such glowing reviews though -- keep 'em coming! Tue Jun 23 08:43:37 -0700 2009 4796368 198247 stomsf 3 4801262 My answer to not having a self-cleaning is just to not clean it. That said, we haven't done lots of roast chickens or other stuff that splatters all over. And timers are cheap. I got one from Cole Parmer with a bunch of lab gear for free. You can always use the microwave, too. http://www.coleparmer.com/catalog/product_index.asp?cls=6666 Wed Jun 24 06:53:53 -0700 2009 4797935 12626 ted 4 4801471 I believe the OP is looking for a delayed cook function - not just a timer. Wed Jun 24 07:54:24 -0700 2009 4801262 63569 flourgirl 1 4796661 If the stove you like doesn't have a wok grate, go to a Chinese market and you may be able to find an iron wok grate like this one for $6 that replaces the normal grate on any gas range with standard sized burners-- http://familyoffood.blogspot.com/2008/11/5000-years-of-culinary-tradition.html That said, if I were in the market, I'd also be looking at Bluestar. Mon Jun 22 19:46:21 -0700 2009 4796095 198087 David A. Goldfarb 2 4797950 Thanks David, I am already looking into jury-rigging my existing wok ring to not slide around so much. I saw that link in another post but was not able to find anything locally here (admittedly didn't look too hard, I don't like going into Chinatown) too quickly so an easier temporary solution will be addressed with a pair of tin snips. :o) But there are other issues for the current oven like the temp readout and just overall design and feel/functionality. As said above, the Blue Star looks perfect with the exception of a timer/delayed bake option. I guess we're not THAT professional....... Tue Jun 23 08:45:58 -0700 2009 4796661 198247 stomsf 1 4801506 I bought a new 30" gas range a few months ago. I was looking at Blue Stars etc. but they were just too far out of our price range with all the other big projects we had to pay for this year. I ended up with the GE Cafe range and so far I'm very happy with it. Has convection, has the delayed timer (haven't used it yet though), and it's stainless. The main oven is almost as large as the Blue Star as well. Doesn't have the ballbearing glide out shelves, but I'm fine with the ones it does have. I chose this range because it was the best combination of features and price that I could find that fit our budget. And I needed a freestanding range, but I always hated the big overhang on the back oif most free-standing ranges. I find that they generally really limit the use of the back burners. The GE looks like a slide-in and has an optional back attachment that doesn't overhang the back burners but helps keep stuff from falling behind the range (similar to the blue star.) It has a power burner that is 18,000 btus. It also has a 17,000 btu burner. BOth in the front. (Some people don't like this, but it works for me.) It also has a second, electric oven/warming drawer. It's very close to the ground, which some people find annoying but I'm just glad to have the second oven. It's also 110v instead of 220v so there have been complaints that it it's wimpy, but so far I haven't had any trouble with it. Wed Jun 24 08:03:34 -0700 2009 4796095 63569 flourgirl 2 4801629 I also have the GE Cafe & really, really like it. The power burners are great! I use a flat bottom wok on it a couple of times a month & the first time I did nearly freaked myself out. That 18K btu really kicks it. Thank goodness for a hood :) Price is pretty good for such a great oven & stove. I liked the large main oven with 3 racks (I keep them oiled for easy sliding) and the bottom oven is really handy. The bottom oven takes longer to pre-heat & often the food takes longer to cook, but overall works well. Wish now that I had bought the back attachment. Just couldn't spend anymore money at the time. It might make my wishlist for later this year... Wed Jun 24 08:30:04 -0700 2009 4801506 39085 tall sarah 3 4802285 I'm glad to hear you're happy with your Cafe too. I started shopping for a new range over three years ago and kept putting it off because I just couldn't find the right combination of my "must have" features with a price I was willing to pay. I was SO glad to find the GE Cafe and I'm really glad I waited to purchase a new range until these became widely available. I thought the back attachment was a little pricey for what it is, but I'm glad I got it. Wed Jun 24 11:20:48 -0700 2009 4801629 63569 flourgirl