Need a 30" gas stove - LG? GE? Kenmore?

[safsap]

We just bought a house and are remodeling, and so for the first time in my life, I'm going to buy a stove. I have no clue what I'm doing. We need a 30-inch gas stove, and we don't want to break the bank. I want something with even heat (my current stove has hot spots on every burner) and a griddle, and I want the thing to last. A company with excellent customer service would be good, too.

I just checked on ConsumerSearch.com, and the top-rated gas stove is an LG LRG3095ST. I didn't even know that LG made stoves. Does anyone have one?

The other brands I've been looking at are GE, Kenmore, and KitchenAid (I went to Sears). Anyone have testimonials about their stove?

And while I'm at it, we need an under-cabinet hood, too, and I am equally clueless about what to get!

HELP!

[DeeAgeaux]

IMO all of those gas ranges are about equal in terms of durability and eveness of heat.
They all have sealed burners in the 5k-17k btu range. They tend to be hotter on the edges of the pan and less so in the middle. This can be mitigated by using copper /copper bottomed or cast iron pans. LG had atrocious customer service in the past but seems to be doing better lately,parts availability outside major metro areas is still a concern.

In the same price range you can get a Samsung/Frigidaire induction range. Very even heat and range of heat that is twice as large as gas in same price range. The power burner hear is twice as powerful as the gas one in the LG/GE etc. Cons? Long term durability is unknown,cost to repair in the future and some people say there is a buzz to the induction burners when they are on.

You want a hood that is at least 30" wide,ideally 36" for a 30" range. Deeper is better. So 24" deep is better than 18". A rule of thumb is 1 cfm for every 100 btu. However, some local building codes require costly make up air if fan passes a certain limit. If that is the case for you, I would suggest getting the most powerful one that fits under the limit.

[safsap]

Thanks for your detailed reply! I don't think I can contemplate induction -- I'm used to gas and I'm having to make so many decisions about the new house that my brain is locked up. (My daughter is also starting preschool and Ii don't have much time to do any extra thinking!)

Do you have any brand recommendations on the hood? Noise level is a major factor for us.

Thanks!

[DeeAgeaux]

Obviously the more cash you spend the more engineering you can buy to lower the noise.

If your budget for the hood is $700 -$1000 I would go with Kobe. Designed in Japan and made in Taiwan. Good quality and as quiet as there is in this class. I know people with $4k+ pro-style ranges that are happy with their kobe hoods. This will properly vent any thing the above gas ranges can throw at it. All burners on and the oven at 350.

If your budget is $400 and at most you have two burners going when you cook then a Broan in this price range should suffice.

If your budget is $250 then a Nutone is probably your best bet. I think this is only sufficient if you only cook with non-stick pans,non-stick spray, and don't cook many fatty foods. Vegetarian/vegan type fair.

I like the Nutone/Broan(same company) because they are they most popular and as good as any in the class. Therefore parts are readily available. Installers/repairmen are familiar with them. You only want obscure brands if they bring superior quality and/or performance. These are made in China with global supliers that achieve the lowest cost.

[safsap]

Wow, DeeAgeaux, you are saving my bacon! Thanks so much for this info. I'm shopping for a Kobe right now.