Thursday, June 4, 2009
Kitchen Gear Pimp My Cooktop
Posted by Chris Chamberlain on Thu, Jun 4, 2009 at 2:48 PM
For the past month a militia of well-armed Visigoths has been carrying out a systematic demolition of most of the innards of our 1920's Craftsman bungalow in Hillsboro Village. During the great deluge of May of Aught-Niner, it was certainly better to work inside rather than outside, so their efficiency has been remarkable.
We've now reached the point where there's really nothing else left to rip out and throw in the Dumpster. The structural planning and interior design elements have been meticulously planned with a careful eye toward historical appropriateness. Until we reached the kitchen.
Nowadays, nobody wants an actual icebox and an authentic coal stove anymore, so my girlfriend and I find ourselves buried under a pile of appliance catalogs filled with devices that Rosie the Robot Maid would be very comfortable using to fix George Jetson a nice meal. But I think we all know what happened when Jane tried to use the Food-a-Rac-a-Cycle. What? We don't all remember that? Only me? OK, trust me when I tell you that it went badly when an inexperienced cook found herself confronted with too much technology in the kitchen.
Which is where we find ourselves now. Cooktops, rangetops, Advantium nuclear 220 volt multipurpose ovens, infrared grills, griddles and deep-fryers embedded in the counter, vents, retractable downdrafts. It's a bit overwhelming. That's before the arguments, er, discussions begin about brand names. Viking vs. Wolf vs. Five Star vs. Kitchenaid vs. GE (Monogram AND Profile) vs. Sub-Zero vs. Kenmore. There are no winners in an appliance war. I think the new Christian Bale vehicle, Terminator: Salvation will prove that out.
So what do you think, Bitesters? I'm not expecting clarity or certainty, but what are your recommendations for a couple who likes to work in the kitchen and isn't afraid to spend a few extra bucks for quality? Because what I really need is a few more things to consider while I hook this sucking nozzle up to my checking account.
Comments (6)
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We also live in Hillsboro Village and have been meticulously restoring our home towards historical appropriatness for more years than I care to count (doing all the work ourselves) and it's not done yet. However, I absolutely love my Elmira stove. Our house was built in 1910 and we bought the model that looks like an 1880's wood burning stove but it is all modern - self cleaning, dual fuel - the works. You can buy them at Hearth and Grill. http://www.elmirastoveworks.com/
There is another brand sold at A-1 Appliance that is a bit more rustic in style but I can't remember the name of the company right now.
Gas or electric ? (yes, I realize that even hinting Electric is an option brands me as pre-neanderthal, but it affects brand selection.)
if you buy a viking... well, just do not go there, OK? wolf is by far the best for the $. and five star has the btu's w/o the bells and whistles.
my stove is a commercial restaurant grade, no name, no frills appliance that kicks ass. period. not a beauty but she's HOT.
Clearly the best investment for this effort is an online subscription to Consumer Reports. I once had the hankering for just a simple range - no high end or anything I wanted a gas range with a propane conversion. Well whilst reading about them, I got onto a section where they reviewed the high end stuff and revealed just how problem prone a LOT of the high end consumer stuff really is.
The magazine oftentimes really drives me nuts: like when they review bottled tomato sauce, jeez.
But when they get down to beating on a car or vacuum or gas range, they apply the proper scientific method and then couple that with reliability records volunteered by readers as well as their own experience and tell you what to expect.
Good luck with that. (Get the extended warranty, with 4 hours response and parts replacement)
Thanks for the advice everybody. We'll almost assuredly get a gas range top and electric oven. We're leaning toward a dual fuel full stove/range top.
I'll definitely take a gander at the list o' Craig. Once you already have constructions workers befouling your house, what does it hurt to invite a few installers in to join the party, no?
I'll keep you all posted. Probably more than you want...
