And so it begins...

[lagilman]

When I bought Ch. Felidae NYC, I knew that the kitchen was going to need work. I also knew that living in it for a year would teach me what needed to be done, and how I wanted it done.

Mind you, this is a classic NYC kitchen -- 7' x 10' walk-through (a door at either end) and one lovely window -- so there's only so much you CAN do (and before anyone freaks about how small it is -- trust me, it's just as easy to cook in a small kitchen as it is a large one. Some things, in fact, are easier).

But today I sit down with the contractor and go over the plans, and start to hammer out details.

And get to start shopping for ovens. Gas range, 24" sealed burners. Anyone have any suggestions/warnings?

Comments

[allaboutm-e.livejournal.com]

No informed opinions, here, just a general wish for good luck and happy anticipation of future posts of the feasts produced in the refurbished kitchen.

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

If budget allows, Maytag Gemini series. It's the one with two separate ovens. Having the two allows for a bunch of flexibility.. You can use the small one for single dishes to save energy and can use one as a warmer and one as a cooker, etc.

It IS a 30" however, so there is reconfiguring involved, but its a GREAT range.

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

For your reference:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8610693&type=product&id=1192233009286

[lagilman]

Unfortunately, it's not even a question of reconfiguring - there's no room (right now there's a wee 20" oven in there. It works well, but seriously limits what I can cook [roasting a turkey is Right Out])

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

Gah. There aren't a lot of 24" full featured stove/ovens out there.

[lagilman]

Really? Just a quick 'net search kicked back over 60 models, from various manufacturers, in my price range [including Vulcan. Oh dear]. How are you defining "full-featured?"

(I don't want a stove that will cook for me, I want a stove I can cook with. Bells and whistles need not apply)

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

If vulcan is in your range, your range is a little higher than I suspected.

I do like bells and whistles, in general, but back when I looked many moons ago the 24" selections were limited.

I recommended the Gemini because we put one in next door and it rocks...

[lagilman]

if vulcan is in your range, your range is a little higher than I suspected.

At "I need oxygen" high end of the range, I admit. *grin* But it's fun to look, and then think "but if I spend less there, I can also get...." But, like cars, kitchen appliances can be haggled over in today's economy.

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

Can you go vertical? Convection oven on top mebbe?

[lagilman]

on top of what? I'm looking for a drop-in, probably with a microwave/fan unit (I don't currently have a microwave, don't need one, but resale would require...)

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

That's what I meant but instead of just a micro, maybe a convection micro combo as a second oven...

[lagilman]

Ah. I'm not sure that would actually be useful for me -- the microwave I'm getting is a small unit, so I doubt it would be actually useful for convection cooking -- that's really a feature I'd look for in a full-sized oven that would be used for baking, to even out the heating process.

[jslinder.livejournal.com]

Also lets you use the big(ger) oven as a warmer...

[fakefrenchie.livejournal.com]

I love this oven. But they don't sell them in Europe. More's the pity!

[autojim.livejournal.com]

I really liked the GE Profile range we got at Viejo Casa del Crider Norte a couple years ago. It's a 30" wide model, but it was tough to beat. 24" models are tougher to find USUALLY, though I suspect the Great Urban Center that is NYC will have selections as it's far more common there than out here.

Nuevo Casa del Crider Sur has the original-to-the-1989-house Whirlpool that I hope lasts out a year or so, enough time to demonstrate to landlord that I'm a good long-term tenant and need a better range.

Viking? Yes. Wolf? Likewise. (Wolf is the stove line from the same people that make SubZero refrigeration units). Not a fan of Maytag for kitchen items, frankly. GE is solid, particularly the Profile and Monogram lines. I saw a GE all-gas convection oven range in Lowe's the other day, but it was a 30" model.

If you can, dual-fuel is the way to go. Gas cooktop, electric oven. Expect to pay a roughly 50-100% premium (depending on brand) for that, however, and you'll have to pull a 220VAC line for the oven part.

If I end up buying this house a few years down the road (and that is a possibility), I'm gutting the kitchen to the walls. It's not awful, but I have Ideas.

[lagilman]

Dual-fuel really isn't an option, not unless I want to start tearing out walls and dealing with extra paperwork -- this is a co-op, not a stand-alone house or even a condo).

Finding a 24" isn't going to be a problem --like 18" dishwashers,there's an entire industry that focuses on apartment retrofits. All I have to do is point my contractor at what I want... [I'm a Legacy --he did my parents' kitchen,too]

[(Anonymous)]

Understood -- wasn't sure how the electrical was set up. All the apartments I've ever lived in had their own circuit breaker boxes and electric meters.

I still like the GE Profile line -- it's got most of the features of the high-end boys without the high-end boy price. Oh, drat, just did a search and no joy on 24" Profile or Monogram. I did, however, see the $4100 Viking 24" freestanding gas range... Eep on the price for that beastie, but what a beastie it is. I saw some Five-Star ones listed, they have a pretty solid reputation as well, though I have no personal experience with them.

[lagilman]

All the apartments I've ever lived in had their own circuit breaker boxes and electric meters.

Um, yah [this one does, too], but it would still require electrical work (the kitchen's only got a set number of fuses, and those won't handle the addition of a stove!) and the paperwork has nothing to do with the electrical and everything to do with the rules and regs of the co-op association, renovation insurance, etc.


the $4100 Viking 24" freestanding gas range... Eep

*cough, choke* The one I was looking at was closer to $1200, and even that was making me back away...

Bells and whistles and special burners for searing and simmering are all well and fun, but I can turn out a damn good meal without 'em. And spend a lot more money on the ingredients and wine, instead!

[autojim.livejournal.com]

Last comment was from me. IE crashed and I forgot to log on to LJ again. My bad. Apologies.

[(Anonymous)]

I haven't looked recently, but the Home Depot on 59th & Third had one by a company called Premier (www.premierrange.com).

I don't have an LJ account. My name is Linda DeLaurentis and I've met you at some of Arwen & Peter's parties. I, too, have a very tiny kitchen which someday will need a remodel, so I tend to keep a look out. Good luck.

[lagilman]

I've been looking at the Premier.... may be a possibility. Good reviews.

*waves hello*