View Full Version : Suggestions for Analog Gas Range
Because of encroaching electronics, our last two ranges have been very frustrating. We had a 30” Wolf (prior to being bought by Sub-Zero). It was great except it ate igniters for breakfast. Replacing them got expensive and if they weren't replaced, the igniter would click the whole time the burner was on.
We currently have a Maytag Gemini that is totally computerized. To the point that it is unusable when the power goes out (not a problem for us). Without power a solenoid shuts off the gas. The problem is, that it also shuts it off just for the hell of it. If we are not paying close attention, it will turn off the burners or oven. We've had to replace the control board twice already and still have the same problem. Also, to turn on the oven (on the control panel) you have to reach across the burners. Plus, you can only adjust the oven temperature 5° at a time.
As far as I can tell, no one makes a completely analog, including pilot lights, range anymore. I have been spoiled in that my first apartment in L.A. had a 36” O'keefe & Merritt. And I lived there for 9 years.
Shopping is much more difficult here than in L.A., so I could use some suggestions from someone who has hands-on experience they can share. My wife found a Bertazzoni Professional (not) 30” gas range today, but the online reviews are not good.
Thanks!
Pat
I dont know if this will help or not. Its lehmans non electric store. They have gas ranges and wood fired. I know nothing of gas appliances but here is a link to some of their gas ranges.
https://www.lehmans.com/c-173-gas-appliances.aspx
I dont know if this will help or not. Its lehmans non electric store. They have gas ranges and wood fired. I know nothing of gas appliances but here is a link to some of their gas ranges.
https://www.lehmans.com/c-173-gas-appliances.aspx
I like the battery powered idea, my Weber gas grill has the same thing. I'm looking for a more high-end range with a similar system.
Thanks!
Pat
Team Sergeant
02-10-2015, 11:15
I had a Viking Range top, would not trade it for anything.
LOL, you mention Sub-Zero, most expensive fridge and the most repaired fridge in the world.....
I'd go look at Viking if I were you.
I'd go look at Viking if I were you.
Our mistake was buying the Wolf over the Viking that was the other candidate. Perhaps it's time to correct that mistake. ;) If they offer an analog range, that is.
Pat
DJ Urbanovsky
02-10-2015, 13:05
+1 on the Vikings. They are spendy, but buy once, cry once.
I've spent much of the last 6 hours researching this subject. Since we'll have to go to Tucson or Phoenix to check these out, I wanted as many candidates as I could find. The problem with high-end products is that fewer people own them so there are fewer reviews and the ones that there are are usually written when the reviewer is still starry-eyed with their shiny, new (expensive) purchase.
But, I did find one LONG thread on Chowhound on high-end ranges. It seems the most popular and favorably reviewed were: Viking, Wolf, and BlueStar. I had never heard of BlueStar, but they say it's related to Garland. Fortunately, they're all available in Tucson.
Anyone know anything about BlueStar? (I was going to ask if anyone knew anything about BS, but, reading ahead, I could see a thread highjack coming. :D)
Pat
How about Vulcan-Hart.
It was on my list, but I didn't find much first-hand info on them. The same with DCS.
It sure would be nice if there was some place one could go to "test drive" them, considering what they cost. Bake some bread, fry a chicken, wok a dog, you know, that kind of thing. ;)
Pat
Team Sergeant
02-11-2015, 11:32
I spent a pretty penny on the Viking range top, 5k, Viking range hood, 2.5k commercial blower on the roof, another 5k.
I did my due diligence with the Viking range top. You're not going to find a magic gas stove. Fire is fire.......
Now that I'm divorced I have no problems getting another Viking. ;)
Blue Star is low grade commercial.
If you are a serious cook and not in a rush to buy, try looking for restaurant auction and suppliers in your area. Its a great way to find very good equipment at pennies on the dollar. I always go the auction or used route as stainless steel rarely rust, and once repaired and then spit shined you are GTG.
The Reaper
02-12-2015, 09:05
Blue Star is low grade commercial.
If you are a serious cook and not in a rush to buy, try looking for restaurant auction and suppliers in your area. Its a great way to find very good equipment at pennies on the dollar. I always go the auction or used route as stainless steel rarely rust, and once repaired and then spit shined you are GTG.
Exactly.
The challenge will be finding a commercial unit small enough to fit in a residential kitchen.
TR
Blue Star is low grade commercial.
Is that good or bad for home use?
Our problem is that we live off-grid. On our current range there is a solenoid that keeps the gas line open when the power is on. That makes it as useless as an electric range for people who live in areas that lose power occasionally. That's not a problem for us as we have backup generators, but that solenoid does drain power from the batteries at night.
We're just looking for quality without any (or many) bells and whistles. Our Wolf cost at least $200 a year for igniter repair. I have read, though, that they have made them user serviceable. We were, otherwise, very happy with the Wolf for 16 years.
Thanks!
Pat
TRThe challenge will be finding a commercial unit small enough to fit in a residential kitchen.
Ranges size is number of burners and inches on commercial ranges, I had a 4 burner, open flame w/one oven that a I made 24"X24"X2" solid top for. Range $400, top $650. Worked well here until I found a Jade Range with a french top-solid 2 plaques. $1750, New the range sells for $8-9K.
TS Viking range is for the very serious chef/cook, but you pay for it big time, my suggestion is to look for used commercial get the same bang for a lot less, I have never seen a Viking that was used and available. The just don't wear out.
On gas use, here at the restaurant, I turn the gas off every night and relight the range in the morning. There is something I like about that old fashion idea and its a huge impact on the gas bill.
EDIT TO ADD: http://www.amodeoauctions.com/
This link is to Michael Amodeo Auctions in NYC, its his weekly list. I religiously scan every auction he has, just last month he sold Wylie Dufresne WD-50 http://www.wd-50.com/#about1 in the East Village. The range Wylie installed when he opened the restaurant was $130K, it sold at auction for under 10K !!! I have pictures of the range which I will post tonight.
Looking back it's amazing that it took a year to find what I was looking for (more or less). Since there are almost 1500 views, I guess I should write a follow-up.
The only residential range that I found that fully offered what I was looking for was made by Premier. I don't recall if it had the solenoid gas cutoff or not, though. It did have a AA battery igniter system like my Weber gas grill. The downside was that I called the company and they admitted that the range was at the bottom of the quality scale.
We finally found a 30" Dacor that had most of what I was looking for. We are still stuck with the solenoid shutoff and electronic ignighters. But, it is built as solidly as our old Wolf. There is no electronic control panel and just large simple knobs for teperature adjustments. The downside to the knobs is that they are stainless steel and mounted just above the oven door. The Wolf also had large knobs mounted above the oven door, but they were plastic and didn't retain heat like the Dacor's.
The burners are 800 to 18,000 BTU for NG and the broil setting is 25,000. We use LP so ours burn a bit hotter. We had to special order (no extra charge) the LP/High Altitude version. Another off-grid plus (though minor) is that the oven light is not automatic, we have to punch a button to turn it on and off.
The oven racks are solidly built and have an opening in the front that make grabbing them with oven mitts much easier. One rack is attatched to a ball bearing "glide rack" that can be a problem is the range is not perfectly level. :o
All-in-all, after several months of use, we are very happy with it. Apparently there is no getting around the parisitic gas shutoff, though.
ETA: A special thanks to Penn for his PM advice and suggestions!
Pat
SittingElf
04-03-2016, 10:23
I spent a pretty penny on the Viking range top, 5k, Viking range hood, 2.5k commercial blower on the roof, another 5k.
I did my due diligence with the Viking range top. You're not going to find a magic gas stove. Fire is fire.......
Now that I'm divorced I have no problems getting another Viking. ;)
You got me sold. I've been looking to replace our 30" GE Profile cooktop that was already installed in the house when we bought it.
The Viking looks perfect for our use. (VGSU5305BSS)... and while I was at it, I discovered Vikings BBQ / Outdoor kitchen models. That's the next step, replacing my NG BBQ that is starting to rust with a fully custom outdoor kitchen. I like the Viking features and options....a lot!
Great thread...and solved an issue for me. :D
If any QP's own commercial grade cooking equipment (restaurant grade commercial, not professional) and you need replacement parts contact me via PM. I work for an OEM restaurant parts distribution co. Can't get stuff for free but I am sure I can work out some decent pricing for you. ;)