<p>Time to buy a new range. I think I want a dual fuel, but not the million dollar ones. I do not have a really fancy kitchen (nor do I want one).</p>
<p>I’ve basically narrowed it to GE or Frigidaire. </p>
<p>Any opinions on the dual fuel models? I have gas now and it’s OK, but I don’t like the oven/broiler.</p>
<p>How about reliability? Any thoughts on that? </p>
<p>BTW the Frigidaire one is $500 less than the GE!</p>
<p>Thanks for advice!!!</p>
<p>I have had a gas cooktop with elec double ovens and installed a number of dual fuel type ranges (mostly the million dollar variety, haha).</p>
<p>The general consensus among cooks who care is that the elec oven is far better for baking and temp control. The gas hobs are better for simmering and stir frying–though some of the mega hobs on Wolfs, Garlands and Vikings cannot be lowered enough to produce a proper low simmer.</p>
<p>If you pop up a link to the two models I will try to give an opinion on the difference…</p>
<p>I have a gas cooktop and an electric oven underneath–installed 14 years ago and would not cost a million dollar even with inflation. :)</p>
<p>Thank you cheers!</p>
<p>Here is the Frigidaire:
<a href=“http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Cooktops%2C+Ranges+%26+Ovens&pid=02243172000&vertical=APPL&subcat=Slide-In+Ranges&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes[/url]”>http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Cooktops%2C+Ranges+%26+Ovens&pid=02243172000&vertical=APPL&subcat=Slide-In+Ranges&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes</a></p>
<p>Here is the GE:
<a href=“http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Cooktops%2C+Ranges+%26+Ovens&pid=02247194000&vertical=APPL&subcat=Slide-In+Ranges&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes[/url]”>http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Cooktops%2C+Ranges+%26+Ovens&pid=02247194000&vertical=APPL&subcat=Slide-In+Ranges&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes</a></p>
<p>At my local appliance store, they are $1229 and $1859 respectively.</p>
<p>Hope the links work - they go to Sears.</p>
<p>Thanks again.</p>
<p>Hmmm. I don’t see obvious difference though the cook top on the Frigidaire seems much smaller inthe photo? I like max room on my cooktop to get mas number of big pots. </p>
<p>Other Tips:</p>
<p>Measure inside of oven for width. An extra inch makes a difference for big roasting pans or multiple cookie sheets.</p>
<p>Bring pots to store and test ‘slide’ the pot over the cooktop grates. </p>
<p>Are you short? The GE grates look like they add another 1" to the height of the pot on the stove. Would be an issue for me. ;)</p>
<p>Lift off grates at store to test what it will be like cleaning them.</p>
<p>Ideally, get store to light up all burners. Do the Frigidaire Power Burners turn down to a reasonable simmer? Only one burner on simmer could be annoying.</p>
<p>If all these test well, then I say there is no reason to spend another $500.</p>
<p>I have a one year old GE dual fuel range and I’m very happy with it–inexpensive, plus it has a warming drawer and a convection bake feature which is AWESOME.</p>
<p>Cheers I have the electric double oven, and gas cooktop too. I agree with your suggestions as well. I would look at how easily the stovetop will clean. I have a glass cooktop, and it is a pain to keep clean! One fried egg and it looks like it was not cleaned in weeks.</p>
<p>I did not make a mistake with my double oven. I love it. It comes in so handy for large gatherings. It is an absolute pleasure. I have Dacor. I am bringing up the brand b/c it has a feature that I did not have with my old oven. Many ovens allow for drippings that run between the glass of the oven door. My old oven had this problem. I do not have this problem with my Dacor. The salesperson told me that the Dacor would avoid this problem, and that was true. Perhaps there are also other companies have also developed glass doors that are not going to look ugly and dirty. This double oven was not exactly cheap, but I have no regrets.</p>
<p>Northeastmom,
How new is your Dacor? I have a Dacor and spilled liquid on the door once and it leaked between the glass. I love the way it cooks but I don’t like the look of the glass door.</p>
<p>Liz, Wow, I am sorry to hear that. I hope that I don’t see the same problem in the future. The door was one reason that I chose Dacor. Anyway, my Dacor is 3 years old. How old is your oven? Do you have a double oven?</p>
<p>Oh kitchen stuff!!</p>
<p>We have separate cooktop and oven, so I can’t comment on the ranges - we have dual fuel by default.
I can say though, get a convection oven if you possibly can. Cooking in it requires some experimentation - don’t want to wait until T’giving dinner to work out the bugs - but it offers real advantages, especially roasting, and baking if you do large batches.</p>
<p>I have a Viking dual fuel with double oven. There is no gas line on my street so when the kitchen was redone a few years back we added a propane tank. At the time I was told that the flame produced by the cooktop would be less than with gas but if that is the case I have not noticed. The ovens take time to pre-heat but bake beautifully. It was pricey but I am very happy with it.</p>
<p>I am madly in love with my GE Profile dual fuel oven. I have had it now for over five years, and I’ve never had even a moment’s trouble with it, even after cooking many a dinner and having way more pots than I care to count boil over. The electric oven keeps very accurate temperature and I love the burners, especially the simmer burner. I would recommend a GE Profile oven to anyone.</p>