Range or Built in Ovens???

[sproodlemummy]

We're currently looking at updating our kitchen. We have a 900mm Rangemaster that we bought from the owners when we moved in 5 years ago. I really do love it, especially the slim side bit as you can fit loads of stuff in.

We're knocking through to our utility to make a bigger kitchen, but the kitchen does remain a weird shape.

Because of this we're looking at Built in Ovens - 2 of them plus a microwave/oven/grill with a induction hob built into the island (I should point out that we're having our kitchen rewired at the same time - rest of the house was done about 18 months ago - the ceiling is coming down so a flush to the ceiling extractor fan could be fitted without much problem)

The built in ovens do make more sense from a space point of view but i'm wobbling about giving up my beloved range. Anyone made the change and not/do regret it???

I've attached a couple of pictures - the built in ovens/cupboards and island are almost exactly what we're going to be having.

I think everyone and his dog has built in double ovens, it’s a much more modern look, but I have to say, I love my range. I love the way it looks as well as the practicality.
I think it’s a matter of personal taste though.

I had built in ovens and went for a range - i love it ..(although my built in ovens were crap so it may just be the joy of something that works properly!)
My neighbour went for the built in look as it is slightly more space efficient but really misses her range.....

I also have a Rangemaster ( mines cream ) it's served us very well as we've probably had it at least 11 years. We are having a new kitchen in a year or two and will be going for built in ovens. The reason being I quite fancy being able to look at the food cooking at eye level rather than practically bending over double to see what's going on in there ! Another factor for me/us is we are no longer spring chickens and the thought of doing ourselves an injury getting a heavy item out of the oven is not too many years ahead !

Thank you for your lovely replies.

I have a cream rangemaster too, I really do love it. I do also feel even though I'll have 2 ovens I won't be able to fit as much in when cooking (stupid really as there is only the two of us at the moment lol).

I like the idea of cooking at the hob on the island and having a conversation with my husband rather than having my back to him or for when we have other people around.

I guess we need to decide on what is the biggest compromise :-(

Having this exact quandary at the moment. We're moving soon and will be remodelling the kitchen in the new house.
I have a range at the moment which I do like although I only use one of the ovens at Christmas but I keep being drawn to built in.

I have a range, I really don't like the look of built in
Not sure why, just... Don't

What would you do about an extractor fan with the island set up?

@notso the kitchen ceiling is coming down to allow us to re-wire so we'll install a flush to the ceiling extractor above the hob

Ive never had a range, but do have built in ovens at eye level.
It’s been a god send with toddlers as by the time they can reach it they’re old enough to know not to touch the hot oven, especially at the point of taking stuff outS

Not sure if this is helpful, but the thing I love about our range (also 900mm wide) is the extra heat resistant surface you get for putting down plates hot from the microwave, stuff from the oven etc. I think if we had to change to built in ovens and a hob I'd want to get an extra big hob so we still had 5 heating rings plus plenty of heat resistant surface.

Could you not incorporate the range into the island?

Altgough the internet is not plentiful with range in island pictures, it looks like it is possible...

Sorry sproodle I read your OP properly and saw that!

We're having a peninsula untit and I love the idea of the hob being on that but am not sure about how an extractor would work.

The extractor can be as shown in the picture above. Alternatively you can have a pop up one set into the work surface.

Regarding built in or range, I would go built in every time.

Main advantage is eye level. This means they are much easier to clean and use. You can see what your cooking looks like without bending over. They can be specified with easy to slide out shelves/racks which makes basting and checking much easier as you do not need to lift the dish from the oven. It is all in front of you. When you do take thedish out, it is easier andless effort. I use Le Cruset and I prefer these in my eye level oven.

Second advantage is different features for two different ovens. You are able to have differing specifications.

There are also slightly differing capacities. A good single will be 70 litres. Its a big shame that 90 cm wide ovens are now out of vogue. I have one under my 90 cm induction hob. It has a large capacity. However, now that there are only two of us, it is not used so much but its great for entertaining and batch cooking. A few manufacturers still make them.

@Notso that it is a niggling point I must admit. I've looked into the flush extractors and blimey they're not cheap, but I also hate the look of a big extractor chimney coming down from the ceiling

Thanks for your replies, all good points.

My heart tells me a range, but my head just says there are too many compromises with a range, as we're doing away with the utility room (another massive but essential decision) we need to maximise the space xx

You might be able to have an extactor that's flush with the ceiling rather than a chimney hood one. If the ceiling is not too high, that would work.