Range or eye level ovens??

[bumbledeedum]

On going debate in our house, do we stick with our (lovely) range or move to eye level ovens and separate hob?

I'm team eye level as I would prefer not to have to lift in and out of the lower ovens and I feel like there's always a bit of a gap around none integrated appliances where food/spills inevitably end up.

OH is team range because he thinks it gives us better oven capacity and not having to have two tall units would give us better worktop space.

We're all electric/induction either way if that makes any difference.

Can anyone help with our dilemma??

I personally prefer an eye level oven - I find them much easier to get things in and out of (especially big casserole dishes!) & like not having to bend down to have a quick look at how things are cooking.
also find them safer with small kiddies around as they can reach up to open them (yet..)

Bending down to low ovens can be a pain.

Does one of you use the oven(s) more than the other?

I’ve had both. Much prefer eye level.

eye level. Much more convenient. I've got a Neff hide and slide so the door disappears in which is also very handy as our kitchen isn't the most spacious. Also we have pest who'd be putting their heads in the oven all the time.

*pets. They are also pests.

I personally hate eye level - put it this way I’m not lifting a full cast iron casserole up that high! And I worry about dropping/spilling things when lifting stuff in and out. Is an integrated under counter oven not an option?

My dm changed from eye level as she isn't very tall and kept catching herself on the oven when taking things out.

I think it would be harder to lift my cast iron pots down to floor level and back up? At least going from hob to eye level it's just a sideways motion.

I've got a Neff hide and slide so the door disappears in which is also very handy as our kitchen isn't the most spacious.

I've got plenty of space but it makes it a lot easier/safer to lift things in and out than a drop down door.

Also I am 5'1 so not exactly long of limb.

Yes, it does feel a lot safer. I would definitely buy the same again.

Me too.

Depends on the style of kitchen- shaker/farmhouse I prefer a range. Eye level in a modern kitchen.

Really? Maybe they come in different heights then. When lifting down into a standalone/under counter oven you don’t need to use strength from your arms since you use your legs and back when lifting up from a lower down position. That’s easier for most people than lifting up with the arms which I have to do when using my parents’ eye level, which is definitely higher up than a sideways motion from the hob, especially the top oven.

I'm team eye level. I have that planned for when we do our kitchen (who knows when!)

Range cookers do look lovely in a traditional kitchen but I hate the one we have in our temporary kitchen. Bending down to lift heavy stuff out of oven is a pain. We will be putting two eye level ovens in our new kitchen (even though it'll be traditional inframe shaker) and I can't wait. Probably better at eye level if you have small kids too tbh.

Yeah I guess it depends where it's at, but my eye level is at the top of my oven, so I'm usually lifting stuff straight across to a lower shelf. My kitchen is Ikea.

Waist height here. So easy with big, heavy casseroles. I just built the kitchen unit around it.

It has a half oven below so quite low and I use that one all the time. I don’t find the low height a problem at all. I sit on the floor to clean it.

Yeah this. We had an eye level oven put in our old house when we re did the kitchen with a modern sleek style to sell. When we had our new kitchen out into our current house, it suited (and I prefer) a shaker style kitchen, and we got a lovely big range, and it really is the focal point of the room. I couldn't imagine having a modern looking oven in this kitchen, and I love having a big range with lots of hob burners! I'm not sure if I found the eye level one easier or more convenient, but for older people I can see the benefit, as bending down and lifting pans is obviously harder on the body, than moving something around at the same level.

I agree that it depends on the style of kitchen. Farmhouse traditional large kitchen 100% range.

Modern home with modern kitchen eye level.

I've had both and preferred the look of my farmhouse kitchen I loved the convenience of the eye level.

Wow wasn't expecting so many replies, thank you all!

A few things I hadn't thought of, good point about style. Kitchen will be shaker style (not in frame) and house is 1930's but our current range (would be the range we would keep if we don't go to eye level) is fairly modern looking so not sure how much it would work with the style anyway.

We do have young children (toddler age) so that was another reason I'd prefer higher ovens but they have also grown up with low ovens in a very small kitchen and it hasn't been an issue for us. I do also do 95% of the cooking (& kitchen designing and planning) so do think I have the ultimate vote.

Our new kitchen will have a low oven, but with pull out draws.

I’m loving having an eye level double oven, having renovated our kitchen recently. I find it a lot easier to both put things in and take out of and also to keep an eye on things - don’t have to bend down to see into the oven and see how things are cooking. I think it looks good too though agree that a range can be very pretty in a very traditional kitchen or cottage-type set up.

I've got a range style now and much prefer my old eye level oven. The big drawers beneath were great for storage too. Really regret choosing a range when we had the kitchen done. Expensive mistake that I can't justify changing.

Think mine is a bit below eye level and that's ideal - so no having to lift up or bend down