looking for a gas range in the $500-$700 range

I think this is the right forum for this, but if not, I can always post elsewhere. I checked some of the sites referred to in the Useful Stuff section under appliances, but I couldn't find many user or expert reviews for what I was looking for. Epinions and consumersearch were just as bad. Short of subscribing to Consumer Reports, I turn to LTHForum in my time of need.

Here's the deal: I'm looking for a free-standing gas range for my parents in the $500-$700 price range. The exact price isn't important, but the features and reliability are. We just need something that works well and won't break down anytime soon (we're thinking some 20 years here). I've heard good things about convection cooking, for instance, but it's not something we absolutely need (or had before). Just the 30-inch, 4-range, decent-broiler gas model (with dark/black stylings). Any suggestions on shopping (we'll be buying from Best Buy) or recommended models?

[url=http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat05014&type=category]Gas ranges from Best Buy
[/url]
BB ranges with black accents:
Frigidaire FGF337BC
Frigidaire FGFB75DB
GE JGBS10BEHB

--Dan

Hi,

I'd go to the library to read the Consumer Reports. Over at Useful Stuff is a link to a chat site where the appliance obsessed meet. I have used them to help me make some appliance decisions.

When it comes down to plunking your money down, there is a Sears appliance outlet near Kiddieland. You can find information on it at Sear's website. We bought appliances there for an apartment building. Stuff is off the showroom floor or returns or dinged, in any case it is substantially discounted with solid warranties.

Plass Appliance has their outlet store on Army Trail Rd just west of 53/355. My cooktop was purchased there for $300 less than new in the box and it was new without the box.

Just last summer, there was a similar thread you may want to read.

First things first, go to the library to read Consumer Reports, it really does provide solid information.

Regards

It only costs $4.95 to subscribe to http://www.consumerreports.org/ for a month. A bargain considering how much great info you can get without leaving your computer and how much you're likely to save by not buying the wrong item. They have great information on ranges, continually updated. In your price range they're recommending the GE models, but you'll want to read the details to see how they match up with your parents' needs. I love my new GE Profile, but it will be 20 years before I can tell you whether it will hold up for 20 years.

I didn't follow your links to see if you're finding convection at that price range but I'd be surprised. I like mine, but it's not essential by any means, and I was shopping at a higher price point.

I have been in the appliance repair field for over 20 years. There is no way you can go wrong whttp://www.whirlpool.com/catalog/produ ... tId=435ith this range. The Frigidaire models all have problems with oven sensor probes, and ERC's (eloctronic range control) The only people who make appliances now are Whirlpool, GE. Frigidaire. (Range's) Take a look at it, I like it.

Thanks for all the suggestions, people. I also checked out your Whirlpool link, Chris, but it looks like it got stuck in between the "w" and "ith" of "with"; I believe this is the link you intended to post:
http://www.whirlpool.com/catalog/produc ... ductId=435
Thanks anyway, though. I'm sure the recommendation will come in handy.

We're currently in the market for a new range, $500-1000; I will probably run to Abt this weekend, and am leaning towards the GE models due to Consumer Reports and Abt site ratings.

I don't need anything fancy, but would like it to to be gas, out of habit, my pan selection, and since I need to be able to char the standard Baylessian vegetables [cackling, head nodding, holding serrano with tongs, regrets to tarte tatin]. I have other toys for grilling, toasting, and broiling, so I just need burners I can trust and nice even heat for occasional baking. Something that can handle a paella pan (really big burner, or extra burner to "bridge" for roasting pans and the like) would be nice, but not at all necessary.

What's remarkable is that there are still scores of choices at these pricepoints - 5 burner models, "power boil" high BTU burners, continuous cooktops, special folding oven racks, removable griddle, and I could even get a double oven (but don't really need one).

Any recs on narrowing the plethora of options would be greatly appreciated. What do you have / like?

Hi,

When I am shopping appliances, I usually check Plass Outlet Store on Army Trail Road a few miles west of 355.

I bought a GE cooktop for several hundred dollars less than list. It was either a floor model or returned. They said there may be a scratch, though I never found any. No box, but it had all paperwork and a full factory warranty. It may allow you to get a stove you might not otherwise have bought.

I bought my last dishwasher by having my Dad stop by. I was on my computer looking up the model and features, then told him what to buy. The salesman never saw anyone purchase it quite that way before.

Plass Appliance Outlet,
303 E Army Trail Rd,
Bloomingdale, IL.
Tel: 630-351-4020

There is a Plass outlet much, much closer to the North Shore, right off of 94 at Lake Cook Road, and not very far from Abt; I'd recommend a trip to both in an afternoon.

Plass Appliance Outlet
(847) 272-4076
45 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062

A few thoughts:

1. There are a lot of Plass stores. See http://www.plassappliance.com/. The one on Army Trail is noted as an Outlet. The one in Northbrook is noted as a Megastore.

2. Check out floor models. You can get a great deal.

3. Be sure to shop on-line (i.e. plessers.com, ajmadison, etc.) It is good to have multiple prices because prices at each individual store are generally quite flexible.

4. Don't trust Consumer Reports. They may be good for some things, but cooking appliances is not one of them. Don't trust reviews on Abt (or any store website) either.

5. The best source is gardenweb.com; look in the appliance forum.

6. The main things to look for are BTU (the total and distribution across burners), placement and size of burners, looks, how easy it is to pull out the oven trays, how easy it is to move pans across the top of the stove, etc. These are things that are most easily judged in person.

My dad worked for Sears for 35 years. My wife worked for Sears when I met her. I've been a Sears customer all my life....

We purchased a 'fridge and a stove at a Sears Outlet and it was a complete HORROR story. We were moving (all of 5 blocks) and arranged to have the stove and 'fridge delivered the day we moved in. No problems there BUT the 'fridge never got cold, it was DOA. Lost $450 worth of food (I added it all up)
We spent 10 days buying ice and eating out of coolers. until Sears settled and took back the DOA 'fridge. The second 'fridge died ONE month later!! This time no cash for the food in the 'fridge and we returned the 'fridge for good and bought a new one at ABT.

The stove we purchased kept having computer board problems and I got Kitchenaid to replace it as a "Lemon"
after they came out 4 times to replace the control unit.

I'll never buy from a Sears outlet again!

My somewhat limited experience has been that Abt provides the best/most knowledgeable customer service, then Plass, then Grand, among the major independent stores in the area. But a lot depends on the specific person you work with.

sundevilpeg wrote:There is a Plass outlet much, much closer to the North Shore, right off of 94 at Lake Cook Road, and not very far from Abt; I'd recommend a trip to both in an afternoon.

Plass Appliance Outlet
(847) 272-4076
45 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062

This location has closed.

FWIW:
We are ABT fans, though I don't disparage any other places.
I tend to agree wtih Mr. Chris. We have a Whirlpool within that price range (it was $600 something) and it's just fine. Bought about 18 mos. ago. It looks a lot like, but doesn't perform like, our late lamented GE Profile, however, that was a $1500 item that we got cheap as a floor model. Buying new, I think the Whirlpool is probably as good as you can do for $600ish. It has a power burner deal on 2 rings, and an "accu-simmer" on another, for taking it way down under the stock pot over many hours. Oven seems even and accurate.
My one peeve is that on the larger power burners, the lowest it goes is not low enough for me. So I have to move pans to the smaller burner when i wish I could just turn the big one down further.
ABT seems to match any competing price you bring them, though they don't start out at the bottom. And their customer service has been stellar for us. That might be something to weigh against going to Best Buy.
Good luck.

mrbarolo wrote:FWIW:

ABT seems to match any competing price you bring them, though they don't start out at the bottom. And their customer service has been stellar for us. That might be something to weigh against going to Best Buy.
Good luck.

That is why they have been in business for 74 years.

We buy everything from Abt--- A couple of years ago they even matched the ridiculous low price of a plasma TV that I saw offered at a "less than respectable" internet business. Your mileage may vary--- They looked us up on their computer and they saw that we are regular customers.

On the rare occasion that we have needed service on an appliance, they have always "gotten it right the first time"

Thanks to all for the great intel. I'll be all over gardenweb tonight, and will keep Whirlpool in the mix; I think I need to take a pan to Abt and Plass to do some tests (cooktop being more important than oven for me). I'll post on whatever we pick.

Cathy2 wrote:

sundevilpeg wrote:There is a Plass outlet much, much closer to the North Shore, right off of 94 at Lake Cook Road, and not very far from Abt; I'd recommend a trip to both in an afternoon.

Plass Appliance Outlet
(847) 272-4076
45 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062

This location has closed.

This location is open - they recently moved to this location. The correct phone number is 847-579-8530.

Hi,

I pass that area all the time. Before I said anything, I actually called to double check and nobody answered. Given their multiple locations, I thought they kept the number and not location.

Plass was in Highland Park, bordering on Highwood, for many years. They took over what was once the Highwood Radio and Appliance Store. Once I bumped into Plass Outlet, I went to their local store for orientation.

Regards,

This reminded me - we did go to Abt, and ended up with a GE gas range (JGB400 in unnaturally bright white) with continuous grates; as cito suggested, they pricematched without question and did an excellent job with the installation. A week of meals, culminating in a day of saucemaking followed by the simultaneous cooking of two lasagnas for the kiddo's birthday has me happy so far. Spoon rest space is an easy sacrifice to make for something I can manage paella pans on, and shifting pots from the power to simmer burners is very smooth (this replaces an old stove which had four equal burners).

During the mourning period for our former oven, this $50 Black and Decker from Amazon (it was a CR Best Buy) did some remarkable work on spanakopita, Trader Joe's naan and chocolate croissants, frozen pizza, and most importantly chicken nuggets, and did not burn the house down.

Congrats. Always nice to not regret a purchase like that. I have liked GE in the past. Especially "Profile."
Surprised about the B&D rec. I have had nothing but atrocious luck with them.

Sidebar rant: And our KitchenAid teakettle from Target, in cute red at about $25 is just an abomination. It stopped whistling almost immediately, the handle gets incredibly hot and you have to use a mitt, and the spout gets so hot that when you pour out of it, the already boiling water explodes as it hits the rim and goes all over the counter unless you wait a bit, or pour excruciatingly slowly.

All in all it's like some kind of plot to infiltrate and destroy western civilization, disguised in a cute, affordable little package.