Built-ins, ovens and cooktops - oh my!!

A couple of years ago my wife and I were contemplating redoing our kitchen.  

One of the first Big Decisions we encountered in the planning phase concerned the layout out of the kitchen:  Do we go with a traditional range, or should we spend a little more and enjoy the convenience of a cooktop and separate wall oven?  As every home is different, there's no black-and-white answer to this question; (I'll expand on that in a bit down below.)

First of all, a few general points about built-ins (I am using the description "built ins" covers both wall ovens and cooktops):

Frigidaire Professional series wall ovens

1. Nearly all wall ovens are electric.   In other words, even if your range or cooktop is gas, assume the wall oven is going to be electric powered.  Why?  Over the decades, the general opinion among chefs has been that an electric oven will maintain temperature more evenly than a gas model.  Gas models have certainly improved over time, and generally perform very well.  Having said that, you will be hard pressed to find a gas wall oven still in production.
2. Wall ovens normally don't need to have exhaust vents (as opposed to a range, where a hood is at the very least recommended - see my last blog below)  These ovens employ what I will call, for lack of a better word, a catalytic device that consumes almost all the smoke, and most of the heat.  This feature is part of the reason wall ovens cost as much, or more, than a corresponding range. Which brings me to...
3. Expect to pay more for a wall oven and cooktop vs. a traditional range with oven and cooking surface combined into one appliance.  Built-ins, especially the wall ovens, are more expensive to manufacture than a range. Also, pretty much any appliance that has features geared to making it more aesthetically pleasing (such as a shallow refrigerator or a backless range) always has a higher price tag attached.

Fridgidaire 30" Professional cooktop

So, let's go back to a potential remodel.  If you're contemplating a move to built-ins, these are the major points you should consider:

If you have a good-sized kitchen, built-ins can be a great way to allow you to spread out the prep work by allowing two or more people to work at the same time without bumping into each other.  While some older kitchens have a built in oven and cooktop, the ovens are almost always smaller (often as narrow as 24" vs. the modern standard 30" wide units).  Modern houses, with open floor plans and kitchens designed to be the house's focal point and not just a utilitarian prep room, often can benefit from the added work space and general flow of built in pieces.

You will have more size options to choose from.  Cooktops normally are available in 30" or 36" widths (compared to ranges that are always 30" wide except for a few specialty exceptions), and some models are available in a professional sized 48" width.  Wall ovens are normally 30" wide, although many can be ordered in the "older" 27" width size.   A couple of models are still available in the old 24" width that was prominent in the 40s to early 60s.

You can choose between single wall ovens (normally about 30" tall, 30" wide) or a double oven (normally about 51" wide.)  You can also purchase a single wall oven with microwave oven on top (either as one piece, or two separate pieces.

Just as with ranges, extra options and features (convection or air-fry capabilities for example) are available.  Yes, you will pay a little more for these features.  A discussion with one of our sales professional can help you determine which of these available features best fit your needs and lifestyle - we don't want you to spend extra for bonus features you aren't going to use!!)

Frigidaire Professional 36" gas cooktop

Some of the downsides:

A cooktop and oven will almost always cost you more, considerably more in some situations, then an equally featured one-piece range. 

Built ins generally require professional (and in some cases licensed) installation, which will be an added cost.  Even if you have an oven or cooktop now, there's no guarantee the cutout in the cabinet or countertop will match EXACTLY, so slight modifications will be needed.
(Note - GE is the exception to the above.  They are the one company that has taken great pains to keep the physical dimensions of their wall ovens and cooktop the same over the years and decades!)

I hope this gives you an overview of the pros and cons.  If you are considering replacing your current built-in, or contemplating a remodel and upgrade, please reach out to the sales professionals in any of our twelve (psssst! soon to be thirteen!!!) showrooms.  We'll be happy to help you plan your kitchen and guide you throughout the process!