speaking of kitchen remodeling, anyone have a viking range? worth the money?

[eliza61]

I'm not remodeling my kitchen but I do drool over kitchen appliances. maybe because I spend so much time in my kitchen. So I'm thinking of replacing my stove this summer.

Anyone have a viking range? Pros/cons?

Anyone ever hear of Aga ranges?
Any other favorites. Has to be a gas range though and I would like a double oven

Thanks

E

 

[DOREEN1779]

Viking ranges are really nice. I sold a lot of them over the years while I wholesaled appliances. The stainless finish is superior to many other brands except maybe Thermador and Dacor. Every once and a while I would get an order for a white, red, or blue and I gotta tell you, they look beautiful. More expensive but really makes a kitchen pop. The venting and backsplash choices really help you create something new. One of the drawbacks to a Viking is service. Depending on where you live, it can take a longer wait period for service and parts as compared to mainstream GE or Maytag. But if you take care of your stove, I have seen very few problems reported. Also a Viking stove needs to be used, some people use it a show piece which is great but it needs a workout to keep it working properly. For a double oven I would go Thermador. For a refrigerator, classic SubZero, For dishwasher, integrated Miele. AGA is ok but I think you are just paying for designer features that Viking, Thermador, Dacor, Wolf, ect... all can provide.

 

[DOREEN1779]

I just saw you are from NJ, you should check out Carl Schaedel in Fairfield. I think they have a location in PA also. They are an authorized Viking dealer and have a tremendous amount of models on display. If you are going to spend this type of money on a range, it is best to see it in person.

 

[ceecee]

My suggestion would be Wolf. They have review sites online and Wolf seems to come out ahead of Viking.

 

[SGB13]

We have a Capital cooktop and my husband loves it! I highly recommend gardenweb forums to get more info on any that you are interested in. My husband wanted power, and I love the ease of cleanup.
Enjoy your shopping!

 

[TaraPA]

I agonized over Viking & Wolf when building our house 7 years ago. I ended up going with the Wolf Dual Fuel 6 burner gas with grill and double ovens. The range is gas, the ovens are electric. I love it! I did a lot of consumer research & Viking had consistenly poor ratings as far as repairs/service. I haven't had any issues with my Wolf yet & use it on a daily basis.

I've seen the Aga's on TV & in magazines but not in person, and I don't know anyone that owns one.

I think whatever you choose with look sharp!

 

[rcraw45425]

I know one person with an AGA and it ran her around $10K. I'm sorry, that's what we paid for a used car for our teenager. I'm very pleased with my Kitchen Aid Architect as we are total electric and that put a damper on my dreams.

 

[joliesmom]

I went with a commercial DCS and I couldn't be happier. I avoided Viking and Wolf due to repair issues and having a "certified" Viking/Wolf repair person to keep your warranty intact. The cost of DCS is slightly cheaper...slightly. My contractor also told me about having to use a special heat resistant sheet rock if you go Viking/Wolf? I also live in S Jersey and I ordered my range online and shipping was free and no tax.

 

[TaraPA]

I've heard good things about the DCS as well. My cousin's wife has one, she is a caterer & raves about it. We didn't need anything special with the drywall for the Wolf BUT we did need a special commercial exhaust system for it because of township codes. Including the extra exhaust it came to about $13K. Would I spend that again on a range? No. Never. Am I sorry I spent it this time around? No. At the time it was what fit our needs for a 60" range. If we ever downsize or remodel the kitchen I'll go with something smaller since it will eventually just be the 2 of us in the next 10 years! I also wouldn't get the grill again - it's extremely messy & stinks up the whole house (even with the commercial exhaust).

 

[eliza61]

Oooh what's DCF? Tara, thanks for the tip on the grill and township codes. I'll admit we do love to grill, lol you should see me grilling in 2 feet of snow!! so I was definitely looking into one on the counter top.

I'm not remodeling my kitchen, basically just replacing the appliances so I would not have even thought about exhaust fan codes.

Whew.

 

[Jenny3]

I can't help you with ranges, other than saying how very pretty AGA ranges are. I just sold my client's home (I'm a realtor) and he has the cranberry one; I had the photographer take a special photo because I thought it was so gorgeous!

 

[eliza61]

I can't help you with ranges, other than saying how very pretty AGA ranges are. I just sold my client's home (I'm a realtor) and he has the cranberry one; I had the photographer take a special photo because I thought it was so gorgeous!

If one could marry a stove, that would be my next dh!! gorgeous.

 

[TaraPA]

I'm not a fan of flat tops but that is puuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrtttttttttttyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rcraw45425]

I'm not a fan of flat tops but that is puuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrtttttttttttyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Agree, wonder how they keep it so spotless. I have to scrub weekly and use a razor blade on occasion.

 

[BunsenH]

Be sure that your floor can support one of these monsters. If not, figure in the cost of additional bracing.

 

[wiigirl]

I had a Viking at our old house before we moved to this one. I miss it every time I cook.

 

[Lucille1963]

From what I've heard from people who have Vikings, they say that the ovens need to be calibrated a lot. They do love them though.

AGAs are a dream! I've never experienced a flat top one, just the one with the hot plates. Its a whole different style of cooking.

 

[DOREEN1779]

I can't help you with ranges, other than saying how very pretty AGA ranges are. I just sold my client's home (I'm a realtor) and he has the cranberry one; I had the photographer take a special photo because I thought it was so gorgeous!

That is one fine looking range! Love the color!

 

[Monte Cristo]

I've got the Viking 36 inch with griddle in the middle...love it. Nothing like cooking with gas...we don't use the griddle nearly as often as I thought we would. Oven runs about 50 degrees hot...I didn't know I could have it calibrated like poster above mentioned.

Just a couple weeks ago we had to have it serviced as the oven wouldn't light. Cost me $300 to get both igniters replaced...that's been the only service we've done to it in the 9 years since we bought it.

With the hood it really does make the kitchen look good.

 

[southlakejr]

Agree, wonder how they keep it so spotless. I have to scrub weekly and use a razor blade on occasion.

I used to work in a kitchen with a flat top- I would use a girl brick with water while it was still warm. Followed by lemon juice and the brick, also while it was still warm. That thing was spotless despite getting a thorough workout on a daily basis.