Or, ranges, if you prefer.
I've got one in the kitchen that has to go. It's a "built in"/"drop in" model however, not freestanding electric. My price range for its replacement however is leading me towards a freestander. Am I correct in assuming that there's just not much involved in making the switch?
Your current range most likely has a hard wired 220 line, you'll have to change that to a pigtail connection for a freestanding range. You'll need to cut out the bottom of the area where your drop-in sits currently, and cut out the back area where the drop-in does not go all the way to the backboard. Finally make sure the cutout is 30" wide, as many drop-ins are under by about half an inch.
The last drop-in I replaced had a pigtail and an outlet, but I have heard that many of them are hardwired.
Aside from cutting cabinets (or moving electric to wherever the free-stander goes) it should be a no-brainer.
Depending on how old the built-in is (and if it has a plug/pigtail) they have changed protocols for 240v outlets over the years. It used to be a pretty standard 3-prong plug, but now there are different common plug styles for dryers, stoves, RVs, A/C, etc. Just get whatever socket matches up with the stove's pigtail.
Get a gas range/electric oven if you're at all serious about cooking.
My wife went out and bought a display Frigidaire 5 burner gas range from the Lowes. It is the best $305.00 I have ever seen her spend.
Brett_Murphy wrote: Get a gas range/electric oven if you're at all serious about cooking.
This. I replaced a gas/gas with a smoothtop electric/double oven (one with convection) when we did the kitchen remodel about 2 years ago. The wife is a baker and things bake worlds better with the electric, especially the convection. I tend to cook more and miss the raw power and control I had with gas.
Having a separate cooktop and oven makes getting the gas/electric combo pretty easy. Unless the wall oven is dead I'd get a gas cooktop and have a line run for it.
I'm guessing the reason he's going to a freestanding range is because the drop-in/slide-in ranges cost more, so you guys aren't really helping when you tell him to shop dual-fuel ranges. The cheapest Dual-Fuel range Sears sells, for example, is $1849.
Might as well tell him to get an induction cooktop and separate built-in double oven while you are at it.
My advice is to shop Sears' close-outs. When I worked there we had a steady supply of open-box or canceled orders that for one reason or another sat around for too long and were eventually marked down. I get all our appliances that way. If you find a good deal it will be anywhere from 50 to 90% off. I saw many $1000+ cooktops and wall ovens sold for less than $200. All with a full warrantee.
By the looks of the OP, he has this:
(new price $900+)
And wants to go to this:
(new price ~$400+)
DoctorBlade wrote: Or, ranges, if you prefer. I've got one in the kitchen that has to go. It's a "built in"/"drop in" model however, not freestanding electric. My price range for its replacement however is leading me towards a freestander. Am I correct in assuming that there's just not much involved in making the switch?
i would just try to find another drop in. i found a brand new kenmore elite on CL for $300. it was over $1600 new.
if you go freestanding you will have to rip out your lower cabinet. you may not have tile/wood floor underneath.
if you want to keep it simple just keep an eye out on CL or keep looking for an openboxbuy at the home centers.
$.02
here you go...
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/app/2786970171.html
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/app/2773982284.html
In reply to jhaas:
the first link you had is a slide-in, which would also require ripping out the bottom cabinet.
that second link is a built-in oven, not a range.
Also, be aware that the dimensions for a drop-in style range have changed over the years, and differ from range to range. The newer models tend to be shorter than the older models, so you have to build up the bottom cabinet or kick panel higher than it is currently.
Seriously, the easiest and cheapest remedy without seeing your particular installation would probably be to go to a freestanding.
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