Anyone have access to consumer reports? Stove/oven recommendation

[3kids4me]

My 20 year old electric oven with stovetop and attached microwave (above the stovetop) has finally bitten the dust.

I understand that they don't make oven/stovetops with microwaves attached anymore?

Can anyone recommend a good replacement item and brand? While I would love to have a wall oven, I don't have anywhere else to put the cooktop without doing major renovations that we can't really afford at the moment. Also, I guess I will need to buy a separate microwave that mounts on top of the stove? If so, can anyone recommend the best brand?

Thanks!

 

[Dave M]

Hi, Sharon!

For smooth-top range/oven models, CR recommends the Electrolux, which at about $2,000, is too rich for me. Next in line is the Kenmore (Sears) 9641 at about $750. At #2 in the rankings, it's the only one in the top nine under $1,000!

If you want a coil model, GE is top ranked ($700), followed by the Kenmore 9421 ($550) and the Hotpoint RB757WH ($450) .

For an over-the-range microwave, Samsung's SMH7187 gets top billing ($300). Whirlpool ($470), Kenmore Elite ($670) and Kenmore 8009 ($450) aren't far behind in the ratings.

The Kenmore smooth-top range, the Hotpoint coil range and the Samsung microwave are rated as "best buys".

 

[3kids4me]

Thank you so much Dave!!! Hope you are feeling good.


P.S. For the top-ranked coil model, is there a specific model number on the GE?

 

[swift]

You might want to read this too. http://www.tugbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=81451&highlight=induction+stove

 

[shagnut]

Unfortunatly, they don't make that model anymore. Please buy a smooth top. We women don't clean coils, or clean ovens!! Kenmore makes a nice one. You don't have to spend $600 for an over the stove microwave. Buy the Kenmore that's around $300. Get the one that has an automatic sensor and it also has a turntable that you can shut off. I believe the new one may have added a soften and a melt which is a great feature for butter, chocolates, or cream cheese. Do you have a cupboard over you stove to be able to hang a microwave. A lot of people who had the all in one did not have a cupboard overhead and would have to build something to hang it from. If that has to be built may sure you will have 32" from where it's going to hang to the counter or you will blow out the m/wave. shaggy

 

[3kids4me]

Thanks for the input Leslie. We do have an overhead cupboard, and it's 36 inches from the bottom of that to the top of the stove (which is level with the countertop around it). The stove we have now is 30 inches wide, so I guess we can only fit similar in there....

 

[Dave M]

The stove we have now is 20 inches wide, so I guess we can only fit similar in there....

Wow! 20 inches wide! That will be tough. Kenmore makes 218 different ranges. About 200 of them are 30" wide. A few are 24", 36" or 40" wide, but none narrower than 24". I also checked GE. Nothing.

Hotpoint makes two 20" coil ranges, which you can find by clicking on this link and then clicking on "20 in".

I couldn't find any 20" smooth top ranges.

 

[3kids4me]

Sorry...that was a typo...I meant 30 inches...I'll change that!!

 

[nightnurse613]

My last stove (coil) locked up during the cleaning process just prior to Thanksgiving several years back. We found a Kenmore glass top at less than $500 during a special sale. The only drawback was I think they were getting a special order together because we had to wait about 3 weeks before we got the stove. It had two-two element burners and a warming section. I don't do much cooking (that's what husbands are for ) but my husband has been thoroughly pleased with the performance to date.

 

[erm]

The December (or November) issue of Consumer Reports has the ratings for new stoves. I went to my local library and checked out this issue. My stove died the day before Thanksgiving and I purchased the #2 choice Kenmore. I'm still getting used to it. I've always had GE coil models. The Kenmore has a fifth burner for warming and the bottom drawer which has always been used for storage now is used as a warming drawer. Good luck in your search. I was fortunate to get the Kenmore on sale for $623.

 

[dukebigtom]

The local library is a good idea. Whenever I want to know something from Consumer Reports, I go there. I either look at the index online or at the Library and then ask for the issue I need. Then if I want to keep it, I just use the copier and copy the pages I want.

BigTom

 

[Dave M]

The December (or November) issue of Consumer Reports has the ratings for new stoves.

It's the December issue. That's where the info in my first post in this thread comes from.

 

[3kids4me]

Thank you so much again Dave...and everyone! You have made this a much less stressful purchase!

Now, to try and hold our for the sales...what do you think...will they be after Christmas or President's week?

 

[Dave M]

Sharon -

I see from the flyer in my newspaper today that Sears has a 20%-off sale for all Kenmore appliances through December 31.

 

[1st Class]

The local library is a good idea. Whenever I want to know something from Consumer Reports, I go there. I either look at the index online or at the Library and then ask for the issue I need. Then if I want to keep it, I just use the copier and copy the pages I want.

BigTom

The public library is a good suggestion. Did you know that you have access from home as well? All you need is your library card to log in, and then use EBSCO to search.