[net.consumers] Stoves

barryg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Lee Gold) (04/06/85)

A little search through back files of this group will get you lots of
data on washers and dryers and refrigerators, but I don't think we've
discussed stoves lately.

I'd like to recomend Crown aka American Crown gas stove.

It's the only outfit I know of that makes a stove with side by side ovens
and a broiler under each one.   There re models with four or six burners
on top.  There's also a model with a broiler on one side and a rotisserie/
oven on the other.  And one with a full size oven next to a half-size one
for stuff like doing baked potatoes.

We've had this stove for six years now, and had no special difficulties.
It is NOT carried by most appliance stores.  You have to search for it.
And it's expensive:  ours cost about $1000.  But we think it's well worth it.

In addition to providing a stone that's home-size, not apartment-size, the
Crown stove also is almost completely dismantleable.  The oven sides,
back, and bottom hang on studs or are wedged in and can be removed to
soak in the sink.  You can also remove not just the burner pans but the
actual burner assemblies (you do need a screwdriver) and soak them.  The
stove top comes off too.  Basically it's easier to keep this stove totally
clean than any other stove I've ever heard of.

Out here in California, all gas stoves must have electronic ignition
(passed during the energy crunch).  The Crown ovens come with a feature
I'e never had to use which supposedly lets them have a pseudo-pilot if
there's no electricity so once there lit they can continue cycling on
and off to maintain an even temperature.   They do do this last very well.
I've had problems cooking delicate ishes with some other stoves because
the ovens didn't keep to the indicated temperture (or because they ran
high or low).  I haven't had this with the Crown.

I'll close by putting in a brief word for Maytag washers.

--Lee Gold