lneff@spar.UUCP (Laura Neff) (01/09/86)
<munch> Many weeks ago I submitted a request asking for people's opinions on gas cooktops, particularly commercial quality ones. Several people in the bay area responded with info on where to go shopping (thanks, but not really the info I needed) but I did get a couple of responses from people with actual experience with cooktops. ucbvax!hplabs!oday had done some cooking with a 6-burner Wolf range and had no complaints. In spite of huge burners, simmering was no problem, nor was special cookware required. She did mention that the pilot lights generated quite a bit of heat. ucbvax!nbires!rcd recommended a Thermador range -- not a commercial range but with one high-output burner. He especially warned against cheap stamped pan supports, recommending heavy cast ones instead. When we actually got around to talking to our kitchen contractor, we were told that, although some inspectors will let them by, commercial grade stoves and cooktops will not pass housing code in California. The state in its beneficent wisdom (only 1/2 a :-)) has determined that stoves with pilots are a menace to society, as are stoves with a total BTU output above a certain level. The Wolf and US Ranges were guilty on both counts, our contractor was not willing to try to get around this and we were not willing to press it. We finally decided on a Kitchenaid cooktop which seemed to have good solid pan supports, better burners than most, and one high-output burner. The remodeling actually starts next week, so we have no experience with the stove yet. Thanks for those who responded. -- Laura Neff !ucbvax!decwrl!spar!lneff