Posted on 10/24/2019 8:26:05 AM PDT by chrisser
We're looking for a new 30" range for the kitchen. Needs to run on propane. While we are on-grid, we're looking for ranges made for off-grid for the simplicity and reliability.
We're in a rural area and sometimes the road is inaccessible. Our last stove spent the last 18 months not working more often than working. Two "safety" valves, a control board, a temperature sensor, three glow ignitors. Was under warranty, but we couldn't get anyone to come down the road and look at it.
So we're looking for either pilot lights or battery-powered spark ignition. The former isn't manufactured any longer as far as I understand.
The latter meanes basically three choices:
Brown (also rebranded as Summit)
Premier
Unique (out of Canada, eh)
My wife would like:
1) cast, sturdy burner grates with full coverage
2) stainless finish to match the rest of the appliances
3) a backsplash (possibly negotiable)
4) No illuminated displays (we like darkness at night)
5) Oven window
Not exactly ridiculous requirements you would think...
We have a local hardware store that carries Brown. Frankly, while they're made in USA and seem to be made OK, they're also very basic and bare bones. Not all that impressive but still a contender.
We can order Peerless/Premier from Lowes and Home Depot. They've discontinued several models for no apparent reason and although the pictures look nice, nobody carries them in stock to look at. Their "Pro" line is the top possibility along with the Unique Signature.
Lehman's carries Brown and Unique. Right now they have one mid-level Unique (Signature) on the floor. Unique discontinued their higher-end Elite series in battery ignition for some reason so those are only available used now or in on-grid versions. At least if we drive up to Kidron we can see one potential contender. Lehman's also carry Hotpoint. Unless their web site is inaccurate, they only have a single model of non-electronic and it's only available in white and is as basic as Brown.
Here to find out if any other FReepers are aware of any other options. I've started to look at some of the higher-end ranges like Viking, Thermodor, etc. They all appear to use electronics to manage their oven ignition. Frankly, the higher-end price of the range, the harder it is to find solid information on the darned things. I don't get the big secret - it's a big metal box that gets hot not a missile guidance system.
Also found that a couple of the higher end manufacturers (Viking?) have 24" and 36" but skip right over 30" fro some unknown reason.
I have a GE 4 burner that I had fitted for (different ignitors) propane as I have not natural gas in my neighborhood.
Thanks. Been on that site several times.
Might even be worth flying all the way to vegas if they have some of the ovens on the floor to look at.
I’d bet you could find them in your area and make a day trip.
The burners are less of a problem than is the oven.
Used to be the oven had a pilot light.
Then they moved to spark ignition.
Now they’re using a sintered metal glow ignitor that gets red hot. For “safety” reasons the gas valve monitors the amp draw of the ignitor as it changes based on how hot it gets. It’s supposed to detect that the ignitor is positively on before allowing the gas to flow.
The problem seems to be multi-fold. Firstly, the glow ignitors take a bunch of power to heat red-hot and they have to turn on every time the oven cycles.
Secondly, the ignitor quality control appears to suck. Besides being fragile and subject to contamination, their resistance drifts over time (sometimes as little as a few months) and they will then fail to trip the amp-threshold to turn on the gas, even though they work perfectly fine.
Lastly, the control boards suck, primarily because they come with defective relays. You can replace them and with new if you don’t mind soldering the board, or you can pay $300 for a new board for a $500 stove.
We’ve had enough with all this extra complication.
I'd bet the farm on 19 black if I were you.
My cousin lives in Oklahoma and uses propane. She just bought a beautiful stove at either Home Depot or Lowes....or one of the big box stores....and then they came out and fitted it for propane. I don’t think it’s such a big deal.
We may run up to Lehman’s to take a look at Unique.
Premier’s dealer for our area is in Youngstown and is only open weekdays. Other than Ben’s, I’m not finding anyone who actually carries the line in stock. Premier is in IL and maybe it would be easier to visit the factory if that’s an option. I think Brown is in TN.
No displays, no lights, no circuitry no “magic” beyond the thermal couple for the gas. Perfect.
Try Zline http://www.zlinekitchen.com/rg30
Takes two minutes to change out the gas nozzle to LPG.
See their FAQ link for a quick video.
Cost 2k. Pick up at Lowest, Home depot. ...
Will last for generations. Family heirloom.
Forty years ago, I had a gas stove set up for natural gas. When I had to go on propane there was a “fitting” on the back I had to open and “flip” to make it work with propane.
All my kin from the 1930s used butane stoves in their off the gird( WAY off!) homes on the High Plains.
Those Avanti’s look like they would be a great solution.
I wonder why they don’t go above 24” wide? I have a 30” space in the counter I need to fill with stove.
Yes I was about to comment an old fashion wood burning stove was the best off the grid stove.
I remember my great Aunt cooking on a wood stoves as a child, you can heat house too. There house have very little electric, and they had an outhouse. The house was built back in the early 1800s.
All I know is she bought a regular stove then they came out and brought something they installed/replaced to make it work with propane. Was simple. She just bought what she wanted and they made it work. Like they do it everyday or something. lol
The units are designed for the European market - less space. I found Avanti because I had a small, galley style kitchen in my circa 1821 home and limited space was a criteria.
I use a match to light stoves when Power is out.
Many Ranges are Dual Fuel, Gas or Propane.
They still use Electric Ignition.
Stick with Major Brands.
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