Viking range question

[redfox]

I've found a used, 2003 gas Pro series, red, with hood, for $2200. in great shape. I am salivating... Does anyone here have a Viking range? What do you think of it? New, this would be $7700!! Oy.

[bae]

I have a Viking wall oven of abut that vintage, electric. A dubious product - it has the nicest darned broiler, but, like the Dualit toaster, is crippled by electronic brain failures. Which especially peeves me, as I'd searched out an oven which had analog controls on the front, and no features, and this one sure looks like the ticket. But inside, is an evil computer brain, a brain that dies if you ever dare to run the self-clean feature, at enormous expense. And in normal use, after about 10 minutes, a loud cooling fan kicks in to cool the brain...

So much hate.

[redfox]

Sheesh. Sounds dastardly...

I just had the best convo with Viking customer service! Once I get them the model & serial numbers, they can give me the warranty history. I'm trying to assess the value of these items. We've both wanted a high powered range for some time, and this is as close as I will get to affording a Viking. I'm going down tomorrow with a screwdriver to take the front panel off & get these numbers.

Can you tell it's kitchen remo time?

[catherine]

Hey, redfox, I have a Franklin Chef professional range that I'll sell you cheap. My DS was helping a friend move and he bought it from him for $200 and just dumped it in our garage and it's been there ever since. We considered working it into a remodel but it's just too big for our kitchen, and it would need a professional to do some restoration, although it works fine (at least it did when DS got it).

Shipping to the West Coast might be something to consider, but the offer is open!

[bae]

Can you tell it's kitchen remo time?

May the Great Ones have mercy upon you.

[redfox]

May the Great Ones have mercy upon you.

You're such a good guy, Bae. I did a web search for reviews of Viking ranges, and there are a lot of pretty scurrilous comments out there... Soooo... Not gonna chance it on this used unit.

Catherine, thanks! Feel free to bring it out! ;)

[sweetana3]

We got a big Viking hood cause we needed width. One of the blowers went out in two years. It was a snap to fix but expensive. Should not have happened.

[SteveinMN]

Hey, redfox, I have a Franklin Chef professional range that I'll sell you cheap. My DS was helping a friend move and he bought it from him for $200 and just dumped it in our garage and it's been there ever since.
If it's a true professional range (not just pro-looking like Vikings and Wolfs), check with your insurance agent first. Pro ranges require fire-prevention treatment and the like that make them pretty impractical in a home environment. That's besides the lack of features like self-igniting pilots and self-cleaning ovens.

Not to throw water on your offer, catherine, since I don't think shipping a heavy item like that is something redfox wants to do, but it's a consideration in case anyone feels like attending a restaurant auction or buying used to get a "real" stove.

[pony mom]

How about an Aga? I'm updating a dollhouse and am drooling over a miniature Aga cooker.

http://karensdollhouse.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=43&products_id=760&zenid=910bd212091c84827714eee5f52202dc

Although the real full sized ones are super expensive, it'll last many years and you can bequeath it to your children. I think they're really cool (or hot).

[bae]

AGA cookers are incredible, if you are willing to work with them. I have a friend who has one, and it is her best friend.

I didn't know they made a little one. Satan, get thee behind me!

[pony mom]

AGA cookers are incredible, if you are willing to work with them. I have a friend who has one, and it is her best friend.

I didn't know they made a little one. Satan, get thee behind me!

A bit OT, but if you like vintage kitchens, check out this miniaturist's site. I get hungry just looking at it. She has an Aga in her dollhouse and amazing kitchens with different types of stoves/ovens, old sinks...just gorgeous! http://cynthiascottagedesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/dollhouse-miniature-love.html

Agas seem pretty amazing, and a great warm place for kitties to hang out.

[ToomuchStuff]

If it is a true professional gas range, are you going to have the gas flow and pressure to supply it to cook properly?

I don't know if they are all the same, but I did have a friend who had one in his house (Garland if I remember correctly) and I think it required more pressure. I know some ovens do (rebuilt a pizza oven with a gas man friend, for a mutual friends restaurant, it has high pressure gas lines).

[iris lilies]

Once when in England I stumbled into the premier AGA store in the county where they are made, Chesire I think it is or nearby there. I had no idea that people spent $50,000+ for stoves in their homes. These were the real AGA and not the AGA-lites for the poseurs. When you buy a real AGA they send an engineer out with it to install the thing and to get it adjusted.

Me, I'm perfectly happy with my super inexpensive Sears stove. We usually pay around $300 for a new one. Ours is so cheap it doesn't even have a glass plate in the oven door to see into the oven and that's fine with me, who need to see into the steekin' oven anyways???!!!!! haha.

edited to add: Shropshire is where they are made and that's where I found the AGA store, it was on a High street in one of those Shropshire towns where we visited when doing a boat trip on the Shropshire-Union canal.