Lacanche Threads 11-20

lacanche ranges part 18
Posted by dmsb (My Page) on Sun, Feb 13, 05 at 11:10
Well, since my kitchen's the most recently completed one with alacanche, it seems fitting that I get to start the new thread. I am still blown away when I walk into my kitchen to see this gorgeous machine as its centerpiece. I am trying to put the kitchen back together (stuff into the new cabinets -- where? what order?) and then I can really cook up a storm! Momto4kids -- that photo you posted at the end of thread #17 is astounding. And the thought of 5 cooks buzzing around is easy to imagine with that kind of space. I hope the dinner was superb. Orchidluvr, I am sure you are not far behind and we're all eager to see you're racing-car green! THe ;ast few weeks before you're operational are so trying!Hang in there -- not that you have any choice. I am wondering how those of you with warming cabinets use them -- what settings (approximately) for what purposes? I have only used my once so far, just to keep the main course heated while we had soup to start, and I set the temperature to 130. It seemed to work fine, though it was a relatively short period that it was called into service, so I don't know whether this would work for an extended period. Does one use the same temperature settings for plated-dinners (for a party) as for an entire All-Clad saute pan with the contents inside?

Follow-Up Postings:
.....Just a follow-up thought.....
· Posted by: AKAsTJ_Northern_CA (My Page) on Sun, Feb 13, 05 at 11:22
FWIW. Never link/Favorite to a thread Part, only link/Favorite the Appliances Forum itself. It helps prevent similar issues... TJ

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Sun, Feb 13, 05 at 11:25
Last night I used both. I set one of them on 100 degrees for plates and serving dishes until the meal was ready. I set the other cupboard for 130 - 150 degrees to hold food at various stages. They go from 80 to 230 degrees. You can do a lot in them: proof bread, slow roast (although I've never done it!!), etc. I love having them.

RE: I forgot to add...
· Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Sun, Feb 13, 05 at 11:29
Yes, I've put pots and pans directly from the stove in there and I've put plates with food in them. It just depends on what I need at the time. The racks are all moveable. There are also special pans and baking sheets that fit the cupboard.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: OSSWB (My Page) on Sun, Feb 13, 05 at 13:13
Momto4Kids "There are also special pans and baking sheets that fit the cupboard." Could you expound on this comment please? Also just to weigh in on being GREEN with envy for both the kitchens above! They are outstanding! Hopefully mine will be too - I'm still in planning stages .... Thanks for the inspiration, MaryT

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Sun, Feb 13, 05 at 13:38
MaryT...I'm not sure what came standard and what was an option, because I bought every option I could get at the time! But, in addtion to the racks in the cupboards, there are narrow, deep baking sheets that slide directly onto the grooves...no rack needed to hold it in place. There is also a pan that's about 2" deep or so that also slides right onto the grooves, no rack needed for support, that you can put food right into. I'll take some pix and post them...so come back later this afternoon! Deb

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Sun, Feb 13, 05 at 14:49
Deb -looks like you had a ball with your virtual dinner. That range is such a beauty! Denise - can't wait to see your new soapstone and the green Lacanche all together at last.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Sun, Feb 13, 05 at 16:10
MaryT...Okay, the next four pictures are of the inside of the warming cupboard, the pan and the baking sheet. The pan is about 19in deep long by 12in wide on the interior. The baking sheet is slightly large in dimension to fit on the grooves.
Here is a link that might be useful: 4 Pix of Warming Cupboard

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: OSSWB (My Page) on Sun, Feb 13, 05 at 21:01
Momto4Kids Thanks for the great pics! That was really unexpected and very nice of you. I have been leaning toward the AGA 6-4 but now I am not so sure anymore ... (Grin) MaryT

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Sun, Feb 13, 05 at 21:16
No problem!! Just so you know...I've got a Sully +2, meaning it has 2 warming cupboards. I'd be happy to provide any extra shots or info you'd like you'd like. Just let me know. Deb

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Wed, Feb 16, 05 at 22:03
Kitchengirl and Orchidluvr: And how are the Greens coming? Status reports please. Too soon for pictures?

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: orchidluvr (My Page) on Wed, Feb 16, 05 at 22:22
Hi, AnnaLeeF! Nothing much to report here. Soapstone installation is now pushed back to early next week. I am thinking of putting pictures, both here and on the lacanche forum, asking for opinions on how to handle my range install. It will be on a wall with no surrounding cabinets. I asked my GC today if he knew someone that could fabricate some SS to fit on the side of the range, and he says he does. Now all I have to do is take the darn picture and upload it (and get Webshots to cooperate!). Maybe tomorrow? How is your beautiful red cluny performing? Red was my second choice, although I love them all.

cleaning lacanche burners
· Posted by: swissmiss (My Page) on Wed, Feb 16, 05 at 22:37
We love our Volnay - I promise to post photos soon! The big center burner seems to put out ALOT more heat than my Mom's DCS or our neighbor's Wolf. Our only concern is we have not had success cleaning the burners. The silver colored, textured metal part below the brass center is the part we're having trouble with (tried the copper brite and lemon oil cleaners that came with the range; tried soaking with fabric softener and with baking soda....) Any suggestions?

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: anna_chosak (My Page) on Thu, Feb 17, 05 at 8:36
Hi swissmiss! I clean those (the collars, I think they're called?) with Brillo pads and elbow grease. You can also let them sit with Dawn Power Dissolver for 15-20 minutes before you brillo them. They'll never get as pristine as they were before you used them, but it'll be a big improvement.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kithencrazy (My Page) on Thu, Feb 17, 05 at 11:02
Momto4kids, That is an amazing kitchen. My new kitchen has a similar layout. I didn't think I could fit such a large range. How wide is the range alcove all together with the cabs on either side? Also, I love the double islands coming away from the range -- do you know the length from range to front of second island? Thanks.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Thu, Feb 17, 05 at 13:34
Kitchencrazy-- Thank you!! The range is 7 ft long, plus 24" cabs flanking it...11 total feet for the alcove. I was worried at first that the 24in cabs would look teeny flanking the range, but now that everything is in...I don't think so. The distance from the range to the first island (which is 6ft by 4ft) is 4ft 10in. It is 42" between the two islands. The other island is 6ft by 6ft. The aisles between the perimeter cabs and the islands are about 4ft 8in. How are you coming along with your plans? Deb

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kithencrazy (My Page) on Thu, Feb 17, 05 at 15:34
Momto4Kids, Thanks, that's good information -- maybe I can fit a range that size. I take it from your information that it's approx. 21 feet from the wall housing the range to the end of the second island. That might be a tough fit form me -- but it looks so great!! Which Lacanche do you have, is that custom? Did you consider other brads before buying the Lacanche?

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Thu, Feb 17, 05 at 17:57
Kitchencrazy, No problem. Yes, from the rangewall to the end of the 2nd island, it's about 21ft. Other ranges? Yes, I started looking at the Thermador prof range, knowing I'd need at least one more oven. Then, I started researching the 60" Wolf...it hadn't come out yet at that point. Then, I stumbled upon this forum, heard of the Lacanche...and once I found out I could "have it MY way," there was NO turning back!! Yes, I ordered custom. It's the Sully+2. It has two of the larger ovens (one gas and one elec conv...my choice) and two 2 warming cupboards. I've got the burners configured how I want them. I've been in the new house for 3 months now and I've been able to do everything I want to do without limitation. I couldn't be happier! Keep us posted! Deb

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Sat, Feb 19, 05 at 1:42
Hi AnnaLeeF! Thanks for asking. I am coming along, albeit slowly: the floor has been grouted and cabinets will be delivered this week, along with my Green Cluny. I'm excited about seeing it, finally -- it has been sitting up in Washington for a couple of months, since our garage is also my husband's shop and is crowded with equipment and stuff for the new house. I might mention that Orchidluvr and I independently chose the same exact range color combo: green/chrome/stainless -- but we have compared design notes, and our kitchens will be as different as can be! Re. photos: please don't hold your breath (we might all turn blue...): we will interrupt our renovation and kitchen install to go to Bologna and Grenoble for 2+ weeks in March. Given that my husband will do the kitchen install, which requires a lot of customization on his part -- well you can see what I mean... If anyone has personal experiences visiting Grenoble and possibly Lyon, please advise (a bit OT, but maybe there is a Lacanche connection somehow!). Orchidluvr: what about the aubergine color -- I thought you were rather taken with that (orchid-like)! I wonder why AC doesn't show this color on the website -- it is so food-compatible, it seems ideal for a range.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Sat, Feb 19, 05 at 10:35
kitchengirl...I'm almost as excited to see the pix from your trip as I am to see pix of your range! At least post progess photos!!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Sat, Feb 19, 05 at 11:18
Kitchengirl, I am smiling at your timetable; I know where that is going. I still haven't invited friends over (except closest ones) since we ripped out the kitchen in the fall and the family room in December, because even with the kitchen piece almost done sans painting, it is still such a mess with a gaping hole for the fireplace and wet bar and entertainment center. Funny, we are doing the same thing as you, escaping in March! We did briefly consider Lyon a week ago. I wanted to travel around the Burgundy countryside to the birthplace of Lacanche, but couldn't sell that idea this early in the season weatherwise to hubby, so a few days ago we booked a flight to Malta as an uncharted adventure. [Sorry to be a little OT.] Both the new green Cluny debuts will be worth waiting for! Then will come the blues (Ivette & VedaZu & I think there is another coming as well), since black, stainless, burgundy and yellow are accounted for. I would love to see an Ivory Cluny used; they look very elegant in photos. Anyone already have an Ivory that's been done for a while? And, yes, that Aubergine would be intruging, but challenging to decorate around, I bet. It would be nice to have a Lacanche Album so newbies finding the forum could find examples all in one place of the different colors in use. I know I found it very helpful to connect with the (very) few posters who had used burgundy when I started.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: NancyUSA (My Page) on Sat, Feb 19, 05 at 11:58
Hello all, I was hoping someone could help. The gas companyis coming next Tuesday to hook up the propane. I am not sure if the electrical hook up comes before or after the gas. I can't tell from the installation document. I need to know if I need the electricians in before the gas is hooked up. Thanks for your help We're almost there. Nancy

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: dmsb (My Page) on Sat, Feb 19, 05 at 14:12
AnnaLee -- what a nice idea about making a lacanche picture gallery -- I know I found the one on the ArtCulinaire website really helpful, and I wish there had been more to see. Where should we set that up? Here? Or in the kitchen forum, in the "gallery" there? A "Lacanche kitchens" thread? What's everyone's opinion?

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: anna_chosak (My Page) on Sat, Feb 19, 05 at 16:58
Nancy, are you running a separate electrical line for it, or is the electrical already there? We did a hardwire for our temporary placement, but yes, we had the electrical done first. That way, when the gas got hooked up, we were all set to go (and woo-hoo, what a moment that was!). You could still use the cooktop with gas only; you'd just have to light it manually.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: NancyUSA (My Page) on Sat, Feb 19, 05 at 17:38
Anna Thanks, Yes the hardwire is there. I think I can get the electrician in before the gas guys thanks again Nancy

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: orchidluvr (My Page) on Sat, Feb 19, 05 at 23:59
I love the aubergine! I am having difficulty using a similar color (perhaps a bit on the merlot side?) in decorating, however. Everything I see is either too blue or too red. It is a difficult color, I think - but I still love it. I agree a Lacanche gallery thread would be a great idea! I am thinking of the ivory cluny with perhaps sage cabinets? Wouldn't that be lovely? I know, I'm stuck on green. I need more kitchens so I can try out more color schemes! First I have to get this one done. . I'm having trouble with the city over historical approval for my whole house siding job right now...as if I haven't been through enough torture. If this delay prevents my landscape from going in this year (after 2 years without a garden) I will finally go over the top and have to get really angry.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Sun, Feb 20, 05 at 1:41
Denise - forgot to respond - yes, the red cluny is cooking great. I'd like to quit working so I could stay home and play with it! No garden = no joy! Pooh! And, yes, sage & ivory would definitely work.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Wed, Feb 23, 05 at 4:09
AnnaLeeF: Malta sounds wonderful in March! We will be actually in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy near Ravenna, Urbino and San Marino for a week, while my husband teaches at a former Episcopal fortress turned conference center, THEN we will be in Grenoble and possibly Lyon -- vacation for me, less for my husband! Back on-topic: my range will arrive within 2 days, and as Orchidluvr (the other green ranger) knows, I am secretly terrified (ie, DH doesn't know) that my green range will clash with my tile floor, which is an amazingly varied blue-green to hunter green to slight olive tones, with grey, white and tan, all in a highly textured slate look. God knows why I selected this floor: it would have been a lot smarter to pick a black or stainless range, or a neutral floor, but I was dead-set on not having a blah floor, or one that was the same general color as my cabinets, as many Southern Californians do: the all beige or tan kitchen... I even considered calling Stan and asking if I could switch to one of the standard finishes, but was too stubborn to give up my "green dream". All my tile samples really did not adequately represent the range of color in this floor. I will share a photo as soon as the weather clears, as we are having a record-breaking rainy season here, and hence it is GRAY. Please wish me luck with this decorating drama!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Wed, Feb 23, 05 at 8:40
KG: I know that terror! I feared the same when DH called from Woodinville to say he had just purchased the burgundy Cluny to sit on terra cotta floors! What? Not classic black to be safe with orangy red tiles? Not yellow to pick up the gold tones in the floor? The resulting tonal contrasts are actually fine for us, but might not be for future buyers. Color has been our Number One daunting aspect of the whole remodel at every turn! I hope you'll be pleasantly relieved in a few days to see how these collective greens work together as inspired choices. The varigated colors you describe sound positively delightful! It's so nice to see people step outside safe choices and embrase color. I bet you'll spot a perfect accent piece on vacation to bring back to your new kitchen. Your destinations are all wonderful & you'll be able to relax then, knowing the greens at home are all fine.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Wed, Feb 23, 05 at 12:58
AnnaLeeF: Thanks a lot for sharing your scenario! I remember hearing how your DH had chosen the burgundy w/o you there (thought that was a sign of an amazing marriage...), but really assumed that your choice of the burgundy with your traditional terra cotta hex tiles was part of a wonderful master plan for an old-world look! I love your floor and range combo (as well as your kitchen design overall), so I hope my aethestic choice of months ago holds together well in the next day or two! I checked with the shipping Co. and my Cluny is actually at the local terminal already. I love decorating, and generally am pleased with my choices, but the process of getting there can be excruciating with my second-guessing nature. And it is getting worse as I add years! Lately, as I looked at countertop choices, I started berrating myself as to why I didn't choose a quiet floor so that my Cluny's green would pop more, and then I could also choose a lively stone for counters... the building process takes so long that you forget all that thought process that lead you to the decisions in the first place!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: orchidluvr (My Page) on Wed, Feb 23, 05 at 14:51
Kitchengirl - your vacation sounds fantastic! I can't wait to see the pictures of your gorgeous green range with that floor. I'm sure it will look fantastic! AnnaLeeF, Malta is the destination for a fall convention of an online group I belong to, we celebrate the historical fiction of Dorothy Dunnett. She put her characters there with the Knights of St. John in the book "Disorderly Knights", I believe. Lots to see!! You will love it! My soapstone went in today - and can you believe it?! It has so much *green* in it! I am so happy with the color! I asked what type and it turns out it is Green Mountain (original I suspect). I love it! Yes, the kitchen is starting to come together. Finally!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Wed, Feb 23, 05 at 15:01
DW and I are working out the final details of the cabinets for our new kitchen. It's a very small space so we have to plan where everything will go. I now store three cast iron skillets and a cast iron griddle in the drawer under the oven of our GE gas range. Judging from photographs on CA's Reserve page, the drawer under the oven on our Cormatin will be large enough to continue doing that. But will it be sturdy enough? Do any of you store heavy things in the drawer(s)?

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Wed, Feb 23, 05 at 17:01
Doug, you will be getting some new (heavy) accessories with your range to store as well, I believe. We do have some items stored in our Cluny drawers, but I shied away from storing super heavy items like our Lacanche grillplate and griddle there, placing them in a cabinet instead. Denise - GA GA over your positively wonderful soapstone! I have definite vein-envy! It really is beautiful! It won't be long now before you are up and running! And, yes, Malta should be colorful. We got a super air/hotel price from Virgin-vacations.com, which turned out to be cheaper than going to Key West for a week, so we could not resist. We may add on a catamarand excursion to Sicily to see Mount Etna since we are so close. Hoping to find some art to put over the Cluny while we are there - Malta is supposed to have a lot of art galleries and museums.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: dmsb (My Page) on Thu, Feb 24, 05 at 11:39
Kitchengirl -- oh, it's agonizing waiting for parts of your vision to arrive and worrying that you've goofed up somehow. Trust your instincts, though -- in all likelihood your combination of materials will be super, and your amazing green cluny will just sing poised on that lovely slate. Quiet countertops would be a good idea, in my opinion -- one should let certain aspects be the quiet ones, so that everything is not in competition with everything else. orchidluvr -- I wonder if I might solicit your opinion on good orchid-options to sit on the deep granite ledge of my greenhouse-window above my kitchen sink? Anything that might be especially nice with my kitchen colors? (My kitchen is in the "gallery" section of the "kitchens" thread, in case you haven't seen it or don't recall.) Thanks! And congrats on your soapstone -- having counters in place makes the world feel almost normal again, doesn't it?

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Thu, Feb 24, 05 at 12:10
AnnaLeeF - Indeed, we will have a griddle plate, a grill plate and a portable simmer plate to store as well. We think they would best be stored vertically and we've left an open space under the 10" wide counter to the right of the range for them. The drawer under the oven will have to store some kind of cookware to make the plan work. The only other space for regularly used cookware will be the 20" wide open shelves under the counter on the left of the range. There is a pantry with 36 linear feet of shelves right around the corner for less frequently used kitchen gear.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: clafouti (My Page) on Fri, Feb 25, 05 at 10:10
Kitchengirl, I go to Lyon about once a year, but I don't usually "do" much! I would recommend spending a lot of time in Vieux Lyon (Old Lyon) just walking around, window shopping, stopping for coffee or an aperitif from time to time, ordering food you have never heard of, etc. Ahhh, sounds like the good life to me! There is such wonderful food there and so many great very local specialties. Tete d'Or park is a very nice spot for a picnic. The Maison de la Danse might have something good going on while you are there. There are many museums - it depends upon what you are interested in. Grenoble is extremely beautiful, wonderful if you like hiking or cross-country skiing (might be a bit late when you go.) Have a great time!
Here is a link that might be useful: Maison de la Danse

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Bolt5 (My Page) on Fri, Feb 25, 05 at 19:29
Kitchengirl, My husband and I stayed in the Cour Des Loges in Lyon several years ago. It dates back to the l5th century and I believe it was a Jesuit monastery. The breakfast was wonderful. A must see. Maria

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: orchidluvr (My Page) on Sat, Feb 26, 05 at 0:21
Hi, dmsb - As far as orchids go, what type of light do you get at that window? Does it face east? If so, I would recommend Phaleanopsis, they flower for a long time - a nice yellow one would look great, IMO. The only problem with phals is that they usually only flower once a year (even if it is for a long while)...tropical slipper orchids, paphiopedilums, are the same way, except some of them have lovely leaves - so they look nice out of flower, too. There are many of them that are fairly easy to grow and come in colors of green, mahogany and brown. If you have southern or western light, I would consider an oncidium type plant - perhaps Oncidium Gower Ramsey, a well known yellow with a great branching habit. There are so *many* orchids! It is hard to pick!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Sat, Feb 26, 05 at 4:01
Clafouti and Bolt5: thanks much for the Lyon & Grenoble suggestions -- I look forward to checking them out! Clafouti, do you have family reasons to visit Lyon regularly? I think this vacation will be a great break from overly-stressful remodeling. I really need to step back and put things in perspective, as all the details that are not quite right or need fixing have overtaken any joy in the remodel process. For the record, I do not recommend acting as one's own GC unless you have built several homes before, not just the one, as we did! My green Cluny will arrive Monday, as will my cabinets. It will still be some time before everything is installed and trimmed out, but it's a step! I will be thrilled just to see how the colors work (hopefully) in the room...

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: dmsb (My Page) on Sat, Feb 26, 05 at 11:12
kitchengirl -- acting as one's own GC is just overwhelmng -- neighbors of mine just did that and while they were very successful (insofar as the finished product looks great) it was incredibly taxing. They barely saw their kids for months. But I feel nearly he same way -- acting as my own designer and mini-architect, since we fired our architect way back in September -- not nearly enough contrition on her part about mistakes she made -- costly ones -- and an incapacity to work in the vernacular of OUR style and aesthetic. It was her own, or a big frown and a "you don't really want that -- you won't like that" when it came to ours. So please accept my sympathy -- I know whereof you speak!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: clafouti (My Page) on Sun, Feb 27, 05 at 22:05
kitchengirl, "yes" for family reasons, although I do not think of Lyon as my "home town" (...and I do not know anyone in France who owns a "designer" French range, although everyone seems to eat out a lot there compared to here...)

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: anna_chosak (My Page) on Mon, Feb 28, 05 at 8:43
Deb: Did you ever get my email with the mockup? Let me know.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: NancyUSA (My Page) on Mon, Feb 28, 05 at 12:33
I thought I would try to "capture" the lacanche threads and pictures as suggested upthread. I've created a website and posted the threads here and pictures that I could find on That Home Site. The site accepts comments. If it works out we could post the link at the top of new Lacanche threads. The site link is http://lacanche.blogspot.com/ Email to me for the site lacanche@gmail.com It is just a start with 2 sections pictures and threads but I think other categories could be added.. cooking,cleaning,cookware, ect
Here is a link that might be useful: Website to save threads and picture links

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: clafouti (My Page) on Mon, Feb 28, 05 at 15:55
NancyUSA, that is a great idea! Thanks!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Mon, Feb 28, 05 at 20:54
It's HE-ERE...! Orchidluvr and all: my green/chrome Cluny range was delivered today! I've yet to uncrate it, but peeking thru the shrink wrap and crate slats, the chrome and stainless trim looks great! I had begun second-guessing that choice, too, but one peek and I have let that concern go! I look forward to removing the crate tomorrow. dmsb: thanks much for your empathy; when we built our last house, my husband and I picked an architect that DH came to strongly dislike. And like you, our architect cost us many extra $$, after making a mistake that he never recognized as his own. I recognized, though, that we had responsibility for hiring the moron after DH said he couldn't interview another architect! Re. acting as our own GC: it's the gray areas that get me: one contractor says do X first, then Y, another says do Y then X... Also, developing an understanding with each new contracting crew is very tough. And since I have always been my own boss and not someone else's, I find it extremely tough to tell people straight up when I am unhappy with how they are doing something or if they are abusing my property, which happens a lot with a house when it is being renovated and you don't yet reside there. I think if you have managed folks successfully in a work situation, you are better suited to acting as a GC, assuming you know enough about construction. Sorry for the long OT -- I hope it gives someone something useful to consider.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: orchidluvr (My Page) on Mon, Feb 28, 05 at 21:25
Kitchengirl!!! Congratulations on the big delivery!!! I am anxiously awaiting news about how your range looks with your floor tile. I'm hoping it is perfect for you. Also, dmsb, I understand your feeling about architects. Mine is also a friend, and I so admire his work that my daughter calls me a groupy. The down side of that is that when he does a design, there are only a few points that are negotiable. The rest is **fixed**. He was flexible about appliances, and extremely happy with the Lacanche. He agreed to a prep sink. But he said NO to an island and NO to the backsplash I wanted. I figure that when it gets done, it will look like he designed it, which is what I wanted. If I had made choices to compromise his vision, it would look like I designed it. And I am *not* a designer. So, for me it all worked out well. My contractor thought it was crazy, though. He said he finally figured it out. He was building an addition for Tom with my money! Anyway, the carpenter was here today, replacing the beadboard backsplash (that Tom specified) and putting up some brackets. We are making great progress and the painters will be here soon! I can't believe it!!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Tue, Mar 1, 05 at 3:09
Thanks Orchidluvr, my nice delivery guy helped me muscle the crate onto what we call the "elephant skateboard" - a rolling wood dolly - so that I can move it around the garage as needed (also DH's woodworking shop). I have it facing the street so that I can get a better look at the color, which I am quite curious about! -- gotta remove the shrink wrap. This green seems to change a lot depending on light conditions. You might post the links here that you sent me once of Tom's commercial work: I am rather interested in architecture, and was very impressed. What was the conversation about an island and your backsplash choice? And did Tom choose the standalone location for your Lacanche?? I wish my range wasn't to be fairly hidden behind my little island, but the ergonomics are great this way, and I didn't want to forego the island b/c it adds so much convenient storage and prep space in my smallish space. My kitchen work area is a U with the range at the bottom of the U and the island centered down the middle. Well, time will tell...

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: NancyUSA (My Page) on Tue, Mar 1, 05 at 8:24
Thanks VeloDoug. VeloDoug sent me the Lacanche range threads #16 and #17. I have put them up on the Lacanche website. If anyone has any earlier pictures or threads please send the information to lacanche@gmail.com and I will add to the Lacanche website. http://lacanche.blogspot.com/
Here is a link that might be useful: Lacanche website storing pictures and threads

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Pirula (My Page) on Tue, Mar 1, 05 at 12:42
Yay!! Kitchengirl! Oh man Debbi: Now yoúve got me thinking maybe I should call Stan and amend our order to add a warming cupboard. We'd lose our undercounter pull out pantry, which frankly we don't need. But we'd also have to get a larger hood, which means we'd lose some of our open shelving space. Hmmmmmmmmm. But we'd get an extra burner, and have that great warming cupboard which we can also use to store dishes if need be. Hmmmmmm. Oh man, this is bad. I guess we'll measure what the "new"shelves would be. Oh man, oh man, oh man..... Ivette

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Tue, Mar 1, 05 at 13:56
Nancy, Thanks for setting up the new link for everyone. On your own picture of setting up your beautiful black Lacanche - are those custom cabinet kickplates running along across the bottom? Or do my eyes deceive me?

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: orchidluvr (My Page) on Tue, Mar 1, 05 at 21:15
Hey, Kitchengirl! This Bocce Club was Tom's *big* project last summer. In the last picture, you can see a big copper fountain, just like the one Tom has at his house. He designs and makes fountains and has promised two (way smaller than that one, though!) for my landscape to be done this summer. Tom and our mutual neighbor (a Ford Lawyer!) installed this one in the bottom picture: http://www.palazzodibocce.com/photography.asp Also, he did a landscape for the new 4 star hotel in Rochester MI - the picture on the far right in this link: http://www.royalparkhotel.net/gallery.html I should take a picture of this house he designed the prior summer. It is to die for, a gorgeous English Cottage. I wish I had a viewing of his other house last summer - all I know is that they also got a Shaw's original sink. Tom doesn't design big houses - but smaller high quality homes. My kitchen addition is quite small considering some that I see on this forum. He told me that was as large as he could make it to fit in with the rest of the house (which is small). Everything is in proportion. As far as my conversations with Tom about an island, I asked if I was getting one, and he said, emphatically, NO! Yes, he put the range in a standalone position, but drew in an Aga. I think he was surprised but delighted with my final choice. His favorite color is green, too, so I'm sure that made an impression.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Wed, Mar 2, 05 at 2:30
Nancy, Thanks very much for assembling all of the Lacanche threads: great idea to put all the info together in one place -- a real resource for the new/interested folks. Orchidluvr: The palazzo di bocce is really neat. I would love to see any of his other residential work, like the English Cottage! Pirula: if I could have convinced my husband to get the warming cabinet, I would have! While I think I can cover my needs with two ovens, it is wonderful to have a separate appliance that works at low temps for holding foods or just warming plates.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Pirula (My Page) on Wed, Mar 2, 05 at 12:10
Well gosh I don't know. We measured and the shelves would still be plenty big, even given the bigger hood. We calculated that the aggregate cost of the warming cupboard and monster burner addition, and the larger hood, increased shipping, miuns the pull out pantry cupboard cost, we're still looking at about $2K-$2.5K. I'm thinking it may not be worth it to us, especially since hot plates is not something we get into all that much. Even at restaurants, I just don't appreciate it. It would be great for keeping a plate warm for a later arrival. But there's only the three of us and likely to stay that way (seekingadvice would say: "famous last words!!") and we can use the oven at the lowest setting to keep a plate of food warm. Still thinking about it, but leaning toward not doing it. Ivette

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: doubleyellow (My Page) on Wed, Mar 2, 05 at 15:19
To me, the appeal of the warming oven is not hot plates, or keeping food warm, but the slow cooking capacity. How many who have these actually cook long slow items in it? (ribs, stews, beans, ratatouie...)

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Thu, Mar 3, 05 at 0:24
I know there is a guideline for minimum cooking temperature to prohibit food-borne bacteria (not to get yucky here...) when slow/low temp cooking, and I'm pretty sure it is above the minimum of the regular Lacanche ovens' 150 degrees. The warming oven is just the thing for proofing doughs, though. Anyone else knowledgeable about this topic?

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: doubleyellow (My Page) on Thu, Mar 3, 05 at 3:40
150 degrees? I thought they went from 80 to 230 degrees. I believe that's what Stan told me. He also told me someone there likes to make slow cooked ribs in them. here's what an English site says about the warming cupboard: "The adjacent cupboard can be converted to a simmer/warming oven, ideal for heating plates, holding food, or prolonged cooking"

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: anna_chosak (My Page) on Thu, Mar 3, 05 at 8:55
No, she means the regular ovens' lowest temperature is 150.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: VeloDoug (My Page) on Thu, Mar 3, 05 at 9:19
The lowest indicated temperatures are 150º for the electric oven and 200º for the gas oven. The highest indicated temperature for the warming oven is 230ºF. The temperature commonly recommended for slow cooking is 225º-250º. If the warming oven really can reach and hold a temperature of 230º it should be fine.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Thu, Mar 3, 05 at 18:34
I think the warming oven would also be ideal for dehydrating fruit and tomatoes, if people have abundant quantities in peak season. I would also like to have the option of plating food for dinner parties, but as it stands, I tend to serve on platters, family style, b/c I can't keep individual plates warm during the plating...

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: RangeSeeker (My Page) on Thu, Mar 3, 05 at 19:15
I’m at a loss. Based upon quite a bit of research, glowing feedback here, and stories of superior support my mind was nearly made up: I was ready to purchase the Cluny. My main concern was support/service after purchase and overall reliability. I also wanted to see a Lacanche in person prior to making the plunge. I called AC and spoke to a very friendly receptionist. She politely took my information and said someone would return my call. No response. I called a 2nd time a few days later and the receptionist was again very nice and committed to having someone call me. No response. I’m frustrated because I think the Cluny is the perfect aesthetic fit for what we’re trying to do with our kitchen but I’m very wary about giving business to organizations that demonstrate no interest in dealing with their customers. If this is how they treat people eager to plunk down nearly $10,000 how will they respond if I need help? I would have expected this type of response from a company with a monopoly on the market… oh wait, the do have a monopoly on the North American market. I wish there was an alternative.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Momto4Kids (My Page) on Thu, Mar 3, 05 at 19:42
RangeSeeker...call AC back and ask specifically to speak with Stan. If he's not available, ask if he's in town so you can determine when you might be able to expect him to call you back. Also tell the receptionist you're calling him to get help with arranging to see a Cluny in your area. He is the primarily one to talk to about that. If he's out of town, it could be a couple days/week before you hear back from him. I'm sorry this happened to you. I don't believe it is the norm. And just so you know since you're experience hasn't shown this for you...they do try hard to reach you when they get your message...I emailed with a question about adjusting the gas flame. Steve called, called, called me. He emailed me a couple of times. He tried in vain to reach me. East coast vs West coast, 4 kids with homework, blah, blah, blah...it's hard for me to find time to call him back! The fact that I haven't gotten my flame adjusted is 100% my fault! It's certainly NOT for their lack of trying. Give them another chance...especially if you feel the Cluny is the perfect aesthetic fit for what you're doing. I'm sure they'll be able to match you up with someone to visit. Good luck!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Fri, Mar 4, 05 at 10:08
RangeSeeker: Any luck since you posted? Not to excuse the lack of follow-up, but AC is a very small company and Stan, the primary initial contact for prospective customers, does travel periodically to France. It may be that messages are left for a particular absent person there, and others stick to their own functions and don't cover for each other. There are only about 2,000 Lacanches in the US; however, this forum is probably responsible for a steady increase in new purchases. As a company does grow, eventually the way they do business has to be adapted to accommodate greater volume. Personally, we have found them to be extremely responsive to all of our contacts. They also have their own forum where people can post questions. As you might expect, it is not a high traffic site since ownership is still relatively uncommon here. You might also want to e-mail them through their website.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Zolablue (My Page) on Fri, Mar 4, 05 at 14:22
kitchengirl - according to Alton Brown's book Gear For Your Kitchen, page 237: "Foods are most vulnerable to bacterial colonization when they're in the 40º to 140ºF range -- the Zone."

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Sun, Mar 6, 05 at 0:42
Thanks for that info, Zolablue: I had read about food safety a couple of years ago in "Fine Cooking" magazine, but had forgotten the #s. I have some really bad news to report: my range fell forward as I was unwrapping it and has sustained damage to the top handrailing, the control panel and the side panels. Hopefully the cook top and burners are fine. This was gravity in action: after I removed the heavy burners and French top from the back, the range, in an instant, tipped forward and crashed to the ground. I am heartbroken over this accident and just hope that I can get it back to 100%.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Pirula (My Page) on Sun, Mar 6, 05 at 3:50
Oh. NO. I am so sorry kitchengirl, this is heartbreaking. Okay, I know how I would feel in this situation, and it's NOT good. But let's try to keep in mind that this is a thing, and it can be repaired. Not to worry, it can be fixed, and I suspect it will look good as new. I certainly hope so. Geez, how disappointing and frustrating and just, ugh. I am trying to understand the physics behind what happened. I guess I don't know how they arrive packaged, but I don't see how taking the burner and french top off should make the thing tip over!! I'm sorry, I'm not helping. It'll work out, you'll see. Ivette

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: pamela1 (My Page) on Sun, Mar 6, 05 at 5:54
Kitchengirl-- Oh no! There's no way this should happen. No range tips over when you remove its burners and grates. And no warning about this on the packaging??! If you remove all this stuff for cleaning, will your range fall forward on the floor in your kitchen? Something isn't right here. Good luck--tell us what happens please. Pamela

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: anna_chosak (My Page) on Sun, Mar 6, 05 at 7:48
Oh kitchengirl, I am so sorry to hear that. You must feel just sick. :-( I hope the situation will be resolved as quickly as possible. I'm also having a hard time picturing what could have happened.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: vedaZu (My Page) on Sun, Mar 6, 05 at 8:25
What a disappointment! Mine is still sitting in its carton, so I'm taking notice--when the time comes to move it, I'll have a small army standing guard! I can't even think how that could be, unless the doors were also open--they're quite heavy, and maybe. . .no, still can't understand it. Please give us details.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Sun, Mar 6, 05 at 13:36
Thanks for the support, guys (gals, really). I'm afraid the issue is that the delivery person helped me muscle the crate onto an enormous wood platform on wheels, since my husband was in Europe when the range came. Given that I never studied physics, I did not properly recognize the inherent danger in this: the crate has 3 2x4's on its bottom and we put it so the 2x4's ran parallel to the platform, not perpendicular, so that the front of the crate and range wasn't properly supported by the platform (which was slightly smaller in size than the crate front to back), and when the weight of the French top and other heavy packages were removed from behind the range, the range fell forward off the platform b/c the front 2x4 of the crate wasn't supported by the platform. My husband told me that if the delivery guy and I had placed the range on the platform in the other direction, so that the 3 2x4's on the bottom of the crate ran perpendicular to the platform, this never would have happened... It seems obvious after the fact that this was an accident waiting to happen, but the heft of the crate is so great that the whole thing was completely stable prior to being unwrapped: I rolled the platform around the garage by myself without any teetering -- that was the point of putting it on the platform: to be able to move it, given that my husband could not be present when we took delivery. This apparent stability, b/c of all the heavy items on the back of the crate, gave me a false sense of everything being okay on the platform. Is this clear? I'm really not an accident-prone person. It was truly awful. Hopefully everyone understands that there is no inherent danger in the way the Lacanche is crated -- it was my unfortunate circumstances.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: clafouti (My Page) on Sun, Mar 6, 05 at 19:04
Oh, kitchengirl, I am so sorry. It might be worth a telephone call to Stan. I would assume that the shipping is insured. I know what you mean about it being no one's fault, a twist of fate, but really, there was no way you could have been expected to know. (Although one would think that the deliveryman would have had enough experience with heavy crates to prevent that sort of accident.) I had a few things break when I moved here, and I was very pleasantly surprised at how helpful the insurance agent was, really no big deal. Again, I am sorry that happened.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Sun, Mar 6, 05 at 21:36
Thanks, Clafouti. I have a call in to Stan, and will need help from AC to assess damage and decide what to do to get my range working and beautified... Just thinking of the damage makes me shudder. It is such a pity.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: dmsb (My Page) on Tue, Mar 8, 05 at 2:50
Oh, Kitchengirl! My sympathis are with you! To see your cluny fall before your very eyes will certainly be a lasting torment! But hopefully reparable. As someone whose cluny also sustained damage and had to be repaired, you can rest assured that repair is possible and your range will (one day -- probably not this month, but one day, nevertheless) be lovely and perfect again. Mine was damaged during transit from France to the states, and I was given the option of having the parts replaced, or repaired. I chose replacement, and that worked for me, but the guys up at AC did a repair-job on the damaged parts anyway, just to get some practice doing so, and they emailed me the pictures of their handiwork. It was quite impressive. All in all I'm glad I chose to have the replacement panels made, as one ought to have perfection for these prices. My heart goes to you, though, it is just so upsetting. Try not to blame yourself. Best wishes.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Pirula (My Page) on Tue, Mar 8, 05 at 3:45
kitchengirl: Now I get it. I am so sorry, but please don't blame yourself, jeez this could happen to anybody. You're wise to call Stan and check into insurance. I am sure it is reparable and that all this will be a distant memory soon. Best, Ivette

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Tue, Mar 8, 05 at 10:38
Kitchengirl: We are in Malta catching a few fleeting moments of internet connection and reading of your unfortunate mishap. We offer you sincere sympathy - it could have happened to any of us. In the end, after repairs or replacement and a few nightmares, you will again have a work of art, but one with a story to tell. Perhaps this is a really good time for your upcoming vacation to settle back and catch a break from the remodeling woes. After seeing restored treasures all day here, restoring your Cluny seems very possible and only a little time-consuming. Can your homeowner's insurance be of help with the expense?

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Tue, Mar 8, 05 at 19:52
Thank you very much Ivette, Dmsb and AnnaLeeF, for your warm wishes. From yesterday's conversations with Gregg in technical, my range should be in close to original condition with replaced right and left side panels, a new control panel and new brackets for the towel/rub bar that runs the full width of the range. Hopefully my digital photos to Gregg will confirm that today. The modularity of these ranges is quite impressive: I don't know that most American ranges have panels that are as easily replaced as these. And opening my cook top, or table top, as Gregg calls it, to check for damage, was really interesting: I really like the way the mechanics look, compared to my old Viking: all the cables are sheathed. Dmsb: did you receive your range damaged, or did it go to Woodinville first, and then you were informed of its damage? It seems that West Coast ranges now go to AC for review first -- I don't know if it has always been that way. AnnaLeeF: you are right about remodeling woes and taking a much-needed break! I recognize the stress by how much I have been losing details that normally I'd easily hold onto... also locking myself out of my car... these are my typical tell-tale symptoms. Hope you are having a super time in Malta!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: which07 (My Page) on Wed, Mar 9, 05 at 10:10
After placing the order for our Cluny+1 with AC 2 years ago, we are finally at the point where it's going to be installed. We're on our 4th GC. It's amazing how many dishonest people there are out there! Even with all the details in writing you can't be sure. The last one stole thousands from us and doctored the bank records to cover his tracks. Any way, we originally planned a tile backsplash behind the range, but now I'm looking at stainless to match the Cluny. Does anyone have any recommendations or advice with them? TIA and I still love Lacanche and AC, the BEST vendor/contractor I've dealt with in the last 3 years. Chris

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Zolablue (My Page) on Wed, Mar 9, 05 at 13:27
kitchengirl - Just now reading this as I've been under the weather. I ---- feel ----- your ---- pain! My heart just went thud upon reading your mishap. This is where you can really appreciate Art Culinaire and their service as we just never know, do we? Oh my, you poor thing, but you will be ok. :o) And so will Cluny, I am sure. Just hang in there. We have all had things happen to us during our kitchen remodels in varying degrees and it really makes you sink. You just have to force yourself to move ahead and not dwell and it sounds like you are well on your way to getting it back to 100%. For anyone worrying about Lacanche having a balance problem make sure you read kitchengirl's post carefully. We had our FT and grates off a lot moving it during cabinet installation and even with doors open it is perfectly weighted so don't worry. At least don't push your own panic buttons so quickly. :o) Like I said before no matter how careful we all are these things just happen during renovation and even when you think you've planned everything soooooo carefully stuff just happens. Just be glad you have a company to help you get this fixed so quickly and so carefully.
Here is a link that might be useful: Our Cluny sitting naked during install...

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Thu, Mar 10, 05 at 0:04
Zolablue, Hope you are feeling much better. Thanks very much for your support; I have dealt with my "crash" on the one hand by taking the bull by the horns, quickly assessing the damage and contacting AC for guidance, and on the OTHER hand, by disassociating myself as much as possible, as if I was not party to this incident! Which7: Really sorry to hear of your GC troubles: populated states like CA and NY have more than their fair share of scoundrels and unscrupulous contractors and vendors! The best references for hiring are from people you know well who have had first-hand experience with the person/Co -- hard to get unless you have lived in a community a long time! Re. your backsplash: I think tile vs. stainless comes down to style, but I will say that the stainless will require much more frequent clean up, as it shows everything. Here is a lovely kitchen that uses stainless, and the post that follows is my last kitchen with a tile backsplash that I installed 10 years ago. Good luck!

RE: Stainless splash
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Thu, Mar 10, 05 at 0:06
Sorry, all: I omitted the link for the stainless kitchen. It follows below:
Here is a link that might be useful: Seattle, WA Cluny kitchen

RE: My tiling handiwork of 10 years ago
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Thu, Mar 10, 05 at 0:13
Please scroll all the way to the bottom of the page for the kitchen shots (and disregard all the rest of the photos I took for our realtor prior to sale!)
Here is a link that might be useful: Tumbled green marble tile splash

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: swissmiss (My Page) on Thu, Mar 10, 05 at 9:50
Well, we bought our Lacanche Volnay over two years ago (thanks to this forum) and we're finally done building our house, so here it is happily nestled in the corner of our new kitchen.... The heat output on this thing (even with LPG) is amazing; my only complaint is the burner rings are hard to clean.
Here is a link that might be useful: Maren's Lacanche

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Thu, Mar 10, 05 at 12:58
Swissmiss: Love your kitchen and Volnay -- beautiful. Your use of wall tile really pulls your color scheme together and looks great! May I ask: what material did you use for your perimeter countertops?

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: pamela1 (My Page) on Fri, Mar 11, 05 at 19:41
Kitchengirl-- Just got back from a week away, and read your post. I'm so sorry the range was unstable on your dolly--I probably would have made the same error; after all, how many times do we do these sorts of things? Don't beat yourself up--Art Culinaire will help you make it new again. I'm looking for the silver lining here--thank God it didn't fall on your feet. I would wager that shortly after you get the new pieces, you'll hardly remember this incident. Thinking good thoughts for you... Pamela

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: kitchengirl (My Page) on Fri, Mar 11, 05 at 22:19
Thanks, Pamela. I don't want to belabor my misfortune any longer here, but I agree that the it was absolutely not in my head at the time that it was unstable: with all the cast iron stuff in the crate, it was heavy and stable as could be. Remove those items, and: instant instability, given my dolly and the assembly of the crate. Live... and be more knowledgeable the next time!!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Wed, Mar 16, 05 at 7:39
NancyUSA: Are you all installed yet? Orchidlvr: What progress? Rangeseeker: Have you continued your research or moved on? Which07: Installed yet?

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: anna_chosak (My Page) on Wed, Mar 16, 05 at 8:29
You know, kitchengirl, it could happen to anybody. My husband graduated magna cum laude with a degree in physics from an Ivy League university. He nevertheless managed to set the deck on fire with a hibachi one time. ;-)

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: orchidluvr (My Page) on Sat, Mar 19, 05 at 0:57
Okay, I haven't visited the Lacanche thread lately and it's time for an update. I had an orchid show to help with today and was surprised when my plumber showed up. Gee, I thought the electrician had to do his thing first. My plumber is a great guy, he always works hard and does a good job - plus, he has 14 kids!!!! Anyway, he left a message - the range is hooked up to the gas line! But no electrical yet. Can I use a match to light a burner? I am so anxious!!!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: Claire_de_Luna (My Page) on Sat, Mar 19, 05 at 7:44
Sure, you can use a match! (That's why I have this range, for when the power goes out.) There's a hole in the oven at the bottom where you can put a fireplace match to light the oven too... Have fun when you start cooking! God Bless plumbers with 14 kids.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: doubleyellow (My Page) on Sat, Mar 19, 05 at 14:51
Being able to use a match in the oven is what sells me--on top of the look and color. I'm now leaning toward getting a bright blue Sully, after realizing, as I rotated an 18" roasting pan of turkey wings, that I wouldn't be able to do that in a Cluny oven--I'd have to pull the pan all the way out of the oven, turn it around, and then stick it back in. So goodbye, warming oven. Hello bigger ovens.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: downtowner (My Page) on Mon, Mar 21, 05 at 13:33
Kitchengirl, Just so you know. When my Lacanche arrived 18 months ago, the top and a side had been deformed by a forklift (an unfortunate experiment by LaCanche to see if more revealing crating would lead to less damage in transit --during the height of anti-French feeling). AC at first used an unreliable and flaky repair person (NYC is very difficult), and the parts took a long time to come from France (and one part was wrong, so there were two long waits -- no biggie, were were in construction.) However, they finally found an excellent repair man from two states away and the Cluny looked just like new. So ultimately thing worked out perfectly. You're in good hands.

lacanche ranges at Harrod's
· Posted by: downtowner (My Page) on Mon, Mar 21, 05 at 13:35
A small aside. It is possible to pay American prices for a LaCanche in London --at the notorious Harrod's. You can also compare them directly with a LaCornue and AGA range. Since many visitor's go to Harrod's anyway, if you are considering a LaCanche, just pop up to the appliance dept.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: which07 (My Page) on Mon, Mar 21, 05 at 15:58
AnnaLeeF, Not installed yet, I'm hoping by the end of the month. We had trouble with the granite countertop, they drilled the faucet hole in the wrong place, ugh :( . We worked it out, but the problems never cease. I'll post some photos when it's finally in. Chris

Stunned by US prices for Lacanche!
· Posted by: DeirdreLouisville (My Page) on Mon, Mar 21, 05 at 18:59
Well, after drooling all over my computer screen for months looking at the Lacanche products, I called Art Culinaire today for a price quote.... The Fontenay was quoted at $11,650 plus $1395 "freight". I was shocked-- the prices I had been seeing online had seemed lower.And, as it turned out--They were. I can purchase the exact same model in the UK for $5,671 (yes, dollars- I was quoted 3613 pounds including the VAT. I subtracted the 17% vat and converted the remainder to dollars at $1.90 per pound). Oh, and I can get it shipped to the US (by a commercial shipper, not the UK store) for $800.I had read that the US pricing was higher--and I was prepared to pay a bit more, but a 100% mark-up on top of the normal retail price???? Not only is the AC price simply out of my range-- but I feel they are truly gouging (less polite term self-edited!) buyers. There is no level of "service" that could justify that kind of mark-up to me. I have read here about how nice the people at AC are-- but really, at those prices they should be installing, servicing and cleaning my cooker regularly. I don't know if I will be brave enough to import my own-- but I don't think I can do business with AC.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: orchidluvr (My Page) on Mon, Mar 21, 05 at 22:12
Well, I am finally firing up my green Cluny! The salmon last night was exquisite. I had no idea what a difference a *very* hot pan could make! And finally, pasta after all these months! The water boiled so quickly! I am very very pleased. A little question - should the red light at the far right of my Cluny be on all the time? Just wondering. Tomorrow, perhaps I'll try the ovens!! Woo Hoo!

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: ysop1016 (My Page) on Tue, Mar 22, 05 at 12:31
Orchid, Yes, the red light on the right stays on as long as the range is connected. Don't you just love her? I have been cooking on the Cluny for 2 years and I am still in awe.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: NancyUSA (My Page) on Tue, Mar 22, 05 at 16:34
AnnaleeF, I was fooling around with some spare baseboard to see if I wanted to try wooden kickplates in front of the Lacanche. We did decide to do it, I'll have to take a picture and put it up on the forum. Your welcome all about the Lacanche website. I've updated the threads and added the links to the Art Culinaire online brochure and swiismiss's kitchen. The link is http://lacanche.blogspot.com/
Here is a link that might be useful: Thread and Picture website

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Tue, Mar 22, 05 at 19:38
Gee, Nancy, thanks for putting all this info together for everyone. Interesting to see that new aubergine color in the Lacanche Reserve link. Haven't heard of anyone ordering it or the Ivory so far. Anxious to see your pictures. Sorry, which07. Yes, it is always something, but hopefully the problems are behind you. Orchidluvr - so glad you are up and cooking! That little red light becomes a comfortable sight, after you get over the involuntary reaction that you muct have left a burner on. doubleyellow: nice that you have the discretionary space to add a Sully in place of a Cluny. deirdre: good luck with your decisions in your quest for a Fontenay. I guess I was feeling a little sticker shock when I first saw & loved the 48" Wolf Dual Fuel. That made my Cluny (which we found the next week) seem like a really good deal! downtowner: how interesting! Lacanche at Harrods! Thanks for the inside info. Glad your damaged range turned out great in the end.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: doubleyellow (My Page) on Wed, Mar 23, 05 at 0:09
"nice that you have the discretionary space to add a Sully in place of a Cluny" Now that made me laugh. It sure would be nice if I DID have discretionary space to fit it! Oh for a few more feet. I have been trying and trying to figure out HOW best to fit it. I just really want it, I want all those burners on top, I want a broiler and also a gas oven. That is the whole reason I am attempting this mad effort with the kitchen, that beautiful stove is a priority for me. It is the focus of the whole enterprise, but (sigh) it is NOT a spacious kitchen. I might need a shoehorn.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: DeirdreLouisville (My Page) on Wed, Mar 23, 05 at 7:53
AnnaLee- Thanks. I am not sure what I will do. I think the Lacanche is spectacularly beautiful, but I am a little hesitant about importing my own. OTOH- I could never do business with people I feel are gouging me. Frankly, I am just amazed that the forum is so quiet on the massive price difference between the US and pretty much everywhere else.

RE: lacanche ranges part 18
· Posted by: AnnaLeeF (My Page) on Wed, Mar 23, 05 at 9:22
A Sully being wedged in with a shoehorn! There is an image for a cartoonist! Demand drives our economy, I believe. When sales fall off, price adjustments occur, whether in high-end ranges or automobiles or houses. When competition senses a winning formula, knock-offs flood the market. Color ranges with retro features represent a niche market unless/until knock-off versions appear. People are paying more every day for Vikings and Wolfs and speciality imports because it satisfies a demand. There have been previous discussions on the appliance forum, suggesting Wolf dealers having prices controlled by region. These are the market conditions - all about choices. Yes, there is the risk that vedaZu took. We all hope it works out for her and for you if you take that path, Deirdre. We have already spent our money and started cooking, so there is little motivation for us to rally against the market forces. We can only report on our experiences with the purchase and use of this range. I believe we are at 100!