I learned more things, on ranges since this is the only appliance I will buy that may very well be 4 figures. Dishwasher will probably be Bosch pending some discussion at Wickford Appliance. Microwave can be whatever....maybe same brand as the range, maybe not. Don't care too much.
Ranges are kind of like refrigerators (for some reason) in that there are a few styles and the price ranges are huge. Here's what I learned.
The main three styles are:
Freestanding. This is the conventional style that most people are used to. They have the controls at the back and have finished sides to fit in even at the end of a cabinet row. There are gaps between the cooktop and counter and most people are used to this, as I said. These are the cheapest.
Slide-in. I didn't realize that "slide-in" was a specific term but now I recognize it. Slide-in means the controls are at the front and the rear has no protrusion for controls. The cooktop overlaps the counter top on the sides which looks much more integrated, and often times it also overlaps at the back which would require a different countertop cut. It would also look pretty awesome with a continuous run of granite behind the range. Some models are "slide-in style" with controls at the front but are actually made to fit into a freestanding cut out. These tend to be priced as a real slide-in so for me I'd just assume go full slide-in and have it do the proper overlap thing with the countertop.
Drop-in. This would be the most premium before you enter the "wall oven and cook top" situation. This is the most integrated of the above options with the top being just like a slide-in. But also the range also "floats" with an extra cabinet panel below the range, where the pots/pans or warming drawer would normally be. Kind of looks like a wall oven and cooktop, just all in the same place. If I had to guess, my scope of work does not cover these extra cabinet/counter stuff so I may just drop this, even though it looks the nicest.
So what I think I want is slide-in. Unfortunately, combining slide-in with induction puts me at $2,000 at the bottom end from my research, unless there is some special sale/discount. So if I really want slide-in, I may have to concede and get the standard radiant cooktop That would also save another $400 since we wouldn't need new pots/pans.
https://blog.yaleappliance.com/freestan ... ws-ratings
My budget can support around $1,500 but I could stretch a little if it really upgraded the function and aesthetic.
For example:
GE PHS930SLSS, rated 83 at CR, induction.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/GE-Profile-5-E ... 1000301387
$2,339 on sale at 10% off. And add $400 for new cookware. That blows the budget. This is like the cheapest slide-in induction range I could find on Lowes.
Or this, which is the cheapest on Sears.com
Frigidaire Gallery FGIS3065PF, not rated at CR. Induction.
https://www.sears.com/frigidaire-galler ... ockType=G2
$2,070. So again, $2,000 is bottom of market for slide-in and add $400 for cookware and that is $2,400. Just not sure I can justify that.
Frigidaire FFIF3054TS. Induction.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Frigidaire-4-E ... 1000455513
$900 and rated 82 on CR. But again there are compromises. Aside from the fact that I think a freestanding is a mistake with a brand new kitchen, it is only 4 burner (I like the more premium ones that have like a warming burner on them), doesn't have real convection (it has a "fake" convection which doesn't work that well), and a very flimsy pots/pans drawer. The higher end slide-in stuff tends to have warming drawers instead which is cool. This unit falls into the category of bottom end induction. If induction was the most important thing next to the budget, this would be a contender. But thinking about it, I think the integrated look and not having to buy new cookwear is actually better. Which brings me to the slide-in radiant surface units.
Bosch HEI8054U. Radiant.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Bosch-800-Seri ... n/50154254
About $2,000 and rated 79 on CR. 5 elements, warming drawer, real convection. No new pots and pans. It is even advertised to fit in a freestanding cut out though the cooktop doesn't sit right on the countertop but rather a little above it. Not sure how this factors. Maybe this is considered a hybrid as the controls are on the front but it kind of fits like a freestanding. Getting the countertop cut in the back for a true slide-in is the most premium of the options I can really afford but that limits future replacements to similar types.
I think I need to go to an appliance store.