Oven suggestions

[bacarver]

Hi guys -

Anyone bake bread? I need to locate a range (oven space plus burners on top) that has enough space to bake four loaves of bread at once.

I have to locate a one-piece unit because I'm working with limited space. I cannot separate the ovens from the cooktop.

An oven with a "warming drawer" isn't what I need. I need two real ovens.

I can incorporate anything from 30 - 40 inches in width.

Thanks! Barb

[Chile Pepper]

I absolutely love my La Canche (http://www.lacanche.co.uk/) oven/range. It's pricey, probably in the same range as Wolf and other high-end ranges, but it has several advantages. First, it isn't as deep as the Wolf et al., so it fits into the normal counter space (no special designing to get around the fact that the range sticks out several inches). Second, it comes with either one or two ovens, as you prefer, and I believe it's the only company that will do one gas oven plus one electric oven (this is the one I have (http://www.lacanche.co.uk/product_detail.asp?ID=3)). I use my electric oven exclusively for baking (so I never get a creme brulee that tastes faintly of onions or fish), although I use the gas oven for bread (with a baking stone). The small ovens are great--they don't dry out food the way huge American ovens do, and yes, a turkey fits (the biggest I've roasted in it was an 18 pounder--they don't come any bigger than that here). I could go on and on about how wonderful it is. Let me know if you want more info.

ETA: the width of mine is a meter, so exactly 40 inches.

[bacarver]

Thanks for the information! I must have the space to bake bread or my retirement years will be sad. I'll look in to the ovens you suggested.

Barb

[tulip]

I have a GE Profile gas range with one oven, and above it, a GE Profile microwave-convection oven range hood combo. Works great.

[MommyBird]

I mill my own flour and bake bread. I use my GE convection oven for 4 loaves. It works great. Mine is a built-in but you can get convection in ranges as well.

You can bake 3 racks of cookies at the same time. Convections are great.

You should also consider a Bosch or Electrolux mixer. I have the Electrolux and can mix enough dough in one batch for 4 loaves and 12 buns.

My favorite store for bread supplies is: http://breadbeckers.com/

[Mr. Bloom]

Sounds like construction is progressing!

Have you considered four bread makers instead? That would allow you to store them elsewhere when not in use. I've found that it's usually quite expensive when you get into appliances with uncommon dimensions...and then you have to get the other appliances to match...

[bacarver]

Ahhh . . . Mr. Silver, you must know that bread machines are banned from my premises. The thought alone makes me feel that I'm betraying the art of true, old-fashioned bread making. (Humble apologies to those who do use machines.)

Yes, the appliances required for my hobby probably will be expensive, but the passion for making homemade bread in my retirement is on the top of my list.

Yes, the new house project is moving forward despite a cantankerous architect with a perfected disappearing act. We have a preliminary set of plans that look quite promising.

Thanks for the ideas because they lead to more possibilities!

Barb

[Norse]

We have GE Profile electric double ovens, the top one having the convection feature which works great for baking. I do all my Christmas baking in that oven. You should be able to easily accomodate 2 loaves on one shelf and two on the other using the multi-convection feature. I am sure that GE carries the Profile as a single oven/range and I believe they come in at least two sizes.

[malkin]

We pitched our range, got drawers and countertop that fit in the space, two portable induction tops and a quarter size oven that sits on the counter. It's out of mainstream for sure.

[malkin]

Oh wow!
The Lacanche is a beauty!
Bigger than my whole kitchen, I think!