topic Re: Why Do I Need a Stove? in Kitchen

Why Do I Need a Stove?

KaySD — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 04:14:24 GMT

These days, I cook all the time but only for 1-2 people--seldom more. I have a great KA countertop convection oven, a little air fryer, a pressure cooker, etc. I use 2 burners on my stove at the most, and my oven is in daily use--as a storage cabinet. I haven't had it on in over 2 years.

Soon, I'm going to be redoing my base cabinets, including the stove. I can't help asking if I need a stove at all, with all the other great appliances. My idea would be to get a drop in cooktop with 2-3 burners, and a separate, nice-but not-too-big combination microwave/convection ovens. This will probably cost more than a traditional stove, but it will save space and give me everything I actually use.

I'm getting a lot of pushback, on the grounds that a house has to have a stove for resale value. That may even be true. But I'm torn. Anybody switch from a traditional stove to a more functional design?

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

libbyannE — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 04:29:01 GMT

Having a cooktop in one area and separate built/in oven (s) is not unusual. Not sure I understand your issue.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

dex — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 04:29:22 GMT

If you plan on remaining in the house for many years why not have it work best for you and not design for someone else.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

sissel — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 04:59:47 GMT

Yes, I understand just 2 of us & use my counter oven. I will use the stove for Thanksgiving. Think I use the big oven about 4 times a year but if I decide to sell then I think the buyers would want a big stove. Maybe use your big oven as storage space but don't forget you have things in there incase someday you need the oven. My retired DH wants me to sell this 4 bedroom 2 1/2 bath since it's just us but I love my house & neighborhood. That's my problem right now. I don't want to move.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

Desertdi — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 09:17:12 GMT

A version of Murphy's Law: As soon as you get rid of the stove......you will find that you need it for something...........

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

CelticCrafter — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 11:47:51 GMT

I'm not sure it would save space or gain space.

You will be taking up counter space with the drop in cooktop and if you have the microwave/convection mounted below the countertop, you haven't gained a lot of cabinet storage - maybe one shelf or a drawer. If it's a countertop model, you've lost more countertop space.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

Goldengate8361 — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 12:24:35 GMT

I never use my stove. I have not even turned it on in 4 years. I have a Breville convection oven that I use, along with 1 or 2 other appliances. I’ve often had the same thought.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

kaydee50 — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 13:00:00 GMT

There are 2 things in my apartment I would get eliminate -- the bathtub and the oven. Don't use either one. As someone mentioned, if you're not planning on selling your home in the foreseable future, make it what you want. If/when you sell, the buyers will probably renovate anyway.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

janeec — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 13:29:47 GMT

Some areas require a stove and a refrigerator in the kitchen when a house is for sale. Mandatory, no exceptions. My parents use their breville countertop oven, and not the "big oven" for cooking. They use the big oven for storage for their pots and pans, and it is not as low as it would be in the base cupboards, therefore more accessible.

I had a separate cooktop and in-the-wall oven in one house and it was more of a waste of space than helpful. We remodeled and put in a traditional stove.

I knew someone many years ago who got rid of her stove when microwave ovens came out. She regretted it later. It could be a costly mistake to get rid of your stove, but it is your house and you can make your own decisions. I wish you the best.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

PinkyPetunia — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 14:18:17 GMT

I personally would never get rid of the stove. There is just 2 people in my household too. In the summer I never use the oven but now that it's colder I am using it sometimes.

How about an apartment sized stove? They are narrower than the large standard size and the oven is smaller. Very common to see this size in city apartments.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

CLEM — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 14:32:31 GMT

@KaySD I made the switch about two years ago. My contractor took out the stove, took out the Corian (sp) countertop next to it and had it seamlessly extended to fit all the way over where the stove used to be, and put in 3 deep and large drawers under it to fit in with my cabinets. I am using convection burners for cooking and a Breville toaster oven. I also have the Ninja multicooker and am in the process of replacing my pressure cooker.

To date I have not yet missed my stove. And on top of it, nobody has ever noticed that the stove is missing unless I told them.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

CAcableGirl2 — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 15:03:17 GMT

I would check to see if having it is mandatoy in selling your home - either for you or for your beneficiaries. That might be an expensive mistake if you pull it out. I don't use my stove much either, but it sure gets used during holiday dinners.

Even if you use if for just for storage, I wouldn't get rid of it. Just my opinion, but do what makes you happy.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

Marp — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 15:25:30 GMT

If you anticipate selling your home in the relatively near future stick with a stove.

If you plan on staying in your home for many more years tailor your kitchen to meet your wants and needs.

When/if the time comes that you want to sell you can get a stove, which presumably would be in the latest style/color, for a few hundred dollars.

In the meantime you will have what works best for you.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

summerwind — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 15:19:28 GMT

I just bought an older home of indeterminate age (built somewhere between 1894 and 1929, even the insurance co. couldn't find out for sure). The kitchen will need redone very soon. I'm 66, and am fitting this for "age-in-place", as I plan to be here some 20 more years. Seriously thinking of replacing the oven with a dishwasher, tho I haven't used one in 20 years, for once-per-week jobs, and burners with 2 induction burners.

Then getting a Breville or comparable for any baking I need to do. Tho I have 3 microwaves, I prefer not to use them. A very nice LG came with the house, but I'm not giving up my RadarRanges. (One I bought in 1980, one I picked up off the curb, for parts.)

The idea of the induction burners appeals to me as I'm worried that somewhere down the road, I may not get along well with gas burners. I think induction may be safer for elderly.

You might find out if there's a cabinet the same size as an oven, that can be removed at a later time and replaced with an oven. My current oven is a slide-in, with separate burners set into the countertop. I did that some 30 years ago, but they should still be available that way.

TLDR: Either way, it's your house, you live there, do it your way!

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

house_cat — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 15:46:29 GMT

Personally, I cannot imagine life without a stove. I have a 5 burner stove and I dream of an even larger one. However, we all have different priorities. When I have the funds to redo our master bath I'll be switching out the tub for a walk-in shower. There is no tub in our guest bath, either. Friends have told me what they've told you, that it's not good for resale value. If I were planning to sell the house in the near future I would consider that, but we have no plans to sell in the next ten years, so why not live the way that it most comfortable for us? Chances are, whoever purchases your home down the line will want to remodel it their own way, so do what you want and enjoy it.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

wagirl — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 15:56:04 GMT

I agree---I use the burners on my stove; but haven't turned on the oven since this past January; I use the oven as storage. Got a Breville oven that I use all the time. I agree that a house needs a big stove----if you plan to sell it. My appliances are 17 years old so I am due for some new ones. I like your plan tho and if you need to, you can switch out the micro/convection feature for a drop in oven. I am not going to do much big cooking anymore so that would suit me just fine. If it costs more, so what---you will be happy---a happy cook is a happy cook, right?!!

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

Free2be — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 19:12:17 GMT

Many times I've felt no need for 4 burners and a big oven in my kitchen where space is a premium but the trade-off has it's own negatives: precious counter space would be used for the Breville oven I'd want and quick access storage for two induction burners unless they are also on the counter top. It seems like a no-win alternative.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

NickNack — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 19:32:38 GMT

I almost never use my stove and oven either. I would never consider removing it though. I have no plans on moving, but you never know what can happen. I wouldn't want the expense of redoing the counters/cabinets and putting the stove back in if I ever wanted to sell it. l also wouldn't want my familly to have to do that if something happened to me and they were left with my house.

Yes, people might want to redo the kitchen after they moved in, but they also might not expect to have to do it immediately in order to have a stove. It's a lot to think about. I can understand your not needing it. I'm going to use my oven to fix my sweet potato casserole for Thanksgiving soon, and it's the first time I'll have used it in a long time.

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

Peaches McPhee — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 19:39:52 GMT

@KaySD wrote:

I'm getting a lot of pushback, on the grounds that a house has to have a stove for resale value. That may even be true.

This absolutely is true. Who would buy a home that did not have a space for a stove? Two types: you (!) and those who want to re-do the kitchen anyway. But why limit the number of potential buyers?

Re: Why Do I Need a Stove?

flbettyboop — Sat, 11 Nov 2017 20:12:24 GMT

Years ago I changed out a gas stove and I said why do i need a stove. A friend of mine suggested I put a vending maching where the stove was.Still not a bad idea. LOL

Boop