Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Home, Home with the Range

Crabapple blossoms. Life is good, right?
I just wanted an excuse to put this pretty picture on my blog. Aren't crabapple trees beautiful? You would never know that I took this picture in front of the Goodwill store by all the malls and big box stores in my area. Is it obvious to say that there is beauty everywhere?

This post, though, is about my new gas range. I must admit I was a bit flummoxed by the terminology while getting the first, new range I've ever had in my life. I've never called it a "range." I've called it a stove, or an oven. But not a range. Another thing I have learned in my somewhat surface research was that there are ranges out there that have a setting for "chicken tenders." Lord, help us.

The Ol' Tappan.
 My old range was a good sort. I got used to it's small oven and finicky igniters and oven temperatures, but when the thermostat really blew, we had to call it quits. I had always wanted a big, super deluxe commercial oven, but I couldn't lay out the cash to buy one that was worth it. When I thought about it, though, it was okay, because it wouldn't go with my awesome late 80's kitchen. It's amazing that the one room I spend most of my waking hours in is really sort of bummy. It's very dark, and the overhead light fixture is horrible and florescent. The lay out is counterintuitive; the last time it was redesigned they moved everything to a spot that was not originally intended. Let's not even talk about the cabinets. And, there's no window over the sink. That just makes me sad. But I've learned to live with it.

New blood: the Kenmore 72333
With the help of a bunch of the good people who gather to chat on my Facebook page (join in!) and my pal, Shae from Hitchhiking to Heaven, who also recently bought a new range, I gathered a bunch of information, and decided on this one. I think I fretted over the new range more than a car. The people at Sears got used to me dropping by and trying to look at ranges while clutching my son, who was way more interested in running amok. In the end, I got the most basic thing I could find that was reasonably priced with these amenities: all stainless steel (because black is a pain to keep clean--though the same has been said about stainless steel), a turbo boil (the instruction manual has a "home canning" section!), and a convection capable oven (I really got sick of burning cookies).

I must admit, I am scared of all the digital stuff, but hopefully--fingers crossed--we'll get along, this new range and I. All I need now is my new Le Creuset French oven, which should be en route as I write, and I'll be all set for the new jamming season!

Another gratuitous flower shot. Who can resist? It's spring, dammit!

21 comments:

  1. Yes! Congrats... mine arrived last July and I've never been happier. The convection capability is amazing; you're gonna fall in love. Yay new "range" in a 80's Kitchen (ours is also a 80's kitchen) so I hear ya sista! -Christina

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ooooooooh, shiny! :)

    Now all you need is to replace that overhead flourescent with a Ball jar chandelier!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Nice 'range'! How nice to have a turbo boil :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes, that looks nice. Now I want to find a way to sabotage my perfectly functional, but not as shiny "range".

    ReplyDelete
  5. Not a Kenmore 72333!!!!! Ha ha You'll be making sweet music on that little beauty ..... you stove nerd! I'm only jealous.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh...also being a member of the "outdated kitchen" club I am now totally lusting after that range.

    Your first roast of anything or baked bread from there will blow you away.

    My strategy to get rid of my current stove is to simply not clean it anymore, eventually there will be a small but very damaging fire within it:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. it's gorgeous! i have a lot of stainless and like i told shae, don't freak out on the first scratch. it's inevitable and eventually it gets a gorgeous patina from all the use. i know you will use it well! can't wait to hear what you're cooking on it!:)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Congratulations! I know, I know, I had the same reaction to the chicken tender setting. I also have it on my microwave. I was not aware this was a basic food group. Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy!

    ReplyDelete
  9. chicken tenders indeed, the lords food. hey, we have the same stove! though mine is not a kenmore. i should send you a loaf of bread and some salt. for luck with the range. or as julia might say bonne chance!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your old range reminds me of my Montgomery Ward one--it keeps ticking though. When it kicks it, I'll be challenged by the very small space allotted for an oven. If it ever kicks it!

    ReplyDelete
  11. It is a beautiful thing! So glad you decided on the Kenmore. Sears stands behind their appliances, or used to. Now, what color is that lovely French oven from Le Creuset in the box on your porch?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh! Comments are all gone! So. Congrats from the outdated kitchen club on the range but mainly Happy B-day!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for the b-day wishes!! I know--I had a lot of comments and they are all gone! Blogger had a shut down and things are in the ether. Oh, well.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Weird. We have the eXACT same "old cabinets" that I've come to "accept" and a Tappan. Which is sometimes a bit cranky but I love it compared with some I've come across in NYC.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Kate - Totally weird! The Tappan was fine, but I'm still glad it died!

    And because Blogger freaked out last week a bunch of comments were deleted. They may or may not come back, but because I love comments and save them in my inbox until I respond to them, I still had the comments I lost. Here they are. I apologize if messed up any one's words by my sloppy cutting and pasting--should be okay. Many thanks to all of you for commenting!


    Sara (http://threecleversisters.com/)
    Congratulations! I know, I know, I had the same reaction to the chicken tender setting. I also have it on my microwave. I was not aware this was a basic food group. Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy!

    http://fromscratchclub.wordpress.com/
    Yes! Congrats... mine arrived last July and I've never been happier. The convection capability is amazing; you're gonna fall in love. Yay new "range" in a 80's Kitchen (ours is also a 80's kitchen) so I hear ya sista! –Christina

    Kaela (http://localkitchenblog.com/)
    Ooooooooh, shiny! :)

    Now all you need is to replace that overhead flourescent with a Ball jar chandelier!

    Allison at Novice Life (http://novicelife.blogspot.com/)
    Nice 'range'! How nice to have a turbo boil :)

    http://www.mypantryshelf.com
    Yes, that looks nice. Now I want to find a way to sabotage my perfectly functional, but not as shiny "range".

    Gloria (http://www.laundryetc.co.uk/)
    Not a Kenmore 72333!!!!! Ha ha You'll be making sweet music on that little beauty ..... you stove nerd! I'm only jealous.

    Adventures in Dinner
    Oh...also being a member of the "outdated kitchen" club I am now totally lusting after that range.

    Your first roast of anything or baked bread from there will blow you away.

    My strategy to get rid of my current stove is to simply not clean it anymore, eventually there will be a small but very damaging fire within it:)

    Tigress (http://tigressinajam.blogspot.com/)
    it's gorgeous! i have a lot of stainless and like i told shae, don't freak out on the first scratch. it's inevitable and eventually it gets a gorgeous patina from all the use. i know you will use it well! can't wait to hear what you're cooking on it!:)

    Michael (http://noodle-brains.blogspot.com/)
    chicken tenders indeed, the lords food. hey, we have the same stove! though mine is not a kenmore. i should send you a loaf of bread and some salt. for luck with the range. or as julia might say bonne chance!

    ValHalla (http://dinkydoover.blogspot.com/)
    Your old range reminds me of my Montgomery Ward one--it keeps ticking though. When it kicks it, I'll be challenged by the very small space allotted for an oven. If it ever kicks it!

    Two By The Sea (http://twobythesea.blogspot.com/)
    It is a beautiful thing! So glad you decided on the Kenmore. Sears stands behind their appliances, or used to. Now, what color is that lovely French oven from Le Creuset in the box on your porch?

    ReplyDelete
  16. Thank you for sharing your culinary adventures through the lens of frugalishness. Your blog post has inspired me to approach my own cooking with a more mindful and cost-effective mindset, and it has reinforced the notion that Frugalishness and delectable cuisine can indeed go hand in hand.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I appreciate how you embrace the challenge of creating mouthwatering dishes while being conscious of your budget. From your descriptions of shopping at farmers' markets to finding creative ways to repurpose leftovers.
    Enjoy Promocodehq.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Lovely post celebrating the comforts of home! Much like the familiarity of home, having a reliable "link scooter" can provide a sense of security and convenience in daily life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the importance of home. https://savingcentstogether.com/promotions/link-scooter-promo-code

    ReplyDelete
  19. This was an enlightening read that successfully highlighted overlooked factors.
    tarpaulins

    ReplyDelete