In article >, Fresh Monniker
> wrote:

> "Fred" > wrote:
>
> >The home models that look like them only have some additional
> >insulation to prevent them from burning up wood cabinets. I doubt
> >insulation could suddenly make these ranges cost 3 times as much.
>
> Don't forget all the lights, polished surfaces (chefs don't complain
> when a new range arrives dented), electronic ignition, certification
> testing, etc.


Having all those features (except mega high power burners), Hotpoint can
sell a range for $500 and was on sale at Best Buy last week for $400. I
suspect the 12,000 BTU burner on the Hotpoint is more efficient than some
of the burners on semi-pro models and thus would be putting more heat into
the pan than the raw number suggests. You can get a range with at least
one16,000 BTU burner for less than $800 at Sears, the latest Kenmore Elite
series ranges have at least one 17,000 BTU burner and in white or black is
probably around $1200. Secondly, true commercial ranges have a lot more
stainless steal, heavy cast iron grates etc. and still can be bought for
low dollars relative to their home version. So the cost of the raw
materials (high BTU burners, oodles of metal) etc. seem to need not much
more $ for the true pro models. Styling, and marketing is obviously the
reason why these ranges command what they do i.e. they do not cost what
they cost because they have "stuff" that is intrinsically expensive.


I do not think that paying for style is bad. I would certainly prefer to
furnish my house with things that look good and function well. I think
the problem is some people pretend they are confined to high end stoves
because of the functionality. For example many people say they want 6
burners at high BTU. I really would like to see a home chef manage six
dishes at high heat.

Ultimately, even expensive home stoves are not that expensive. Assume a
cost of $5000. Many peoples cars probably depreciate by that amount
every year. We all probably own at least 5 cars over our lifetimes at a
likely cost of more than $50,000 -$100,000 and considerably more if you
factor in insurance, gas, maintenance etc. So the cost of owning an
expensive stove is actually, relatively small relative to other expenses
we routinely encur.

Roland