I am having the kind of week where each evening before bed I have to write out a careful schedule for the next day so I don’t forget to send in something or pick up someone or go somewhere. And meanwhile I am cooking for six using a toaster oven and a two-burner hotplate. I would like to tell you that story, and also inform you that “liquor store” is on today’s to-do list.
1. I authorized Paul to make a decision and order a new stove, since he did so well with that last time. [Last time = A very risky move on his part that, luckily for him, worked out: long ago, when I was still covered in babies and toddlers, he got tired of waiting for me to research which stove I wanted to replace our failing one, so he just picked one and ordered it without consulting or telling me. If that stove hadn’t happened to be Exactly Right, things could have ended…very differently. One does not make major-appliance decisions without consulting the primary user of such appliances.] I thought he was remembering the bare essentials of what I consider to be The Right Stove, because we have discussed them repeatedly over the years when admiring the stove he chose; those essentials are: (1) white, (2) coils, (3) no flat tops. That’s what I like, don’t @ me. [Edited to add: For me saying “don’t @ me,” there has been a lot of @ing me on this. Would it help if I said “This is what I like, but for the purposes of this story it doesn’t matter what I like, only that what we got was something completely different?” Like, just imagine what YOU prefer in a stove, and then imagine getting something OPPOSITE TO THAT, and then it doesn’t matter what you do prefer or why you prefer it: the problem is the DIFFERENCE, not what the reasons are for the preference.]
2. Paul ordered the new stove. The happy day arrived. The delivery window was verified by automated phone call at TWO O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING so at first I thought someone was hospitalized/dead, but whatever, new stove! The stove was delivered. The old stove was taken away.
3. Paul read the manual and discovered that the stove he had ordered, which was black/stainless with a flat top and no coils, was an induction stove that also required SPECIAL POTS AND PANS. None of our pans would work with it, except his grody cast-iron skillets which I will never use or eat out of, at least not until several layers of gunk, oh sorry “seasoning,” are removed from them; also, while you can USE a cast-iron pan on this kind of stove, you can’t MOVE it on the stove or it will scratch it. We would need to get all new pans. This all happened one week ago today.
4. (Yes, I absolutely do already know that “seasoning” is an actual thing with cast-iron skillets. This is not seasoning. This is Gross Crust.)
5. I spent a queasy, spiraling afternoon estimating that we would actually come out ahead financially if we donated the new induction stove to charity, purchased a $400 white coil stove, and did not have to buy all new special pans including all the extra-large pans that don’t come in standard sets but are needed when cooking for 6-7 people. I mourned my old pans and planned to store them in the basement. I panicked on Twitter.
6. Twitter said, “OH GOD RETURN THAT THING AT ANY COST!!” Actually, that’s what Twitter-I-listened-to said. Twitter-I-didn’t-listen-to said, “Oh, that kind of stove is great! We love ours!” MY PANS THO
7. I told Paul very gently and carefully that either the stove was leaving OR he and the stove were leaving, but that either way I and the pans were staying. (Is it necessary to clarify that I did not say anything of the sort? What I actually said was something like “I know this would be a terrible hassle and might not even be possible, and if it IS possible it might cost significant money and also mean we’d be without a stove for awhile and have to figure THAT out, and maybe we don’t even want to do this because maybe this stove is great and I just need to get used to it and maybe we should be switching to stainless steel pans anyway. But is there a possibility that we should consider finding out if it’s possible to…return the stove?”)
8. Paul called and arranged to return the stove, with us agreeing ahead of time that we did not really care if we had to pay for return shipping, re-stocking, whatever. So far there does not seem to have been a cost, but we are still ready for it if it happens. The customer service representative was awesome: she wanted the reason for the return, and Paul told her about the pans, and she said, “That is just CRAZY!!”—and put the return right through. (Or rather, that’s what he said that he said. He might very well have instead said “My wife is scaring me.”) She said they could come get it Tuesday. The replacement stove (white, coils) would come Friday. For one solid week we would have no oven and no stovetop. I am on a diet that saps the fun and excitement from eating out, and anyway it gets HELLA EXPENSIVE for six people to eat out every night.
9. I drove to the store and bought a two-burner hotplate. We draped the new oven in towels to protect it from cats, children, etc., but I continued to be intensely anxious about something happening to it. Meanwhile, the two-burner hotplate has been possible to cook on, but not with any of our big pans; also, it is verrrrrrry slow: I started with hot tap water and it still took over 20 minutes for a saucepan of water to boil. I have been making dinners in batches, using the hotplate, the toaster oven, and an attitude that it doesn’t really matter if we have to eat in shifts.
10. On Tuesday the guys came and picked up the induction stove. I was very worried they would refuse to take it because Paul had removed all the wrappers and crinkled them up and put them deep in the trash can and then put raw-meat wrappers and cream droplets all over them. But there was no issue, other than that the guys were supposed to come between 3:00 and 6:00, and instead they arrived at 2:45, in the 15 minutes between the time I had to leave with William to have his x-ray done (his knee is bothering him) and the time Paul arrived home early from work to be sure to be home by 3:00, and Elizabeth was home alone and she had to handle it. Which she did, by calling me so that I had to answer my cell phone during registration at the x-ray place, under several signs prohibiting the use of cell phones. Anyway. The delivery guys waited out in the driveway, Paul arrived shortly afterward, and the Bad New Stove was removed without incident.
11. Today Good New Stove arrives! At least, we hope. We were supposed to get a delivery-window-confirmation call (we hoped not at 2:00 in the morning), but did not. This worries me.
[Update!:
It works with MY PANS]
Phew. I like it when things that are terrible are fixable.
Coils 4 EVAH. I grew up on a gas stove, but have had nothing but coils ever since and now that I know what I’m doing, I will never ever have a smooth top. I’ve used them at places I’ve stayed and other people can love them long time, but I just want my coils and that’s the end of it.
I have a gas stove, so I’m interested in why you prefer coils solely out of curiosity.
Probably just because it’s what I’m used to. I think I don’t so much mean “coils” anyway so much as I mean “burners that are their own thing rather than buried under a flat top.”
That’s what I figured. Just like I hate electric stoves because I’m used to gas. It’s interesting, because the one thing I find appealing about electric stoves is the option of a flat stovetop. But I’ll never switch unless forced because electric stoves are terrible. (Am in no way trying to convince you that your preference is incorrect. I want to add this disclaimer because I think a lot of times people ARE trying to convince you your preference is incorrect.)
I have a ceramic top that came with the house. I don’t find it any better or worse than the coils I had before. (It’s a little easier to clean, but the trade off is after years of daily use it never truly looks clean where the not-coils are. So, it’s a wash.). However, I still pine for the gas stove I grew up with. We even had the gas stubbed out under it when running gas to the house for other purposes, because when it dies it will definitely be replaced with gas.
While I read this, I alternated between giggling and WRINGING MY HANDS because the whole thing is so stressful. THANK GOODNESS there was a happy resolution!
Yes, stressful indeed! I also will not judge you for preferring coils (even though – “are you completely nuts????!!!!”) as we all like what we like – what I would say though is to get yourself an electric kettle. Even now you have your new coils, a kettle-full of water will boil far faster than the equivalent amount in a pan as a general rule and can therefore be both time- and money-saving.
You may not want to hear this but induction is wonderful. Wonderful. Better control of heat than gas, no cleaning under coils, insanely safe because it won’t heat without a pot on it, no pilot light. But so great for cooking.
We had induction, moved to a new house and I replaced a perfectly good stove top with induction because going back to coils was unbearable.
Oh, but I have already heard it! As mentioned, I heard it numerous times from Twitter-I-didn’t-listen-to! But unless it cooks the food all its own while lovingly stroking my hair, it’s not worth getting rid of all my beloved pans and paying $$$$$ to replace them.
Oh god. All I can think about is my stove, which is black and flat-top, and which came with the house when we moved in last year. AM I RUINING IT WITH MY PANS???? AM I RUINING MY PANS WITH IT??? Oh god oh god oh god
When I say “can’t use my pans,” I mean LITERALLY: the stove will not heat them. The burner can be on, the pan can be on the burner, and no heat-transfer will take place. So if you have been cooking on your stove with your pans, everything is fine!
OH. Phew. Thank you.
This was so stressful to read, partially because I can totally see my husband doing the same thing. Glad it all worked out in the end! And YES to the hatred of flat top electric stoves…we had one in our old house, and it was terrible. Anytime we did anything (even as simple as boil water!) it made marks on the flat top you then had to scrub and clean off. Strubbing my stove daily is not at the top of my to do list, so good call on the coils!!!
So stressful!! I’m happy for you that it’s resolved. That’s a nice end to your week, start to your weekend, and reason for a celebratory drink and a hot meal.
We went without a stove for a week+ once, and it was a fun adventure for exactly 1 day (we went out on a Monday!). After that it was a royal pain.
Better yet, a celebratory baking of cookies or something. :)
I have that EXACT STOVE!
What is the stove? It looks a lot like mine-but for some reason I can’t read the brand.
It’s a Kenmore.
So is the primary reason you prefer coils is that certain pans will not work w/ flat tops? I’m reading that correctly? Is there any other reason you prefer coils? I grew up with gas and had it up until we moved to this dreadful kitchen 4 years ago. I cannot figure out how to clean under the coil pans. Those are well seasoned right now. Embarrassing.
I prefer coils because I grew up with them and am accustomed to them. I like gas stoves fine, too, though I’m not as familiar with them—and when I’ve had them, I haven’t noticed any improvement in cooking (and I’ve had trouble with them for baking), so then I’d rather not have the accompanying open flames or pilot lights or gas leaks.
What I really meant, though, was I like coils (or rather, raised burners) as opposed to flat-top stoves. And most flat tops WOULD work with my pans, but this particular flat-top stove would not: it’s an induction stove that only works with pans that are magnetic. So the ranking in terms of favorites goes: (1) electric coil, because that’s what I’m used to, (2) gas, which is fine but scarier to me; then a big gap; then (3) flat tops; then another big gap; and then (4) induction stoves that require the purchase of all new pans.
The underpans of a coil stove can either be covered with aluminum foil when new, and then you can periodically change the foil; or else you can buy four-packs of the underpans at Target or whatever and replace them entirely when they get really bad.
Also, I hesitate to even SAY this because if you know it already it sounds so “Is it plugged in?”—but the thing is, I didn’t know this at one point, and someone had to tell ME that you can lift up the burner on a coil stove (grab it on the opposite side from where you see the coil disappearing into a hole, and lift up—search online for “remove drip pans”) and pull it right out of its socket, and then it’s possible to remove the underpan and clean it and/or coat it in foil and/or replace it. It never even occurred to me to TRY. I don’t know how I thought my mom got the foil on, but I’ve never been good at spacial relations.
I prefer gas for better heat control and faster initial heat-up since we cook on the stovetop way more than we bake (electric is better for baking). But your point about the replaceable underpans makes me wish that were an option for gas ranges because the areas around the burners on our stove look pretty grungy now, even after somebody goes nuts on them with a Magic Eraser.
Offended by nothing here! Thanks on the clarification on flat top vs induction.
So I can lift the whole top of the stove up, but I can’t get the 4 individual pans out. It’s so frustrating. The kitchen is ancient, and it’s totally time to gut it. I wish something would stop working so I could justify it.
This was a stressful read; but you got your range!!
We currently have a flat top electric range that my husband (the cook) DESPISES. According to him, all electric (but especially this one) does not heat evenly. So he is planning to replace this one as soon as possible with a gas stove. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if he sabotages this one in order to get a new one.
Since I, the non-cook, don’t have an opinion of any kind on any range – enjoy cooking on the stove that you prefer!
I came back specifically to see if the new stove ever came and I see that it did. Hurray! It looks wonderful!
My last two stoves have been glass flat tops, which I’m fine with, but my pots/pans have been wearing out (they were not high-quality) and I am bit-by-bit replacing them with quality ones that will work on my next stove, which will be induction.
I AM ON THE EDGE OF MY SEAT. This is a DRAMA! I am solidly on your side here and think well of you for not blowing up your marriage over this. Alex almost bought a dishwasher once without consulting me and I almost lost my mind. Fingers crossed for a good resolution!
It looks so happy and cheerful all snuggled into its new home. Sigh. All is well.
First off- Yay for a happy ending and having a pretty new stove/oven that you like!
Second- I would actually love to hear what people have and what they like/don’t like about it. I will be getting a new stove/oven fairly soon and am wavering between a gas cooktop with electric oven (probably the two oven kind) or an induction top.
Any chance of getting a discussion like that going? Probably nay but best to ask! :)
I have only ever cooked on a gas cooktop or an electric coil one. I am very attached to gas. It’s quick to heat, it’s not dependent upon electricity during blackouts, and it’s very responsive. I dislike waiting for an electric coil to heat/cool after I turn the knob. The gas does it right away. I also like the way that I can use any pot on any burner by adjusting the flame appropriately – I can cook with 4 large pans, 4 teeny pans, or any combination.
I read this aloud to my husband as we were driving. He almost had to pull over because he was laughing so hard. Hubby was convinced we had to be friends IRL.
Like Monica, I grew up cooking on a gas stove, and I wish could have one. We have a stove that looks very much like yours-it’s a Whirlpool. We’ve had it for years, then the top heating element stopped working, and I was hoping we could just replace that, but haven’t gotten around to doing it yet. It seems to bake things fine, but of course you can’t broil anything.
OMG, what was Paul thinking?!?!
I’m relieved the return worked out, and I have nothing much else to say except to share this: we had to move out of an apartment we loved for various reasons a few years ago, and one of the only saving graces was finding out from our beloved neighbors that shortly afterwards, the whole building (with 500 apartments) lost gas service for 2 months because of an issue ConEd found during an inspection.
Two. Months.
The management company distributed hot plates, but it sounded absolutely terrible. No stoves, no ovens, and I think it also affected the laundry room’s dryers.
It’s not even particularly uncommon here (NYC). A set of friends of mine are going on three months without gas in their building, and they have a newborn. They got a rent reduction, but still! In their case they also have no hot water.
It’s part of why we are now set on only living in small buildings and would love to eventually leave the city entirely.
I grew up with electric coils, and now have gas burners (which I love!) and the concept of a flat top stove is…. what is this black magic?!? I have never cooked on one and don’t even really understand how such a thing is possible. Or why it would be preferable.
I was DYING when you described the stove Paul bought. You are probably a kinder wife than me that you even attempted to use the exact-opposite-of-what-you-asked-for stove.
I am not saying that you are wrong in your preference for YOU, but I cannot use coils. I’m pretty sure every single thing I boil boils over at some point in the cooking process so we pretty much need a flat-top. Even my husband has noticed my boiling-over predilection, and he’s not in the kitchen much when I’m cooking. The love of the flat-top is helped by my lack of need to keep it totally pristine, plus we buy in black so we don’t get the white marks scorching and turning brown.
We took the plunge with an induction in this house because all of our old pans were at the point of needing replacement anyway, and I LOVE it.
(Also, is this @ing? I’ve never heard that term.)
Ahhh. I was wondering why people were saying that flat tops were hard to keep clean. I, too, have a boiling-over habit and my flat tops have been black. I hadn’t thought of scorch marks on white.
It’s from Twitter. A rough translation for this context would be “I don’t want to argue about this” or “Don’t tell me why you think I’m wrong.”
We moved into a house with a +20yo Jenn-Air and I dread — DREAD — the day that thing dies. I get that it’s a luxury stove BUT the kitchen was CUSTOM-BUILT around it and it has a WEIRD EXHAUST FAN in-between the burners (instead of above), so replacing it is going to be all sorts of hassles, unless maybe……… MAYBE… we get another Jenn-Air. I can promise you that such an item is in no way affordable for us unless we win the lottery. Sure, I get it. It was worth whatever they paid for it back in 1990-whatever because ovens generally don’t last this long. But I suspect the reason why the owners decided it was time to move was because they began thinking that it was time to replace the stove (among a number of expensive repairs) and didn’t want to deal with it.
Congratulations on your new stove! Yay for stoves that don’t require new cookware and double-yay for stoves that work the way you expect! Big life-revolves-around-this-thing items shouldn’t come with expensive upgrades, hassles, or a learning curve *unless* it’s what you want and are prepared to do.
Most important lesson of this post (IMO): “One should not make a major purchasing decision re: a household appliance without FIRST consulting with the primary user of said appliance to ensure it meets personal/familial standards/needs!”
I HATE researching things and my husband loves it. I have found if I give him my specific standards/needs he then does all the heavy lifting of research and will come back with a short list of choices for me to consider. Your story is a good reminder to me that I should not assume he’s payed any attention to/remembered my preferences! So glad it worked out and you got the stove that you want!
That might have been the most stressful story I’ve heard all week. I’m happy that it worked out in the end.
But what I’m wondering is why hasn’t some genius invented some sort of adapter to use with normal pots and pans. Surely you are not the only person who has a complete arsenal of pans that would need to be replaced after purchasing (intentionally or not) an induction stove. It would seem that some sort of flat plate could be inserted between the burner and the normal pan for interim use while the cook gradually replaced normal pots and pans. If only I were an engineer.
There evidently IS such a device already. I’m not keen on using a special device every time I cook, just to make my pans work—but in a situation where we’d been STUCK with the stove, we could have done that. Fortunately, we were instead in a situation where it was a mistake that could be undone.
Oh, Swistle, I sympathize! You don’t realize how much you use the stove until you can’t. We just moved and somehow didn’t find out that there was a gas stove- and therefore a gas utility to hook up. So when we moved in, the gas was not on and couldn’t be turned on for four days. No stove OR hot water for our family of four, and also my parents and my brother in law who helped us move. All cooking took place in the microwave, toaster oven, Crock Pot, or on the grill. So, we had a lot of options, but we were too dirty to really appreciate them. However, I do have an amusing mental image of my husband grilling bacon in the morning sun.
Oh, the @-ing. It’s annoying enough when people respond as though one (please hear “one” in a Chummy-from-Call-the-Midwife voice) had no common sense at all and needed to be given the obvious answers that anyone capable of finding the internet with two hand and a flashlight would already have thought of, but when you SPECIFICALLY SAY DON’T @ ME and they do anyway GRRRRRRR
Didn’t this happen to you once when you were asking about low-salt recipes? I remember your forbearance, “Yes, but this is what I want to try now.”
My sister loves her induction cooktop, and yay for her. I would very much like never again to hear why it’s so much better than dual fuel ranges that I, inexplicably to her, like.