So last weekend our ancient (Harvest Gold!) electric stove died. It was quite dramatic–we were baking cookies, when all of a sudden we saw flashes of light and smoke. Figuring armageddon was not occurring in our oven at that moment, I opened the oven to find the heating element melting and arcing against the bottom of the oven. We flailed our arms wildly and then turned off the oven. Toaster oven cookies would just have to do.

We went oven-shopping the following day, and ended up purchasing a stainless steel, glass cooktop electric range made by Whirlpool. We had considered switching to gas, but felt that the extra effort to plumb the gas line and the promise of a more easily-maintained cooktop trumped all.
Unfortunately, we are finding that the glass cooktop is the biggest pain in the arse. If you are at all considering joining the likes of Prince Charles and other cohorts of the Slow Food Movement, then this is the range for you. It takes about 15 minutes to boil water for tea, and took about 12 minutes to reheat some precooked sausages for Grammy and me this morning. I even called Whirlpool to ask if the frequent (every 2 seconds) cycling on and off of the heating element was normal. They said yes.

This is so not the stove for me, I expect instant heat and typically make stir fries. Perhaps if I were a stew girl (which I’m not–I am a constant crock pot peeker), this would be acceptable.

So as much of a pain as it is, I think we are going to take this one back and get a gas range.