Range Cookers – Baumatic/AEG?

[pt44]

Hi

Just started looking at Ranges for a new kitchen. Saw a lovely designed one in Harrods (of all places – wouldn’t buy it from them) made by Baumatic. Its a Mississippim part of Baumatic’s Americana range. Felt well made and looked pretty tough. Good action on oven door & knobs etc. also liked it because it was a 4 burner 70cm wide. Perfect for me as I don’t really need any more than 4 burners and 1 oven.

However, Baumatic? Its not a brand I know anything about. There is not much info on the web about them. The only things that come up say they are pretty but cheaply made. Also mentioned are poor spares service since they are based in Italy? – salesman in Harrods said they are part of the Smeg company – don’t know if this is true? But regards Spares. On their web site they make a big point of telling you that they have a full spares department in this country at their headquarters in Reading. So is this new or something? Perhaps the spares problems have been improved?

Also, someone rightly said on this forum that a range should be expensive, by the nature of it being a chunk of Stainless Steel. The Baumatic is only around £800 online, which makes it really cheap. However Harrods have it in their “Sale” for around £1200, which makes it about average price, considering its a 70cm model, not a 90cm. (their 90cm costs around £1600.

Thing is I love the styling of it. I hate Smegs – stupid tiny knobs on them (one even fell off in my hand while turning it!). I’ve looked at Mercury (too BIG), Maytag (don’t like the styling), Viking (too Chip Shop industrial), and many more. But none of them have the same nice looks as the Baumatic.

Apart from 1 – an AEG. They do a 90cm model, which looks very similar. Single oven, bottom drawer etc. 5 rings this time. It can be had online for under £1500. Which again puts it in the “cheap” bracket. However I generally have great faith in AEG. They’re German and the germans like to make things properly. I’ve got an AEG fridge and Washing machine and both are superbly engineered. Washing machine is 10 years old and has never missed a beat.

So any comments anyone? Does anyone have any recent experience with Baumatic either a Range or in general. Especially recent experiences (who knows they may have got their act together?). Or Any experience with an AEG Range? Anyone know where I could even see an AEG range in the flesh. Their web site and phone lines are sh*te. Couldn’t find out any info at all apart from a small picture of the thing.

Any help much appreciated. Regards Paul

[Graeme]

Re: Range Cookers – Baumatic/AEG?

From personal experience, the AEG models are highly recommended, not only for excellent cooking performance but for good design, build quality, and ease of use. These are manufactured in Italy, hence the more realistic price tag.

[don]

Re: Range Cookers – Baumatic/AEG?

Hi

IMO Don`t go there 😉

Instead take a look at the Lofra range of cookers http://www.lofra.co.uk they are an Italian brand who command a thirty plus {e5d1b7155a01ef1f3b9c9968eaba33524ee81600d00d4be2b4d93ac2e58cec2d} market share in their own country. I had a good look at these at the trade show recently and we were surprised at how good they looked, the build is extremely good with sturdy legs, door nice and heavy with strong hinges, nice large knobs with easy turn on the flame control and especially liked the curved door range. We recently sold a 60cm one and I was impressed in how it was packed. Timber struts in a strong cardboard carton and on its own pallet as well. Price is competitive as well with other brands.

70cm model MXC76GGI/CV curved door model.
70cm model MX76GGI/C straight door.

They also produce 80and 90cm ranges.

hope this helps.

Don

[Author]

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