Our appliances are sitting in the garage as I write, and we got a Maytag double-oven gas (not dual-fuel) freestanding range (it's got a skinny pizza-oven on top, and a large oven right below it. Jenn-Air makes one, and Sears does too). Above it we'll have the GE Profile microwave/convection/hood vent---both are in stainless and black.

We're doing a white kitchen, so we'll have subway tile behind it. My KD expressed a bit of concern about the back sticking up, instead of having a slide-in range. But it was the best alternative to having a gas cooktop on the island and double-ovens across the kitchen, so we stuck to our guns (and saved probably $2K on a downdraft and double ovens). They'll be installed in about two months. But I know what you mean, and I'll be eager to see what others post about this question. It seems like this whole re-do is a bunch of compromises!

I have the electric Maytag Gemini range with the "double ovens". I LOVE it! It allows me to have two ovens in a smaller area.

I had a few decorative tiles placed in the backsplash right above the "high back" of the range to give it a little pizzazz.

I do agree that a slide in would have enabled me to do a more decorative back splash design, but I took the trade off to have two ovens instead.

It's all about what you like!

Barb

The pro-style ranges (e.g. Wolf, DCS, Bluestar, etc.) are free standing but don't have the high backsplash. They also don't have a second oven unless you get a 48" or larger model.

We had a free standing range before we redid our kitchen. I hated how the crumbs always fell in between the range and cabinets. We went with a slide in range for our new kitchen and it's much easier to keep clean. The trade-off is that slide-ins are more $$.

I'm so sorry! I read the first response that talked about double ovens and jumped into that as the issue. It WAS the main reason I choose a GE free-standing range. Looking back I see you don't mention that as a priority.

Hands down, if that isn't an issue get the slide in.

If no one here has the exact model you might try posting on the appliance forum for more input.

The controls on a slide in are within reach of little hands while a range is not. It's a consideration if you might have a concern about it.

I wanted a range so that my oven would be near the vent. With my oven across the kitchen from my vent now (remodel to begin in a few weeks), baked fish smell lingered in that area forever! I like the looks of a slide-in over a free standing. Electrolux makes a slide in with the two ovens like the others mentioned here, except that theirs is on the bottom. I'd have much preferred it on the top, but I got two ovens and a slide-in, so I compromised on that point. Oh, well, it will keep me limber, right?

I meant to say - The electrolux small "pizza" oven is on the bottom, and I expect I'll be using the small one more than the large one.

my viking came with a high backsplash. I got them to send me the short one that does not show after seeing it online. you should find out if there is another option for your range. the thought of spending all the money that i did on my backsplash to have it covered up was bugging me. here was mine with the taller backsplash:
{{!gwi}}

and then with the shorted one:
{{!gwi}}

Many of the under $2,000 slide in ranges have the controls on an angled area in front of the burners. This takes away valuable cooktop real estate. Only the higher end ranges seem to have the controls on the front. Unless you have a raised hood and decorative area under it I don't see a reason for a slide in. With a microwave over it at about 18" up from the counter a standard range works better and it also saves you from needing a stainless piece behind it, or constantly having to scrub the grout there.

I went from a free-standing style to a slide-in mostly due to looks, but also because I didn't like reaching over the pots to adjust the controls. Here's my observations:

Slide-ins stop spills om the sides, but free-standing ones stop spills in back.

Front controls are easier to reach, but they also result in more accidental control changes.

Mine is angled, but I don't notice any effective difference in cooking real estate. In fact I think I have more than my old free standing one. The angle also makes it really easy to operate the controls.

30" slide-in is not the same as 30" free standing. Make sure you have your stove before installing cabinets and counter tops. We didn't and now our range sticks out farther than it should.

Here's what it looks like as of now:

I will have an OTR micro-hood (it arrived today!) and felt like the free-standing model would just make things look way too crowded and cramped. We'll be doing a piece of our granite in the space between, so no stainless steel or grout worries.

For me the double oven was the issue. I wanted a double oven range and could not find it in a slide-in. So I ordered a freestanding kenmore range - appliances aren't one of my splurges :) My kitchen is smallish and it was the only way to get two ovens. Otherwise I would have gotten a slide in because I think they do look better. And I am a little worried about reaching over the cooktop to adjust the heat.

We have a GE Profile slide-in and are very happy with it. In our small space, it gives a finished look.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Something I learned here back in the day. The slide in and other ranges that are NOT free standing involve an extra installation fee of several hundred dollars, I think. Ask your contractor/installer. This is one of those surprise costs that no one tells you about. Being a frugal type, I got the free standing range.

One thing you may want to consider is the GE Cafe slide-in line. They are more professional style than the other GE slide-in ranges. There are also two ovens. Unfortunately, the secondary oven is in the drawer on the bottom of the unit, but it is there. The GE Cafe comes in all-electric, all-gas, and dual-fuel.

The gas and dual-fuel versions have five burners on the cooking surface (one is an oval "griddle" burner). Also, in the gas and dual-fuel models, the cooking surface is stainless steel which gives a really nice look.

GE categorizes these usually as freestanding ranges, because they go all the way to the wall and don't have a strip of countertop behind. The look, though, is like a slide-in, with front-mounted controls and low/no backsplash.

The other BIG difference between a free standing and slide in range is that free standing ranges have finished sides and don't need to be between cabinets - slide in ranges have unfinished sides and can only be mounted between cabinets.

Penny, I have had both styles in the past and was happy with their performance. For this reno we are going with a slide-in Jenn Air with downdraft ventilation.

My current Kitchen-Aid range has performed well and the smooth top is wonderful for clean up. The controls for the range are on the front of the unit which my wonderful DH and I thought would we best for me due to my lack of height. The depth of the control panel is 5'' - add in the oven handle and I am standing about 6.5'' from the front burners.

By the way, the controls on the slide-in did not seem to be located in a way that would hinder my ability to cook.

I suggest you go to your local appliance store and stand in front of both types of ranges and pretend you are cooking a meal. Take a couple of pieces of cookware with you if you need props. Don't forget to reach past the warm burners to clean up. Choose the style that works best for you.

I know you will enjoy preparing meals for your family in your new kitchen.

Julie

I have a GE profile drop-in range. It sits on top of my granite, sort of, and has wood cabinets beneath the oven. It doesn't touch the floor at all.