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I don't exactly know what "freestanding built-in" means, but it sounds very much like a "slide-in" range. Many manufacturers make slide-ins, and a google search for "slide-in range" yields more than 1 million results.

I'd like to know where to find a 36" gas oven for under $2000.

we just bought a premier 24" wide professional range---they do offer a 36" wide version that "slides" in---check out pc richards, especially during a holiday (read:sale) weekend

http://tinyurl.com/ypaoev

Here's the way I understand it: Freestanding ranges have finished sides and so could sit at the end of a counter as well as in the middle (or on a wall by themselves, presumably), and they generally have a backsplash and back-mounted controls (although the photo Lucy posts does not) as well as feet. Slide-in ranges, meant to fit within a counter, have no finished sides and no backsplash, so give a cleaner built-in look. The controls are on the front. Drop-in ranges are meant to sit atop a toe-kick so have no feet. Maxwell, this has nothing to do with built-in kitchens per se.

That's a free-standing range that can now be used as a slide-in within the European Union due to a change in EU laws regarding cookers. I assume Lucy's in the EU, as there's no guarantee that the range would be okay as a slide-in in the U.S.

Controls on the front are considered safer for obvious reasons (no reaching across a hot burner!), so heaven only knows why U.S. manufacturers don't grasp the concept.

The reason American manufacturers are not interested is because a honking big portion of the purchasers of free standing/slide in ranges etc... are parents. About the time the little rug rats start walking, they begin to explore the higher heights around them. At the front of the stove, they may be able to reach controls, turn them on and walk away...(as the house burns down). When you are not looking....(and no one can REALLY look ALL the time), is the moment they discover climbing onto a chair to get to a counter. Typically, they will crawl across the counter. Sticking up knobs are more interesting than sideways ones on the back because they actually impede the process of exploring and require their own perusal. It is more difficult to balance AND turn sideways knobs.

It may be a myth. But is scares us parents and grandparents to death. We spend a certain amount of time picturing in our heads all the terrible things from which we need to save our children. This fits right in. (Why do you think parents of teenage drivers go bald/gray?)

Capital makes a freestanding range starting at 24". I own it and I LOVE it. The BEST stove ever. But it is on the expensive side - over 2K

Ah, so Cate, you're telling me that in Europe, the people with stoves aren't parents -- or is it that European parents don't care about their children?

Either way, a fascinating insight into a foreign culture!

Cate--not a myth. Friends of ours couldn't find a shield for their stove because the controls were similar to the one in the picture. With his brand-new motor skills, their toddler stood on tiptoe, turned the stove on high, and (of course) got disinterested and toddled away. The fire department managed to save their house, but not the kitchen.

It seems that you should be able to block the knobs somehow, though!

There are childproofing locks, etc. out there for stove controls; it seems rather silly to buy something that's impractical to use every day for the relatively few years that kids will be tall enough to investigate but too young to understand they're not supposed to.

I agree that this "freestanding" issue doesn't really matter; you can take pretty much any standard-width stove with you simply by unplugging an electric model or unhooking a gas one and sliding it out. Most stoves go so low to the ground they don't really need or use toekick.

If you are interested in the dual oven capability, I would take a look at the Maytag Gemini if you are based in the US; this model appears to be EU-only and is VERY expensive.

And my office mate just takes the knobs off until her kids aren't at that age anymore. Three cheers for the easiest solutions!

Hey there. I have a Lofra Oven. They are one of the best ovens in the market in terms of durability and quality in Europe. I live in Italy and I think they are actually German made. Mine is amazing and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of buying a stand alone oven. If you want to see pics of how it works in m kitchen follow this link

http://flickr.com/photos/14286691@N03/show/

Its just a few pics into the slideshow.

If you have any questions, let me know

MAds

Another note...Lofra free standing stoves are suited for homes with children because they have an advanced shut-off system. for example, if your child turns the knobs the gas will come out but if not done correctly the gas will shut off automatically after about 4 seconds. In fact, you have to get the hang of turning these stoves on because you have to push in the knob while turning and also hold it in for a few seconds before the fire will actually catch and stay lit. If not done correctly the burners may light but will go out in a few seconds. For the non-parents like myself, this safety feature can be annoying at times, but well worth it in general.

MAds