Click on each question to find answers:
- What is the difference between the Classique and Traditional stove top?
- Are your ovens gas or electric?
- Can I get a convection oven?
- Do the ovens have broilers?
- What are the oven sizes?
- The Cluny oven seems small. What will my limitations be?
- How can I view a range?
- How do your ovens compare to others on the market?
- Are the ovens self cleaning?
- How do I clean my appliance?
- How do I clean the cook top and porcelain enamel?
- How do I clean the burners?
- How low of a simmer do the gas burners achieve?
- How do I get servicing in my area?
- Does Art Culinaire sell ventilation systems?
- Will I be able to use my oven if the power goes out?
- What size gas connection is needed?
- What is a UL-Listing and why does Lacanche need it?
- Do the ranges and cook tops have a pilot light?
- What can I place in storage / Warming Drawers?
- I have more questions. How can I obtain more information?
What is the difference between the Classique and Traditional top?
The large, center 18,000 BTU burner will either be Classique or Traditional.
The Classique burner sits below a regular cast iron grate, identical in style to the other burners on the stovetop. This burner is good for boiling water or bringing any pot to high temperature quickly.
The Traditional burner is a multi-functional simmer plate. The burner is sunk into the stove top, then entirely covered by a cast iron plate, so that the heat distributes evenly above. The center of the plate can be removed in order to have direct access to the burner below.
The middle of the traditional French plate does get extremely warm, even on low heat! Large, thick pots work best here.
If the essence of french cooking may be attributed to the sauce, the essence of the French sauce may be attributed to the Traditional Plate, arguably the heart and soul of the range. The French affectionately call this le piano as one moves pots around the plate, often with the dexterity of a keyboard virtuoso.
Are your ovens gas or electric or electric convection?
*Your choice! If the range you order features two ovens, you can configure them to be both gas or electric; or 1 gas and 1 electric or electric convection.
*Convection is not an option for the Cluny/Chagny ovens
The gas oven provides a vigorous moist heat, more concentrated initially at the oven base. Hot, naturally convected air converges at the oven top and circulates back down through the cavity, providing even browning characteristics. As moist heat tends to blend flavors and lock in natural juices, the gas ovens are notable for exceptional results in roasting meats. As the gas oven boasts only a 6% loss of humidity within the oven walls, breads and baked potatoes will also tend to be more flavorful and moist.
The electric oven is a versatile oven offering lower temperatures and a variety of cooking modes controlled by adjusting the top and bottom elements. The electric oven provides a dry heat and is most suitable for baking & broiling. Crusts tend to be crispier when pizza is baked in the electric oven, for example.
Your range is all about personal preference and style. Most of our customers who have 2 ovens choose to have 1 gas and 1 electric, but some of our customers elect both to be solely gas or electric.
Yes, any electric oven can be configured to be a convection oven, for an additional $500. Your range will have a toggle switch, so that you can cook with regular static electric or electric convection, depending on your preference.
The convection fan will take up 3 inches in the back of the oven, so we do not recommend convection for the Cluny or Chagny models, as you will be losing precious space.
Lacanche broilers are only found in either the electric or electric convection ovens. Both electric elements use infra-red heat as a quick and efficient means to transfer energy, retaining efficient, low-profile characteristics not found in gas ovens.
What are the sizes of the ovens?
The small ovens found on the Chagny and Cluny models are 16w x 12h x 18d.
EVERY other model is 21w x 12 h x 18 d.
The Cluny oven seems small. What will my limitations be?
The Cluny oven is smaller compared to traditional American ovens. The compact oven provides a more efficient use of space, concentrating the heat on the food instead of the empty space. You can fit a roasting pan with a 26 pound turkey inside! Standard-size cookie sheets, casserole dishes, cupcake tins and most dutch ovens will fit inside. The only potential issues you will have are with frozen pizzas and pastry sheets, however, we provide you with pastry sheets that custom fit onto your oven racks.
You can visit our showroom just outside of Seattle by appointment or we can arrange for you to visit one of our ambassadors, proud Lacanche enthusiasts who are happy to host a visit with you.
Lacanche USA Locations
Seattle
New York City
Call Nicole: 425-408-9415 to schedule a viewing at headquarters or to arrange a visit with an ambassador.
There are also Lacanche ranges on display in the following areas:
Atlanta, GA - Francois and Company
San Juan Capistrano, CA - San Juan Kitchen and Home
San Francisco, CA - Francois and Company
Los Altos, CA - Kitchens of Los Altos
Please call the showroom prior to visiting to confirm hours.
How do your ranges compare to others on the market?
There are many impressive, reliable, high performance ranges out there. We can only answer questions about what we offer: a hand-assembled, custom-made, high performance French range which offers the ability to personally configure a Lacanche to suit your style and cooking needs, with a stunning physique.
Professional ranges never offer self-cleaning due to safety concerns from excessive grease and controversial health issues associated with toxic teflon gas (PTFE) emissions at high temperatures. Lacanche oven interiors are simply safe, durable and non-porous porcelain-on-steel, which makes cleaning extremely easy. Simply warm the ovens slightly and scrub the interior with a sponge, mild soap and water.
Using the roasting pans and racks provided by Lacanche will diminish splattering.
Exterior finishes and cooking surface
Knobs, porcelain and stainless surfaces may be cleaned with mild soap and water applied with a damp cloth. Rinse the surface with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. To avoid damaging the finish, do not use abrasive cleaners or strong liquid cleaners on the brass, chrome, porcelain, and stainless surfaces.
Oven Interior
Oven racks and rack guides should be removed and cleaned with a mild abrasive cleaner and sponge that includes a scrubbing pad. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth. The porcelain enamel walls in the ovens should wash easily with soap and water. Heavy spattering or spillovers may require cleaning with a mild oven cleaner. DO NOT allow food spills with a high sugar or acid content (milk, tomatoes, glaze, sauerkraut, fruit juices or pie filling) to remain on the surface. This may cause a dull spot even after cleaning.
Refer to the Use & Care guide for additional cleaning information.
How do I clean the cook top and the porcelain enamel on the range?
The tip with Lacanche is to avoid harsh abrasives. The porcelain enamel requires just mild soap and water. Remember that porcelain enamel is essentially glass fused to metal and the Lacanche is coated in three layers of porcelain enamel.
We recommend Bon Ami (found in many drug or hardware stores) for cleaning the Traditional Plate and Barkeeper's Friend for cleaning the stainless steel.
The burners are made of solid brass. Brass burners can be soaked in a solution of water/vinegar or water/lemon juice and polished with brass cleaner, like brasso.
How do I get servicing in my area?
The Lacanche network is constantly expanding in the USA. Any issues may be handled by any repair technician that you trust or comes recommended by a friend.
To see a list of servicers who have worked on Lacanche in the past, please visit our servicer page: http://www.frenchranges.com/req_servicers.php
You may also fix small issues yourself, with help from our videos: http://www.frenchranges.com/2010-present.php or by calling our service department with questions: 888-222-2930
Your purchase will come with a 2 year parts and service warranty from the date of installation.
Does Art Culinaire sell ventilation systems?
We do not sell Lacanche hoods, but please visit our list of recommended vendors at our technical support page.
Will I be able to use my range if the power goes out?
You will be able to use the gas top by manually igniting it with a lighter.
You will not be able to use the ovens.
What size gas connection is needed?
Lacanche recommends ½" commercial type flex hose. A conveniently located gas shut-off valve, external to the appliance, is required for complete shutdown.
Do the ranges and cook tops have a pilot light?
Yes and no. Lacanche gas ovens and cooktops are equipped with electronic ignition. The gas ovens have electronic ignition of the pilot flame. When lit, the pilot flame heats a safety thermocouple, which opens a valve to the main burner. This system has proven safe, effective and easy to repair over the years. Having a thermocouple with pilot allows the oven to be manually ignited safely, and allows safe oven usage even in a power outage. The thermocouple shuts off the oven burner valve if the flame is extinguished.
What can I place in the Storage/Warming drawers?
The drawers under the ovens are convenient for storing utensils, racks, cookie sheets and flatware. When using the upper ovens, the drawers make an ideal warming area for plates, rolls, wet hand towels, side dishes (cover with foil), etc.
DO NOT place items in drawers that may melt or burn.
I still have questions. How can I obtain more information?
Please visit our Lacanche owners forum to see what our owners are saying. Visit the Gardenweb Community to read thoughts and experiences from owners and people considering a Lacanche purchase. Search our web site. Visit the Lacanche factory web site.
