Thanks Ratatouille. The UK Cornue site has a little more info and some close up pictures which are useful. I called the US distributor and spoke to a very Parisian-sounding Cornue rep who advised as follows: ovens are both electric not gas (so heat more evenly and its a more familiar set up for North American cooks); installation not complicated but does require someone who knows about installing gas lines like any range ie don't attempt it yourself (bien sure!); the oven can take a 22lb turkey but the best way to get a feel for it would be for me to try to fit differently sized roasting pans from Williams and Sonoma shelves into the ovens; it is not self-cleaning bc heating ovens to that temp throws off the thermators (she says) but walls can be popped out and put in dishwasher but no special maintenance or cleaning regime; cooktop is a solid piece of steel so easier to clean than tops that come apart; burners are porcelain and can be shined if I like the look; and evidently there are licensed repair people in all states and most Canadian provinces and certainly available in Toronto. So that was all reassuring. Fixed price and fixed delivery costs (not cheap) and not negotiable. I then spoke with the appliance salesman I have been dealing with in Toronto who pointed out that the 43" width is not standard (like the Viking, Wolf, Dacor etc) which come in 48" and 36" and 30" and so if we ever wish to replace this range, it would require big adjustments to the cabinetry and countertops...so something to think about.
Herewith my full report.:
