Product Literature        Product Education        Château           Images           General FAQ           Dream up your Château        CornuFé        La Cornue Website Frequently Asked Questions If you do not find the answer you are looking for, check-out the La Cornue website. What makes a La Cornue range so special and different from other brands? Why should I buy a La Cornue? What is the function of the French plaque (top)? Can I wok cook on the French top? What is the maintenance of the French top? How large are the ovens really? Why is one oven gas and the other electric? What are the knobs to the right of the electric oven? Are the ovens self-cleaning? How do I clean my appliance? How do I clean the cook top and the porcelain enamel on the range? How do I clean the burners? How low of a simmer do the gas burners achieve? Are the ovens convection? Does La Cornue sell ventilation systems? Do the ranges and cooktops have a pilot light? What size gas connections is needed? What can I place in the Storage / Warming drawers? How long will I wait for the range once it's ordered? How long does it take to have my La Cornue hand-crafted and delivered to me? What other products does La Cornue offer? Where do I buy mine? 1. What makes a La Cornue range so special and different from other brands? The La Cornue range is a superior cooking appliance that embraces and embodies French cooking. The La Cornue remains an unrivaled range in the marketplace today for the following reasons: It is a purely hand-made range made of the finest materials, metals, artisanship, and craftwork. The range has been produced since 1908 when Andre Dupuy created this Rolls Royce of kitchen ranges. Each range is custom made to order for each client. [Return to Top] 2. Why should I buy a La Cornue? There is simply no finer cooking appliance in the marketplace. Coveted by discriminating chefs worldwide, the La Cornue cooks food impeccably allowing even a novice to cook to perfection, the food of one's choice. Timeless in form and function, the La Cornue is an heirloom piece that can be passed on through the generations. Finally, its design and color schemes appeal to the finest eye. Aesthetically, the range, hood and cabinetry create the most beautiful kitchen one can imagine. [Return to Top] 3. What is the function of the French plaque (top)? The function of the French plaque is to simmer and hold food - sauces, crèmes, bernaises, chocolates, butter, etc. The plaque is cast iron with a 12,000 BTU burner underneath it. Heat is strongest in the center and diffuses and softens out to the sides. The French call this their piano as one moves the pots around the plaque like instruments, never altering the heat. The plaque is truly the heart and soul of the range. [Return to Top] 4. Can I wok cook on the French top? Not designed for wok cooking, one can wok cook successfully by removing the rings of the French top. Wok cooking can best be done over the 22,000 BTU burner with a wok ring (ring is not supplied by La Cornue). Remember that the burner under the plaque is 12,500 BTUs. [Return to Top] 5. What is the maintenance of the French top? The French top/plaque is pure cast iron. This means it must be seasoned. To season brush mineral or vegetable oil to the entire area of the plaque, turn on the plaque, and let it bake in for 30 minutes. This should be the maintenance ritual practiced on the plaque weekly if the plaque is being used daily. Also remember that iron turns. Your plaque will not remain silver in tone, but rather a brownish/blackish patina will appear. Cleaning tips can be found at No. 10. [Return to Top] 6. How large are the ovens really? Grand vaulted oven: 23.6” x 19.7” x 11.8” Vaulted oven: 17.7” x 19.7” x 11.8” [Return to Top] 7. Why is one oven gas and the other electric? The La Cornue range consists of several different tools, suitable for different types of cooking. The gas oven is a strong, lively heat suitable for roasting meats, poultry and baking bread. The gas oven also boasts only a 6% loss of humidity within the oven walls. The electric oven is a versatile oven providing a variety of cooking modes that are controlled by adjusting the top & bottom elements. The electric oven is most suitable for baking (pastires) & grilling. [Return to Top] 8. What are the knobs to the right of the electric oven? To the right of the electric oven are four control knobs. The knob on top regulates how many exposed broiling elements are on. 1 - element in the center. 2 - two outer elements. 3 - all three elements. The knob on the bottom regualtes the concealed baking elements: (please see above element explanation) The knob second from the top is for setting the temperature in the oven. The knob second from the bottom is for turning the oven on. [Return to Top] 9. Are the ovens self-cleaning? No, they are not, but they are made with a very non-pourous interior material which makes cleaning extremely easy. Just warm the ovens slightly and scrub the interior with a sponge, mild soap and water. Using the roasting pans and racks provided by La Cornue will diminish splattering. [Return to Top] 10. How do I clean my appliance? 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 painted, 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. [Return to Top] 11. How do I clean the cook top and the porcelain enamel on the range? The tip with La Cornue 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 La Cornue is coated in three layers of porcelain enamel.) We recommend Bon Ami (found in drug stores) for cleaning the plaque and Barkeeper's Friend for cleaning the stainless steel. [Return to Top] 12. How do I clean the burners? 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. [Return to Top] 13. How low of a simmer do the gas burners achieve? The direct flame of the gas burners are not meant for simmering. Begin your cooking over the direct flame and move your pots over to the plaque to simmer or hold your food. Food can simmer safely on the plaque for several hours. [Return to Top] 14. Are the ovens convection? The ovens are naturally convected due to the vaulted, hearth-shaped oven cavity size. Air canals on the sides of the oven allow air to come in to the oven and gently circulate around the food. [Return to Top] 15. Does La Cornue sell ventilation systems? No, La Cornue offers steel hood shells in two different syles in 24 different colors. The liner, motor, fan, blower, lights must be bought separately. The end-user must meet with his/her local Heating Ventilation expert to help determine what motor and strength of blower is needed. [Return to Top] 16. Do the ranges and cooktops have a pilot light? No. La Cornue ranges and Cooktops are equipped with electronic ignition and safety thermocouples, which shut off the gas if the flame extinguishes. [Return to Top] 17. What size gas connections is needed? La Cornue recommends ½" commercial type flex hose. A conveniently located gas shut-off valve, external to the appliance, is required for complete shutdown. [Return to Top] 18. What can I place in the Storage / Warming drawers? The lower drawers 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. [Return to Top] 19. How long will I wait for the range once it's ordered? Each La Cornue range is assembled completely by hand, by one worker. From start to finish, the craftsman takes great pride in building this elite product. For this reason, it takes 3 to 4 months before you receive your French masterpiece. La Cornue is closed the entire month of August. An additional month is added to pending orders built during this time. [Return to Top] 20. How long does it take to have my La Cornue hand-crafted and delivered to me? Once an order has been placed with an authorized La Cornue dealer, the lead time on the La Cornue product line is 12 - 14 weeks. The La Cornue Atelier (workshop) closes for the month of August. [Return to Top] 21. What other products does La Cornue offer? La Cornue sells stunning hood shells, cabinetry, a rotisserie flamberge, vateliers (portable kitchen prep stations), and a beautiful tabletop collection. [Return to Top] 22. Where do I buy mine? La Cornues are sold through authorized dealers around North America. Please click on below to find the dealer nearest you: http://www.purcellmurray.com/dealers/index.cfm [Return to Top] Zip Code: