Thinking about a Forno range for your kitchen? You’re not alone. These professional-style stoves have caught the attention of home cooks who want that restaurant look without the restaurant price tag. But here’s the thing: Forno gets mixed reviews, and you deserve the full picture before spending $1,500 to $4,000 on a major appliance.
I’ve dug through retailer reviews, Reddit threads, Houzz discussions, and owner feedback to give you an unbiased assessment. This isn’t a puff piece. I’ll cover what Forno does well, where it falls short, and whether it makes sense for your kitchen.
Key Takeaways
- Forno ranges cost 50-70% less than other competitors while offering similar professional aesthetics and high BTU output.
- Price ranges: 30-inch ($1,299-$1,899), 36-inch ($1,799-$2,999), 48-inch ($2,499-$4,299) depending on gas vs dual fuel configuration.
- Common complaints include oven temperature running 25-50 degrees hot, control knobs getting too hot to touch, and lack of true low-simmer settings.
- Forno is a Canadian company with manufacturing in China. The brand offers a 2-year parts and labor warranty.
- Best for budget-conscious buyers who want pro-style looks and can handle minor calibration issues. Not ideal if you need precise temperature control or worry about parts availability.
- Customer service experiences vary widely – some owners report great support, others struggle to get replacement parts.
What is Forno? Brand Background and History
Let me start with something many shoppers miss: who actually makes these stoves?
Forno is a Canadian appliance company. The name means “oven” in Italian, which hints at their marketing angle – European-inspired design with Italian cooking heritage. Their manufacturing happens in China, which is how they keep prices low compared to American and European competitors.
The company sells over 250 different models across ranges, refrigerators, cooktops, wall ovens, and ventilation hoods. Their tagline is “Lower the cost of living,” and that pretty much sums up their positioning. They want to give you professional-looking appliances without the professional price.
Is that a bad thing? Not necessarily. Plenty of quality products come from Chinese manufacturing. But it’s worth knowing, especially when you compare warranty support and parts availability to domestic brands.
Warranty: Forno provides a 2-year parts and labor warranty. That’s better than the 1-year warranty you get from many budget brands, though still shorter than the 3-5 year coverage some premium manufacturers offer.
Forno Range Pricing Guide: What Will You Actually Pay?
One of the biggest complaints about the original content I reviewed: no prices anywhere. Here’s what you can expect to spend on a Forno range in 2025:
30-Inch Forno Ranges
- Gas: $1,299 – $1,899
- Dual Fuel: $1,899 – $2,499
The 30-inch models work best for standard kitchens and smaller households. You get 4-5 burners and a single oven, typically around 4.3 cubic feet of oven capacity.
36-Inch Forno Ranges
- Gas: $1,799 – $2,499
- Dual Fuel: $2,499 – $2,999
Step up to 36 inches and you gain a sixth burner plus more oven space (around 5.3 cubic feet). This is the sweet spot for many home cooks who want more cooking capacity without dominating their kitchen.
48-Inch Forno Ranges
- Gas: $2,499 – $2,999
- Dual Fuel: $3,499 – $4,299
The big boys. These 48-inch models typically feature 8 burners and double ovens (combined capacity around 6.5 cubic feet). They make a serious statement in larger kitchens.
Context check: A comparable Wolf 48-inch range runs $15,000 or more. Viking sits around $10,000. That’s a significant price gap, and it explains why Forno attracts attention.
Key Features Across the Forno Range Lineup
Before I get into specific models, here’s what Forno brings to the table across their lineup:
Burner Power
Forno goes big on BTU output. Many models feature burners ranging from 8,000 to 18,000 BTUs, with total cooktop output reaching 83,000 to 107,000 BTUs on larger models. The Italian-made Defendi burners are a talking point – these are the same burners you find in some commercial equipment.
Oven Features
Most Forno ranges include true convection ovens with:
- Convection fan for even heat distribution
- Multiple rack positions
- Interior lighting
- Self-cleaning or porcelain-coated interiors
The 48-inch models give you dual ovens, which is genuinely useful for holiday cooking or feeding large groups.
Build Quality
- 304 stainless steel construction (restaurant-grade material)
- Continuous cast iron grates across the cooktop
- Recessed drip pans to contain spills
- Heavy-duty feel that matches the pro-style appearance
Popular Model Lines
Galiano Series – Their flagship line with the highest BTU output and most premium features. The FFSGS6244-48 is their best-selling 48-inch model.
Massimo Series – A strong mid-range option available in 36-inch and 48-inch configurations. The dual fuel FFSGS6125-36 gives you gas burners with an electric oven.
Alta Qualita Series – Premium positioning with features like air fry and additional convection options.
Giovanni Series – Entry-level option, popular in the 30-inch size for smaller kitchens.
What Forno Does Well: The Pros
Based on owner feedback from Home Depot, Reddit, and appliance forums, here’s where Forno earns praise:
1. Professional Aesthetic at a Fraction of the Price
This is Forno’s biggest selling point. Owners consistently love how their kitchens look with a Forno range. The heavy stainless steel, commercial-style knobs, and cast iron grates create that high-end restaurant vibe.
One Reddit user put it simply: “It looks like a $10,000 range in my kitchen, and I paid under $3,000.”
2. Serious Burner Power
If you want water to boil fast and woks to get properly hot, Forno delivers. The high BTU output means you can get restaurant-style searing at home. For anyone who felt limited by weak residential burners, this is a noticeable upgrade.
3. Large Oven Capacity
The spacious ovens handle full-sized sheet pans without issue. The 48-inch models with dual ovens give you flexibility that standard ranges can’t match.
4. Solid Construction
Most owners describe these as heavy, substantial appliances. The stainless steel feels thick, the grates are serious cast iron, and nothing feels flimsy or cheap.
5. Simple Controls
Many Forno models use analog knobs rather than electronic controls. Some owners see this as a feature, not a bug – fewer electronics means fewer things to break, and the controls work the same way your grandmother’s stove worked.
6. Good Value Proposition
At 50-70% less than premium brands, Forno lets you get the professional look for thousands less. That money can go toward other kitchen upgrades or just stay in your bank account.
Where Forno Falls Short: The Cons
Now for the less flattering part. Every honest review needs to cover the downsides, and Forno has some real ones:
1. Oven Temperature Accuracy Issues
This comes up repeatedly in owner feedback. Multiple users report their Forno ovens run 25-50 degrees hotter than the displayed temperature. One Houzz user described it as “the thermometer is not accurate.”
The fix: You’ll likely need an oven thermometer and may need to calibrate the thermostat yourself. It’s manageable, but annoying for a new appliance.
2. Control Knobs Get Very Hot
Several owners warn that the metal knobs can become too hot to touch during cooking. This is a safety concern, especially in households with children.
One Reddit poster mentioned: “Be careful with the knobs – they get scorching hot when you’ve got burners going.”
3. No True Low Simmer
Here’s a frustrating irony: those powerful high-BTU burners struggle to go low. Multiple users report that even the lowest setting is too hot for gentle simmering. One Houzz discussion described the burners as having “no low settings – only hot and hotter.”
If you make a lot of delicate sauces, slow-simmered soups, or need precise low-heat control, this could be a dealbreaker.
4. Parts and Service Challenges
This is where budget brands often struggle. Multiple Reddit users in r/Appliances note that finding replacement parts for Forno can be “difficult if not impossible.” The 2-year warranty helps, but what happens in year three?
5. Inconsistent Customer Service
Experiences vary widely. Some owners report excellent support from Forno. Others describe frustrating runarounds trying to get warranty claims honored or replacement parts shipped.
6. Some Reliability Concerns
A concerning comment from r/Home: “2 came defective brand new out of the box.” While this isn’t universal, several Reddit threads group Forno with Thor Kitchen and ZLINE as brands with quality control questions.
Common Forno Problems and How to Address Them
Let me be specific about the issues owners encounter and what you can do about them:
Problem: Oven Runs Hot
Symptoms: Baked goods burning, cooking times shorter than recipes suggest Solution: Buy an oven thermometer (they cost under $10). Note the difference and adjust your temperature settings accordingly. Some owners have successfully recalibrated their oven thermostats following manufacturer instructions.
Problem: Hot Control Knobs
Symptoms: Knobs too hot to grip during cooking Solution: Some owners use oven mitts when adjusting knobs. Not ideal, but it works. Check if Forno offers replacement knobs with better heat insulation for your model.
Problem: Burners Won’t Go Low Enough
Symptoms: Simmering liquids boil instead of simmer Solution: Consider a heat diffuser plate for low-heat cooking. Some owners use a smaller burner exclusively for simmering tasks.
Problem: Pilot Light Issues (Gas Models)
Symptoms: Pilot goes out randomly, oven won’t ignite Solution: Contact Forno warranty support. This may indicate a defective ignition component that should be covered under warranty.
What Real Owners Say: Community Feedback
I combed through Reddit and Houzz to find authentic owner experiences. Here’s a sampling:
From r/BuyItForLife (June 2023)
“Forno gas range is a hazard and barely useable… pilot in oven goes out without reason.”
This represents the negative extreme. The same thread clarified Forno is “Canadian company, but made in China.”
From r/Appliances (April 2024)
“Thor, ZLINE and Forno are not great… parts and service are difficult if not impossible to find.”
This groups Forno with other budget brands and highlights the service concern that runs through many discussions.
From r/Appliances (February 2024)
“Very powerful burners… oven temperature needs calibration.”
A more balanced take that acknowledges both the power advantage and the temperature accuracy issue.
From r/Home (November 2024)
Mixed bag in this thread – some positive experiences (“arrived in perfect condition”) alongside warnings (“2 came defective brand new out of the box”).
From Houzz Kitchen Forum (September 2020)
“No low settings for burners – only hot and hotter. Thermometer is not accurate.”
Another confirmation of the two most common complaints.
The pattern: Forno attracts buyers who want professional looks at budget prices. Some end up happy with that tradeoff. Others feel the reliability and accuracy issues aren’t worth the savings.
Who Should Buy a Forno Range?
Forno makes sense if you:
- Have a strict budget and can’t stretch to Wolf, Viking, or Thermador pricing
- Prioritize aesthetics and want your kitchen to look high-end
- Cook with high heat often and will benefit from powerful burners
- Are handy and willing to calibrate your oven or troubleshoot minor issues
- Understand the tradeoffs that come with budget manufacturing
- Have backup options for service if Forno support isn’t responsive
Who Should Avoid Forno?
Consider other options if you:
- Need precise temperature control for baking or delicate cooking
- Want a true low simmer for sauces and slow cooking
- Expect appliance support for 10+ years and worry about parts availability
- Have small children and are concerned about hot control knobs
- Have had bad experiences with budget appliance brands before
- Value peace of mind over cost savings
Protecting Your Forno Investment
Regardless of which Forno model you choose, keeping the cooktop clean extends its life and maintains that professional appearance. Cast iron grates and stainless steel surfaces look best when protected from burnt-on spills and grease buildup.
For Forno owners looking for added protection, custom-fit stovetop protectors are worth considering. Products like Stove Shield offer 0.5-0.6mm thick PTFE-coated fiberglass covers designed for specific stove models. At around $80 with a 365-day warranty, a quality protector costs a fraction of your range investment and makes cleanup significantly easier.
The key is finding a protector that fits your exact Forno model – ill-fitting generic liners can shift during cooking and create more problems than they solve.
Verdict: Is Forno Worth It in 2025?
Here’s my honest take after analyzing the research:
Forno delivers on its core promise – professional-style looks at budget-friendly prices. If that’s your primary goal, and you go in with realistic expectations, you’ll probably be satisfied.
However, Forno isn’t a premium brand, and it shows in the details. Temperature accuracy issues, service concerns, and the simmer problem are real tradeoffs. You’re saving thousands of dollars compared to Wolf or Viking, but you’re giving something up for those savings.
My recommendation:
- If budget is your top concern and you can handle some quirks, Forno is a reasonable choice.
- If you cook seriously and need precision, save longer for a better brand.
- If you’re somewhere in between, consider Forno but set aside money for a quality oven thermometer and be prepared to calibrate.
The 36-inch dual fuel models (like the Massimo FFSGS6125-36) offer a good balance of features and price. But whatever you choose, buy from a retailer with a solid return policy. Test the oven temperature early in your ownership window so you have time to address any issues.
Conclusion
Forno ranges occupy an interesting spot in the market. They give budget-conscious home cooks access to professional-style aesthetics that would otherwise cost $10,000 or more. That’s genuinely valuable.
But value and quality aren’t the same thing. The mixed reviews, temperature issues, and service concerns are legitimate. You’re making a calculated bet when you buy Forno – betting that the savings outweigh the potential hassles.
For some kitchens, that bet pays off. The stove looks great, the powerful burners impress, and the owner never has a problem. For others, the calibration headaches and service struggles make them wish they’d spent more upfront.
Go in informed, buy from a retailer you trust, and keep your expectations realistic. That’s the best advice I can give for any budget appliance purchase, Forno included.
Sources
- Home Depot – Forno Ranges – Retailer product listings and verified purchase reviews
- Reddit r/Appliances – Forno Brand Discussion – Community feedback on Forno reliability and service
- Reddit r/BuyItForLife – Forno Experience Thread – Long-term owner experiences and brand background
- Premium Home Source – Are Forno Appliances Good? – Appliance specialist brand analysis
- Forno Official Website – Manufacturer specifications, warranty information, and product catalog
About the Author
Ben Karlovich is an expert in the stove niche and has spent his career creating products and accessories that enhance household kitchen stoves. In 2016 he launched stovedecals.com(Stove Decals brand) and was the first to create and offer replacement stove decals across thousands of stove models. In 2022 he created stoveshield.com (Stove Shield brand) focused on stove top protectors, a patented knob panel protector, and other useful stove accessories fitted for your exact stove model. This niche expertise helps bring a unique blend of creativity and innovation to every article post.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for purchasing decisions. Product specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change – contact the relevant manufacturer or retailer for the most current information. Stove Shield is not affiliated with and receives no compensation from any brands mentioned in this article.