(Disclaimer: I am cross posting this from another forum also, looking for a variety of opinions)
So here is the deal. In our kitchen we currently have a relatively new GE Profile smoothtop convection electric range. It came with the house.
We HATE it.
The cooktop works fine but the oven is a pain. Its got the hidden elements and takes all day to preheat - 30+ min to 350, sometimes an hour for Pizza temp (475). And even worse it chronically undercooks baked goods - sometimes we have to double recipe times or more. Testing with 2 different oven thermometers indicates the thermostat is calibrated ok, so I'm hesitant to blow a couple hundred bucks on a service call that will tell me its working as designed.
We have gas in the house, but not in the kitchen and our long term plan was to get the line extended to the kitchen and get a dual fuel range. We are so annoyed with this thing I think we are ready to do this now.
So my dilemma - what brand to buy.
* We need a standard 30" slide in size range
* We want dual fuel
* We'd like to get a range with a matching microwave/hood combo (to replace our current 80s vintage Magic Chef)
* We would prefer a model in black
Lots of searching finds basically only 4 - Im not kidding just 4 - options!!
GE Profile (either slide in or freestanding)
http://www.sears.com/ge-profile-30inch- ... ockType=G4
http://www.sears.com/ge-profile-30inch- ... ockType=G1
Pro - ?
Con - Most expensive (2500), See above
Kenmore Elite
http://www.sears.com/kenmore-elite-30in ... ockType=G7
Pro - 5 burner cooktop, would be a matching set with our KE dishwasher, we have had lots of Kenmore appliances over the years without any problems
Con- Not the cheapest option, matching microhoods are expensive
Frigidaire Gallery
http://www.frigidaire.com/products/Kitc ... 065KB.aspx
Pro - Cheapest of the bunch ($1800 at Lowes), has an inexpensive matching microhood (300ish), some nice features like 5 minute preheat, good looks with all the controls upfront
Con - only 4 burner (but then again we have never used more than 4 at once), cant find many reviews
Jenn Air
http://www.sears.com/jenn-air-30inch-sl ... ockType=G5
Pro - ?
Con - no matching microhood, cant find a price ( i imagine its $$$$$)
Anyone have experience with these brands and would recommend one?
Of course if we wanted stainless suddenly there are 50 models to choose from !!
So here is the deal. In our kitchen we currently have a relatively new GE Profile smoothtop convection electric range. It came with the house.
We HATE it.
The cooktop works fine but the oven is a pain. Its got the hidden elements and takes all day to preheat - 30+ min to 350, sometimes an hour for Pizza temp (475). And even worse it chronically undercooks baked goods - sometimes we have to double recipe times or more. Testing with 2 different oven thermometers indicates the thermostat is calibrated ok, so I'm hesitant to blow a couple hundred bucks on a service call that will tell me its working as designed.
We have gas in the house, but not in the kitchen and our long term plan was to get the line extended to the kitchen and get a dual fuel range. We are so annoyed with this thing I think we are ready to do this now.
So my dilemma - what brand to buy.
* We need a standard 30" slide in size range
* We want dual fuel
* We'd like to get a range with a matching microwave/hood combo (to replace our current 80s vintage Magic Chef)
* We would prefer a model in black
Lots of searching finds basically only 4 - Im not kidding just 4 - options!!
GE Profile (either slide in or freestanding)
http://www.sears.com/ge-profile-30inch- ... ockType=G4
http://www.sears.com/ge-profile-30inch- ... ockType=G1
Pro - ?
Con - Most expensive (2500), See above
Kenmore Elite
http://www.sears.com/kenmore-elite-30in ... ockType=G7
Pro - 5 burner cooktop, would be a matching set with our KE dishwasher, we have had lots of Kenmore appliances over the years without any problems
Con- Not the cheapest option, matching microhoods are expensive
Frigidaire Gallery
http://www.frigidaire.com/products/Kitc ... 065KB.aspx
Pro - Cheapest of the bunch ($1800 at Lowes), has an inexpensive matching microhood (300ish), some nice features like 5 minute preheat, good looks with all the controls upfront
Con - only 4 burner (but then again we have never used more than 4 at once), cant find many reviews
Jenn Air
http://www.sears.com/jenn-air-30inch-sl ... ockType=G5
Pro - ?
Con - no matching microhood, cant find a price ( i imagine its $$$$$)
Anyone have experience with these brands and would recommend one?
Of course if we wanted stainless suddenly there are 50 models to choose from !!