I still wonder about knobs being the same, electronically. We had a JennAir range once with a touch pad that kept burning out (oven vented right under it...bad design). Its problem was the tiny wiring that operated the flat, smooth touch pad...Not well protected, and too easily heated and otherwise damaged. I'd think the use of knobs have advantages...Less exposure for the wiring? Besides, I HATE the fingerprints on black touchpads, too. One reason I'm glad I decided to go F&P instead of Miele. (Not that I would have given up quality or function to avoid the fingerprints)

Pllog makes a good point. Thank goodness for small mercies - no peeling, no flaking. Funny about that with the previous ovens. Rather surprised about that too as I hadn't heard anything about it. Must say, am a bit mystified by a convection oven whose fan cycles off. Why??? Not to save energy surely since the most energy-light part of the oven would be the fan! I downloaded the manual and saw that bit on page 17 that Rocs pointed out to you. A convection oven that may or may not convect. That's not averaging, I wouldn't say. Anyhow, Monogram has received good reviews and I will say that the forward/backward flow is a not half-bad idea to get good coverage. Not to sound totally condescending, but I just wanted to reiterate a few things that you probably already figured out cooking oh in the course of your life and re: convection anywhere (these are the things that I needed to learn): - pre-heat time. Never mind the beep; let it pre-heat 30-40 mins. - Selecting the correct racks and rack pairs when multi-rack baking. All specify to watch for this esp. with multi-rack cooking. - Air-flow: Take them at their word when they talk whatever their oven needs for clearances and to ensure laminar flow in their ovens. Yours says 1-1.5" clearances on either side from the walls, center the dishes on a rack, stagger them when one on top of the other (mine is v. tolerant about the last in convection mode but the clearances for airflow are definitely imp. I've found) - cooking to dish type: darks, vs. shiny vs. glass. Spills vapourizing to smoke is also surprising. Sounds like the bottom element was on and scorched the spill. I think using your drip try from here on out to help catch spills sounds like the best bet. I don't really know what to say though as it sounds a bit odd. Wouldn't have thought the bottom element could get that hot that it would char spilt pastry. No way that Monogram will come out to check the element to see if it is out of place somewhat? (Its a stretch but that's such an odd happenstance, I'd be dying to see what's under the panels ;-) ). Rhome, you'll figure out the ovens' idiosyncracies no doubt.

I concur with boschboy! I have Thermador double wall ovens and have used both ovens for many years. The advantage of a French door (for a top oven) is in insering/removing very heavy (cast iron Le Creuset 9.5 quart) cookware from the upper oven's middle shelf. Those who are shorter will appreciate being able to get closer to the upper racks when inserting/removing items rather than stretching across the open oven door. I use my double wall ovens to bake six pans of cookies/pastries/pies simultaneously, or to make a large roast in one and many side dishes/desserts in the second wall oven. I bake breads, frequently, and in addition to the double wall ovens, regularly use the warming drawer to proof breads/keep plated meals at the correct temperature, etc. I have experienced back problems and would never have a range, requiring me to bend that far when baking/cooking. I also prefer have electric wall ovens and my gas cooktop.

Ooh, that’s beautiful! We had a Monogram double oven in our kitchen before renovating (there was no way to save space for it) and I still miss it. It worked so well. Enjoy! I hope that dinner was fantastic.