I've cooked on both. I had the KA in our prior home and my sister has the Cafe. Both are very good ranges and I couldn't tell any performance difference. I will note that my KA was a bit more substantial in terms of weight. I will ad the we also had a GE profile range in a high-end rental we owned and it it was great, only half the cost.

I'm researching that price range for ovens myself. Have you seen the Bertazzoni or NXR? If you're in that range you may want to look at them. I'm trying to decide between the two and am going to look at the NXR this weekend.

But, my sister has had issues with her GE Cafe and is going to get rid of it. We're shopping for appliances right now and the sales rep at my favorite store said they like the GE fridges and dishwashers but don't recommend the ranges. They said they like Kitchenaid across the board. We're considering Kitchenaid fridge & DW and Berta or NXR gas range.

Really? I have kinda heard that GE ranges were their forte. How confusing. I admit to not knowing anything about Bertazzoni or NXR or where to look/purchase.

I have the GE Cafe Gas Range and have been only using it for about 2 weeks now. I really love it. I use Magic Stainless Steel Spray when I am done cooking and my top stays so nice. But then again, I have had the range for only a short time.

I also love the recirculating fan hood Zephyr that I bought that really takes out the odors and so far it is nice for not be venting.

I know a few others with GE ranges that owned them for many years and are happy so If felt comfortable getting a GE Range knowing each appliance had their bad and good points. But just in case there was a problem, I added the 5 year extended warranty so I would have my range fixed right away.

My second choice was the NXR but it did not have self-cleaning and I decided that was a feature I did not want to be without even if I only use it a few times a year.

I have a kitchenaid dual fuel that was put in by the previous owners. Its a 2004. I have had problems with it two years in a row and both right before the holidays. This year I had to cook my Christmas tenderloin in my neighbors oven. Before committing to a kitchen aid google the model and do as much research as possible. Also my oven was ranked last and way behind comparable models on consumer reports. I know other people who have also had mutliple issues with theirs.

marc_ia: Just spent hours at local appliance store researching with knowledgable staffer who told me that the stainless top is indeed hard to keep clean and his new 2010 models of a couple of ranges were changing fron stainless to black top under the grates. Hope that helps. I am early in my process so can't speak to brands etc... .

It's so hard figuring out these appliances. While my sister has had problems with her Cafe, others probably haven't. Just like my friend looooves her F&P dishwasher and I see tons of complaints on them. If keeping it clean is an issue though, I'd probably go with a blacktop regardless of what brand you wne dup with. Although I don't think all of them have that, but probably a good option for you. I also think, no matter what you buy, ranges are one of the few items where you should spend the $ for the extended warranty.

Thanks khglass All info is helpful. Today I wrote up a sale for the Electrolux duel fuel with an appliance store friend. I had narrowed it down to the GE Cafe or the Electolux. Both have the stainless top. I guess I will see how it goes. I had the black top last time around and that was very hard to keep looking nice. So no easy answers I guess.

marc_ia, Congratulations on your new Electrolux range you just bought.

I loved the Electrolux range I saw in the store with the easy slide out shelves but the price was more than the discount I got on the GE from matching the other store, so I went with the GE Cafe. From my set up in my kitchen, I felt I should just stay with all Gas since I only have a gas hook-up but duel fuel is really the way to go if one is able to I feel. You will love your new Electrolux duel fuel range. If you do a quick clean up after cooking, I feel the top stainless steel part of the range will be not so difficult to keep clean. Black always shows dust so it is not perfect either.

I am trying to make this same decision--any issues with the cafe being a free standing model instead of a slide in like the kitchenaid? Do you have a problem with food falling into the cracks on the sides of the cafe?