Make sure you factor in horsepower in the decision process. Most cook tops don't have near the BTU capacity of the range tops. Blue Star would be an exception to that rule but won't be available until the end of this month at the earliest as I understand it.

I prefer the full continuous 6 burner configuration for a number of reasons not the least of which is the ability to easily slide pots and pans around and not having to lift them.

I prefer a 5-burner model with the largest burner smack in the middle. It seems less crowded to me than the inverted-U arrangement. I have a Gaggenau KG291. Plenty of power, very even heating across the bottom of pans (all burners have either 2 or 3 rings of flame), I think it's goodlooking, and the burners are spaced far enough apart so that I can have a large pancake griddle going in the middle, and still have plenty of room to use the surrounding burners.

I also like the knobs lined up in a row along the front edge. They're convenient, but not in the way. The grates are also continuous.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gaggenau Cooktops

We went from a 5 to a 6, would never look back!

We sold our 5-burner Wolf gas cooktop before it was even installed and purchased the 6-burner rangetop instead for several reasons, one being the much larger grate surface work area.

In my humble oppinion the 5 burner with the large burner in the center of the cooktop is the best. There are several manufactureres with this configuration. Caldera, Windcrest, Bosch, Gag, and FCI. The windrest being the most powerful overall with 18K in the center, 2 15ks in the lr and ul corners and a 12k and a 9K. 13 in pans in the center have no effect on any of the other burners. You can easily use that pan in the center and 4 other 10 pans with no problem. Not that I have ever seen anyone use that many big pans at the same time.

For someone like me, the Fischer-Paykel makes sense. Drop in, middle burner does 22,000 btu. Love the layout. Simmer burner is front-right. 1,200.00 price.

I might be able to afford it some day.

Mark

I'm looking at the Viking 6 burner gas drop in cooktop. It's 36 inches. I love the way it looks. It has continuous grates and the larger burner is on the bottom left. I am concerned that the pans will be to close together. I also don't know if I will be happy with only one high powered burner. Also, don't know how good a simmer it has. The price is obviously lower than a rangetop at 1800. I still am undecided, though. Have you made your choice yet?

Looking to remodel and I'm also looking for some advice on choices: cooktop, drop in range, freestanding, steam, or separate ovens. I really like the new color choices BUT I would like a stainless top / continuous grates / a real low simmer burner and 1 or 2 high speed burners. The kitchen is small but I could just barely do the 36 size w 36" hood. Is it possible to get those features? I've been looking at the American Range because it says it doesn't need 220 wiring but it is a little over my budget with hood and installation it is over $6000. Reading about the ranges, I didn't like the pre heat time being so long for the larger ovens and therefore looking at other options. And, does anyone know if I will need to get 220 wiring for the cooktop or for the built in wall ovens? Right now I have a microwave hood 300 cfm over a 30" freestanding range (6yr old gas). Thanks so much for any advice.

Have the 5 burner Thermador SGSX365 & only regret is not getting professional series w/ 6 burners. When you are in the thick of cooking a meal & rapidly moving pans, you could (I haven't) hit the knobs with your pan. Also, if you have room for 48" go for it, any 36" is going to be a challenge to place a large pot on each burner, at the same time.