I don't have one but I do know someone had a problem burner. If on the main Appliance page you scroll down you will see a "search" box, type in GE Cafe range and it will bring up all threads of the range. Good luck.

Sorry, I don't know. But this is troubling because I'm having a Cafe range delivered tomorrow. Just to make sure I understand your situation: There's a "power boil" setting, a "high" setting, then presumably the knob should turn the flame lower little by little until it's very low. But your flame only goes on full blast (power boil) or very low, even when the knob is turned on "high"?

I hope you find out from others if they have this situation too. You said you're using natural gas?

good luck

Thanks eandhl. I'll do a search.

egganddart49: Yes. You've described exactly my problem. What worries me the most is that the service guy is pretty sure that ge will say that is how it's supposed to be.

Anyone else have problems with this range? I can't believe I've had two in a row with the same exact problem. Does anyone think this is supposed to be this way? Thanks.

tlbb

Have you tried speaking directly to someone at GE to verify what it's supposed to do? Also, do you know which burner that one is, the 18k or the 15k?

Has anyone else experienced this?

It's the 18K. I'll wait until after we get the replacement part. If that doesn't work then I'll call ge.

I actually just called GE and I was told that the 18k burner should operate from power boil gradually on down to low. In other words, there should be a true high flame on high, medium on medium, etc. fwiw. these customer service people don't always know what they're talking about, but it stands to reason that that's how it would work. Our stove should be here any minute now, tho unfortunately our gas line hasn't been put in yet, so we won't be able to use it yet...

There should absolutley be settings in between 18k and simmer. It's a stacked burner design so the tech might not know what he's talking about. If it's lik the DCS and others it has 2 separate gas manifolds for the upper and lower burner portions. I'd be inclined to say there is an issue with the top one. Or there is a problem with the stem controlling the burner...I'm going to look into this a bit

egganddart: I'm glad you called ge. It's a no-brainer that the flame should gradually go from high to low. I just can't believe that the service guy had absolutely no explanation other than to order the new burner (which will probably not work).

joboxes: Thanks for the response. You're right about it being an issue with the stacked burner, but I think the problem is with the lower one. Do you think this can be fixed easily? I appreciate any info you find out. Thanks.

tlbb

i've had my ge cafe for 2 months and it works flawlessly.

I have another service call scheduled for the 30th. This time with a ge tech not a Sears tech. I also baked brownies for the first time and they came out unlevel. The outside of the range is level, but it appears the slots that the racks sit on do not line up. I don't think that is something that can be fixed, but we'll see.

I have the GE Cafe and the flame gradually goes down between power boil and hi/ I put it between, then a little more between that and 8, but after that, especially between 6 and 2 there is absolutely no difference. I also wanted to point out that the lower drawer has difficulty getting to 450- and takes forever to heat up (30 min)- I wanted this to replace my toaster oven for small re-heats and chicken nuggets etc- it just takes too long for my last minute lifestyle. We thought it was broken -until I saw in the manual that they did say the bottom oven takes at least 20 min to preheat. Also, don't leave the oven drawer open long -it loses heat quickly.
I have to say I do love it- and love the space in the oven. I love the big burners and space to hold large pots and still center them-you can't do this w/Maytag Gemini- they have the knobs on top so the 5th burner is useless, unless that's the only one you are using , so what's the point? Just a tip to any new orders- don't let the installer charge you for a slide in (it looks like a slide in but isn't!)- I saved $200- if you go to GE web-site it is listed as a freestanding. ABT was knowledgable about this and gave me the best price (I got it in Oct 07 when it was just appearing in showrooms)-Home Depot said they could sell it to me but their insurance wouldn't cover them installing because it was a slide in and I would have to find my own installer (lost that sale real quick)-I don't know if this issue has been resolved since they first came out but be aware. I am so glad I waited for the Cafe (been looking for years for double oven slide in)- It looks SO much better than the Jenn-air/Maytag models-no regrets!

Hi nodirthere. Are you saying that your burner does the same thing as mine? If so, are you o.k. with it? I'm not sure I could live with it.

tlbb- I looked at it really closely again- I think yours is opposite of mine- here's the details- Power boil is super high, then it will gradually decline in flame when set between PB and HI and then to 8-my issue is that there is no difference between 6,4,and 2 until it is on lo then it is barely lit. I think something is wrong w/yours if the flame does not gradually decline- double check that it was assembled correctly-and the cap is on right-look in the instructions (sometimes these delivery guys don't take the time to do it according to the instructions)-check the knob too- is there some resistance between PB and HI and 8? Should be enough to lower the flame.

nodirthere: I think we have the same problem. I looked at mine closely again and it's just like you describe. When set at 6, which should be a med-high setting, it barely gives off any heat. That is a big problem to me. The other power burner works fine. It goes gradually from high to low, so 6 and 2 look different.

How is your center burner? Mine just has a tiny little flame, even on the highest setting. Is that how yours is? When I had the 5-burner ge profile (it's the same top as the cafe) the flame was a lot bigger.

Now for the latest problem. I tried to use the lower oven last night. I set it to warm, 200 degrees, and after about 15 minutes I noticed smoke pouring out of the vent on the stovetop. When I opened the lower oven it seemed pretty clear, but when I open the big oven it was FILLED with smoke. I'm pretty sure I tested the lower oven right after I got the range, but I don't really remember. It's really starting to make me mad. I'm going to test the broiler next. Who knows what will happen with that. Thanks for sharing.

tlbb

We just received our GE Cafe Dual Fuel Range yesterday, and the right front, dual stacked burner does not work properly at all. We had the LP Gas conversion kit installed, and the other burners seem to work fairly well, though the flame in the center burner stays pretty small. The right front burner, which is one of the high output burners, and is dual stacked (dual flame), only lights with a tiny flame, barely low level, and does not adjust AT ALL. It does not go on high, or medium, or anything but just 'very tiny'!
Its sad that there seem to be so many quality problems so far, on this highly promoted, highly touted new GE Line. You call GE and they are like clerks in a hardware store...no idea what is wrong, and no one to refer you to. Huge GE Corp. has no technical assistance??? They WILL send a GE technician to look at the problem....in TWO weeks. So I spend tons of money on three major new GE Cafe appliances, take a big chance on this brand new line...and they could care less if you have big problems. We have not tested the ovens yet, and I am a little bit afraid to do so. I do not need more problems, and am angry enough already. Also the control knobs (cheap and lightweight) squeal like stuck pigs when you twist them. Very nice for a 'high end' appliance. Also our front left burner rocks slightly from side to side, and does not seat completely flat...and our installer is a pro, and tried every which way to keep it from rocking! YIKES!!!
I really do not feel like having another range carted in and assembled, so they better had be able to fix these problems! Any other issues similar out there???? Anyone using the dual fuel on LP Gas? Does anybody else have issues with these burners??? Thanks for any follow up!
Tom

tlbb- I really only use the front right for higher temps, then I use the left front when I need a more medium heat, so it's working for me.
The center burner is low- I have not used it as a burner, but tried the griddle for pancakes. The flame is fine for the griddle, but it's directly above it- not sure it would be adequate for a big pot on top of the grate? I don't think I would use it for anything but the griddle myself-another GE CAFE thread on this site (now I'm seeing lots)said it was difficult to fry bacon on (I do mine in the microwave-can't stand to clean up the grease on the stove top)-
About that smoke- are you sure you got all the packing material out? Sounds like an excessive amount! Our installer told us to turn both ovens on at 350 for 1/2 hr before the first use- glad we did- they were a little smelly, but they weren't that smokey!
I hope all these kinks get worked out, because I really like the features of this oven and the way it looks- I have the gas only one- (I'm not a big baker and didn't think I needed the extra expense of the new electrical line)- it seems the dual fuel is having more problems. I haven't tried the broiler yet- let me know how it goes- nodirthere-(I'm not a gardener either!)

Hi nodirt. It really bugs me because I ALWAYS use the right front burner. It's a little awkward for me to use the left. We'll see what the service guy says on Wednesday, but from what I read on this forum the burner should go from high to low gradually, so I'm probably going to have them replace the whole thing one more time if they can't fix it. If the 3rd time's not the charm, I'll have to look for a new rane.

As for the smoke, it seems that some people experience that the first time they use the ovens. I think I had an excessive amount and am a little afraid to try it again until the service tech is here. I wish the installers would have tested everything before they left, but maybe that's not their job. I'll let you know how the service call goes on Wednesday. I don't have high hopes. Thanks.

tlbb

Regarding the right front burner, when I received my range there was a lot of the plastic protective wrap under the burner assembly that wouldn't come out until I loosened the torx screws, I'm wondering if some of this material might be interfering with the operation.

Thanks maxq. I'll check it out. Wouldn't that burn?

tlbb

It seems to me it might have burned, or at least really smelled terrible. I've got 2 parrots in the house so I was a bit paranoid in making certain all wrapping was removed. I then turned hood on high and burned off all manufacturing oils. I do think once a few of these relatively minor issues are worked out you'll like the range. Of course time will tell, but GE makes pretty good ranges. I'm not as sure about their refrigerators and dishwashers.

I think ge makes good ranges as well. In fact, every range I've ever had was made by ge. I'm surprised I'm having so many issues with this one. Thanks.

tlbb

I am curious as the GE range did have a good reputation. Are the other GE ranges (except the Cafe) being made in the US?

Hi all,
I have had my all new Cafe line since Christmas! I absolutely LOVE the gas range. I think those of you who are having flame issues truly have a problem. I just checked mine. I have 2 power boil settings, one on the right and one on the left - both front. They go from super high to audibly lower. if you look closely you can tell a difference even between 2, 4, and 6. Also, the lower oven worked well on Christmas. We had the oven going as well. I don't think this is meant to be used as a replacement for your center oven, but as additional space when using your oven. We have used the built in thermometer and it works great as well! Good luck!

Hi annerc

How does your center oval burner work? Mine has a very small flame, even on high. I know it's only a 6,000 btu burner, but I still think it should have a higher/hotter flame. I haven't tried it but I don't think I'd be able to fry anything on it. My old stove was the ge profile and the center burner worked great on that range. Other people don't seem to think this low flame is an issue, but maybe they don't have anything to compare it to or they just don't mind. Thanks.

tlbb

tlbb, I'm curious about the center burner: do you know the model # of your old Profile? We could find out its BTU output -- maybe it was higher.

As a matter of fact I do egganddart. It's PGB908SEMSS. I'll see what I can find out. Thanks.

tlbb

tlbb: Here you go. Your older GE must have been adjusted up, because they are both 6000.

Center Oval Burner (1) 6000 BTU
High Output Burner (1) 11000 BTU/150F degree simmer
Non-Stick Griddle Included
Power Boil Burner (1) 17,000 BTU
Precise Simmer Burner (1) 5000 BTU/140F degree simmer

Hi boldcab. What do you mean by adjusted up? Hopefully the service guy will be able to adjust the burners on this cafe range. Thanks.

tlbb