I seem to remember reading awhile back about someone complaining that if you use the center burner, you couldn't use a big pot elsewhere on the cooktop.

That is somewhat true on a 30" wide range, but I don't think it would be a problem on a 36". If I were you I'd take a few pots to the appliance store and test drive the range top to be sure.

I have a Gaggenau KG-291, a 36" 5-burner cooktop, which I like enormously. Trouble is, that it has gotten to be very expensive with the decline of the dollar against the Euro.

A cooktop designed in a very similar layout, but at a much lower price point is the Thermador 36" 5-burner model. The burners are well spaced so you can use a 12" skillet on the center burner without interfering with the other 4 burners. The knobs are also arranged sensibly - in a compact row along the front edge, so that they don't take up a lot of space. If I were shop for another cooktop and I couldn't stomach the price of the Gaggenau, The Thermador is the way I'd go.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thermador 36

Thanks. I hadn't considered the Thermador...guess cuz I have the Monogram catalog handy from my trip to the appliance store.

Good to know that the 36" ones weren't the cooktops in question.

Hi Tracey, I'm wondering if you got your new cooktop yet. I'm considering the same models. I like the power of both the Monogram and the Thermador, but I'm leary because of reliability rep with the Thermador and horrible GE service rep for the Monogram. I'm also considering DCS and Electrolux.

I have the DCS 36" gas cooktop and have been using it approx 3 months with no issues. My favorite part of the cooktop is that all burners simmer and that the knobs are off to the side.

I originally wanted the Monogram oven but in my kitchen I needed for the oven to be placed under the cooktop so I had to make a decision: Monogram cooktop/oven or DCS cooktop/oven. I use the cooktop more than the oven so DCS trumped. The DCS oven is OK, but I think I will always miss those glide racks on the Monogram oven!

Hi Steelerfan, I think I might mix the DCS cooktop with a Bosch or even Electrolux (not Icon) oven. I love the extension racks too. I suggest you check with the company's catalog. Some offer the glider racks as an optional or replacement item. Glad to hear of your experience with the cooktop. Thanks for your post.

If you are putting the oven under the cooktop your installer will want to check the specs to see if this can work. If the wall oven is to be installed elsewhere - you have no limitations! I tried several different combimations but nothing would work except the same manufacturers together. The DCS oven does have glide racks but they are not nearly as smooth as the Monogram (and even the Electrolux). And after use the DCS racks don't slide as easily as when it was new.

Good luck with your decision! I would be interested in your review after you have had a chance to use the DCS cooktop for a period of time.

One thing to note about the DCS cooktop is that the iron grids are interlocking, which means that you can't just pick up one section. Make sure you go try it out in person to see if you mind the interlocking grids or not. I have a DCS range, and the iron grids are in three sections so that makes it easy to quickly mop up a spill that just is near one of the burners. The DCS cooktop now would require me to take off all of the grids since they have little tabs that make them fit together like a puzzle but require moving more than just one section at a time. It annoyed my husband and me enough to buy the Capital Maestro 36" instead. It was just delivered and won't be installed for 3 - 4 weeks so I can't say how performance is yet.

I've had the GE Monogram cooktop for a few weeks now and have been very happy with it.

fun2cook, you will have the exact same set up we have. We have had the DCS 36" Cooktop for about 4 years now, and we love it. When we redid our kitchen, we kept the DCS (just moved it from the island to a wall) and then put in the dual 30" Electrolux non icon ovens. Very pleased with both products and would purchase them again in a heartbeat.

Thought I'd post here that we were all set to get the DCS 36" drop-in cooktop but my husband couldn't fit his 4 most used pots and pans on it due to the large center burner. So I think it's important to think about how you cook. He favors the big pans/pots, so he brought in a Staub grill pan (which has a long handle), his Le Creuset Dutch Oven, a Chinese carbon steel wok, and a pasta pot.

After bringing them in and trying them on the DCS, Wolf, Dacor, Blue Star, Thermador, and Miele, he ended up going with the Miele. It was his favorite layout, which isn't always the first priority for most cooks but he often has 3 or 4 burners going at once.

Good luck!

I appreciate all the replies on this thread. I liked the Viking 'designer' line gas cooktop, but it's performance specs are not as good as DCS or Monogram. Oddly the specs on their "professional" cooktop weren't any better. I want power and simmer. The dual burners on the DCS and Monogram seem to offer that the best. Also their burners have cast brass instead of steel. Even the pricey Thermador doesn't use brass, and it 'clicks' the burner on and off to maintain a simmer. So now it's down to choosing DCS or Monogram based on their layout, reliability and customer service. This is where I really reply on the postings here. I'll take some of my big pots to the good store next week and verify I can use them with both. I'm going to have double ovens installed next to the cooktop. I want big drawers beneath it. I'm planning on the Electrolux (not ICON) ovens because they have the best mix of features I really want, and I like its styling better than Monogram. I also looked at Viking "Designer" ovens and a Bosch. I really like them for their looks and using knobs instead of an electronic interface. They have the features and power that I want, but I'm too concerned about reliability. I haven't heard ANY complaints from the owners of Electrolux ovens! So I chose better reliability over knobs. Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm still in "planning" phase with my remodel. Tear out begins in a week. It will be about 8 weeks (I hope) before I installed mew equipment and test it out.

I've had a Jenn Air model JGC9536BDS 5 burner for about a year and a half now. Am very pleased with everything about it. I had no trouble changing it over to propane and adjusting the burners. It's not the most powerful center burner at 14000btu, but I didn't want a jet engine on the stove anyway. I have no complaints. Easy to use and clean. We use big pots and enamel dutch ovens with ease.
My next purchase will be a gas oven, when I can find the one I like.

Hi! I too, am looking for a 36" gas cooktop and my primary concern is the BTU going low enough for a true simmer. I am considering the DCS one, but am not sure about the height dimension given in the descriptions. It says 5.5" high and even the person I spoke to from DCS could not tell me how high from the counter to the top of the burner would be. I am not near any store that carries this to see for myself. Any input on this or a comparable stove would be much appreciated. Thanks!

Sjbphb20 - Can you explain better what your concern is about the height to the top of the burner? Are you saying that if the top of the grate is too close to the burners, you won't get a low simmer?

I looked at the DCS 36" 5-burner cooktop installation guide (on ajmadison website), and it shows the height of the entire cooktop, for installation purposes, from its bottom to the top of the grates to be 5-15/16". Note that the grates must be above the counter for fire protection purposes. (I am not sure that the distance above the counter is what your concern is, but thought I'd mention)

My main concern is that my new cooktop will be considerably taller than my of Kitchen Aide, which is 2"from the counter height to the burner. I am not a tall person. Thanks!

sjbphb20 - The measurement of 5.5 inches is the total from the bottom of the unit to the top of the grates. The unit sits 4 inches below the top of the counter which means that distance of the unit that is above the counter top is only 1.5 inches.

Thank you for taking the time to respond. The information is helpful.