skip to main content

GE cafe dbl oven range vs. range w/baking drawer

12 years ago

Hi, I wanted to see if anyone owns either the GE cafe double oven gas range- CGS990SETSS, or the GE cafe gas range with baking drawer- CGS985SETSS.

My appliance shop recommended the one with the baking drawer but reviews say that the baking drawer really doesn't cook well- better as a warming drawer.

We want a true double oven- does the double oven model cook well in both ovens and is the bigger oven big enough to fit a turkey?

Thanks!

Featured Answer

carnivore

12 years ago

If you don't need to bake two things at once very often then I'd vote for the full-size oven and baking drawer. Think of it as a warming drawer that can pull double duty as a second oven in a pinch. Would that suit your needs?

Now I have another question for owners of the GE Cafe range. How well does your broiler work, whether gas or electric?

I ask because lots of people will say a gas broiler beats electric for broiling meats and fish. So I'd choose AG. But then some salesman tried to tell me the gas broiler in the GE isn't good enough too see any such improvement over the electric oven version. Guess he wanted to sell me a different AG brand with (drum roll) an infrared broiler.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

dgoods123
12 years ago
Hi. I'm in the process of trying to make the same decision. Appliance store recommends the baking drawer because of the location of the larger 2nd oven. They have a point, picking up a roast or turkey from floor level could be an issue. But, I really like the look of the 2 oven model.

Now I'm thinking about compromise and getting a single gas convection oven and a microwave/speed cooker above. It's quite a bit cheaper, plus, I only need a 2nd oven about 6 times a year, and mainly for casseroles.

Any thoughts?
shivy
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks- same reasoning my appliance place gave.

Anyone else own either of these?

Thanks
Related Discussions
Range help: Thermador vs. GE Cafe,etc
Q
Comments (1)
hi - I am in the same boat as you but comparing Blue Star and Capital and the Thermador was suggested because of the package and I did like the look of it. -I just haven't read the best reviews on Thermador but my sales person said in comparison to Wolf and Viking he would go with the Thermador - I asked if he would suggest any other brand (more commerical) instead of the Thermador and he said, no would go with Thermador. Now this is just what the sales person was telling me - he sells all the brands and pricing is going to be about the same.
...See More
30' Range: Bertazzoni vs. Verona vs. GE Cafe
Q
Comments (5)
I'm sort of old-school when it comes to ovens, preferring to learn by experimentation how they perform vs. advertised baking and temp times. After awhile I have a pretty good idea how the oven performs vs. the specs in the recipes and then I just tweak the knob one way or the other. For me, far more important is the evenness of heat it produces so that I do not have to constantly fiddle with baked goods to keep the back sides from burning. So I would not go out of my way to buy an oven with a built-in temperature gauge. Really - for what you are looking for - I would pick the one that suits your eye and your kitchen. They are all sealed-burner models with similar performance. The Bertazzoni (and perhaps the Verona; you will have to check) uses a spark ignitor for the oven, which is sort of a departure from typical American practice. The advantage is that you can light and run the oven with a match even during a power failure. If you live in a weather impacted region that could be an advantage. I am a huge fan of the Bertas from a design standpoint, but my tastes may not mirror yours. What I would do if I were you is go shop the models you are contemplating by finding showrooms where the ranges are displayed. Take your tape measure and your largest roasting pan and see how they look in person. Pick the one you like the best.
...See More
Blomberg vs. ge cafe vs. LG 30" gas range
Q
Comments (6)
If oven consistency is what you need, avoid the LG. Our neighbor, a semi-pro baker, had one and had nothing but problems with it. Turns out the heating element in LG ovens is located in a weird spot, which causes hot spots and cool spots. Like stuff was burnt on one side and raw on the other. She had techs out and both said it was working as designed, but they weren’t designed very well. She ended up selling it and getting a GE and is very happy. We also have a GE and like it.
...See More
Help choosing a gas range: GE Cafe vs. Zline Duel Fuel vs. GE profile
Q
Comments (14)
I still love it. It is very sturdy and I really like the way it looks. The burners work well. It boils water quickly, but also does a very low flame for simmering. The layout of the burners is perfect and pots never feel cramped. The grates are very sturdy. I’ve used the proof function and baked bread that turned out great. I haven’t used the WiFi connection. My model is all gas, has 6 burners, front controls, a single oven and a storage drawer below. I highly recommend this range.
...See More
lolittakat
11 years ago
I've been doing some research and am leaning towards ge cafe with the baking drawer. i don't plan on using it often but want to have that option a few times a year when i'm cooking for a large crowd. Double oven looks cool, but has many limitations...
theultimatebikerchic
11 years ago
Lolittakat, I will probably be purchasing the GE Profile double oven and am curious to what limitations you are referring?
lolittakat
11 years ago
theultimatebikerchic, I'm pasting directly from GE Cafe Q&A page answers given by GE representatives(I doubt that profile range would be any different, but you should look into that yourself)
'The lower large oven offers 9' of usable height and the upper smaller oven offers 5 1/2' of usable height'
'There are a number of functions available for the lower oven (i.e. convection bake, regular bake, convection roast, etc.) but you do the broiling in the upper oven. The lower oven does not have a broil setting so youÃ¯Â¿Â½ll want to save the broiling tasks for the upper oven' So if you have something large to broil you're out of luck.

Also i've read a number of complaints that the top oven doesn't bake evenly or burns the food (convection is not available) and that both ovens are less functional then one large oven.

On the plus side, the heating time is much less and if you are on top of your food, it cooks much faster, and you can multitask a lot. And of course, you cannot beat the way a double oven looks! at the end it's a personal choice

please read through all the Q&As in my link

Here is a link that might be useful: GE Q&A
icrs
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Does either the baking drawer (GE Cafe) or the warming drawer (GE Profile) work as well with the main oven off? Does that use less gas?
blubird
6 years ago
I believe that both the baking drawer and warming drawer work independently. I also believe they are both electric, even in the gas version.

Related Stories

HOUSEKEEPING How to Clean Your Range and Oven

By Bonnie McCarthy

Experts serve up advice on caring for these kitchen appliances, which work extra hard during the holidays

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Find the Right Range for Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

Range style is mostly a matter of personal taste. This full course of possibilities can help you find the right appliance to match yours

KITCHEN APPLIANCES Find the Right Oven Arrangement for Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

Have all the options for ovens, with or without cooktops and drawers, left you steamed? This guide will help you simmer down

KITCHEN DESIGN Love to Bake? Try These 13 Ideas for a Better Baker's Kitchen

By Charmean Neithart Interiors

Whether you dabble in devil's food cake or are bidding for a bake-off title, these kitchen ideas will boost your baking experience

KITCHEN DESIGN How to Pick Your Important Kitchen Appliances

By Vanessa Brunner

Find the ideal oven, refrigerator, range and more without going nutty — these resources help you sort through your the appliance options

KITCHEN DESIGN Discover the Pull of Microwave Drawers

By Rachel Grace

More accessible, less noticeable and highly space efficient, microwave drawers are a welcome newcomer in kitchen appliances

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Add Toe Kick Drawers for More Storage

By Kathryn Peltier Design

Great project: Install low-lying drawers in your kitchen or bath to hold step stools, pet bowls, linens and more

GREAT HOME PROJECTS How to Get a Pizza Oven for the Patio

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

New project for a new year: Light a fire under plans for an outdoor oven and claim the best pizza in town

KITCHEN DESIGN Get It Done: Organize Your Kitchen Drawers

By Becky Harris

Clear 'em out and give the contents a neat-as-a-pin new home with these organizing and storage tips

KITCHEN WORKBOOK New Ways to Plan Your Kitchen’s Work Zones

By LWK London Kitchens

The classic work triangle of range, fridge and sink is the best layout for kitchens, right? Not necessarily

Sponsored

More Discussions

help me choose an induction range, please!

24

looking for 15" built-in wine cooler recommendation

12

Freestanding Bosch vs Thermador fridge?

9

Clearance for single door fridge/freezer

0

Can GE profile or Bosch 800 series induction adapt to small pan

1