If the induction cooktop vents underneath the counter as the Cooktek does, and the GE above appears to do, but the Electrolux and Kenmore don't, then more space is needed to allow air to circulate without getting too hot and potentially harming the electronics or causing the electronics to self protect by cutting power. The other issue is chassis construction and what UL might demand for spacing from combustibles. My guess (while awaiting word from the GE engineer response noted above) is that there may be a fear that electronics failures of certain types could cause hot spots or melt-throughs in the bottom cover, or sparks from the vent slots. An arc current below the 50A breaker limit might cause some serious metal erosion before it burned out. My choice was to use wire pull-out drawers and store pots and pans in that space. kas

Is the cabinet under the cooktop getting warm? Induction units need to have the warm air excape from the cabinet or the fan just sucks in the hot air it just vented. When this happens the sensors will shut down the cooktop. To test, you can open the cabinet doors or drawer under the cooktop and try boiling water again.

I think Windcrest offers 5 burners on its 30" induction cooktop as well. Personally, I find 5 burners on 30" a bit crowded, e.g. where will the handles of your pots go???

I too have been waiting for a slide-in induction range to replace my current range since I don't have the space for a cooktop and wall oven. GE has an induction freestanding range that is supposed to come out in the next few weeks. I called today and spoke to a rep who said that if the freestanding version does well, then GE will also provide a slide-in too. The rep said that I should check again in April or May to see if they will have a slide-in. I don't know if I should get my hopes up in this economy for the free standing version to sell. I did also happen to see the Kenmore Elite in person. It was not too bad, but I would like more than four burners. The GE freestanding version has 5 burners according to the photo on GE's website. I hope that the induction ranges will be good and reliable and not too expensive for me. I'm looking for something under $4000 to fit in my budget. I look forward to reading reports on this site of those who do get an induction range. It helps to hear others' perspectives since I find out information that I hadn't considered.