I don't know what a point of use water softener is, but will check it out. A whole-house water softener is this big thing that you place where the water enters your house (i.e. probably in your garage). It requires regular servicing, and since it's so big, that's a bit of a chore. It's also quite expensive. But the upside is that it really works. So, if you have problems with hard water, then this might be your best bet. A point-of-use water softener is a compromise that works well, if you only have a small number of faucets or appliances that need soft water. It's a small'ish filter cartridge that goes into one or your cabinets. Frequently, it would be installed under your sink. It still needs maintenance, but since you use it for less water, it doesn't need as much servicing. And since it is so much smaller, it is a much easier chore to replace the cartridge. It's usually something you can easily do yourself without having to hire a maintenance company. And in fact, if you do a full kitchen remodel, you have a lot of freedom where to locate this cartridge. For instance, if your kitchen is next to your garage, you could still install the cartridge in the garage for ease of access. It can be next to the appliance, but it doesn't have to be. And while you are at it, one cheap thing that you can do is install a whole-house sediment filter. It won't help with water hardness. But a lot of domestic water has a surprising amount of crap in it. And that can slowly damage appliances. A sediment filter is easy to install, easy to service (i.e. home owners do that themselves), and filter cartridges are super cheap.

>>>" was hoping there was some great model that was a budget pick . . . If someone stumbles on a great moderately priced induction range please do share."<<< What are your requirements for "great" and what would you consider a "budget pick" or a "moderately priced induction range? " If a "moderately priced'" would be what Barb Alli called a "decent price," then you might look at the Frigidaire Gallery FGIF induction models. They seem to priced around $1000. OTOH, if "budget pick" means the same price bracket as basic coil and radiant burner ranges --- the ones in the $400 to $600 bracket at Lowes, HD, and such ---- then you're correct that there are no induction models offered in that price bracket. The currently least expensive induction range I know of is the Frigidaire FFIF model which right now seems to be offered at around $900 but which I've seen discounted down in holiday sales. The Frigidaire Gallery FGIF models start about $100 or so higher and have convection. There were a couple of passing comments above about these though not from any owners and I do not recall seeing any threads here from actual users, either. I think Reviewed-dot-com and Consumer Reports have tested the Frigidaires. I forget how CR rated them and I no longer subscribe. If you don't have access to CR, maybe wdccruise can help out? IIRC, Reviewed recommended them but the reviews were cursory. Adjusting heat down on radiant burners. Well, back in the last century, we used to move a pan partially off or fully off an electric burner for minute or even to a different burner when we needed to rapidly decrease the heat. So, there are work-arounds of a sort. Also, as Barb Alli says, some folks are finding that some of the current ranges radiant smoothtop burners seem more responsive than their older models' burners did. Trouble is, there is a degree of subjective satisfaction in this which makes it hard to provide a frame of reference for others to match with their own subjective preferences. A demo would be the best way to find out but I have to say that I've never seen any retailers having budget or moderately priced radiant ranges hooked up for demo. Do you know anybody who may have recently purchased a new radiant range? If it is a model they think is better than older ones, maybe you could mooch a little time to test it out?

The miele offers more versatility from my understanding of the Thermador. The Thermador has “modes” where you cannot control or know the amount of steam/humidity where the miele allows you to set the steam/humidity level in 1% increments if you choose. The default is 5% increments on their normal screen - you can refine that if necessary (I only go that route for sous vide). I find that level of control useful and necessary. I love my Miele CSO. Highly recommend and buy the longest warranty Miele offers. I have the non-plumbed with a sink 1 step and 180 degree turn away so it isn’t an issue for me. If you have an option to get the plumbed I would - it was not available when we did our rough plumb.

Except for the control panel, the wall oven appears similar to other Bertazzoni models which have some reviews. Note that Bertazzoni doesn't disclose the interior dimensions of its ovens.