cmcvey, Consider what is best for the way you cook. One of the biggest things as you have noted is the flexibility of 6 vs 4 burners. You may still be able to use the griddle as a warming area. Here are few more considerations advantages of an add on griddle -much more heat --2x15-25K vs 15-18K for a built-in -able to change out different griddles that have different properties You can use a thick aluminum griddle if you need even heat. It weighs less, too, for the same thickness. Many people view the aluminum griddle as less in quality because it is lighter but it heats much more quickly and evenly and it responds much more quickly to turning it up and down. You can buy them that are coated and nonstick or uncoated. The uncoated becomes seasoned and more nonstick as you use it but not as quickly as steel or cast iron. An alumunum griddle can be bigger over 2 burners because of the heat conduction properties. This one is the one I have over two burners and is is 15"x23" (345 sq inches). Chef King makes one in steel that is almost as big but might have a little more difference in the way of cooler and hotter areas which is a good thing for many people. The built in might be 11.5"x22" or23"(253-264 sq inches) Royal Griddle advantages for a built in -stability You can get a little more stability on an overlay that is somewhat fitted but it is heavier and the fitted part might vary -You might get a thicker metal. Wolf has 3/4". This will take a lot longer to heat and adjust. -you can more easily get reproducible level of heat every time you turn it on Cleaning is subjective.

I've been looking and came down to Caphalon (they have at least 2 different ones and you want the larger one for those burners -- available everywhere, I recently saw both sizes at Target while some stores have only one -- larger one is about $50) and a Lodge cast iron (sold at Walmart in the camping section or camping stores -- about $35-45). While I was trying to decide between those, DH pulled out the Dacor griddle we had on a cooktop 2 houses ago. We had tried it front to back and it wouldn't work, but we discovered we can put it across 2 burners side to side, so we are going to try that next time we need the griddle. If that doens't work well, we'll probably try the Calphalon or Lodge. I wish Wolf made one that woud fill 2 burners and store flat.

My understanding is that the silencer has to go before the motor (i.e. vent liner --> silencer --> motor). It's silencing the fan and motor noise, so it wouldn't make sense to have it after the motor. If you have enough space in the attic to put an inline blower after the silencer, then you wouldn't need an external blower. For us, the silencer barely fits between the attic floor and ceiling, so we had to have an external blower. The contractor was worried it would be loud outside (it's on the slope above our deck) but it's fine.

A few thoughts: - In addition to pancakes, steaks, and other griddle things we use ours as a warming plate and pseudo french top. This works great for both cooking and keeping things like sauces warm. We've currently a Wolf 36" AG w/ 12" griddle + 4 burners that we've been very happy with. Will likely do a 48" AG BS w/ 24" griddle + 4 burners in new house. - A built-in thermostatically controlled griddle is massively easier to use than a plate on top of burners. - We've not found cleaning a problem. After use we scrape it with a spatula and then wipe some peanut oil on after it cools but is still warm. This has worked well for 15 or so years. It's a bit of a splotchy bronze patina but works great. My wife will sometimes put the SS cover on it. - If a second oven is the key driver then think about an AG range + separate electric oven. Gas and electric cook different and we're glad we have both. The wall mount oven is also at a more convenient height that lessens stooping. - I am very much function over form. Our kitchen is primarily a workshop. Bad functionality will frustrate us far more than bad aesthetics. OTOH, a kitchen that looks like it functions good and is well used has it's own aesthetic appeal.