skip to main content

Kenmore Slide-In Electric Range Smoothtop

15 years ago

I was just about ready to purchase a Kenmore Slide-In Electric Range with the Ceramic/Glass Smoothtop feature but read somewhere that someone who, after sliding their unit in between their cabinets, had an issue with the cooktop (which overlaps the countertop) sticking up and creating a gap.(albeit it a very small one).

I went back to the store and looked at the model on display and noticed that underneath the glasstop, (about 1/4" in from the edge) there is a metal plate which I presume is a support for the top itself. I'm pretty sure it is the thickness of this plate which has caused the gap between the cooktop and the counter. Does anyone know if this is typical??

To try and remedy the problem, they had adjusted the legs.....but the gap was still evident. Does anyone own one of these or a similar slide-in model with the cooktop overlapping onto the countertop....and did they encounter this issue???? I'm really hesitant to purchase this item now......but I really do like the idea of no gap between the SIDE of the cabinets and the appliance itself. The overlapping top ideally should completely avoid this problem and keep any debris right on the counter and not down in between the appliance and the cabinets....which is a feature I really like.....as well as the clean lines which are aesthetically more pleasing.

If anyone has any suggestions for an alternative slide-in.....that would be great too! I don`t want a convection or gas.....just plain old electric. But I do like the slide-in feature and the smoothtop. Thanks for any help you can provide.

Comment

Related Discussions
Please help us pick a slide in electric smooth-top range!
Q
Comments (8)
I can only speak to the Bosch which I've had for about 8 months. I'm happy with the oven, in particular the adjustability down to 100 deg. Yes I'm fairly well-versed in food safety, but sometimes you just need a big warming drawer. The 10-pass broiler is hot and even. The cooling fan does run a lot, but I don't find it offending in either noise or heat output. Less enthused with the cooktop. While the wattage specs on the highest burner are good, you need cookware with approx 11.5" base to utilize it. Your standard 8qt tall stock pot only takes two rings and is therefore dreadfully slow to boil on any burner. On the other end of the spectrum the low is higher than I'm used to. The Schott Ceran is significantly more sensitive than my previous Frigidaire. I had chips within weeks of using it, more now, the silver pattern seems to clean off, and in general I find it poor quality. The paint on the knobs peeled off at first cleaning; fortunately Bosch was aware of the problem and sent me a new set which has help up thus far. Overall, there's a lot to like about the oven but enough to dislike about the cooktop to where I wouldn't recommend it. My #1 takeaway would be to look for a power burner that matches the diameter of your most used cookware, in my case a 12" skillet and 8qt tall stock pot.
...See More
smoothtop electric ranges question
Q
Comments (6)
Actually, it is not really much difference when you take into account the difference in the efficiency with which heat is delivered to pans. You figured how to convert Kilowatt-Hours to BTU/Hours. But, when using a gas burner, only about 40% of the rated heat is actually going into the pan. (And, by the way, the BTU-hr rating is measuring how much energy is being consumed rather than measuring the actual output of the gas burner.) The 60% of the heat that does not go into the pan gets radiated out and around the pan into the room, etc. And, depending on what pan you use, your altitude above sea level, etc, it may be as low as 30%. If memory serves, a radiant electric burner puts somewhere around 60% to 65% of the heat into the pan with the rest going elsewhere. Using these percentages, that 17,000 btu/hr gas burner is likely giving you only 6800 BTU/hrs of effective heat. The 3000 watt-hr (10,200 BTU-hr) radiant burner is giving you something like 6630 BTU-hrs. of effective heat. If I recall correctly, coil burners are thought to be somewhere around 70% to 75% efficient while induction burners are thought to be about 84% efficient (though some makers claim 90%). If you check out the link below, it may lead you to more information on this. Here is a link that might be useful: The Induction Site info
...See More
Kenmore Elite slide in gas range w/ warmer
Q
Comments (0)
Considering buying.. but man do i see a lot of negative comments when i search "will never buy Kenmore again" Their electric version was starting fires for some people?? Control panel issues.. oven turning on by itself? hmmm. May go with GE.. we don't have much choice in bisque unfort... has to be bisque to match rest of appl.
...See More
30' slide in electric range - Bosch, KA, or Jenn-Air?
Q
Comments (9)
I've been where you are. I also didn't want a bottom handle on the range, as one big handle is more than enough. I dismissed the Jenn-Air due to all the bad reviews/repair records from people in the business. I didn't like the lip on the KA (from smoothtop to controls). I liked the clean lines on the Bosch and Jenn-Aire, but the Bosch won hands down because of it's reviews and style. We have the SS Integra and love it. It's roomy. The cooktop heats up quickly. The fan does come on whenever the oven is turned on but it's not loud, IMO. We haven't used the probe yet, so I can't tell you about that. We're quiet pleased with this range. Word of advice: Just make sure the minimum height of the Bosch will work with the height of your current countertops. If your countertops are less than 36", the Bosch will be higher than your counters. Our counters were lower so we had to build them up in order to make the range fit properly over the counter. I wasn't about to return the Bosch for one I didn't care for; I liked it too much. Also, if you don't have a slide-in currently, you'll need the 3" filler piece behind the range b/c the range does not touch the wall. The Bosch does not come with this peice - at least mine didn't. Any questions, let me know. Deb
...See More

Related Stories

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

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 APPLIANCES Find the Right Cooktop for Your Kitchen

By KitchenLab Interiors

For a kitchen setup with sizzle, deciding between gas and electric is only the first hurdle. This guide can help

KITCHEN DESIGN 9 Popular Stovetop Options — Plus Tips for Choosing the Right One

By The Sky is the Limit Design

Pick a stovetop that fits your lifestyle and your kitchen style with this mini guide that covers all the basics

REMODELING GUIDES Contractor Fees, Demystified

By Ventana Construction LLC

Learn what a contractor’s markups cover — and why they’re worth it

KITCHEN APPLIANCES Love to Cook? You Need a Fan. Find the Right Kind for You

By The Sky is the Limit Design

Don't send budget dollars up in smoke when you need new kitchen ventilation. Here are 9 top types to consider

KITCHEN DESIGN A Cook’s 6 Tips for Buying Kitchen Appliances

By Christine Tusher

An avid home chef answers tricky questions about choosing the right oven, stovetop, vent hood and more

KITCHEN DESIGN Design an Easy-Clean Kitchen

By Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR

"You cook and I'll clean" might no longer be a fair trade with these ideas for low-maintenance kitchen countertops, cabinets and floors

KITCHEN DESIGN Not a Big Cook? These Fun Kitchen Ideas Are for You

By Laura Gaskill

Would you rather sip wine and read than cook every night? Consider these kitchen amenities

KITCHEN DESIGN Standouts From the 2014 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show

By Ventana Construction LLC

Check out the latest and greatest in sinks, ovens, countertop materials and more

Sponsored

More Discussions

Gaggenau Essential vs Invisacook vs TBP tech???

3

36" Induction: F&P, Fulgor Milano, Thermador, etc?

4

Good quality countertop microwave ovens?

8

LP conversion kit for Heartland stove

1

freestanding wine fridge or built in?

6