Hi. We installed a 36" 800 Bosch in November. The cost to upgrade our service from 40 to 50 amps was $450 - BUT that included the electrician putting in one new outlet in the kitchen plus installing a ceiling light fixture in the family room (both were run from existing outlets). His estimate for putting in the 50 amp line & breaker originally was $500, but it ended up to be less -- always a plus! We went for the 36" because we did just what others have suggested here: consider how we cook and what and how many burners we use frequently. We discovered that we often use three burners at a time (pasta boiling in one pot, sauce being prepared in another -- often a skillet -- and veggies cooking in a third). So we wanted some room to do that and the right sized burners to match the pans we use. Also, since we were going to use a downdraft (again) instead of a hood, we wanted at least one of the larger burners near the back. Additionally we liked that the Bosch had only one of the small 6.5" hobs -- some brands had two. That's a hob we knew we wouldn't use much. All in all, we have been very pleased with our choice. Oh, yes, we did have to cut back the cabinet sides a bit. BUT, since prior to this cooktop, we had a 36" Thermador radiant cooktop, the cabinet had already been cut. It's lasted for 14 years with no problem. We expect to get 14 yrs from this one!

Hi Kelly -- I can't speak to the bosch specifically, but recently I've been shopping for a gas range, and I took my two largest pots/pans to the store with me. Then I tested them out on each range top to see how they fit, and if I could fit smaller pots on there when the bigger pots were on the burners. It was a huge help -- some stoves felt like they had plenty of room, while others felt much too cramped... Emily

I am looking for a gas cooktop in that price range myself. I love the look of the Bosch and it seems to get good reviews... just reading your comments above it sounds like you prefer the Bosch.... js. One thing I have noticed about all reviews on things is that often the same review is on different sites... wondered if they were shared or something. I think one can find negatives attract even more of them. Hope to hear more from others about what cooktop they might prefer... just started looking here at appliances myself.

I have a Bosch dual fuel range (slide in) that is about 1" away from the wall/backsplash. I have never noticed it sticking out until I read this and then went to look, lol. It does, but if I've never noticed it, it doesn't bother me. The range itself is about 2 1/2" out from the base cabinetry. But I know what you mean if you want the 24" deep Thermador look. Personally, I would invest in an integrated refrigerator, using money saved from the Thermador and/or GE. The refrigerator is a much larger appliance and it's "sticking out" is more obvious than the counter height range. ("Counter depth" refrigerators also stick out; only fully integrated are flush.) I have 18" between the range and the next full height bank of cabinetry which includes a flush Thermador microwave/convection oven. The cabinetry sticks out 1" from the countertop and 2" from the 18" base cabinet farther than it should, a custom construction error I don't want to talk about. But that would be about the same as the space between your refrigerator and range if both "stick out." That 18" is good enough for my small Keurig and that's about it. It also has wall cabinetry above it because I used a hidden Zephry Pisa undercabinet range hood, so I don't have the "open" look you'll get from your range hood. That 18" of usable space is the same, however. We don't cook much at all (I hate it). I've had a Thermador dual fuel range and now this Bosch. Years ago, when I did have to cook, I had GE Monogram wall ovens and glass cooktop. Other than much preferring the gas, I can't think of major differences between all of them, or being unhappy with any of them.