Electric Slide-In Range Dilemma

16 years ago

I need to select a range for my kitchen remodel. It must be a 30" electric with convection. It must be a slide-in, because I hate (really hate) the way the raised control panel at the back of the freestanding ranges looks. I have to like the appearance of the range because the kitchen will be open to the living area and the range will be very much on display. I have to keep the cost under $2000, so the high-end brands are out.

Here's my dilemma: I love the looks and the features of the Jenn-Air JES8850BAS:

and was set on that one until I started reading this forum. It seems that Jenn-Air ranges have a terrible reputation in terms of quality control and customer service. I'm a bit heartbroken.

I thought I sort of liked the KitchenAid KESS908SPS as an alternate choice:

until I saw it in person and decided I didn't like it at all. Plus, it seems that the fans on those are known to be obnoxiously loud.

Then there's the Bosch Integra HEI7282:

Not a bad looking range, has a good feature set, and seems to have a better reputation than the others, but is hundreds of dollars outside of my price range (and I really can't up my budget any further).

Do I have any other options? I need something with an all stainless front--no black handles or black control panel frame. I hate the appearance of the GE/Kenmore/Maytag/Amana/Frigidaire slide-ins.

I don't know whether I should just go with the Jenn-Air that I like so much and hope I get one without issues (they can't all be defective, right?), settle for the KitchenAid, which I don't really like and which may also have issues, or sell my body on a streetcorner and get the Bosch (okay, this isn't really an option). What would you do?

Feedback on any of these ranges or any other possibilities would be most appreciated. In particular, I'd love to hear from anyone who has a recent model Jenn-Air range and likes it (wishful thinking?).

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Comments (4)

patches123
16 years ago
I have the Bosch...check around as I found mine 1/2 off in the scratch and dent AND I couldn't find a scratch at all. Luckily, I was able to see all three side by side and IMO the Bosch looks the best. That said I wonder if its the right one for you because the cooling fan is loud and you say you have an open plan. It might bother you...I got used to it, but I know others hated it. Check out the Kenmore slide in...a lot of people find they like it and it is reported to be quieter, and is within your price range.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kenmore slide in
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quantumkitten
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks so much. The Bosch is the only one that I haven't seen in person, so it's helpful to know that you liked it next to the others. The loud fan issue does worry me a little bit, but I don't use the oven nearly as often as I use the cooktop, so it's something that may not end up being too big a deal.

I wish I liked the looks of the Kenmore, but that black panel at the top of the front really irks me. My kitchen is going to be all steel-colored cabinets and stainless steel appliances, so I'd like to keep the facade as purely steel as possible.

I'm a little bit embarrassed to be so appearance-obsessed when it comes to my appliance choices. I'm an avid cook (as avid as one can be with an electric cooktop, anyway), and I care very much about performance too, but I'm putting a lot of effort into creating a kitchen that pleases me aesthetically as well as functionally, and I just don't want to compromise on the visual appeal.
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debo_2006
16 years ago
I considered each of the ranges you mention above as well as the Kenmore. The Jenn-aire has terrible rating from everyone I spoke with so I ditched it in a hurry. The KA has one large handle too many, besides, I didn't care for the lip which is found at the front of the flat top leading up to the controls (do they still make it that way?). The Kenmore also has the 2 huge handle which are darn ugly and I didn't care for its looks. The Bosch received great reviews, is sleek, has one handle, oven is larger, so we bought that one.

Search around the Internet for the Bosch and see what prices you find. Some stores, like Sears, will match an Internet price with an extra 10% off but the Internet store must have a physical address (no PO BOX). I was able to do this with Sears for more $$ off our Bosch Integra, but still paid over $2K.

As for the fan, it's not very loud, IMO. It's much lower than than our OTR microwave when it's running, and it's certainly lower than the OTR vent when it's on. Our kitchen and family rooms are open, and we do not have to raise our voices or TV volumn when then Bosch oven is on. It's a gentle sound. It doesn't bother us, and you will get used to it.

If you can find a great price that comes close to your $2K budget for the Bosch, it's worth it. I love mine. It is a breeze to clean up too and it cooks wonderfully.
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livvysmom
16 years ago
Why don't you like the KA? My KA electric (convection) slide-in SS is 7 years old but it is awesome. The oven makes the best chocolate chip cookies on earth. The cooktop is probably no better or worse than the others but I do love that reliable oven.
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