Jennair V. Bosch 36" Induction and Double Wall Ovens

9 years ago

Hi Gardenwebbers,

I'm a first-time poster who has gleaned a TON of information from Gardenweb over the past month for an upcoming kitchen remodel. Thanks to each of you who has shared your wisdom on this site. I can't find the answers to my specific appliance questions in existing so I'm hoping some of you may be able to help.

Background: We are doing a full kitchen remodel. I'm trying to decide between an all Jenn-Air kitchen or Jenn-Air refrigerator with Bosch cooktop, ovens, and dishwasher. (I am really sold on the Jenn-Air 42' fridge for price and configuration.)

We had originally planned for the Jenn-Air 36" Induction Cooktop (JIC4536XB), Jenn-Air 30" double convection ovens (JJW2830WP), and Jenn-Air dishwasher (JDB8700AWP) because Jenn-Air is offering a free dishwasher with purchase of the cooktop and ovens. However, some of the reviews I read on the Jenn-Air cooktop gave me pause. One specific concern is about the cooktop beeping if a pan is resting on an "off" sensor (e.g. taking a finished dish out of the oven and setting it on the cooktop to cool, something I often do). The JennAir rep. says it "shouldn't" beep if the offending pan isn't near the control panel, but to be 100 percent sure, I should lock the controls before setting anything down to cool. Considering I often cool/cook simultaneously on my current electric cooktop, I don't find this response reassuring (because I can't cook if the control panel is off). I've also read complaints about the sensors not responding to smaller pans.

These concerns led me to the Bosch 36" Flex Induction Cooktop (NITP666SUC). It accommodates smaller pans, and I can't find any complaints about annoying beeping, although it is a newer model so there aren't many reviews yet. The sensors are based on Thermador's "Freedom" induction technology without the hefty $5k price, so smaller pans also should not be an issue.

The Bosch package incentives aren't as generous as what Jenn-Air offers (10 percent rebate when you purchase three Bosch appliances). Plus, the Bosch cooktop is more expensive ($2,799 v. Jenn-Air's $2,049). Thus, to stay on budget, I might have to sacrifice convection in the bottom oven and go with the Bosch 30" double oven with top convection only (HBL8651UC). The pricier option would be the Bosch 30" double oven with convection in both (HBLP651UC).

I know that Bosch dishwashers are supposed to be the best, but given that dishwashers are (relatively) inexpensive and easier to replace, I am prioritizing the cooktop and wall ovens now. I'd love to have the Bosch dishwasher, but need to keep my eye on overall appliance budget. (If the free Jenn-Air dishwasher dies in a year, but I love my Jenn-Air ovens and cooktop, I can live with that because, hey, the dishwasher was free to begin with.)

So here are my questions:
-Anyone have any experience (good or bad) with the Jenn-Air 36" induction or Bosch Flex Induction cooktops? Jenn-Air v. Bosch double ovens?
-Do I really need convection in the bottom oven (I have never had convection before but am told it's a must-have at least in the top cavity).
-Am I crazy to forego a Bosch dishwasher in the name of "free"?

Thanks in advance for your input.

This post was edited by heather_writes on Tue, Oct 14, 14 at 20:00

Featured Answer

lepages

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I went with the Jennair on our recent new build. I have the 36" Induction cooktop and couldn't be happier. I don't think that the beeping when putting something hot on the cooktop is very noticeable. It beeps once and to be honest I never really thought about it until I read your post. I went with the Jennair because of all the rebates and the free dishwasher, I'm not sure what kind of rebates they have now but the rebates we got were substantial. I have no complaints with the dishwasher, I ended up upgrading to the one with the third rack.

Comments (8)

westsider40
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Welcome Heather, In real life, you won't have much,if any, beeping. Don't lock the controls. That is silly and a cya reaction to your question. I have Bosch but believe there won't be any appreciable difference. The guts are made by the same ppl.
Convection in both ovens is more important, useful, than flex induction. Here's my experience. Pots of all sizes work on all hobs, except possibly for those that might be too small. It still works if the pot is not centered on the hob. My pots are sometimes off center and partly off the hob and it still works and works exceptionally well . If it works, it works well.

I have taken pots off the hob to add water under the faucet and it works again when I place it back on the hob. Granted my faucet is just a swivel away. Flex sounds so appealing but it just is not necessary unless, possibly, if you want to bridge something, say a huge roaster. And even then I am not sure you cannot monkey with something. At our cottage, with a gas/stove, I might move a pan partially off to control heat and that's monkeying in my book.

I use the convection feature in my double oven Bosch for cookies and breads which is about all I bake. So I would not trade double convection for what I see as an unnecessary but sexy sounding flex.

Couple of things re induction to help with the learning curve. Rest your finger and don't press. And, use boost to attain aboil, not to maintain a boil. Don't worry or even think about power sharing.
hvtech42
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I don't think you could go wrong with either package. JennAir has a new dishwasher out that is actually made by Bosch. It's their most expensive model though, not sure if they will let you claim it as your "free" dishwasher.

24-Inch Flush TriFecta™ Dishwasher with Built-In Water Softener
JDB9600CWS
Related Discussions
27' double wall oven: Elex, KA or Bosch?
Q
Comments (5)
We lucked out yesterday on a special-order-customer-returned-good-as-new-still-in-the-box Electrolux 30" wave touch wall oven originally priced at $1999...first marked down to $1799...then $1299...then $990...when we went yesterday it was $750!!! Woo hoo!!! Now designing the new kitchen around this oven and hoping that our store will soon have a 36" rangetop special-order-customer-returned-good-as-new-still-in-the-box as well! :-)
...See More
36" Induction cooktop questions - Wolf vs. Bosch w/FlexInduction
Q
Comments (40)
@aspen75, I have that same griddle that I use on mine. I understand and experience what you are saying and it is a bit of a disappointment. However, it has never hindered my cooking abilities on it. I mainly use my griddle for fish, shrimp, or pancakes (DH sometimes uses it for squash and zucchini) and because the heat ends up dispersing throughout the griddle, I never have issues with the food I cook. Sometimes I might have to move my fish or shrimp around as it cooks, but it still cooks. I'm still very pleased with my Wolf and so glad I went with it over gas, which we had before and which definitely had far worse hotspots. I have not tried a cast iron griddle on mine because I like the ease of cleaning the one I do have. Plus, I have a Blackstone on my patio just off my kitchen and I use it a ton in the spring, summer, and fall when I truly need a griddle ;)
...See More
30" Double Wall Oven - GE Cafe vs. Bosch 800
Q
Comments (8)
In terms of seeing appliances in person, I think it really depends because there are some aspects of functionality that really should be viewed in person. I had no particular need to see my Bosch dishwasher in person since I knew what it was going to be like based on the on line descriptions. When I bought my first *real* dishwasher years ago I did want to see dishwashers in person so that I had a better sense of what the different options were like. I have the Bosch Benchmark side opening oven which I really like. I did want to see that in person but I would have been fine to order it on-line. However I was glad to have found it at a place near me and I could check out the telescoping rack. Refrigerators were a completely different issue as there are some many possible variations in terms of how the interior space could be used and refrigerators were actually the most difficult appliance for me to select as all of the others were easy to nail down because they had very specific features within my budget - e.g. Bosch side opening wall oven; Bosch induction cooktop with burner configuration as well as controls that didn't make you cycle through. So I went to view refrigerators repeatedly in person to to get a sense of what it would be like to actually use specific refrigerators. Luckily I was able to find a refrigerator (KA) which had the features I wanted available in person to look at and compare with a good number of other refrigerators. Looking at refrigerators on-line solely (in my experience) is not sufficient. I am really happy with my Bosch Benchmark side opening oven. However when I was researching appliances there seemed to be advice that getting a double oven was not necessarily the wisest choice since failure of one might mean both of the ovens would need to be replaced. I have a microwave drawer as I have limited space but if I had a large kitchen with room for two ovens I would probably go with a second oven that had different functionality like a steam oven.
...See More
48" range v. double wall oven
Q
Comments (4)
One thing you have to consider carefully when choosing a 48" range is the exhaust hood requirements for it. Ideally the hood should be 54" wide, though many people will put in a hood that is 48" wide. Either way, you will need the accompanying correctly-sized ductwork and makeup air for that size hood. You will also forego upper cabinets to fit the wider hood - that may or may not be important to you. I personally would rather have 36" wide cooktop/rangetop and double wall ovens. You also don't have to bend with wall ovens which may or may not matter to you. Regarding wall ovens, if you do a little researching, there are ovens that don't have Wifi. But digital controls are the way of the world. Bosch, Frigidaire and Kitchenaid offer wall ovens that do not have WiFi, so look into those. Bluestar is a brand that does not have digital controls nor all the electronic extras - but expect to pay abut $10-11k for Bluestar double wall ovens. I advise staying away from Viking, and also do not get "fingerprint-resistant" stainless steel, which is problematic, just regular stainless steel.
...See More
heather_writes
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Just wanted to say thanks to all who responded. We decided on the Bosch NITP666SUC Induction Cooktop and Bosch Dishwasher (SHP7PT55UC).

Our appliance store happened to have the Jenn-Air Double Convection Oven (JJW2830WP) on clearance, so we went with that for the oven. The clearance price offset the loss of the Bosch rebate AND allowed me to have convection in both ovens. I am really looking forward to using all of these new toys!

I will try to give full reviews after a few weeks of use.
MMG500
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi heather_writes,
I'm really interested in hearing how you like your Bosch Induction cooktop. I am considering the same model and also the Thermador Freedom. I am leaning towards the Bosch because I believe it's comparable functionally and much less $$ than the Thermador. I think the controls are more user friendly.

Also, what do you think of your Jenn Air ovens? I'm torn between Thermador, Miele (pricey), and the Benchmark Bosch - - I really think the side opening doors would be great. Has anyone used these?

Thanks for all the help and advise!
Melissa
heather_writes
Original Author
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Melissa,

I just saw your question--haven't checked this thread in a while. Cabinets were just installed earlier this week--we have a few more weeks before the project will be done and I'll be able to start cooking on my new appliances. I'll be sure to post back then.

I looked at the Thermador Freedom but ultimately decided there was not really increased functionality for all the extra money, as compared to the Bosch Benchmark. Plus, the Freedom hob is limited to 4 pots/pans at a time, whereas the Bosch can accommodate 5. So in terms of both cost and functionality, I think the Bosch comes out ahead.
Peter Littig
7 years ago
Hi, heather_writes!

How's new kitchen? I'd love to hear about your experience with the Bosch cooktop; we're trying to decide between Bosch and Jenn Air and it would be great to hear your thoughts.

Peter
Cynthia Grover
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Just competed research on Jenn-Air vs Bosh convection wall ovens. Check out www.consumerafffairs.com on Jenn-Air wall ovens and convection ovens. One reviewer mentioned that "Jenn-air's oven control board failed at high temp. .. . service tech said the unit heats and moisture from the oven right below the control panel which eventually destroys the circuitry. He told us Bosch wall units vent from the bottom, and he's never been called out to replace a control panel on a Bosch." Check out reliability ratings at www.yaleappliances.com. Bosch generally had less incidence of repair than Jenn-Air. I am choosing Bosch NIT8668SUC induction, 800 series 30" convection single wall oven,and 800 series built in microwave speed oven. Love the flush mount and find the features just what I need. Good luck!

Jennair V. Bosch 36" Induction and Double Wall Ovens

lepages

Comments (8)

westsider40

hvtech42

Related Discussions

heather_writes
Original Author

MMG500

heather_writes
Original Author

Peter Littig

Cynthia Grover

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Jennair V. Bosch 36" Induction and Double Wall Ovens

lepages

Comments (8)

westsider40

hvtech42

Related Discussions

heather_writesOriginal Author

MMG500

heather_writesOriginal Author

Peter Littig

Cynthia Grover

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

heather_writes
Original Author

heather_writes
Original Author