Well I'm one of the main Viking bashers, I don't feel they are worth the money. I probably wouldn't look too closely at the racks, I would be more concerned the oven would work when I turn it on. IMO the high price of viking is not commensurate with a quality product.

I've used a (then new) GE range for over a year two years ago and baked many heavy things in them. Never had a problem. Never has it crossed my mind that the racks might be too weak either. What I didn't like was the lip that was sticking into the cooktop reducing cooking surface, but the racks were just fine.

Pinar

Oh, forgot to add. Have been using GE wall oven for a while now(unfortunately it has to go due to space problems in the new kitchen) but that too didn't have any rack problems.
p.

When I bought the oven I felt it was very heavy duty including the racks. Unfortunately, the performance was tragic. The racks and the side racks are very heavy and required soaking and scrubbing. They looked great but lifting and moving them was another matter. Also, it was a self-clean oven and the front third of the oven didn't get clean. The temperature was not stable. The oven had multiple and long term issues and they bought it back. I had a Viking kitchen -- the refrigerator is fine and the cooktop is very good. The hood is noisy and there is a buzz that cannot be removed but it looks good and functions efficiently.

I'm not bashing them but the oven wasn't good and I can't in all honesty recommend it to anyone. It was replaced with a Miele in which, I admit, the racks look a trifle flimsy. But there is a universe of difference in the performance (I'm not current on price). The racks clean up easily, I didn't get self-clean and the oven cleans up more easily than the previous one. The Viking oven doesn't compare to the Miele IMHO.

I would recommend the Viking smoothtop and even the refrigerator but not the hood or the oven. They have improved the quality of their service since I purchased my appliances.

If you want to spend less than the Viking the Miele may not be for you. I'd consider GE and Fisher & Paykel -- very positive reports on those here.

I have a 36" AG range - quite happy w/performance of both the oven & the burners

Thanks everyone - great feedback!!

I'm now back in the thinking mode because of some of the very comments made here. Also, I just totally busted my budget with a final granite selection and if I can cut costs with the oven - say to the GE, that will help a lot.

Thanks again!

Well today I officially gave up.

About a year and a half ago the trim on my 36" smooth top was replaced (while under warranty) because the heat setting decals were wiping off. This is a cooktop with complex burners and a bridge element so the decals are important to see what's on.

Today, one of the decals started to disappear.

So I took the advice of someone who had previously posted about this and applied clear nail polish over the decals.
On the second $2000 cook top.

Low tech solution to an obnoxious problem.

Thanks rococogurl!! Yeah, sometimes technology gets in the way. Maybe send that to Viking for them to stock up on. Good luck with your solution.

I mentioned some of these problems to my appliance guys and they said that they normally don't have problems with Viking CS. They know that there are problems sometimes, but they have never had a situation where they couldn't get Viking to respond. They also don't have problems getting parts. I mentioned the Gag, and that was one they said they have an awful time with - getting parts.

It's not about the appliance folks getting response gneegirl. It's about having to repair/replace post-warranty due to defects. Decals should not wipe off a cooktop which gets marginal use (weekend house) by any standard. It's a safety hazard and it's ludicrous.

When I replaced my oven I looked for one which had few complaints. Every oven has some but my experience is that the conventional wisdom here turns out to be true. In any event, I wish you luck with your choice.

Totally agree and understand. That's one of the reasons I'm still thinking. We'll see what happens. My salesman knows that I'm not satisfied with the problems RE Viking and especially with the CS. So, my search continues. Thanks for the info!!

gng

My $5,000 viking oven the decals just rub-off. I call it the 5 grand EZ BAKE OVEN.