Seaside- Glad you posted this -- happy to give my opinion. I've had an American 48" range, with GRIDDLE -- not grill, for 1 year and 3 weeks. Here's my take: -- I *love* this range. The amount of heat put out by the burners is insane. I actually have to warn friends who come over to cook that "high" on this range is not what they're used to -- that they'll burn their food if they're not careful. Before I bought it I thought I didn't care how hot it got, but it actually speeds things along quite nicely. Water boils much faster, browning kicks in earlier, room temp ingredients come up faster. It's great. -- Go for the 48" not the 36" -- the 2nd oven is great. Not for being a 2nd over but for being so small. It heats up faster and uses less gas so for small jobs it's great to have. -- Skip the griddle and get the GRILL. I had a griddle on my old Thermador range and used it maybe twice in 5 years. My wife and I use the griddle all the time. Sometimes multiple times a day. Off the top of my head we've used it for fried eggs, bacon, sausage, zucchini, lamb chops, steaks, hash browns, sausage, 10 other veggies I don't recall, french toast, browned onions, browning bread... but you know what? I don't think we've made pancakes on it. Honestly, if we could do it again we'd get the 4 burner with the extra-wide griddle. -- I think one reason we love the griddle is that it's seasoned from shiny stainless steel to a uniform black. And we like it that way because it means we don't have to scrub it spotless after every meal like we do our All-Clad. Just a quick scrapedown with the spatula and a wipe with a paper towel or sponge. -- Service has been excellent. Nothing has broken but there were a few minor issues when it was delivered (long was bent by installer, one burner wouldn't light.) -- If you haven't gotten your hands on one, the build quality is excellent. Much better than Bluestar. (I'm not trying to bash bluestar but the one's I've seen have sharp edges and rough aspects that just don't seem... safe?) I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions. -Peter -Peter

ronnatalie...I don't think there is a ground (or ground wire) in the 3 wire run from panel to dryer. It's the old flexible metal type of casing around the 3 wires (2 lines, one neutral). The block on the dryer electrical connection is grounded to the dryer cabinet. weedmeister...I'm very sure Miele is already wired with a 4 wire cord and you can't make any modifications. I e-mailed them and they got back to me within hours (great service). They said and I quote: "Thank you for your interest in Miele products. It is NOT recommended that the appliance be hard wired and that the plug provided be altered or changed in any way. Please follow the electrical specifications that state the following: This appliance must be grounded. In the event of malfunction or breakdown, grounding will reduce the risk of electric shock by providing a path of least resistance for electric current. This appliance is equipped with a cord having an equipment grounding conductor and a grounding plug. Only insert the plug in an appropriate outlet that is properly installed and grounded in accordance with all local codes and ordinances. WARNING- Improper connection of the equipment grounding conductor can result in a risk of electric shock. Check with a qualified electrician, service representative or personnel if you are in doubt as to whether the appliance is properly grounded. Do not modify the plug provided with the appliance. If it will not fit the outlet, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician. The dryer is supplied with a 5 ft. (1.5 m) 4x10 AWG cord and a NEMA 14-30 P plug, ready for connection to a 120/240 (208) V, 60 Hz, 30 A AC power supply. Plug the appliance into a proper outlet. If the plug does not fit, have a proper outlet installed by a qualified electrician. For more detailed information please visit our web site at www.mieleusa.com or to speak with one of our representatives call 800-843-7231. Thank you" brickeyee...you're right (quickly checking out Electrolux & Whirlpool's web site instalation instruction manuals) they still provide 3 wire, hard wired applications. So I guess I really don't have to worry about updating the line unless I decide on purchasing the Miele dryer or I just want to update to current code. Thanks!

An immediate trip indicates a dead short. Go back and check your wires at the hood. Make sure any cable clamp has not been tightened so tight that the insulation has been pierced. If that is the case, you will need to make repairs to the wire. Hopefully you can pull enough into the hood's wiring space, and make the repairs. The clamp only needs to be snug.

Probably OK. However, an attitude of "anything sold at these stores would have to be safe" is probably giving them way too much credit. The national chains sell some decent electrical supplies and fixtures, and some that's close to junk. Competition is cutthroat, and for a corporate buyer the temptation to cut corners has to be hard to resist. You're right to be cautious about cheap imports. Caveat emptor! Again, I'm not saying the lights you bought are junk or dangerous - just don't assume that because they look like another brand that they're of equal quality. Might be, might not.