There was feedback on several earlier threads regarding the electrolux slide in. Most really liked the looks and the oven interior, but disliked the range top. Several had problems with the top scratching easily and the stainless part that divides the cooktop part with the controls being easily scratched. A few threads on another forum were also noting the same issues. A couple stated they would not buy it again. I have noted in sores that they are always smeary and scratched. I took my post to lowes and was requested not to place them on top of the range. Huh? Salesman told me he had just cleaned the top. I asked why I should not place my pans on the top of the range when that is what I would be doing several times a day if I bought one. His response....They are a b**ch to keep clean and they are supposed to attempt to keep all of the items clean. I have a 10 year old GE free standing range. it was made for sears. I have never been careful with it nor am I one who thoroughly cleans it after every meal. Sometimes it is very difficult to clean, but it never has scratched and when I do take the time to clean it well, it looks almost brand new. I really think the glass manufacture has something to do with this. Mine is a ceran top. I am intending to buy and=other range with a ceran top.

My understanding is that most freestanding ranges have the controls on the back (where the backsplash is), and all slide-in ranges have the controls on the front since there is no backsplash. At this point, there are only a hand-full of induction ranges out there (free standing or slide-in) so there's not much selection to choose from (as you've probably seen). Between the models, I like the GE Profile induction unit, even though it does have the backsplash with controls.

The GE range and microwave were bisque in color and from 2003, but when the magnatron went out last year, we replaced the microwave with a new GE Profile convection microwave in stainless. So we'd like to replace the bisque range for a stainless one sometime by next year so they will match. Since the convection microwave is Ge Profile, we'd first like to stay with GE Profile for the range so the "style" matches. That would be either the free-standing induction PHB925SPSS ($2100 new) or the slide-in (non induction) PS968SPSS ($1400 new). When looking at the installation instructions for GE slide-in (and the Electrolux induction slide-in) is when I saw about having to "shave" the counter top, which got me worried since the granite has been there for 5 years now. I'm not sure if the price of having the granite modified to fit a particular slide-in, and then years later maybe going with another range, and the granite not fitting it is all worth it. But the overall goal would be for the range (GE or another brand) to match the "style" of the GE Profile convection microwave and have the controls in the front, so the full granite backsplash is visible. I know there's the GE Cafe CS980SNSS that is free-standing, but looks like a slide-in, with the controls on the front. But for with a price of $2400, I'd probably just go with the regular free-standing GE Profile Induction for $2100, even though the controls are on the back. The Vikings range $4000-7000 depending on the model.

Might be some confusion in terminology here. As I understand it, a "freestanding" range has a thick riser in the back that has a control panel and contains the oven vent. They are deisigned to go against a wall. Almost all electric freestanding stoves have the oven and burner controls on the backsplash. Gas ranges have the oven controls on the back and the brner controls in the front. A "slide-in" is a style of range with all controls down front and which offers the option of placing it in a kitchen island as well as against a wall or standing alone by itself. For island installations, there will be no backsplash and a very low oven vent at the very back (although some slide-ins dispense with this and use a vent at the front of the oven -- the Frigidaire induction slide-in and the Samsung "Chef" induction slide-ins being examples of that design.) When placed against a wall, there will be an option for a thin vent-riser/backsplash which is what you typically see with so-called "pro-style" ranges and which is why some folks might think of them as free-standing ranges. The cooktop "brim" or overhang on the sides --- not all slide-ins have that. Also, standard countertop heights may still leave a gap under the edges of the cooktop overhang.) Slide-ins do not have the overhang, examples being GE's "Cafe" line and all of the so-called pro-style ranges. As for moving a range, a very tight cut-out can make that problem. With a standard cut-out, the weight may or may not be a big problem. Depends on the floor surface and what is on the base of the feet of the stove. Silicon/plastic floor glides can make moving the stove pretty easy. I have a 300-something pound pro-style range --- about the same as the Miele induction range, IIRC, and more than the Bosch and Electrolux slide-ins. It sits on a smooth laminate floor. WIth the stock feet, I can slide the beast in and out all by myself without any trouble. (Never even needed the furniture glides I bought for it.) I have no first hand experience with the Miele but I'm guessing that it either has wide and easily sliding feet or at least feet that can use stick-on glides. Might be worth checking on that floor model you are looking at. In your case, you might want to measure the cut-out width again. The carpenter/cabinet maker's rule of thumb for countertop cut-outs is 30 1/8" (a/k/a 30.125" or 76.2 cm). The standard width for a nominally 30" range is 29 7/8 (29.875") although a few models (particularly pro-style ranges) are 30" wide. IIRC, your range --- I'm guessing it is the the Electrolux EW30IS65JS which I considered getting three years ago --- spec'd a 30" width. That is why I am suggesting measuring the cut-out width again. Anyway, as you might guess from what I wrote above, I just live with the gap the same as I did with the predecessor freestanding ranges. There is no getting round having to slide out the range every once in a while to get anything sticks in the gap or dribbles on the sides of the range. That said, like Fori, the gap is not very wide and there is not a whole lot that falls down there. For me, "every once in a while" is a couple of times a year.