In February we were making a decision about the AG ranges and were looking at American, Bluestar and Wolf. We did tons of research and looked and looked. At that time I was also thinking I wanted a color range rather than stainless, so that narrowed it down to Bluestar and American. We decided the American was a better value than the Bluestar and were ready to order until we did a final measurement and discovered that the extra depth of the Performer would not work in our particular configuration because a drawer on an adjacent wall wouldn't open. So, much as we would have liked it, that eliminated that possibility. Then, we found an AG Wolf floor model on clearance (one of the old models with the open burner) and bought that. I like it, but personally I wouldn't want the burners on the new model Wolf. And, there have been a couple times (maybe only 3 or 4) when I thought to myself I would have liked to have one of the more powerful burners from the Performer. In your shoes, I'd save the money and get the Performer. This doesn't mean I don't like the Wolf; it just means that I don't think it is worth the extra money now, especially considering the fact it has sealed burners.

The infrared grills burn much HOTTER than the typical U-shaped burner grills on most high-end ranges and rangetops. Howerver, Capital's infrared grills are adjustable and come with a unique grill that you use one side of it for fattier meats (beef, pork, lamb) and use the other side for lighter meats (chicken & fish). The first side has 'U' channels in the grate to drain away excess fat. This will keep your flare-ups down on the grill. Yes, they are BBQ quality (Capital makes outdoor BBQ's too).

If you have a built in griddle, they are usually steel and may be thicker than an overlay and will take some time to heat up. With an overlay grill and you would have several options. cast iron- poor heat transfer so has hot spots but holds a lot of heat. Some people like that it has cooler spots and leave cooked foods there to stay warm. It takes a long time to heat up and cool down so adjusting heat up and down takes longer. They are very heavy. Lodge and those that are newer have a grainy finish that may take longer to season. If you can find an older one, it might have a machined smooth surface. steel like "Chef King"- The cooking properties are similar to cast iron but they are smooth. They will season nicely. Many on this forum have these and like them. There might be a few stainless griddles but they would tend to stick more. aluminum griddles--They are lighter weight and conduct heat very well so the surface heats very evenly. They will adjust quickly to turning the heat up and down. They will "season" to become nonstick, but it takes a little longer. I just gave my old well seasoned one to my sister. I used it over one burner and it still heated evenly but finally bought a big one. Most aluminum griddles are coated with nonstick. This is the one I have and it comes either coated or uncoated. Some appliance manufacturers make griddles that fit the range. These may seat and be more stable. If you choose an aluminum griddle, the burner won't matter. I can grill sandwiches and they are the same color top to bottom and side to side. If you choose steel or cast iron, the configuration of the burner would matter. If the heat is directed to the "center of the pan" as is considered by some to be a "superior" burner, that would mean more of a hot spot over the burner. A wider burner or the built in would provide a more even heat. The griddles are 14-15 inches wide. Hopefully you have read about the chipping blue interiors in Wolf ranges and ovens.

First, a warning -- I have never lived in a house that needed make-up air. Not even close. Double-pane glass makes little sense for us since all the heat goes around the sashes in our Victorian. My experience with MUA is related to commercial systems. What follows is an opinion about the kinds of things that would make me consider MUA. Unless you have a Code requirement for make-up air, you have a fireplace you use when cooking (I seem to remember that you are South Bay?), have a "naturally" vented gas appliance in "connected space" (no always-closed doors between the hood and the appliance), or have a "tight" house (recent, energy-efficient construction, most likely), I would skip MUA. Even if you do need MUA, the difference in the maximum hood flow probably wouldn't significantly influence the the cost of the MUA system, which I would think was primarily labor driven. If not significantly more expensive, and you can run at least an 8" duct (preferably a 10"), I'd go with 900 CFM for two reasons: * You have it when you need it -- guests over, and the kitchen fills with smoke... * A 900 CFM blower at 600 CFM may be noticeably quieter than a 600 CFM blower at 600 CFM The 24" will serve you well. Enjoy your new range!