There are two microwave choices, one being the standard unit (CVM2072SMSS) or the advantium unit (CSA1201RSS). I would choose the later because it has microwaving, convection baking, speed cooking (15 min baked potatoes for example), and warming. Definitely worth the extra - I love my advantium. As far as the fridge, are you talking the French-door bottom freezer or the side-by-side? I'm not a huge fan of the French-Door (CFCP1NIZSS) because the ice-bin is small and difficult to access, and the crispers and temp-drawer in the fridge are clumsy in the way they roll out. I've also seen more service issues with this Mexican-made unit. The side-by-side unit is very nice (CSCP5UGXSS) as it is roomy (24.6 cf) and has the dual-evaporator system (produce will last 2 times longer). But if you really want the French-Door style, the KitchenAid pro-line (KFCP22EXMP) unit is much better choice. The icemaker roll-out shelf can be locked onto the freezer door so when you open it the ice is ready to scoop without an additional step. And the crispers are on ball-bearing glides, as well as the large temp-drawer (chef's pantry) below the crispers. This temp-drawer is both taller and deeper than the GE unit as it's large enough to hold a 17" diameter platter. Here are the internal dimensions of each company's temp-drawer: KitchenAid - 26"W x 17.5"D x 5"H GE Cafe - 28"W x 12.5"-15"D x 4"H There may be a rebate incentive to do multiple Cafe units. I know our store is doubling the mfg rebate right now. And the KitchenAid pro-line handle is not exactly the same as the Cafe, but they are close in style to at least consider the KitchenAid. Here is a link that might be useful: KitchenAid KFCP22EXMP

I bought 4 new GE Cafe appliances for my new kitchen a few months ago and I had the repair guy out the next week to work on my electric range because the lower oven was not cooking like the bigger oven like I was told it would. I have had it looked at 5 times and now the appliance place is saying they will just replace it with the GE Profile well thats great but now all of my handles will not match and the Profile is a cheaper range. Is anyone else having this problem with the electric Range.? The appliance place will not switch out all my appliance to profile because I have had them for 6months even though we have been dealing with this issue for 6 months.

eggandart49, thanks for the kind words. I had no idea how difficult these decisions would be!! in our last house, it was ll about budget, so things were a lot simpler. Ikea cabinets, basic appliances, and we used our creative DIY ingenuity for some awesome -but low-cost- details that made the kitchen pretty "wow" on a slim budget. This house is an investment for us, a 3-year project. A nice house is a VERY nice neighborhood that needs major updating. The market won't allow Ikea cabinets and budget appliances here. Which is, on the one hand, fun.... but also problematic. I have expensive tastes, and so the fact that I have bigger budget makes me want to go all out on my perfect kitchen.... but resale is key here so I can't be too avante garde. I'd be very sleek, green, and practical in my perfect kitchen... but here we need to stay "upscale cottage" (cherry shaker cabs, granite). Still, it's nice to be able to look at the nicer things. I just checked with a local real estate guru and she thinks "pro-style" is the way to go (even an "unknown" name). given that I'd prefer to cook on one for the next 3 years, I think I will go for it. So now it's down to the Capital or the American! Capital has 4x 15k btu. I think the American has one that's 17k. On an completely different topic, i'm shocked at how chintzy the interior of our expensive (well, expensive to ME) fridge is. We're getting the Jenn Air counter depth french door model and the produce drawers and stuff are as bad as the el-cheapo fridge in here now!! you'd think for $2500 you would get a little better drawer slides and stuff. Still, I love the way it looks, and presmably it'll keep stuff cold!!! And, I found a floor model on sale for $1800! Anyway- thanks so much for your comments... they really help!! Stacey

Donna I had the same issue with the range being higher than the countertop. The countertop is exactly at the proper height of 36" but the lowest you can adjust the range down to is 36-3/16. My bet is this is a carry over from the older GE frame design where the slide in range top slightly overlapped the countertop. The minimum range height was designed so you could not go any lower and put strain on the range top. The best solution I have found is to use the optional GE stainless steel trim kit. I posted a pic of it in this thread back on Aug 5 , 2018. It's getting close to 2 years since I installed mine and still loving it.