Convection is something I use frequently and would recommend. From what I hear, the warming drawers at this price point are not worth the money/space. Regarding the center burner... If I had a choice, I would rather spend the money on 4 good burners (15k BTU+) than 4-5 mediocre burners, but in this price range, they all seem to be a similar setup (probably built by the same 2 companies). I have a hard time envisioning a decent size griddle getting evenly heated with any of these center burners. The Frigidaire has slightly higher burner output on average, but then there's that CNB to deal with.

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 nuggets button strikes me as just plain weird. The manual lists five other specialty buttons for the oven. The "crispy pizza" button might be useful if its function is to set the oven to use only the bottom element for heating/reheating. Many electric ovens these days use both the upper and lower elements for at least pre-heating and some reportedly even run the upper element during baking when temperatures drop too low (as from opening the oven door.) The others sound plausibly useful (unlike the nuggets button) but seem dubious when you think about them. The "proofing" and "defrost" buttons apparently run the oven a little over 100 degress F. I do the same thing with my present stove by turning on the oven light. The "keep warm" button apparently automatically sets the oven to 170F on a three hour timer for keeping completed dishes warm while you do other things. Not sure what this really is intended to accomplish since the NE597 has a warming drawer. Anyway, what is so inconvenient about setting the oven to convection bake at 170 degrees? The "slow cook" button is mystifying to me. There are "low" and Hi" selections but the manual gives no indication of what temperatures they represent. Apparently, you can use it for roasting meat at a some unspecified low and slow temperature. Why I would not just pick a setting such as 190 or 220 F and dial it in? The manual does not explain. I wonder if riderman357 has anything more to report on the replacement NE597 that he is supposed to be receiving?

Hi Barbara, I did have a blogger in Canada respond to me that she had this range and loved it. I decided not to get an induction range due to the EMFs.