Close to two months ago, I contacted Tim at Eurochef and requested that he send me a replacement for the faulty grate for my 36" cooktop. He assured me that we should receive it in a couple of weeks. Well, after several phone calls to Tim (only receive voicemail) and I also sent an email, I still have not received a phone call back or a return email. Still have not received grate replacement. I'm really getting disgusted with Eurochef and feel like telling him to come and get his cooktop and stuff it. I only feel this way because he is not returning my phone calls. Starting to get the same runaround when I was trying to contact Caldera (Al) direct. I love the cooktop, but customer service stinks. That's putting it nicely. It sounds like everyone else has had good luck with Eurochef, just wanted to give you another side to it. Va

Back for a few minutes! Do you have a layout that shows the various dimensions of your kitchen space? That would be most helpful... If you don't have one already, just a hand-drawn sketch on graph paper to-scale is fine. (Scan it in or take a digital picture of it and load it into Picasa.) From the "Read Me" thread: Layout Help We often get requests to help with layouts. Many of us enjoy doing this but it would help if you can post a copy of your layout, preferably to-scale. The best place to start is to draw up your kitchen (to scale, if possible) either without cabinets & appliances if you don't know where to start or w/your proposed new layout if you have something to start with. Regardless, measure and label everything...walls, ceiling height, widths of doors & windows, distances between windows, walls, doorways, etc. If you cannot move plumbing or gas, mark them on your drawing as well. Mark all doorways & windows (w/dimensions) and label them as to where they lead. If they're actual doors, mark how they swing. It also would be helpful to see the connecting rooms, even layouts so you see how they interact with the kitchen and/or extend the kitchen feel and flow. Make note of traffic flows in and out of the kitchen Make a list of things like: What are your goals? E.g., more counter space, more storage, seating in the kitchen (island? peninsula? table?), etc. Do you plan to merge two rooms/areas (e.g., Nook and Kitchen into a Kitchen only) Where are you flexible? Can windows or doorways change size? Can they be moved? Can windows be raised/lowered? Can any walls come down? Does the sink have to be centered under a window? Does it have to be under a window at all? Do you bake? Do you want a coffee/tea/beverage center? What appliances do you plan on having (helps to figure out work flow, work zones, and types of cabinets...upper/lower vs full height, etc.) Range or Cooktop? Single or Double or no Wall Oven? Warming Drawer? MW? (Advantium, drawer, OTR, countertop, built-in, shelf?) DW? Standard or drawers? If drawers, 1 or 2? Refrigerator CD or standard depth? Vent Hood? Other? Sizes of desired appliances (e.g., 30" or 36" or 48" cooktop; 36" or 42" or 48" wide or other Refrigerator? Counter depth or standard depth refrigerator, etc.) Pantry: Walk-in or cabinets? ***** Very Important ***** Is there anything you: Can't live without? Definitely don't want? Would like if you can find a way? This information will be valuable to not only you, but also any Kitchen Designers you may hire or talk to. Additionally, if you've been haunting the site, you'll notice that we also help with almost all aspects of the remodel, including layout help. If you do ask for help, then all of the above information will help us help you. Sometimes we stray from what you think you want to give you some ideas that you might not have thought of, but it's your kitchen and you can veto...

Before the experts get in here, may I clear up one point for all of us. You said: Lately, I've been looking mostly at gas ranges. Did you mean gas cooktops?? If not, we have the issue of where is this range going! On the hood issue: we didn't put one in because we thought it would block the view. It's lack doesn't seem to make a big mess although frying does require some cleanup. We do have a popup downdraft and it sort of works and I usually don't use it except when frying or we've burned something and the smoke alarm is ready to go on. Re induction wiring: if you have an exposed basement or crawl space, then running a new electrical circuit isn't really that big a deal; well certainly not compared with the induction cost! There have been plenty of threads here on how much people love their induction units. However, you are on propane and that suggests you are in the country like we are. We have plenty of small power outages and barely missed being out for two or more days and likely would have appreciated our gas supply.

In addition to the suggestion above, Corian can be patched or augmented in situ, although fabrication dust may be an issue. For many patterns, the results look good as that is the method used to built up counters from Corian sheets. Or, if the cooktop overall size will cover the hole, but the hole doesn't meet the size required for support, then supports can be conceived that might work. You didn't report the actual cut-out size, and Karnak is not around to inform me. But perhaps the cooktop might be replaced with one of the larger induction units, such as one from the Electrolux/Frigidaire/Kenmore line, or from the Bosch line. kas