I am not sure how useful this will be. I replaced an electric smoothtop (I hate them!) in my house in Oregon with an Electrolux Wavetouch 5 burner dual fuel LP range. I only lived there full time for about a year with the range before relocating to Maine. Am not sure what the fascination with smooth tops, but I ended up with another one in the place I have purchased in Maine, its dual burner died after 4 months of use. I decided to replace it with the 30" all LP Berta range and am taking advantage of the hood promotion (BTW, they retail for $1,200). My place is heated with an LP based European type hydronic radiant heat units and a LP fireplace, so adding cooking should not tax my 300 gallon LP tank, LOL! I was looking for a range that is decidedly "manual" without an electronic interface due to the wind and subsequent power outages that are to common in this part of the state. I was also advised of service problems with the electronic interfaces on the Electroluxes, even though my range in Oregon has not had a service problem as of yet, knock on wood (am a reluctant landlord). Initially, I planned to purchase an Electrolux dual fuel floor model but could not pass up the hood promotion Bertazzoni is currently offering. I am only hoping when the range is installed, the oven temp will be adequately calibrated. I previously owned a Viking, but really did not want to spend the extra money for what I thought would be of marginal benefit. I also do not miss cleaning the Viking grates which were an exercise in weightlifting too! I visited friends of mine a few years ago in Europe and I believe they have a Berta (the knobs are pretty distinctive). I do about 70% rangetop and 30% oven cooking. My old Viking had gas convection and an infrared broiler and I really liked the oven and understand that the Berta is similar, though I believe the heat control is different (regulated by flame instead of on and off).

Hi Pauline -- I did consider both. Didn't like the oven on the floor or the finish on the GE. Did like the center burner and the price but in the end, I didn't need the second oven as we have no vent hood. Went with Berta, as you know and as I've detailed in other posts, it's a very specific type of range with excellent burners and a Euro-style oven. People who have them do like them -- many have posted here. But the Fratelli Onofri and NXR owners like theirs too and I think those are worth a look. Don't know much about Verona but it's out there, too. Perhaps others will chime in on those. Berta needs an oven thermometer -- no digitals in that stove but no issues either. And no plastic. It really depends what you need. We're empty nesters in a 1924 apartment. Good luck with your decision.

I'm sort of old-school when it comes to ovens, preferring to learn by experimentation how they perform vs. advertised baking and temp times. After awhile I have a pretty good idea how the oven performs vs. the specs in the recipes and then I just tweak the knob one way or the other. For me, far more important is the evenness of heat it produces so that I do not have to constantly fiddle with baked goods to keep the back sides from burning. So I would not go out of my way to buy an oven with a built-in temperature gauge. Really - for what you are looking for - I would pick the one that suits your eye and your kitchen. They are all sealed-burner models with similar performance. The Bertazzoni (and perhaps the Verona; you will have to check) uses a spark ignitor for the oven, which is sort of a departure from typical American practice. The advantage is that you can light and run the oven with a match even during a power failure. If you live in a weather impacted region that could be an advantage. I am a huge fan of the Bertas from a design standpoint, but my tastes may not mirror yours. What I would do if I were you is go shop the models you are contemplating by finding showrooms where the ranges are displayed. Take your tape measure and your largest roasting pan and see how they look in person. Pick the one you like the best.

I've had my GE Cafe Dual Fuel (converted to LP gas) since last Thursday. This replaces a Bertazzoni 30" all gas that was defective. The GE arrived with a small dent in the oven door - the appliance store states they will order a new one and replace for us. No problem. As for the range so far, I LOVE it! I had a very bad experience with the Bertazzoni and comparing that to the new GE it is NO comparison. I'm so pleased with the GE. The range top seems huge compared to the Berta, I believe this is simply the design but it's nice that it feels so spacious. The burners light quickly and the control is super. I can cook an egg on both front burners on very low and also boil water quickly on the right front "power burner". I have not yet used the middle (5th) burner but I will soon test this one. The oven is completely quiet, roasted fresh tomatoes/garlic/onions for a tomato sauce for 1 hr 30min Friday night and the oven fan never came on. The Berta oven roared upon lighting and never quieted down the entire time - I hated it! The electronic touch pad is fabulous - you barely touch and the command is done. One issue to mention, the knobs did get quite warm during the oven operation. Not burning hot but hot. This is something I will watch. Overall, I am very pleased with this range.