Update on my double electric AR french door ovens: After less than a year with the ovens and suffering through a variety of problems, which were all addressed by AR in a somewhat timely fashion...my ovens were pulled out and replaced with new ones. All paid for by AR. We had a similar issue with the 50 amp v 60 amps. Their printed installation material says 50amps are needed but actually the company in an email to me said 60amps. Exhausted from the back and forth with the company, I ended up paying the electrician to come and change the breaker when the new ovens were installed. Anyway...here's the scoop. I've had the new ovens now for nearly a year and like them very much BUT they only seem to work when on the Convection setting. I cannot get a good bake on anything when using just Bake. Don't know why. I've come to terms with this; it's working for me. Warning: you canNOT change from Bake to Convection or vice a versa without the top element coming on and BURNING whatever you're baking. Essentially, when you change a setting, the oven thinks you're restarting and that super-hot top element comes on. So make a decision straight off on how you're baking and stick with it, otherwise if you change while baking all will be burnt. Trust me on this. Yes, the ovens are noisy. Yes, the French doors are wonderful. No, the knobs do not get hot. I have mine on for hours. I do have stone on the bottom racks this is a permanent feature. Yes, I rotate pans. A lot of info. Let me know if you have any other questions. Do I recommend? I need to think about that.

Thanks - It's funny on the peg board. These ARE new, soft-close cabinets but part of my rationale to the pegs is "a place for everything and everything a place." My daughters have emptying the dishwasher as one of their chores (when we get one back after the remodel - now it's all by hand and they HATE that!) - if we don't use pegs, I'm afraid that a nicely organized system will disintegrate into a randomly piled mess, especially since one is envisioned for Tupperware. The girls have to take a trash-free lunch every day so there is LOTS of use for the little tupperware containers and lids. We will have banks of 27" drawers (under the microwave), 36" drawers under the (oven), 33" drawers (under the island), 24" drawers and then two sets of 21" drawers. I was thinking TWO peg sets - one for the 33" (pyrex, bowls, etc.; would have to cut the 36") and one for the 27" (Tupperware, would have to cut the 30") All the rest would be completely open. Does anyone think this makes sense? On the second issue, I hear you on the knife block. I'm still going to order it in the 18 and will have hubby fit a piece beside it if it slides around. We have a rather rag tag-looking set of knives and an inexpensive knife block now so no need to have that sitting on my pretty granite countertops. Any other tips before we order (tomorrow!) :-) Thanks!

The older Gaggenau ovens are 27" wide. The current ones are 30". both are standard sizes. Mine is from the first group of 30" and the interior front to back will hold a 16" pizza pan, but barely. I don't know if the current model has the same conformation. They also make a classic 36" oven, though they have recently updated it. Gaggenau is one of the most accurate ovens on the market, though you pay for it. People here are happy with the side opening Bosch, which has a more accessible price. Bosch used to have the biggest cavity, but I don't know if that's also true for the side opening one. Definitely worth checking out. I'll say again, GE's ovens have a poor reputation. Uneven heating and other control issues. Look at the AR and BS. Before you get too set on any kind of flexible surface induction cooktop, do read the manuals really really thoroughly. There are limits to the "anywhere you want", the amount of power delivered, etc. It's very different technology to the standard inductor rings--I didn't realize that's what you were talking about before--and I would definitely not go with Viking on that. Not without a lot of other guinea pigs reporting that it's great and that the customer service is also great if something fails. If you think you really want it, AEG (I think it's now part of Electrolux) and Siemans (BSH=Bosch, Thermador and Gaggenau here) are the companies that have been in it longest. I don't think AEG is offered in the USA. That leaves Thermador and Gaggenau to look at. You might like the new Gaggenau 36" which has two "freedom" panels on the sides and a big multiple ring in the center. I think you could do three of your big pots across--do read the manual to be sure, but I think you can power share the front and back zones with one big pot in the middle of a freedom, which I think is four oblong inductors. But, again, you pay for it. Modern dishwashers are very different from your old Kenmore. They're designed for energy and water savings first, and cleaning second, ease of use third and drying a lag behind. Most people love Miele--mid-range on up. It's not as big, but genuinely loved. Most DWs are pretty good. Find one that fits your loads, and it'll probably be okay. Most of the work now, is done by enzymes in the detergent, rather than heat or power, and most machines require rinse aid (surfactant to loosen the water) for drying. Not spot prevention, but to actually get your dishes dry.

To those who asked: Yes….You can easily remove the copper cuff from the handle. We bought stainless Wolf/Sub-Zero/Cove appliances with “Pro“ handles for our kitchen, but wanted the amazing Cafe Advantium microwave (with Pro handles) for the coffee bar area in the kitchen. We do love the Advantium. However, we were disappointed the emblem/cuff was copper instead of stainless, and there isnt even a stainless cuff option available for special order. The company claims this copper cuff was intentionally designed & ”jewelry inspired”. The copper cuff clashed with our other Pro handles, so we removed the cuff in five minutes with two allen wrenches. Looks much better now and matches our other appliance handles. Monogram/Cafe should offer the option of a discrete stainless cuff. Not everyone wants ”jewelry” on their appliance handles.