Hi. We installed a 36" 800 Bosch in November. The cost to upgrade our service from 40 to 50 amps was $450 - BUT that included the electrician putting in one new outlet in the kitchen plus installing a ceiling light fixture in the family room (both were run from existing outlets). His estimate for putting in the 50 amp line & breaker originally was $500, but it ended up to be less -- always a plus! We went for the 36" because we did just what others have suggested here: consider how we cook and what and how many burners we use frequently. We discovered that we often use three burners at a time (pasta boiling in one pot, sauce being prepared in another -- often a skillet -- and veggies cooking in a third). So we wanted some room to do that and the right sized burners to match the pans we use. Also, since we were going to use a downdraft (again) instead of a hood, we wanted at least one of the larger burners near the back. Additionally we liked that the Bosch had only one of the small 6.5" hobs -- some brands had two. That's a hob we knew we wouldn't use much. All in all, we have been very pleased with our choice. Oh, yes, we did have to cut back the cabinet sides a bit. BUT, since prior to this cooktop, we had a 36" Thermador radiant cooktop, the cabinet had already been cut. It's lasted for 14 years with no problem. We expect to get 14 yrs from this one!

There was feedback on several earlier threads regarding the electrolux slide in. Most really liked the looks and the oven interior, but disliked the range top. Several had problems with the top scratching easily and the stainless part that divides the cooktop part with the controls being easily scratched. A few threads on another forum were also noting the same issues. A couple stated they would not buy it again. I have noted in sores that they are always smeary and scratched. I took my post to lowes and was requested not to place them on top of the range. Huh? Salesman told me he had just cleaned the top. I asked why I should not place my pans on the top of the range when that is what I would be doing several times a day if I bought one. His response....They are a b**ch to keep clean and they are supposed to attempt to keep all of the items clean. I have a 10 year old GE free standing range. it was made for sears. I have never been careful with it nor am I one who thoroughly cleans it after every meal. Sometimes it is very difficult to clean, but it never has scratched and when I do take the time to clean it well, it looks almost brand new. I really think the glass manufacture has something to do with this. Mine is a ceran top. I am intending to buy and=other range with a ceran top.

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.

The GE range and microwave were bisque in color and from 2003, but when the magnatron went out last year, we replaced the microwave with a new GE Profile convection microwave in stainless. So we'd like to replace the bisque range for a stainless one sometime by next year so they will match. Since the convection microwave is Ge Profile, we'd first like to stay with GE Profile for the range so the "style" matches. That would be either the free-standing induction PHB925SPSS ($2100 new) or the slide-in (non induction) PS968SPSS ($1400 new). When looking at the installation instructions for GE slide-in (and the Electrolux induction slide-in) is when I saw about having to "shave" the counter top, which got me worried since the granite has been there for 5 years now. I'm not sure if the price of having the granite modified to fit a particular slide-in, and then years later maybe going with another range, and the granite not fitting it is all worth it. But the overall goal would be for the range (GE or another brand) to match the "style" of the GE Profile convection microwave and have the controls in the front, so the full granite backsplash is visible. I know there's the GE Cafe CS980SNSS that is free-standing, but looks like a slide-in, with the controls on the front. But for with a price of $2400, I'd probably just go with the regular free-standing GE Profile Induction for $2100, even though the controls are on the back. The Vikings range $4000-7000 depending on the model.