<p>We just remodeled out kitchen. I got the Bosch dual fuel range and I really like it. It has the continuous grates. I like that it has 4 separate grates (they all abut each other). I looked at some other models that had 2 grates for 4 burners. They were extremely heavy to remove and there was no way they would have fit into the dishwasher.</p>
<p>OK, I hope this isn’t the dumbest question ever, but dh claims that our gas stove burners don’t “get hot enough.” I though, Isn’t fire fire? But then y’all talked about a simmer burner and other kinds of burners. Does the range really make a difference? How does a simmer burner work?</p>
<p>I have gas now, but I had a smooth top for more than 10 years and had absolutely no problem with using my cast iron on it. If you do a search, you might come up with the last time that we discussed this topic–I know I wasn’t the only successful cast iron-on-a-glass cooktop poster.</p>
<p>Just like Puzzled, I have a Thermador gas cooktop with the same grates, but only two of them (4 burners) - LOVE it. I too use is as a cooling rack for whatever baked goods come out of my electrical wall oven. I give myself a big pat on the head for choosing white appliances, because the white enameled cooktop is a breeze to clean, and it does not show dirt easily. The grates are easy to clean as well. That cooktop is the only Thermador appliance I give two thumbs up. The wall oven had a problem with its control panel suddenly losing brightness. Thank goodness DH was able to fix the panel by replacing a 50-cent part that he found at Radio Shack.</p>
<p>I do not like my GE with gray grates, but it was only slide in available at price I wanted to pay $500. I should have paid more to get more, but I was afraid the venting I have was not adequate. I put the gray grate in a freezer gallon bag and a maybe 1/4 cup ammonia–let it sit and the gook slides right off. The enclosed environment works much better than wiping with ammonia. plus the smell is only for a brief time. Of course keep bleach away to avoid the gas combination.</p>
<p>If I had a gas stove, i would make sure that at least one burner had a BTU output of at least 15,000.</p>
<p>One of the limiting constraints I have is that the stove needs to be white, not stainless. Some of the models I like are only in stainless. A year ago, just 5 months out of warranty, our fridge died. I tried to get a bisque fridge to match the other appliances only to find that bisque is “out” and not available. So, I chose white. So currently we have a white fridge and bisque stove, dishwasher, and microwave!</p>
<p>Thanks for the heads up on gray grates on gas stoves. I do like the continuous grates on top but like many of you I do use that middle area as a spoon rest. I’m also looking for an excellent simmer burner–that’s more important to me than high power burners. </p>
<p>I really hate shopping for appliances, especially when one dies and I need an immediate replacement. I guess I have no confidence in the quality of appliances these days. For example, our new fridge only has a one year warranty. To me that’s an admission that the quality isn’t good.</p>
<p>Thanks to everyone for your suggestions.</p>
<p>Like Seashore, I have used cast iron on my smoothtop with no problems. I switch between stainless steel and cast iron. To me, the biggest worry is that you can break the top if you drop something heavy enough on it.</p>
<p>It sounds like Martharap is looking for a stove with a built-in oven, not a cooktop, correct? One of the reasons cast iron is not recommended for smooth ceramic cooktops is because the bottom of many cast iron pans are not perfectly flat, so there is not good contact between the pan and the burner. If your particular cast iron pan works well, then there should be no reason you can’t use it. It shouldn’t scratch any more than a stainless steel pan.</p>
<p>I also have black grates on my Gaggenau cooktop - two large grates that cover four burners. They look dirty, even though they are clean - no dried on food or anything that can be cleaned off. I tried wiping them down with olive oil, and it helped freshen them up a bit, but it didn’t last long. Any other ideas?</p>
<p>I got a gas stove, no electrical hookup. No clock. No self-cleaning chickens or electronic maids inside. No electric pilot. Nothing. It’s a gas stove. Works great. Not much that can break. Was hard to find. White only. $279. If the electrical lines go out in an ice storm, we still have heat from the stove (has happened three times). And can cook.</p>
<p>Gmom–try Sears Grate Cleaner for your grates. In my experience, it works really well. You can leave the grates to soak for a few hours and they really come out clean–almost like new.</p>
<p>RE stoves: I’ve got a Wolf and like it very much. Inherited a pricey La Cornue that was in a summer place. It was always breaking and there aren’t a lot of appliance guys who know how to fix it. Previous owner wrote a note in the user manual that she had to call France for help. Replaced that stove with another 6-burner Wolf.</p>
<p>Yes, I am looking for a stove with built-in oven. In my ideal kitchen I would have a cooktop and wall oven–I’m getting too ancient to bend down!</p>
<p>No time to read the entire thread, so I hope I am not redundant. We replaced an old gas cooktop with an electric induction cooktop, and I love it. (This is separate from our double wall ovens.) There is no open flame, and (big benefit) DS1 can no longer use it for soldering!</p>
<p>It heats up very fast, a huge pan full of water boils in no time. Very good temp control, completely flat surface, easy to clean. We have the GE version because it was the only one that would fit in our space. You do have to be careful about what is around it. We needed to give up a couple of drawers below it, because some empty space is needed.</p>
<p>You can use cast iron on it. I have All Clad stainless and it works. Most cookware will not work.</p>
<p>I am in the process of replacing an ancient cooktop and hopefully remodelling the kitchen, too. I am planning to get an American Range brand gas on gas range, probably 48" with a grill and wok grate. American Range has been making restaurant and hotel equipment for 30 years and has only recently entered the residential market. Their prices are excellent. I’d take a look at them if I were you. The quality seems great, too.</p>
<p>Other ranges that people I know have been very, very happy with are Wolf, Kenmore Elite, Bosch, and DCS. Wolf and DCS are very expensive, the Kenmore Elite is probably the cheapest. My mother has a 30" Bosch and loves it.</p>
<p>I wanted induction, but would have had to give up my copper cookware.</p>