must buy new built-in oven and cooktop--suggestions?

[Carolyn]

This is not a recipe question but I don't know where else to go for information. We moved into a wonderful (except for the kitchen) double-wide mobile about a year ago and are looking for new built-in oven and cook-top. I have never had built-ins before and must say I HATE this present oven. It has I think a very cheap model which has many defects. Would love to switch to a good stove but wiring and design problems sort of necessitate a good built-in. It probably should be electric as we would have to put in a propane tank to get gas. Does anyone have or know of a good built-in oven which they like? Or can't stand? For the cook-top I will probably get a good ceramic but what kind of elements, radient halogen? I have the literature from most brands, I don't know which ones really work best or what their downsides are. Am checking with Consumer Reports, but first-hand information would be greatly appreciated. You are such a knowledgeable bunch that I thought maybe someone could help. Any infor or suggestions as to where to get info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[sneezles]

The previous three houses we lived in had Jenn-Air built in ovens. Actually the first one we put in ourselves as a replacement. I loved it and it was wider than the stove/cooktop we'd had. I also like the fact that Jenn-Air's have a circulating fan in the oven so you don't relly have to preheat for most things. The previous cooktop was the Corningware one and it was a true pain in the rear to clean. I prefer to have a gas cooktop but have been intrigued by the raidant halogen ones.

[Nicole]

Carolyn,

I have a GE Profile glass top electric cooktop. I like it very much. I recently moved from using a gas stove to electric and this cooktop has made things easier. I like the fact that one of the burners has two size options (6" and 9"). It also has lights to indicate when the surface is still too hot to touch. (I suppose that most brands have these now). I like that it heats up very quickly (almost like a gas stove). It has what they call "ribbon heating elements" - I believe that it is radiant halogen, but I could be wrong. The extra flat space is great for letting things cool when they come out of the oven, or anything else for that matter. You do however have to be careful of what type of pots and pans you use. If there are ridges in the bottom of your pots, you won't be able to use them. I have also found it necessary to use the recommended cleaner (Cerama-Brite) to clean the cooktop. If I use anything else, it tends to streak or look dull. I find the Cerama-Brite easy to use, and therefore the cooktop is easy to clean.

I also have an electric GE oven. I haven't baked very much in it, but I have no complaints. It is self cleaning, although I have not attempted to clean it yet. Otherwise, I haven't found anything about it that I didn't like.

Hope this helps! Good Luck!

[This message has been edited by Nicole (edited 11-13-2000).]

[kwormann]

My husband would definately say Viiking...he is obsessed, but w/ the looks. However, I used to work at Williams-Sonoma and we sold them ans always had great feedback...it is top of the line!

Kim http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Carolyn]

Thanks for all your suggestions. Am still visiting stores and doing research and it's great to have actual user feedback. There certainly are a lot of possibilities out there.

[Joyce]

I have the GE profile also, built into the counter, with a fan that only rises when you press a button set into the counter. I love it. We have been using it for six years, but it always looks brand new. It heats extremely well with the halogen burners, but only if you use flat bottom pans.