Replies

1. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Apr 02, 2009 07:19pm | #1

   I'd respectfully tell FIL to do his own research, just to avoid trouble.    If you want to help, send him links from places like http://www.epinions.com , let him mull over the reviews. 

   Interesting subject for kitchen designers but I'm sure that there are many message boards about cooking that are far better suited to answering questions about appliances than most of us are.

    

2. 
   restorationday | Apr 02, 2009 08:05pm | #2

   Bosch and GE are the best out there in terms of how well they are built vs features and cost. Stay away from the kenmore elite units they only have one power module instead of the two or three that are needed to get max use out of an induction cooktop. The other 'high end' ones are most likely made by Bosch or GE.
   For wall ovens I like kitchenaid, bosch/miele, GE. Wolf and Viking are nice but I have been told many times that they are very expensive to repair and have a higher rate of repairs than the less expensive brands. He should look at getting a steam oven if he really likes to cook and has the money.

3. 
   BillHartmann | Apr 03, 2009 02:04am | #3

   Ask about this over at Cookstalk. That is the the forum for Fine Cooking.

   Go to the banner above this message and click on My Forums and Cooktalk will be one of them.

   Also use the advanced search. I know that this has been discussed often.

   .
   William the Geezer, the sequel to Billy the Kid - Shoe
4. 
   junkhound | Apr 03, 2009 03:00am | #4

   Love the induction units, especially good for kids learning to cook with reduced risk of getting burnt. If the grandkids go over to cook with gramps induction is the way to go. Pretty much prefer that type myself now, esp with cast iron cookware or 10-18 stainless (magnetic).

   Have a 4 element Kenmore in own kitchen, Son and DIL (and grandkids) have a 36" 4 element GE.

   Our Kenmore is over 20 years old and still works fine after initial repair and one subsequent 'repair' to control panel. Newer ones appear to have all glass/ceramic top with no mylar touch screen, the older units with mylar touch screens tended to fail when the cook set a hot pan from the oven on them (both DW and DIL trashed their touch panels at least once, I have since rebuilt both with non-fail microswitches)

   The nearly new GE had an IGBT fail when the fan jammed due to whatever original owners did to it (bought it used off craigslist) and the IGBT overheated.  Had to reverse engineer the drive circuit as the failed IGBT took that circuit out also, only $6 worth of parts to fix, but GE wanted $200 for new board!  Of course none of the makers make the full schematic available except to their dealer if even then, so you do have to reverse engineer the things to fix them.

   So, is your FIL good at electronics?? If not, NEVER buy any cooktop with a touch panel for controls, you WILL fry them sooner or later.   I have seen some of the high end induction units with a wall mounted control panel to avoid the 'fried control panel' syndrome. No idea what the failure rate or failure modes are of some of the newer $2000+ units, but likely use similar electronics.  (Kenmore was made by Panasonic)  

   Oh, did I say I got the Kenmore for $200 and the GE for $100 (both non-working of course).   

5. 
   jeffwoodwork | Apr 03, 2009 04:32am | #5

   Electrolux has a nice one and some good reviews about it.

6. 
   RobWes | Apr 03, 2009 04:36am | #6

   Everyone knows that real cooks prefer GAS

7. 
   k1c | Apr 04, 2009 02:02am | #7

   My parents bought Bosch electric wall oven to replace old gas oven. It works fine, except I could not get definitive help with installation. I had question about breaker sizing and nobody could answer. Bosch also has some reputation for having bad customer service, check reviews in Amazon.com. This oven also vents strong current of air right into your face level. If at all possible, look for knob and button controls that are separated. Touch screen or controls that are all in one panel are expensive to replace. Bosch is good in this respect. Good luck.

8. 
   sully13 | Apr 05, 2009 07:50pm | #8

   I would recommend going with one of the higher end brands like Fagor or Electrolux.  We have installed both of these units and they are quite nice.

   We have also installed Gaggeneau and Miele.  I like these as well, but it may come down to a combination of cost and warranty.

   I have never liked GE appliances.  I know that some of GE's high end stuff is manufactured in Cali in the same plant that makes FisherPaykel and some others.  But I have never been a fan of their quality.

   Fagor makes entire units for many other manufacturers and just the guts for some others.

   Their name is not well known in the states to most people except for higher end kitchen renovation shops.

   As far as ovens it is tough to beat names like Viking, Wolf, and Gaggeneau.  But Miele probably makes the best electric oven on the retail market today.

   One consideration in picking out an oven is to make sure that you get a true convection oven. If you can find one with steam all the better.  Someone else here pointed that out as well.

   Another consideration in picking out a wall oven is to make sure your FIL takes the largest pans he plans on using in the oven to the appliance showroom to make sure that they will fit in the oven cavity.

   I can't tell you how many times we have had clients who had to purchase new pans because their old ones were too big.

   Good luck

   sully

1. 
   Haystax | Apr 06, 2009 05:14pm | #9

   Thanks Sully -I'll pass the info along. I'm not sure they are set on induction, probably go with a gas cooktop when it comes down to it but they are looking at all the options.I'll look for a Fagor source, believe I know someone who bought a countertop induction "hotplate" that is a Fagor.Thanks for your input!