I think I'm hating the Gaggenau cooktop in our new house.  It's cramped, and it's trying to be too many things, which renders it not good at any of them.

The current modular configuration involves three units:  two gas burners, two smooth top electric burners, and a small electric grill in the middle.  It's impossible to have two standard sized skillets or pots on a single module at one time.   With a larger piece of cookware on a front burner, you can end up burning yourself on the pot or skillet when using the heat control knob.

I honestly think this whole thing is an overpriced piece of junk that's all about status as opposed to serious cookery.  And I'll never use the grill since the only vent is through the microwave back out into the room.

So, is anyone familiar with these as far as the size of the opening required in the counter top, and if something more functional could easily be swapped in?

I thought about purchasing two more gas modules, but the issue with the control knobs would still be present.

Any thoughts on this?

Ralph, have you measured it?  

While there is a "Oooooh cool" factor, they obviously aren't very functional for someone who actually cooks.

If it's the "Vario 200" series like these (below).... each section is 12" wide.   So if you have three, a 36" wide cooktop should fit nicely in the space those 3 fit in.

Kevin

If you want to stick with Gagganau, they have a 4 burner unit you can replace the electric and grill with.  No idea what the cost is though.  For what I'm guessing this costs, a regular 5 or 6 burner 36" cooktop may be a better option.

Thanks Kevin,

I haven't measured yet but was feeling resigned about it being a quirky size.  Maybe it's not.

I do have the Vario unit.  It's like the one on the left in the first photo above, only the grill is in the middle, the smooth top is on the left, and it has two gas burners on the right, strongest of which is in the rear (go figure), and only 9K BTU.  The two large burners on our Electrolux Icon were 16K BTU (and up front where they belong), so I'm really spoiled after ten years with that range.

If I could get two of those (presumably higher BTU) single gas burners, I would move the electric section to the middle and chuck the grill and dual gas modules.  This would be the easiest solution, but not likely the cheapest.  It's unusual for me to use more than two burners at a time, so the electric would see use only on an as-rarely-needed basis.

I may be able to adapt to the oven.  It does have a lot of flexibility with various configurations for the upper, lower, and broiling elements to provide the best heat distribution for the task.  I looked into the cost of a spit for the rotisserie and just that rod and skewers cost $200.  I can't imagine what two new cook top modules will cost, but since my Vario is an older model, the price might have come down.

Time to do some on-line searching while keeping smelling salts within easy reach.

They certainly don't give Gaggenau stuff away. Why is it so expensive? A contractor friend gave me one of those Gaggenau built-in steamers brand new. It came out of a home in ultra-pricey Big Horn after the new owner said "get that dumb thing out of my kitchen". It's been in my garage for about 5 years along with those new Speed Queens. Hopefully I will eventually get those in the laundry room. As far as the steamer, I doubt I will ever use it. It requires 220 and a drain, both of which I have but it does the same thing as my cheap Oster steamer. At least the Gaggenau was free.

Good to hear from you Ralph and for the brief update on your new home.

My pleasure Ralph!

OK, the Gaggenau natural gas Wok burner (VG23114) has max output of 17000 BTU's.  I did a brief search to find a price, but none of the US stores list one, you must contact the store for the price.   I did find a website in Italy that showed a price of 940 Euros ($1100 USD).  Sounds like this may knock it out of the running....?

Pic #2 is the Electrolux 36" 5 burner cooktop.  The burners: 1 - 450-5000 BTU, 2 - 9500 BTU, 1 -14K BTU and the center burner is 20K BTU!  Their website shows MSRP of $1550, but both Home Depot & Best Buy show it for $1200.

Kevin

Thanks again, Kevin!

I did find a nearby dealer's site that indicated they were honoring Gaggenau's request not to post prices.  You must inquire.  Pretty snooty.  They lost more points with me.  But I did inquire and got a reply about an hour later.  $1,700+ per wok unit!  Plus tax and shipping!  Yeah, I don't even think so!  Oh, and they'll match anybody's price.   ROFL!

There's one on ebay new in opened box for $998 BIN.  That was enough of a shock, but the dealer's quote was preposterous.  I guess Gaggenau is laughing all the way to the bank.  What a scam!

That Electrolux looks like a possible winner!  I've decided to replace the whole asinine Gaggenau rig with a real cook top and base my search on build quality and BTUs. 

It's clear to me that none of the people who lived here before me -- including the woefully misguided woman who had the Gaggenau cook top and oven installed -- did much cooking.  A serious cook would have walked out of the store if a salesperson had pitched them such a bullshit product as professional grade.

The supposedly expensive kitchen faucet is next.  Annoying as hell and poorly designed.  Excuse me for being practical.