Thread Number: 88542
/ Tag: Recipes, Cooking Accessories
GE Cafe 36" Gas Cooktop |
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Post# 1130966   10/11/2021 at 21:15 (899 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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I found this item NIB offered for free on Nextdoor. Since I still want to replace my GaggeNoBueno "Vario" modular cooktop, which is designed for those who never cook, I figured for free I could just drive it over to the ReStore if dimensions won't allow for installation in the space I have.
I took some measurements and I'm feeling pretty good about being able to install this cooktop. I'll just need to have the cutout widened by 1/2" or so on both sides. I'm not a fan of GE, but anything is better than what I'm stuck with right now. I don't think this one has the backlit burner control knobs or the optional griddle, but I can easily live without both of those.
I feel that parts will at least be available for a while, which is no longer the case with my current cooktop, authorized service won't be nearly non-existent as is the situation I'm currently dealing with, and the kick-ass center burner offers 20K BTU, which is more than the wok module I have now. On line searching indicated that this model retails for $1,800 - $2,200. Just goes to show how much disposable income is floating around in Silicon Valley.
Does anyone have any experience with this model line? I would appreciate comments from anyone who has used or serviced these. Mine is model CGP95362M1S1. A sticker on the side of the unit indicates a manufacture or inspection date of 1/21/21. Made in the U.S.A. The linked site offers more information from GE. CLICK HERE TO GO TO RP2813's LINK
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This post was last edited 10/11/2021 at 22:07 |
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Post# 1130985 , Reply# 2   10/11/2021 at 23:51 (899 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)   |   | |
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Post# 1130991 , Reply# 3   10/12/2021 at 01:48 (899 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Oh for sure Eddie, there was no reason not to at least get the thing and see if it would work.
I downloaded the installation instructions and they have an alternative gas supply connection for situations with an obstruction below, which in my case is the top of the slide-in oven, so it's looking very promising. I just need to take some exact measurements to be absolutely certain.
With any luck, the only part of the installation I'll have to farm out is making the cut-out in the counter top just a little bit larger on each side.
Matt, thanks for the vote of confidence in the Cafe line. Reviews seem to be overwhelmingly positive, and I like that the grates create an even surface for sliding pots and pans around -- something that's not an option with my current modular set-up. |
Post# 1130998 , Reply# 4   10/12/2021 at 05:47 (899 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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Post# 1131006 , Reply# 5   10/12/2021 at 08:53 (899 days old) by jamiel (Detroit, Michigan and Palm Springs, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 1131019 , Reply# 6   10/12/2021 at 12:38 (898 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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John, I do have concerns about cleaning. I'll have to be careful with what I use on it. Owner's manual says nothing abrasive but is OK with liquid BKF. I think I'll use spray bottle cleaners whenever possible. Thanks for your vote of confidence in this particular GE product.
Jamie, I was surprised as you were to see that it's made in the U.S. There are stamps on the underside of the burner caps for both GE and "Mabe," which I thought was a Mexican brand but appears to be Philippines-based per their URL. I'd much rather see "Mabe" than "Haier," that's for sure. |
Post# 1131050 , Reply# 7   10/13/2021 at 10:39 (897 days old) by vacerator (Macomb, Michigan)   |   | |
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The grates can go in the D/W on pots&pans, or pressure washed at home or a car wash. That way they won't need steam cleaning or painting. Weekly scouring helps too. The stainless is no problem. |
Post# 1131059 , Reply# 8   10/13/2021 at 15:37 (897 days old) by nmassman44 (Brooksville Florida)   |   | |
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I know with the GE gas range that I had I adored the performance of that stovetop. That center burner has plenty of heating power to get the job done. Also with my cooktop that the burners came right out to make cleanup a breeze. One thing though, at least with the cast iron grates that I had, one cannot put them into the dishwasher or they will discolor. Cleanup of the grates meant that they were hand washed. And the other thing I have the motto lately that ...if its free, its for me! lol
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Post# 1131062 , Reply# 9   10/13/2021 at 16:18 (897 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)   |   | |
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I have a Samsung cooktop very similar to this. I have tried a few products for cleaning the stainless steel and honestly, what works best, is a microfiber cloth from warm water. If you have some wash water in the sink from dishes you can use that too if its a little greasy. Just ring it out until it almost feels dry. I find if I do a quick wipe after each use it stays really nice.
I used to let it go for a few days and it was a little more involved to clean as things burn on. The grates. Well they are another story. I mostly put them in the sink, spray with a degreaser I have from Norwex (the name of the company) and that keeps them pretty good. I don't do those every time. Maybe about once a week. I have heard to put them in the diswasher but I have always been afraid they would discolor so I do them in the sink. |
Post# 1131068 , Reply# 10   10/13/2021 at 17:17 (897 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Thanks Mike and Ralph for sharing cleaning tips, and yes, since it was free, it was definitely for me! I can tell from the finish that the stainless isn't going to be as easy to clean as what I currently have, but that trade-off is a no-brainer for me.
I had a similar experience with hefty grates on the Electrolux ICON range at our previous house. I cleaned them in the resin laundry basin so as not to scratch up the cast iron/porcelain kitchen sink. They were more substantial than those on the Cafe, and since I have a stainless sink now, I may be able to confine cleaning routines to the kitchen. |
Post# 1131082 , Reply# 11   10/13/2021 at 21:47 (897 days old) by MattL (Flushing, MI)   |   | |
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My Seimen's cook top indicates not to put the grates in the DW, I do 4 or 5 times a year and after a decade of use no issues. A lot of stuff like that is CYA by the manufacturer. |
Post# 1131108 , Reply# 13   10/14/2021 at 10:22 (896 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 1131109 , Reply# 14   10/14/2021 at 10:57 (896 days old) by combo52 (50 Year Repair Tech Beltsville,Md)   |   | |
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Post# 1131125 , Reply# 15   10/14/2021 at 14:33 (896 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Post# 1131352 , Reply# 17   10/18/2021 at 07:42 (893 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)   |   | |
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Post# 1131357 , Reply# 18   10/18/2021 at 09:26 (893 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)   |   | |
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I agree with the everyday cleaning routine. Leaving grease on a stove, especially the control knobs will more likely cause the lettering to soften and come off than using a cloth and soap and water or Windex will. Hardened grease is a whole lot more difficult to get off than freshly spattered grease that will easily wipe off..
Eddie |
Post# 1131361 , Reply# 19   10/18/2021 at 11:35 (892 days old) by jamiel (Detroit, Michigan and Palm Springs, CA)   |   | |
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Post# 1131363 , Reply# 20   10/18/2021 at 11:56 (892 days old) by ea56 (Cotati, Calif.)   |   | |
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Yes Jamie, those green Scotch Brite scrubbing sponges tear the sh*t out of smooth surfaces. I recently purchased a nice small Range Kleen boiler pan. I foolishly broiled some boneless chicken breasts with Sweet Baby Ray’s Honey BBQ sauce and didn’t cover the top with foil like I always do.
Even after soaking the burnt on BBQ sauce was difficult to get off so I stupidly used a green scrubbing sponge. This past Thursday when I took out the broiler pan to use I noticed some hair line scratches in the finish. Once again a lesson learned the hard way. BTW, when using a broiler pan ALWAYS put about 1/2” of water in the lower pan and you won’t have a burnt on mess to clean, makes cleaning a broiler pan a breeze, especially if you also cover the top grill with foil and make cuts with a small knife thru the foil that match the slits in the grill so the juices drain into the water below. Another “Hint from Heloise”, LOL! Eddie |
Post# 1131365 , Reply# 21   10/18/2021 at 12:34 (892 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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More useful info. Liquid spray cleaners only for sure, or as mentioned above, just microfiber and plain water for routine wipe-downs. Thanks to all!
Now that I've learned I won't need to host a large group for a friend's 60th at the end of the month, I'll be testing out the cooktop and if everything works as it should, I'll get someone over here to cut the granite countertop and enlarge the opening. I didn't want to take any chances that the project wouldn't be completed in time.
All I need is a couple of fittings and maybe a short length of 1/2" black pipe. The biggest part of the job will be pulling out the electric oven below so I'll have room to work. I've seen it done. It has handles on top, but it's heavy, so I intend to slide it onto a platform I'll rig up. |
Post# 1131367 , Reply# 22   10/18/2021 at 13:17 (892 days old) by foraloysius (Leeuwarden, Friesland, the Netherlands)   |   | |
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Post# 1131371 , Reply# 24   10/18/2021 at 15:07 (892 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Matt and Louis, it seems to be more about the applicator than the choice of cleaners, except for abrasive ones like cleanser. My plan is to allow a liquid cleaner such as vinegar, Windex, Simple Green, etc. or a solution with Dawn, to sit and loosen up anything that may require it, then use a non-abrasive applicator to wipe or persuade off anything that's stuck on. I have several options in my household cleaning stash that I can choose from. Ideally, I'll be able to address spills, drips or splatters quickly before they have a chance to harden and cause trouble. |
Post# 1131374 , Reply# 25   10/18/2021 at 15:17 (892 days old) by chachp (North Little Rock, AR)   |   | |
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Ideally, I'll be able to address spills, drips or splatters quickly before they have a chance to harden and cause trouble.
For me that is the key. I wipe them up right away or as soon as I can after cooking and it stays pretty nice. My hubby is a wonderful cook but he is NOT a neat cook. I used to try to do it once a week or so but letting sit that long was just too time consuming to clean. I would literally have to dismantle the cooktop and clean each piece. This is much faster in the long run. |
Post# 1131376 , Reply# 26   10/18/2021 at 16:46 (892 days old) by SudsMaster (SF Bay Area, California)   |   | |
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Post# 1131394 , Reply# 28   10/18/2021 at 21:16 (892 days old) by RP2813 (Sannazay)   |   | |
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Matt, that's good to know. I have a feeling the center burner will be my go-to for most things, but even if the SS around it discolors, at least it will boil a big pot of water for pasta, keep it boiling after the pasta goes in, and will also do an excellent job on pan-seared steaks. My current two gas burners that function correctly can't manage either task.
The ability to cook with adequate heat is worth the trade-off, and since the GE was free, I'll have no room to complain that I spent too much for a cooktop with a surface that can't take the heat. |
Post# 1131623 , Reply# 29   10/22/2021 at 01:50 (889 days old) by askolover (South of Nash Vegas, TN)   |   | |
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