CAFE CHP95362MSS

We installed GE's new 36" Cafe induction cooktop 1 week ago, and have to say, it is amazing!!! Even after watching many different videos online about the amazing things induction can do, it was still mind boggling to see it in person!! The sheer speed at which you can boil cold water straight from the tap, is unbelievable! So is the instant response when the power level is adjusted! Since there are no hot burners, there's no worry of hard to clean messes from splatters, like on radiant glass cooktops. Now more specific to this cooktop, we love using the griddle on the sync burners!! The top also has a nice size range for each element, unlike most earlier units. You don't have to use cookware the size of the element or larger, you can go quite a bit smaller, and it still works. The top is really nice looking, especially while in use! The LEDs are vibrant and crisp, with a nice design, that reminds me of cool digital gauges from a sports car!! Now a miss that was disappointing. The individual timers for each element, which was a pretty big selling point over many others that don't have that feature, can't be used in conjunction with the kitchen timer that just chimes when it times out. You either have the kitchen timer, which we mostly use, or you have to go into custom settings to have the individual timers that will shut the element off when time is up. Also, it would be quicker and easier to use if you could select an element, then set a time; instead of scrolling from left to right through each element to set them. The next disappointment is the owners manual and installation instructions. They are almost non-existent. They aren't completely specific to the unit. Some parts are, but others are meant more for others, such as the sizes listed for the cutout dimensions. The sizes listed in the instructions are larger than the unit actually is, which led to us having too large of a cutout in our counter, and the new unit not covering the entire hole. I had looked online at the sizes in the instructions, which were exactly what our old cooktop was, but the unit is a half inch less front to back (20-3/8" is the correct size). Now we have to hide the crack somehow or replace our counter sooner than planned. The last miss was the foam tape that is supplied to go between the glass and the counter top. We didn't even get enough to go around a 30" cooktop. I had to stretch each piece to the point of it starting to tear, just to get 3 of the 4 sides. I needed another 21" to finish it (haven't notified GE yet to see how they handle things of that nature).

Bought this to replace an old cooktop. I love the controls and how quickly the induction elements start heating the food. Three minor points kept me from giving it 5 stars. First is the unit hum rather loudly and you can hear the cooling fans too. Second the cooktop is broken down into 3 zones, if you use both elements in the same zone then power gets reduced. Not really a big deal as you can spread out to the other two zones and I'm unlikely to be have more than three things cooking at full power anyway. And Third the left side elements are only connected in that they have their power level connected. There is no bridge element so a large oval pan sitting over the burners will only heat on the ends, not in the middle too. Overall, very happy with the unit.