Maytag MEC5430BDS - 30 Inch Electric Cooktop User Manual download pdf

‘Pro’ doesn’t deliver

You’ll also see more lower-priced induc-

tion cooktops, which offer quick heating

using a magnetic field, ranges with built-

in microwave ovens, and cooktops without

the usual control knobs.

Our test cooking included some 650

cups of popcorn, 700 pounds of beef, and

6,200 cookies. When we were done, we

wound up with a smorgasbord of CR

Quick Picks and Best Buys from among

the 45 ranges, cooktops, wall ovens, and

Outsized stainless ranges from

Thermador and Viking aren’t the

only pro-style appliances these

days. Even wall ovens are moving

upscale as other brands and gear

climb the social ladder. But “pro”

isn’t necessarily a step up.

Kenmore’s Pro series ranges

and wall ovens mark the manufac-

turer’s latest venture into high-end

design, with stainless construction

and chunky controls. Sears says its

new line adapts “the most desirable

qualities of professional kitchen

appliances to perfectly suit home

cooks at a price that is right.” Two

new models we tested performed well,

though not without some repairs.

As for price,“right” doesn’t mean lower.

The $2,000 Pro 4100 wall oven costs the

same as Sears’ less-tony Kenmore Elites.

But the 30-inch-wide, $4,000 Kenmore

Pro 7952 dual-fuel range is priced as high

as some 36-inch models.

Other cooking-appliance brands are

pushing style and technology for less

money as they strive for snob appeal.

30 CONSUMER REPORTS

AUGUST 2007

•

Expert • Independent • Nonprofit

over-the-range microwave ovens in

our Select Ratings. Some other new

models didn’t live up to their brand

reputations, however. And some

of them delivered less than their

names imply. Here are the details

from our tests:

Two pros break down. Sears’

Kenmore ranges and wall ovens

have proven reliable in our brand-

repair surveys. But we had to call a

Sears repairman to fix a malfunc-

tioning oven-probe sensor on the

new Kenmore Pro range and a

bake-element short on the Pro

wall oven we tested.The repairman

handled the range problem on his first

visit. But it took eight visits to fix our

faulty wall oven.

Another pro proves mediocre.

From its king-sized knobs to its beefy

oven handle, Frigidaire’s Professional

PLGF659EC gas range looks like a $4,000

model at roughly half the price. Yet as

with many pro-style ranges we’ve tested,

cooktop performance for this model was

merely middling. And while its 30-inch

Decide whether you want a stand-alone range or a cooktop/wall-oven combo.



First things first.

STAND-ALONE RANGE

$350 AND UP

Best for everyday cooking and

economy. More money buys more

features and style, including

slide-in configurations, stainless

finishes, dual fuel, and pro-style

models wider than 30 inches.

But pro-style ranges can cost

thousands and are often out-

cooked by mainstream models;

some brands have been repair-

prone. All lack the flexibility of

a cooktop/wall-oven combo.

COOKTOP & WALL OVEN

$1,000 AND UP

Best for the flexibility of separate

cooking areas, especially if you’re

remodeling. Some cooktop-and-

wall-oven combos can cost less

than some stand-alone ranges,

especially gas ranges.

But installation costs more than

for a stand-alone range. You’ll

also find a growing number of

stylish and competent ranges for

less than you’d pay for many

cooktop/wall-oven combos.

STYLISH CHEF GE’s Profile J2B918WEK, $1,900 in

stainless, outcooked professional-style ranges and

combines a gas cooktop with an electric oven.

Great kitchens for less

COOKING APPLIANCES

1 2 3 4 5 6

Summary of Contents

Page 1 - COOKING APPLIANCES

‘Pro’ doesn’t deliverYou’ll also see more lower-priced induc-tion cooktops, which offer quick heatingusing a magnetic field, ranges with built-in micr

Page 2 - AUGUST 2007

Induction cooktops heat fastest and re-spond quickest to temperature settings.More models also cost less than $2,000,rather than $3,000, though that’s

Page 3 - Brand repair history

32 CONSUMER REPORTS&ZAUGUST 2007•Expert • Independent • NonprofitFeatures that count.Brand repair history.Data are based on reader responses conce

Page 4 - 30-inch gas &

AUGUST 2007&Zwww.ConsumerReports.org 33Our Select Ratings focus on testedranges with the performance and valuerequired to make our Quick Picks lis

Page 5 - QUICK PICKS

34 CONSUMER REPORTS&ZAUGUST 2007•Expert • Independent • NonprofitBrand & models Price Overall score Test results FeaturesKey numberHigh heatLo

Page 6

AUGUST 2007&Zwww.ConsumerReports.org 35Brand repair historyGuide to the RatingsOverall score is based mainly on cooking evenness, defrosting, and

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