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We purchased our current home about 2 years ago and slowly started replacing the somewhat dated or low-quality appliances that had been left behind for us. Most of it was Frigidaire or Kenmore. Nothing wrong with that, but we wanted to get a better fridge, microwave hood, dishwasher and cooktop. This review, naturally, is about the cooktop only. The other items ware reviewed elsehwere on Amazon.
What were we looking for?
ONE - Well, first of all, we wanted HEAT: we are very much into Asian food and cook mostly in our Wok(s) (see other reviews as well!). This requires high BTU output.
TWO - We wanted an aesthetic stainless steel look, a little more like the professional Bertazzoni or Viking type cooktops.
THREE - Quality. We wanted heavy cast iron grates that would withstand heavy daily use.
FOUR - Space. We needed sufficient space around the wok to be able to cook properly on the high heat burner if using a larger wok (16" or so).
FIVE - Ergonomics. The control knobs needed to be in the front due awkward positioning in the kitchen, leaving little room on the right hand side towards the back to reach or see the knobs properly.
SIX - Finally, we needed ALL OF THE ABOVE to be squeezed into a 30" cooktop.
About this item - KFGS306VSS
After much research we decided that the KitchenAid Architect II series was the one to get. It featured 5 burners of whuch the middle burner is a 15,000 BTU burner (18,000 BTU on 36" version) whereas most cooktops in this pricerange top out at 4 burners and 12,500 BTU max.
It has the control knobs on the front and is a very industrial looking design.
The grates are heavy cast orin and you get 3 of them. All in all, this one delivered on all fronts in the specifications that we set out.
Upon receipt of the item, we found that the 1st rule of construction (closely related to Murphy's Law)applied to us as well: if something can go wrong or get complicated it will.
And it did. The CUT-OUT dimensions of this cooktop did not fit the existing (and what we believed to be standard dimensions) in our countertop. This KitchenAid requires the following:
Depth, Opening: 20 in.
Width, Opening: 29 in.
Our existing cutout was 28.5" by 19.5". Ofcourse this represented a horrendous problem in installation as we had to get the coutertop opening cut out further.
Anyways: some masking tape, a pneumatic sabre saw (14.99$) and some saws and that was solved as well.
Pros:
0 - Lots of heat from 15,000 BTU burner
0 - Well positioned (center) dual tier wok burner
0 - Full stainless look, i.e. everything except grates is stainless
0 - 5 burners, instead of the common 4 on a 30" form factor
0 - 3 cast iron grates that allow for sliding pots across the surface
Cons:
0 - Knobs are plasticized, i.e. they can melt if you put a hot pan on them
0 - No wok ring with the set, not cool as it would have been perfect with center burner and cheaper brands do include those
0 - Slightly odd form factor for cutout. Not a real problem but just a 'BE AWARE' when you have an existing kitchen cutout.
Conclusion
We are extremely pleased with this cooktop given all the features. What we did not like were the plastic knobs: they look great but I feel they could have included something better. I assume it is a heat resistant laminate/composite so I am not sure about the melting but I think it should have been solid metal. We reduced 1 star for that. The wok ring would have made this back to 5 stars, but we can't fault KitchenAid for that as only the mor expensive cooktops seems to get those included. A definite buy if have the same requirements as we put in the opening paragraph.
Finally, some meaningful specs:
See Owners Manual: Available online via KitchenAid website or a Roebuck website.
Item Weight: 61.0 lbs.
General Warranty: 1 year limited
Gas Configuration:
No. of Burner Cooking Zones: 5
Burner Configuration: Low output: one 6,000 BTU nat.,All-purpose: one 9,100 BTU nat.,High output: one 10,000 BTU nat.,High output: one 15,000 BTU nat.,All-purpose: one 7,000 BTU nat.
Grate Material: Cast iron
Ignition: Electronic
Sealed Burner Type: Non-adjustable air feed
Type:
Cooking Surface: Gas: sealed burners
Cooking Zone: None, fixed elements/burners
Size: 30 in.
Venting System: Ventless
Controls:
Cleanability: Dishwasher-safe pull-off control knobs
Control Type(s): Mechanical knobs
Control(s) Location: Front
Mechanical Type: Rotary dial(s)
Color:
Burner Grates: Black
Knobs: Stainless Steel
Unit: Stainless Steel
Dimensions:
Depth, Overall: 21 in.
Height: 2-7/8 in.
Weight, Shipping (Approx.): -
Maximum Width: 30-1/4 in.
Cutouts:
Depth, Opening: 20 in.
Width, Opening: 29 in.
Power Source:
Other Requirements: 40 amp service
Power Source: Gas
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KitchenAid Architect Series II : KFGS306VSS 30 Gas Cooktop with 5 Sealed Burners - Stainless SteelDimensionsHeight: 2 7/8"Width: 30 1/4"Depth: 21"ControlsElectronic Touch Controls: NoControl Type: KnobsPerformanceLeft Front Burner/Element Output: 9,100 BTULeft Rear Burner/Element Output: 6,000 BTURight Front Burner/Element Output: 10,000 BTURight Rear Burner/Element Output: 7,000 BTUCustom Control Temp Management System: NoBurner Configuration: 1-6,000 BTU; 1-7,000 BTU; 1-9,100 BTU; 1-10,000 BTU; 1-15,000 BTUFeaturesBuilt-In Downdraft Vent System: NoBurner Indicator Light: NoBurner Type: Sealed GasCooktop Surface: Stainless SteelGrate Finish: Matte Black Cast IronHot Surface Indicator Lights: NoInfinite Position Control Knobs: YesNumber of Burners: 5Oval Dual Circuit: NoOver Oven Installation: YesRound Dual Circuit: NoSimmer Burner: YesFuel Type: GasVentilation System: NoNumber of Elements: 0Power-On Light: NoElectronic Ignition: Yes
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