GE Cafe Gas Range - a review!

[jenscats5]

After months of looking around and reading reviews, et al I finally decided to get the all-gas GE Cafe range. I didn't get dual-fuel as I didn't want to have to get a 220 electric line put in, so I went with all gas.....

I just got it about 2 weeks ago and so far, so good! Did my Christmas baking with it......now, I've never had convection before, so I'm still getting used to it. I had some troubles with the timing of my baked goods as for some reason, I thought they'd cook quicker. While they didn't cook faster, my cookies weren't burnt on the bottom & evenly golden! I love the 3 oven racks and they slide very smoothly.

So far, no problems with the knobs...they do get a bit warm, but not too hot to the touch. They are steel. No problems thus far with the collars either. Tried out the center burner with the griddle this weekend and the pancakes turned out great! The "high" setting on the burners is truly "high"! Glanced away from some condensed milk for fudge and it almost scorched in a couple of seconds.

As for how it looks, I just love it - definitely no issues with that! LOL As I use it more for various things, I'll post about them....Thanks again to Flourgirl for posting her review - helped me make up my mind!

[jmuller]

I'm considering buying this range but I've read other reviews that have said the oven is really loud and that the digital controls are too sensitive. Do you notice these problems?

[flourgirl]

The range does have a loud fan that turns on at high temps. It doesn't bother me but I can see how it might bother others.

As for the digital controls being too sensitive, the only time I notice this is when I'm trying to clean the panel. But I've had the range for about 3 yrs now and it's never been a big deal.

[Vitriolic]

I have owned a gas Cafe for many months now. The fan is there to cool the modern-day conveniences provided by electronics. I would say its moderately loud. Its louder than my LG refrigerator & dishwasher - all three of which I can still hear down the hall & in another room (dishwasher is rated @ 42db). Its not so loud so as to drown out a conversation. I have louder window ACs (on high).

When I was convection roasting tomatoes @ 250, the cooling fan didn't turn on. It felt odd not having that sound. Even a little worrisome knowing why that fan is there.

The touchpad may be a little too sensative. [Feel free to smile] My belly has pressed a few errant buttons reaching into the cabinet above during my ownership. Not a huge concern. I lockout the control pad while cleaning.

[flourgirl]

"I lockout the control pad while cleaning."

Good grief, I didn't even know you could do that...I really need to read owner's manuals more thoroughly. Thanks for the heads up! :)

[Vitriolic]

It also shuts off I'm guessing the gas supply. I hear a motor activating when I use the feature.

[flourgirl]

It does, I looked into this after I read your post. It's good info to know, thanks.

[jenscats5]

I don't have any issues with the control panel personally.....I have pressed buttons while cleaning as well. As FG said, not a big deal.

I also don't consider the oven to be really loud - I can hear the cooling fan, but don't consider it very loud or a bother.

Stopped by the dealer yesterday looking for a diff. appliance & the newer Cafe Ranges have a bigger power burner with 20,000 BTUs!! Very cool looking!

[jenscats5]

I DO find the sound of the kitchen timer to be very annoying.....it beeps again after a very short couple of seconds....

[andhollis]

jenscats5 - I so appreciate your comments as I am in the same quandary over a new gas range. My specific question about the GE cafe model is about fan noise...not the convection fan but the cooling fan: is it really noticeable? annoying? Thank you!

[jenscats5]

You're welcome!! My LR, DR & Kitchen is one looooong open room, so yes I can hear the cooling fan. I don't find it overly loud or annoying, tho. I do sometimes forget that "that sound" is the cooling fan & wonder what it is.

I am finding it a bit hard to keep clean however, tho I suppose it's just me being a bit messy.

[jenscats5]

OK what I do find annoying is the kitchen timer sound!! For some reason I find the sound of it REALLY annoying - I make a great effort to turn it off quickly.

And one thing I didn't realize right away is that the lower oven pulls ALL THE WAY out...literally. I struggled getting pans out of there before I realized that!

[Vitriolic]

The manual contains "Tones at the end of a Timed Cycle" . Depending on how old your range is, you can set it to 1 beep or 1 beep with a lower volume.

[jenscats5]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner!! That's good to know - thanks!!

[tmain]

To jenscats5
Do you have the double oven? If yes, have you used the bottom oven? Is it difficult to get heavy stuff into and out of because it's so low to the ground? Thanks!

[jenscats5]

Hi! I don't have a double oven, I have a regular sized oven with the drawer that works as an oven. I have used the lower oven drawer and while it does take a while to heat up, it works great as an oven. I haven't used it for anything heavy - just for a cookie sheet of something. I haven't yet mastered getting the sheet out without some of the stuff falling off tho. I have used the lower oven to proof a loaf of bread I made & that worked great!

I still have the stove & still am loving it!! Sad that I finally got a scratch on it....

[JanetNewCook]

We'll be getting our new GE Cafe duel fuel stove (with center flat grill) in about a week or so. Does anyone have experience using a ridged stove top grill on top of the large sealed burners. The instruction manual seems to say I can't use a grill on top of the sealed burners. This would be disappointing to me if I can't use it. Thanks.

[ForeverB]

We bought a Cafe dual fuel (gas stove and electric on both ovens) about 3 months ago. I've only ever cooked with gas so I was unconvinced that I'd like the electric oven. I LOVE IT! Cakes, cookies and bread come out much better. Never used convection oven before but so far I'm sold!! Guess it's true that electric ovens have more even heat. I have "baked" in lower oven but it was only a casserole and not something finicky like cookies. It did a perfect job on a dish that needed 350 degrees for an hour. Much easier to keep the top clean than enamel.

[toodie jane]

I'd love to hear the science behind electric ovens maintaining temperture more efficiently. Electric burner tops are always cycling on an off--current is either ON or Off, but gas burner ports are adjustable. Electric burners are notariously terrible as an even heat source. Why then is an oven any different? Is it because of the convection fan?

[flourgirl]

Just from my observational experience, I have the GE gas oven, I often use an oven thermometer, and my oven doesn't seem to be having any trouble at all with even heating.

[Chemicalkinetics]

So the oven is also gas? I read gas oven temperature is not as stable as electric oven. Did you notice anything like that? If you do in the future, please update. Thanks for your review.

[eliz553]

Not sure who this was directed to, but-
My oven is gas; no convection on my model. I had read the same as you have, but am happy to say that has not been my experience. I do quite a bit of baking. I'm very happy with the gas oven and have not had temperature fluctuation problems.

[Chemicalkinetics]

Yeah it was for Jenscat, but it really does not matter. I just want to know how gas ovens perform. Thanks.

[jenscats5]

As far as I know, the oven is gas, but the lower oven is electric. And we do have convection. We don't have a thermometer in the oven either.

So far, I have really only roasted a few things & baked in it and haven't noticed any issues with the oven or the temperature fluctuating....

[kpaq]

Hi Jens,
We had all but decided on purchasing the GE cafe dual fuel range but have some hesitation over the stainless steel surface for clean up. We have never had it before and hear it is more work than enamel. We are not serious cooks but are are admittedly messy. How have you found it? Any thoughts for others on this topic would be welcome as well.
Thanks
Kate

[flourgirl]

One of the reasons I bought this range was precisely because it's NOT enamel. I had an enamel-topped range before this and HATED it. I thought it was a total bear to keep clean, whereas this range is very easy to keep clean. One caveat may be that those who find it difficult to keep clean are those who are anal about scratches. I am not one of those people. I'm perfectly fine with the surface acquiring a patina, as long as it's clean.

[jenscats5]

So far haven't had a problem keeping it clean.....we've been laying on top of the extra burners (unused at the time of cooking) cookie sheets to prevent splattering.....

Otherwise, we've used WD40 and a soft cloth and it's cleaned up great!!

[toodie jane]

I hope you're wearing gloves when using WD40--it's got benzine in it--please don't be cavalier about it. Nasty stuff. Don't breathe or contanimate food stuffs.

[jenscats5]

Appreciate the concern, but it's strictly a polishing agent - a very small amount on a soft cloth is all that is needed. Keeps the "new" look.

[subby]

Oh my goodness. Please read the MSDS on WD40. It is not meant, under any circumstances, to be used in or around food preparation. It is a serious air pollutant, to boot. Rethink! Rethink!

[flourgirl]

You're very welcome, I'm glad you're happy with it so far. :)

[VivaLaFrance]

Hello all!
Have just purchased a GE Cafe Gas Range, but delivery won't be for some time. Am hearing from some comments on the 'net, that the lower oven is only good as a warming drawer. According to the specs, a 110V power source is required. Salesperson said it was for the convection fan only. Now am hearing that it also runs the lower oven. Please, could you let me know if you have had good success baking in the lower oven. I would like to know if I can use it to prepare an actual meal, as that is the intended purpose for buying a double oven range. I am confused as some are saying that the lower oven is not gas at all, but electric. We are a small family, and want to use the bottom to bake pies and lasagna, etc, not just warm stuff up.
HELP!

[JohnOort]

See my reply in the other thread: bottom line is that it IS an oven, it IS electric, and it does bake things, but if you peek at them too often you might have uneven heating.

[jenscats5]

I haven't actually used the lower oven yet.....but it is electric only and I had a dedicated circuit breaker put in my panel for it. So my Cafe plugs into a regular outlet but it's the only thing on the circuit.....

[eliz553]

I purchased a GE JGB300 all-gas (I have propane for it) range a couple of months ago, after my 3 year old electric glass top died suddenly and irreparably- at least financially feasibly irreparably- due to electronic controls shorting out and burning up (second electric glass top to die in same manner). High end brands like Blue Star, Viking, etc, were not in the running due to budget limitations.

The JGB300 model does not have convection. (My previous electric did). 2 months later and 2 times being the "holiday" cook- translate cooking marathon- I have to say, I love this range and have no regrets. I am SO glad I made the switch from electric to gas. And the gas oven on this range cooks better than my electric one ever did (which I wondered about, as "conventional" information seems to indicate that electric ovens cook more evenly). This model has a minimum of electronic controls (part of my purchasing criteria).

Time will tell on the longevity issue, but so far, I love it. No regrets.

[Monch]

eliz553,

We are looking at that EXACT unit.

Now that you've had it for a few months, can you comment on how you like it?

I'm drawn to the apparent ease of cleaning..the burners come off right to the stove surface.

Also like the ability to drop in a griddle on the oblong middle burner...though I'm put off by the $150 pricetag of the cast iron option.

Any feedback you can provide will be appreciated.

[junescook]

Hey Jens,

Thanks for the report. It's really appreciated when folks follow up on ther queries -- I know I always try to do that

Just for your info, I have a GE elec convection range which I love, and it compensates by dropping the temp 25deg from what you've set automatically. So if a recipe calls for 350, I enter 350, the display flashed 350, then 325 convection and it cooks at the lower temp at pretty much the lower end of the time given in the recipe.

[jenscats5]

Mine does that too....had to read the instructions to realize that! But for some reason, I thought with convection it baked quicker.....not so, but my cookies did bake more evenly....nice & golden!