Thanks stir fryi - I didn't realize this isn't the regular price, since it's the price listed on The Induction Site since I first looked at it a day or two ago. That said...

Is anyone familiar enough with Sears' sale habits to comfortably say whether seeing it at this price now means we'll likely see it at this price again a couple times a year? Or might this be a good enough deal to justify buying now for a Spring remodel, knowing that the warranty timer is ticking?

It's confusing, because the induction sale flier that I got last week lists it ON SALE at 2700 + change, but pinch_me said that she saw it listed for the same price you saw -- I think it's a great price. We actually bought the GE range this week-end (I like the burner config better) and are going to install it -- about 9 months ahead of the remodel

With Sears if you buy the extended warranty: you can cancel it within the 1st year and get all the $$ back, or cancel before the warranty ends and get a prorated amount back.

Well, I just went to Sears hoping to see it in person. Of course I get the new guy who doesn't even know what a "slide-in" is -- he takes me to the double ovens section. I say no -- like this one (and point to the slide-in area) -- he says "oh -- you mean a built-in!" Whatever!

Anyhow, all they have at Sears on display is the free- standing. A slightly more knowledgeable salesman told the slide-in is identical to the Kenmore smoothtop slide-in but with the same top as the free-standing induction.

That concerned me because I did not like the burner configuration on the free-standing they had on the floor. The two front burners are so close together I don't know how you would fit to pans there at the same time. So, I come home and look on-line -- it appears the layout is NOT the same on the free-standing as it is on the slide-in -- I like the slide-in burner configuration much better.

The price for the slide-in is CHEAPER than the induction free-standing with the sale. It is indeed 2099 until 10/29/2009. They also have free delivery/haul-away (by rebate). Installation is expensive and they salesman recommend doing it yourself because it is easy to level and the delivery guys don't know what they are doing (so he says).

I am going up to the Great Indoors now to see one in person.

Here is the prices I was quoted:

2300.99 out the door. After mail-in rebate (delivery and haul away) it is 2225.99.

Warranties are 5 year 380 and 3 year 270.

I did see the range in person. It is not terribly impressive looking. I went to the cookware section and brought over a 12" and 10" skillets -- both fit nicely on the two front burners at the same time.

I think I am sold. Will probably pull the trigger tomorrow!

"...Is anyone familiar enough with Sears' sale habits to comfortably say whether seeing it at this price now means we'll likely see it at this price again a couple times a year?..."

I was once told by a Sears employee that sale prices cannot be repeated without a thirty day break between the offerings. They are, in effect, not allowed to state that an item is "on sale" if the product is nearly always at the lower price.

I'd be interested to get a confirmation of this.

I'm holding my breath on this, too. Mentioned to a friend today that I'd seen the stove of my dreams, could not justify replacing my two year old Amana and sold my two year old Amana on the spot! SO, Induction, here I come!! I still don't think I will do it before Feb. since I have a new kitchen to pay for and cost overruns are a given. But now I know I will have a home for my old stove and a few bucks to put toward a new one. All I need is a good sale at the right time.

Well, I think I am going to buy it tomorrow. I was going to wait until next year but it is getting to be royal pain only have two working burners on my current stove. I boiled water for pasta tonight and I kept thinking -- in a few days this will be so much faster! (so they say).

I only have TWO pans that will work with the new stove. A 12" All Clad non-stick and a 3 quart Farberware saucepan. I was out shopping but didn't have that trusty magnet with me so I couldn't look for other cookware. Well, that part might take a while since I'll be looking for bargains.

Stir fryi, try Tuesday Morning. They usually stock odd pieces of Berndes cookware. I'm much more impressed with Berndes than I am with the Emerilware stuff I purchased.

Good luck and hope you enjoy!

Stir Fiyi, I second beachlily's use of Berndes - I found mine at Home Goods for really good prices (under $20). They work really well, and better than Kirkland from Costco.

stir fryi - I'm probably stating the obvious but don't forget about the 50A power requirement. You may well not have that right now.

I went to Homegoods yesterday. The only Berndes I found that said it was induction capable was a wok and I am not very interested in a wok. I may try a different Homegoods.

When I bought the range today I was told it comes with a 10" non-stick, stainless steel (they must mean the outside) skillet. That is a plus!

ya_think -- I thought I read somewhere that it requires 40 Amp service -- 50 was a misprint. The salesman said if I had an existing electric range there it would be fine. I'll have to check further -- don't want any surprises!

Strangely enough on the Sears website the free-standing range is listed as 40 Amp and the slide-in as 50 Amp.

How could that be?

If I'm reading it right...

Free-standing: Non-convection. Bake element 3500, Broil 4000. 7500 total.

Slide-in: Convection. Bake element 2500, Convection element 2500, Broil element 4000. 9000 total.

That might be why?

Well, about that skillet .... I purchased 2 sears stainless skillets before taking delivery of the range. I was so unimpressed with them that I gave the free pan to the dufus of a delivery guy. The pan was a nonstick and I don't do nonstick. Also, gave the stainless pans to my cleaning lady. Good riddence!

I called my salesman and told him the webpage says it requires 50 amps. He said his "book" says the slide-in requires 40 amps. Long story short he could not tell me what the real truth is. He called the installer and they said to look on the serial plate when the stove arrives.

Amazes me that no one at Sears can tell me for certain.

Anyhow, we have 40 amp service now. I have to get an electrician on call if it requires 50.

Stir, at Tuesday Morning yesterday, I got a 9.5" Berndes fry pan and a 2 qt. "casserole" that has loop handles. A clerk told me they are scheduled for a big delivery today (Thurs) so I'll probably go back over the weekend.

Good luck with your search!

The spec. sheet I have says the slide-in requires 50 amps.

I am so upset! We were installing the new range tonight -- there is a metal box on the back of the stove that covers some wiring. Everytime we go to push the stove in completely, the outlet plug hits this box and the stove will not fully recess!

Why oh why did they put that box there on the back of the stove?? Why oh why couldn't our outlet have been 4 inches to the right???

Take a hammer to the sheetrock, prybar to the electrical box, and stuff the whole thing in the wall. (Yes I'm kidding, but you wouldn't be the first to take this route.)

Sorry for your problems... but now that you have the range in hand do you have an official answer as to the amps?

Good luck, I know you'll report back!

Well, I had someone come over and verify our circuit in the panel is 40 amps -- the switch says 40 right on it (it is a duel switch and says 40 at the top and bottom if that makes sense -- looks like to two, takes up two spots but is attached and flipped together). The stove requires 50 amps. I looked at the serial plate on the old stove and it said 45.something amps.

I spoke with an electrician and he said basically to plug it in and use it anyway. He said the 50 amp rating is as if you had all four burners, the oven and warming drawer going at the same time. In which case the circuit would just trip.

I mentioned the amps issue to the delivery guy and he said "you have a 50 amp plug" and pointed to the wall behind the stove. I said "well, it says 40 on my circuit breaker." He basically said the same thing -- it will flip the ciruit if it overloads.

So, my priority right now is getting it properly installed (including leveling it which is proving to be difficult for us for some reason).

The item is still on the Sears website for $2099.99. My local Sears store (but not the website/phone) honored this price this morning.

Thank you stir_fryi for bringing this to us.

and for those of you looking at induction and needing cookware -- if you are in an area of the country that has a Belks store, in-store they have the 10 pc. Emeril clad ware, induction capable, for 99.99.

Reader, I bought it.

Thank you, GW folk, for the 40% off alert.

My first new-kitchen purchase!

It will arrive on Friday the 13th of November. Portentous?

rc
in
VT

lennym -- you are welcome!
rcvt -- why do you have to wait so long for your new range? I got mine the next day!

Well, I finally got most of my issues resolved. Our outlet (which was hitting a metal box that is attached to the back of the stove) was actually attached to floor molding behind the stove. We removed the molding and turned the outlet sideways and that gave us enough room to move the stove 95% of the way back. That's as good as it is going to get.

Leveling the stove was a real pain in the behind even with the built-in "leveling device". This took two people about 2 hours to do.

My first dish on the stove was to boil my daughter a hot dog. I put about 3 inches of water in a skillet and put it on Power Boost. I swear it seemed like it came to a boil in 45 seconds!

Next I made chicken marsala. Turned out fabulous. The burners are extremely responsive -- just like everyone says. I just need to get used to how hot each "number" is -- for instance do I saute on setting 5 or setting 8??

beachlilly -- I LOVE the skillet (10" nonstick) that came with the stove. I only wish it had come with a lid.

I haven't used the oven or the warming drawer yet. Having too much fun with the stovetop. I still need to go shopping for more pots and pans.

Hi stir fryi, thanks for the user update. Keep 'em coming and soon I'll join you.

I could have had delivery in three days. My own scheduling conflicts necessitated a delay.

I just ordered Ikea 365 stainless cookware to add to my still-in-box 12" All Clad fry pan. The Ikea set is a reasonably priced starter set, has covers, and is sold on Ebay if, like me, you are too many miles from Ikea to run out and buy it.

Ordering the new range has helped a lot, in a way -- it's reduced by one the seventeen million choices I've been juggling.

Cheers,
rc
in
VT

Please, everyone, don't get the Emerilware cookware! It is cheap, and the designs may fit a professional kitchen, but is not usable in a normal kitchen setting. I purchased the 10 piece set from BB&B and haven't used 3 of the pans at all. They don't work!

Stir, glad you like it. I don't use nonstick and certainly didn't like the Kenmore pans, either. Picky I guess. I had a huge collection of Cuisinart pans that I gave away. Cooked on them for 15-20 years and Berndes cookware is as close as I can get to the performance of those pans. Guess I'm a snob, but if it works--can't beat that! Glad you are enjoying your new range. Changes the world, doesn't it????

Beachlily,

What is it about the Emerilware cookware you don't like? It doesn't work on induction range?

What is it about Berndes that is so much better? I need to know since I am also considering the induction range.

Also, is the Berndes cookware heavy?

pbear

OK, about the Emerilware. (1) it doesn't clean well. I have F&P dishdrawers and the pans need a good scrubbing before they go in and they need polishing when they come out. Everything else in the dishwashers sparkles, but those darn pans get a haze on them that only can be removed with polishing. I don't like to polish!

(2) Two of the fry pans are French style--big flaring sides. Now, I don't shake and toss food while I cook. Aint gonna happen. The smallest one is OK for sauteing veggies but I have never used the bigger one. The other issue with them is that they take an inordinate amount of room in the dishwasher. A straight-sided saute pan may be big, but it is easier to load.

The Berndes cookware are fairly heavy. I have fairly substantial carpel problems and arthritis in both wrists and I do just fine with these pans. If you can find a Berndes at TJ or Tuesday Morning, lift it and see if it works for you. I was nearly nuts when I first got my range because Allclad wasn't in the budget but there were real issues with finding adequate cookware. We didn't pay much for the Emerilware, and that's fine. I'm buying pieces of the Bernedes as I find them and will keep a couple of the Emerilware. Just don't think that you are getting a deal on it because it is made by Allclad--it's Chinese and cheap!

Thanks beachlily for the info. I'll try to find Berndes; there is a Tj and a Tuesday Morning in my area.

One other question: How careful do you have to be with the cookware on the induction surface? I know you're not supposed to slide it back and forth, but I find it impossible not to have some kind of movement either when lifting the pan/pot or placing it on the burner.

Thanks!

pbear

Just back from a car show.

Pbear, I'm not very careful because I've had these glass tops before. My last range was a Kitchenaid that was 9 years old when I replaced it. When Sears called to confirm the appointment, I asked if I should clean the oven--the answer was no. When the new one was delivered, the dufases came in like gangbusters, then took a close look. Usually they take these ranges to a place that takes them apart and uses or sells the parts. Well, the lead dufas asked for everything I had to go with the range because it was in really good shape. I collected everything I got with the range and gave it to him. That range was going to be sold on the used market. I'm glad--it had served me well.

The bottom line is don't worry about it. Just be careful if the surface has a lot of dust on it or residue from a burn. Granules on the surface of the glass will scratch it if a pan is slid across the range. I usually wipe the surface with a clean bar rag before I start to cook.

I also had a KitchenAid electric smoothtop for 9 years before this one. When they hauled it away, the top looked as good as the day I bought it. I was guilty of sliding pans here and there. I found it to be pretty impervious to scratching.

My KA was a Ceran brand top though and the induction range (Kenmore) is a different brand. The other difference is my KA was speckled black and the Kenmore is more solid black.

Anyhow, the literature that came with the Kenmore cautions you not to slide pans but at the same time says that the glass is extremely durable.

Thank you both beachlily and stirfyi....you've given me great information!

I've waited too late to get the Sears sale on induction ranges, but I just wasn't ready to make a decision. I'm sure there will be another sale hopefully around the holidays!

Thank you both so much!

pbear

pbear,
Sears is having a "different" sale this month. The Kenmore induction ranges are now 2199, and the GE Profiles are 2429.

Thanks warmfridge ...... I'll go check that out. Can't believe the prices on their induction ranges.

Thanks to the Kenmore induction range owners for your comments. I have been considering getting one. Have any of you used the oven cleaning function yet? One user comment on the Sears web site said the finish on the bottom of the oven flaked with cleaning and there were pits in the finish after the ash was wiped away. Please let us know your experience. Also, has the warming drawer been useful?

Haven't cleaned mine yet. With this message, I'll turn it on to see what happens!

Thanks

Well, little, itty bitty shards of enamel were scattered on the bottom of my oven after a short cleaning cycle. There are obvious shiny steel where the oven racks run over their rails. One of the spots is about 1/4" across and in other areas enamel has been worn off in 1/2" segments. The 1/4" spot is where the rack butts against the rail when the rack is moved to a new height. This range doesn't have any pits in the finish.

I received this range in the first week of August and haven't used it a lot because it has been danged hot down here in FL. I'll let you know what Sears plans to do once they get the message.

Does anyone suspect that Sears is reducing their range inventory before introducing new models? At some point, possibly as soon as January 2010, Sears may no longer have an exclusive on their Kenmore (rebanded Electrolux) induction ranges. Another thread here hinted that Electrolux introducing their own Induction ranges then. I found new Electrolux Induction cooktops being described at AJMadison's website.

Sears will not deliver or service appliances in our rural location. Our Electrolux dealer will do both.

It's a possibility. The Kenmore/Electrolux induction cooktops followed a similar sequence when introduced. First exclusively Kenmore, then a year or two later a more widely retailed and larger selection of Electrolux brands appeared. Would expect more new induction product to begin showing up eventually under the Kenmore/Frigidaire lines also.