The easy way to answer this is how many times have you needed 5 pots going at the same time?

The other thing is on a 30 inch cooktop when you do use 5 pots they all have to be smaller in order to fit.

Hi jakvis,

No, I wouldn't need 5 pots at the same time except for maybe the holidays.
I also think the continuous grate would be a really nice feature. I was hoping to get some feedback from someone who has one to see if they like it. I'm used to a smooth top electric, so I'm used to sliding things across the stovetop.

I think continuous grates are great... Sorry I couldn't resist

I do like continuous grates for the same reasons you used in reference to your smooth top. It's easy to slide something off the heat quickly to add something or stir with having to lift a heavy pot. But I thought your question was more directed to the 5th burner that a couple ranges feature. The problem with 5 burners is there is only so many square inches of room on the top of a 30 inch range. So with all 5 burners in use the pots have to be smaller. I've always considered the 5th burner more of a sales gimick but I'm sure they work out for some users.

Thanks jakvis. I agree with you about the 5th burner.

I wonder if there is a continuous grate stove without the 5th burner.

And LOL about the great grates.

American Range has continuous grates. I believe each grate covers 2 burners.

The KitchenAid 30" gas cooktop has continuous grates without the fifth burner.

I have a DCS 30" 5 burner with continuous grates. I believe their 4 burner units also have continuous grates. Altho I don't often use all afive at the same time, when I do, I haven't had the need to use smaller pots, tho you do have to arrange them properly.

IÂve had my eye on the GE Café Range. It has continuous grates and the fifth burner is oval shaped and comes with an integrated griddle accessory. So in this case  though you would not use all 5 burners at the same time, I can see an excellent use for the oval burner :-)

This unit is also a double oven and comes in either all gas or dual fuel.

My Frigidaire (sold through Lowe's) has a continuous grate (well, three grates which are continuous) and four burners. Electrolux (Frigidaire) also sells a fifth-burner model almost exactly like it. I can't remember the last time I used all four burners at the same time, nevermind a fifth.

I have seen that the KitchenAid 30" gas cooktop has continuous grates and no fifth burner.

Here is a link that might be useful: Gas Range

stevo - how do you like your Frigidaire? Any negaitves? What color is it?

Shop carefully and handle all the parts before making a decision about a range. I found that on many ranges the continuous grates were very heavy. They are often one piece from front to back. Another important consideration is the actual size of the oven as opposed to the cubic inches claimed by the manufacturer. Many new ranges feature convection cooking. The oven racks in these ranges are often about 2 inches shallower (front to back) than older models making it hard to position large roasting pans in the oven. Be sure to measure the usable surface of the oven rack and be sure you can lift with one hand the surface grates. I went to a lot of show rooms, lifted grates, measured ovens, tried out the knobs and made a real pest of myself before deciding to buy a 30 inch Bluestar. It has a very large oven, much larger than any of my previous ovens and the continuous grates are each separate units, easy to remove for cleaning. I am sure there are other ranges out there that will meet your needs, just be sure before you buy! Happy shopping and good luck! - M

I've been very happy with my Frigidaire. It's white, like everything else in the kitchen. :-) The model is a couple down from their top of the line.

I consider myself a good cook -- when I cook -- but not anywhere near pro and certainly not a big baker. For me, the oven temp control is fine, two broiler levels is more than enough, and having two higher-power burners (16K and 12K, along with a 9K and a 0.5/5K simmer burner) is attractive. The electronic panel is not terminally annoying to use (like some Amanas I tried).

Negatives? The knobs feel kinda cheap compared to, say, Whirlpool's (KitchenAid's). The grates are grey and look great so long as you keep up on the grease spots (but that's not unique to Frigidaire by any means). The drawer on the bottom does not have rollers. But, at a 25% discount to the equivalent Whirlpool (I didn't shop GE or Maytag seriously), I can live with those choices. :-)

I'd buy another.