They're on the Sears web page for $2300! Amazing.

Yes, the sightings seem a bit limited since the intro. The unit will require a regular electric range nominal 240v power installation fed by a dedicated circuit breaker (a whole house surge protector would be good too).

Since these Kenmore Elite units are made for Sears by Electrolux, this entry of mine below from a forum thread last Nov will still apply. If you have seen the regular Elite smooth top electric range models with the same oven door in their showroom, you have essentially seen the induction cooktop range unit as far as appearance goes.

The components (cooktop, oven, warming drawer) seem to be based on the Electrolux ICON Designer series perhaps minus some parts of the Wavetouch control system. If the usual Sears introductory incentives show up it looks like it will be a great buy. No doubt GE, Whirlpool, and the rest won't want to be left behind on this configuration for long.

Thought this might be of interest to you. It's a thread over on the kitchen forum about the induction range.

Here is a link that might be useful: Merry Christmas to me

Someone posted somewhere on the forums that they thought the slide in might not be available at Sears any more as it wasn't showing up on their web page search. For some reason it's there with the portable units if you search "induction" only, not there if you search "range" or "induction range".

Here is a link that might be useful: Kenmore Elite induction slide in page

Now everything seems ok with the slide in search function. Mystery.

well, I went to Sears today and looked , as suggested, at the Kenmore elite electric range. I have to say that I was disappointed in the look. I was looking to buy the slide-in induction range, but I am not sure I like the front digital panel.
I think I will also wait and see who comes with a new model.

did you see the new viking one coming out? I just posted a thread on it today.

Hey - that's my thread owls4me ;).

I have the slide-in induction range. It's been in and functional since Christmas Eve. Hubby says it was a huge pain to install but as far as use is concerned I like it. The oven part isn't anything spectacular - just a slightly better than basic convection oven with a few fancy controls. I actually like the digital front panel (though I wish a few of the buttons were placed in different positions). The warming drawer is wonderful. For the price I felt it was a good deal.

Oh yeah - if you don't like the front digital panel there's also the free standing version. Personally I wanted the controls in front. As a bonus, that smooth panel makes it very easy to clean.

Let me know if you want any (more) pics or any info.

There's some here:

pbrisjar: hope you don't mind, these inductions ranges in a reasonable price range (aw, a pun) are so new that people are excited. I read and post to kitchens and appliances b/s I'm still in the planning stage of a renovation.
I'm off to see what I can find on the new Viking induction in the 30" size. Trying to find a real price.

The Viking Induction Range is on their website, the model number is: VISC530-4B. Looks like the list price is $6,499 and one retailer is telling it for $6,069.

Don't mind at all, owls4me - that's why the wink. If I minded I wouldn't be posting here at all. Heck, the whole point is to share info.

ouch. That's more than twice what I paid for my Kenmore range. Now I don't feel so bad.

ouch, is right! That price leaves me still...waiting for a few other brands to chime in with an option.

I'm with you owls and pb... so far I'm not enthralled with the Viking, though I haven't seen it in person. Don't forget, the Kenmore has the warming drawer which is absent on the Viking. I didnt' check the specs; does anyone know off hand if the oven in the Viking is larger then the Kemore?

pb... how is the top of the induction unit. If I remember correctly it was solid black. I've been living with the glass top on my electric for 5 years and it doesn't scratch at all but it's kinda speckled. I was wondering if that's an issue with the Kenmore.

I'm sorry I keep picking your brain about this range...

NP. The top is black with dark gray speckles on the non-hob part and plain black on/over the actual hobs. It's your typical glass/ceramic top. Ours, according to Hubby, is already scratched :(. I've not looked at it yet so I'm not sure what the story is. He says the Barkeeper's Friend is what did it (seasoning my new wok left a nasty gunk on the hob) but I find that hard to believe as Mom used it on her glass top for years and years and I did the same.

Oh man, I LOVE my warming drawer. It was a bonus item for me but knowing what I know now if I ahd to choose between one with and one without, the one with would be seriously on the plus side.

The Kenmore has a 4.2 Cu Ft oven, and the Viking has a 4.7 Cu ft oven.

At least one of the burners is too small to be of any use to me and I would prefer a 36" wide range option. I currently have this configuration on my old range and find it to be too small for cooking several dishes at once on the cooktop, therefore, this one is crossed off my list.

P.S. should have also mentioned that I am waiting for an induction range that has at least 5 burners (6 if they can fit them and the price is right!).

Have you considered the Diva? It is a 36" range with 5 burners.

Does the range come in white or only SS?

The Diva comes in only s/s. If you want color you actually have a few options. The Viking 30" 4 burner range comes in 24 colors, including white. The 44" Rangemaster range cookers with 5 burners come in a few different colors, and the 48" French Range Delaubrac comes in a few colors. All are induction. The Delaubrac can be a hybrid range with gas/ceramic/induction hobs.

cookie... I can't find any information on where you can buy any induction range in the US other then the Viking, Diva (way too $$ for me), or Kenmore. Do you have any additional information you can share?

Both Delaubrac & Rangemaster are imported to North America.

Info about importing Rangemaster: http://www.chef-rangecookers.com/index.htm

From the Delaubrac web site: "Delaubrac ranges are available throughout the Americas, directly from Metallo Ranges as well as through a handful of top-quality retailers and dealers. If you are interested in enquiring, please contact Metallo Ranges through the order form."
http://delaubracranges.com/

I checked the website http://www.chef-rangecookers.com/index.htm
that sells Rangemaster. Rangemaster is the same as Aga, which is already sold here in the U.S. Neither that site nor any U.S. stores sell the induction unit.
Diva is too expensive at $10,000. $5000 is my max as I don't want to be out any more than that if it breaks beyond repair like most appliances do these days!

I too have been waiting for a slide-in induction range to replace my current range since I don't have the space for a cooktop and wall oven. GE has an induction freestanding range that is supposed to come out in the next few weeks. I called today and spoke to a rep who said that if the freestanding version does well, then GE will also provide a slide-in too. The rep said that I should check again in April or May to see if they will have a slide-in. I don't know if I should get my hopes up in this economy for the free standing version to sell. I did also happen to see the Kenmore Elite in person. It was not too bad, but I would like more than four burners. The GE freestanding version has 5 burners according to the photo on GE's website. I hope that the induction ranges will be good and reliable and not too expensive for me. I'm looking for something under $4000 to fit in my budget. I look forward to reading reports on this site of those who do get an induction range. It helps to hear others' perspectives since I find out information that I hadn't considered.

I'd be willing to bet that the picture of the GE is of their smoothtop electric non-induction range.

Article I found after reading the updates on this thread.

Here is a link that might be useful: GE induction range

This is the 36" Falcon beauty I want:
http://www.falconappliances.co.uk/320.htm

I do not like the look of the GE and I want bigger than 30"

I just wanted to put in my 2 cents. Sears sold an induction cooktop years ago. My parents had one in FL. It was a cooktop and not free standing. I thought it was great and I was in my early 20's and will B 56 this June. I have no idea why it never caught on because it was great.

I do not have electrical requirements or cabinetry for a cooktop and separate oven.