I meant to post this in Appliances, I am just so used to clicking the Kitchens link. I'll wait awhile to see what kind of response I get here before I post over there.

I have the 962 and other than the black color, it's great. It could be more powerful, but it's OK. (I'm hoping to get induction someday.)

Anyway, the 962 has the extra bridge element (b/w the two 7" elements on the left) that I use for my griddle and it works great! The element in the upper right corner of both is a warming element.

The more expensive one has a duplicate of the double-ribbon element and a "Powerboil" option plus a bit more power in the associated ribbons, so that's probably why it's more.

To be honest, I very rarely use the 8"/5" burner but use the 7" & 12" ones all the time. The majority of my pots fit on the 7" perfectly. My smallest pot fits on the 6" (part of the 6/9/12), but I use a 7" burner if I'm also using the 12" burner (My 8qt stock pot is about 10.5" wide, so it fits b/w the 9" & 12".) And my pans all fit on the 7" or 12"... I use the warmer mostly in the winter to keep soups, cider, or hot chocolate warm. The bridge is used whenever I make pancakes, grilled cheese, eggs, bacon, etc.

To me, the 962 is more useful than the 972. The 7" is a better size than 5" or 6" or even 8" for my pots and the bridge element is great. Two of my requirements for a cooktop/range were that it had (1) a bridge element and (2) a warming zone...and the 962 gave me both!

Here's what the GE site says about burners/ribbons. They're all listed there.

962:
5"/8" Dual Heating Element.....1 Ribbon (800/1900W)
6"/9"/12" Tri-Ring Element.....1 Ribbon (1050/1950/3000)
7" Heating Element(s).....2 Ribbon (1800 watt)
Bridge Element.....800 Watt (Links 7" Elements)
Warming Zone.....1 Ribbon (120 watt)

972:
5"/8" Dual Heating Element .....2 Ribbon (1000/2200W and PowerBoil)
6" Heating Element (s).....1 Ribbon (1200W); 1 Warming Zone (120W)
6"/9"/12" Tri-Ring Element.....1 Ribbon (1050/1950/3000)

(The Warming Zone burner is listed w/the 6" Heating Element for the 972.)

So, the 962 actually has 6 elements: 7", 7", 5"/8", 6"/9"/12", bridge, warming zone

the 962 actually has 5 elements: 6", 5"/8", 5"/8", 6"/9"/12", warming zone

Here is a link that might be useful: GE Rebate for GE Profile Appliances (2 or more)

Thanks so much for the info! Very complete as usual. :>D I didn't even think to go to the GE website.

I too was hoping for an induction, but I just cannot justify it right now.

I use a really large electric griddle for everything, so I am not sure if I would really use the bridge. At the same time, my mother lives with me part-time but probably full-time soon. She has a cooktop griddle which she will probably want to bring here. Will cast iron scratch the cooktop?!?

The power boil also might be something I need. Can you give me an idea how long it takes you to boil a pot of water for pasta?

Also, thank you for the rebate info. The last thing I need is a DW and as long as it clean fine and is relatively quiet, I am not picky. I'll check out the GE brands.