I cook often for a crowd and have a 36" GE Sprectra range. I have a hard time getting two large pots on the same side of the range, they just don't fit. I measured and from front to back the cooking surface area of the range top is only 20". It would be deeper but the control panel sticks out quite a bit. Most of my pots are at least 10" or 12" wide. I even have a 5 qt saute pan that's closer to 14".

Are all range tops this way or would a different brand offer a better cooking area?

At this point I am not interested in a larger professional range, it would mean ripping out cabinetry etc. and I don't want to go there.