I have not noticed any pulsing at low temperatures. We use cast iron Le Creuset or stainless steel Al-Clad. The only piece we have that even hums is the small Al-Clad butter warmer but I think that is due to it's small size.

Great thanks for the data point.

I was curious about the question of trying to bridge two burners. Anyone give it a shot?

Thought I would revive this thread and see if anyone can answer the bridging question. I am looking at this range and was curious if you can bridge two burners with a griddle.

I don't believe there is a way to bridge two burners. Rumor has it the new version of this range might be able to do it. I thought I read that people felt it might be coming out later this year.

I use the demeyere plancha on my Bosch slide in. It fits perfectly across the two left hobs. I usually turn both hobs at the same level and it does a decent job of heating evenly.

I confirm: A new Bosch model is coming and featuring a flexzone that can be used as a bridge. It also features numeric controls which solve the issues mentioned above regarding the +/- controls...

Wspy - I believe it is already out. The link to it was listed on another thread and the salesman at the store we went to was able to pull it up in their system as available for purchase.

Great. Did you end up going with the Bosch?

Super jealous of those that will get their hands on one of the new models! Time for someone to start a new thread!

I am jealous of the number scale for adjusting the temp on the new ones.

We are leaning toward buying the new Benchmark. It is way more than I planned on spending but I love the flex zone and the number scale. Haven't made the purchase yet though.

Just reserved mine. A bit expensive indeed but luckily there was a nice Bosch promotion here in Canada...

There is a 10% off here if you buy 3 appliances. We were already planning to get a Bosch dishwasher so we would probably throw in a speed oven to get to 3. It only goes through June so we have to decide soon!

Can somebody explain to me what the number scale is and how it is different from Bosch's existing products?

On the previous model, each hob level had to be set using +/- buttons. For instance, if you would like to decrease a hob level from 9 to say 4, you would have had to press on the minus button 10 times (counting the half increments).

On the new model, you can just directly press on the number corresponding to the desired level.

Just ordered the new model with FlexZone today. Hopefully I can tell you first hand how it works. Called the NYC showroom today and they confirmed what the above poster says regarding just pushing directly what setting they want and not having to go through +/- to get through to the right level.

strob06, the Bosch 10% rebate (can be a bit more if you buy all Benchmark) has been going on for years. The rebates expire every 3-6 mos. but they renew them. No guarantee that that will continue but I would be very surprised if they stopped.

Thanks! Good to know!

Can someone confirm that the HIIP055C model (which is the one with the Flexzone) is available in the US ? The local dealer said that the HIIP055C is only available in Canada and that the HIIP055U model available in the US does not have the Flexzone.

Anyone any insight ?

According to Bosch US website, it has a flexzone.

http://www.bosch-home.com/us/productslist/cooking-baking/slide-in-ranges/induction-slide-in-ranges/HIIP055U?breadcrumb=freestandingcookers

I am in the US and have bought and taken delivery of the new Benchmark Induction Slide In Model # H11P055U with the flex zone. They are definitely out there and can be ordered.

Thanks wspy & strob06 ! Looks like I may go to a different dealer who knows what he's talking about ;-)

Besides strob, several other forum members received Bosch Benchmark induction ranges (with flex zones) several weeks ago. Reports and photos are linked here. A trip last week to the local Feguson's show room confirmed that the HIPP055u (Benchmark) --- as well as the non-Flexzone HII8055u (800 series verson) --- is presently available for delivery even here in deepest, darkest Montana.

According to the parts look up the only difference between the US and Canada model is the Canada model comes with a 220v plug in power cord already attached. A Canadian appliance dealer friend of mine says this is per Canada requirements for all 220v appliances.

Thanks for all the responses. Very helpful

Can someone post a picture of their recently purchased Bosch with the Flex Induction zone please ?

I'm another with the HIIP055U installed and working. I had debated about the 800 series without the FlexInduction zone in order to save some money, but am very glad that I got the benchmark with the FlexInduction. Some of the FlexInduction stuff is a gimmick (PowerMove where different parts of the zone have different power and so you can adjust levels by moving the pan rather than adjusting the power on a single burner), and I have a separate electric griddle for doing pancakes and such, so I thought the additional money wouldn't necessarily give me any features I care about. right now, the flex zone is probably the most used area, as I can put any size pot on it and not have to think "oh, is this pot the right size for the smaller right side burner, or should I use the larger right size burner?" -- I just put it in the middle of the flex zone and it works. As I get more familiar with which of my pots are best suited to which burners, then I may not use the flex zone as much, but it's very useful now.

belgiantex, I have several photos of my new HIIPO55U on my separate thread here (scroll all way down as several photos are posted along the way):

New Bosch induction review

BTW, still loving mine, see thread. Good luck with your decision!

@Feinmaster:

Thanks. I did see that thread and it's one of them that has convinced me (for 90% at least) to go with the Bosch.

Still a little apprehensive the large 11" zone is in the back/center. I hate reaching over another pot to get to a wide pan which is usually used for a sear, a stir-fry, etc... usually it's your hottest pan on the stove and I like keeping those in the front. But I guess that's a matter of getting used to it.

Nearly made up my mind ;-) Dacor is still in the running, but the Bosch is inching away to the finish line

One thing to remember is that you can put a larger pot toward the front of the flex zone or a smaller pot toward the back of the flex zone, to get the arrangement you want. You aren't locked into the specific burner sizes with this, which is one of the things I liked.

Also, there isn't any pot "in front of" the largest burner. The FlexInduction zone is completely to the left, and the medium single hob is mostly to the right of it. If you're just using the FlexInduction zone and the large hob, no problem reaching things. If you're using all 4 hobs, there is still a reasonable area to access the large pan without reaching directly over any pan on the medium hob to the right.

[I totally agree with you about reaching over things. I had to rule out any range where the cooktop controls are on the back]

Can someone tell me if you had to relocate the wall plug? My current plug is located about 2 inches above the floor but looking at the install manual they specified a location about a foot off the ground.

I know that we didn't have to relocate our plug, even though the installation manual implied that we might have to. We were able to see the unit in a store, and could tell that our existing plug location wouldn't be a problem. Hopefully you can see one in person to determine whether your plug location will work.

Thanks, unfortunately, all the local places that carry this range only have the gas models on the floor. One of the reps told me they just don't have that much demand for induction ranges that are also slide in.

Sorry to hear that. Maybe you can contact Bosch directly to see if they can give you more accurate info. I'd be willing to pull my stove out to measure things, but mine is several years old now, and I don't know if they've made some minor change in the back that might affect plug placement! It would be a real shame if you relied on my (old) stove's design, and the current stoves had some changes.

You are right, new model might be different but thanks for the offer. One thing I have done is download the CAD file for this and opened it up on my computer. It looks like I might be in the clear. However, cad files are really just meant to be accurately dimensioned props in a drawing. Outer dimension are usually very accurate for construction but not when it comes to details they cut corners with accuracy.

Soooo, did all of you end up getting the Bosch benchmark? Do you love it?

It's sounding pretty good from all the comments here!

I'm very happy with mine, had it a few years. I did have to have a circuit board replaced. I think it was still under the original warranty, but I had opted for an extended warranty through the store. With the stove being so expensive and having so much electronics in it, it seemed worth it to pay for the extended warranty.

agreed on extended warranty!

what's been your experience with the self clean feature? does the oven door get really hot?

I personally have never used the self clean feature. I'm too worried about the heat from that messing up the electronics (that's what people thought several years ago when I got mine; not sure if opinions have changed). I generally use some kind of pan to catch drips, so only rarely have things drip onto the oven floor, and for things like roasted chicken that may spatter grease all over, it seems to just bake off over the next times I'm using my oven.

So, I can't tell you how the self clean works, but I can tell you that I haven't really ever felt the need for it, either.

We have used the self clean feature and it was fine. I do think that the door gets hot, but I don’t remember for sure, it has been a while. It literally burns everything in it to dust!

Last time we cleaned it manually because we had some burnt on drippings that smelled horrible as the self clean was going. We ended up turning it off, letting it cool and using oven cleaner.

Hi there,

I just ordered a slide-in Bosch induction range HII8056C and wondered about the plug-in for the range needs to be 12" from the floor. I read in previous posts by Craig Hunt that he had a similar question and I'm wondering if the plug needed to be relocated. Thanks.

I relocated mine according to the installation instructions. Hired an electrician to do it. If I hadn't, the outlet would be directly behind the warming drawer which seemed like a bad idea.

Question regarding cleaning glass oven door on HIIP056U. I understand how to remove oven door. There are stains on inside of glass. Does this model allow to remove panel and glass to clean or do you use something to clean between glass and door?

I don't know the answer to Cindy's question about cleaning the glass oven door, but I would caution people to be very careful when removing the oven door. Yes, it is easy to do, but one time I didn't follow the instructions exactly, and one of the door attachment pieces didn't get set to the right place, and after I removed the door, the spring on that piece caused it to move quickly and it actually shattered the glass (I assume through some internal vibrations or something). That was an expensive way to figure out that I need to be careful when removing the door.

Cindy, I do not know about cleaning the glass, but wish I did - it is pretty dirty after 7 years! I still love, love it. Let me know if you find out the answer on cleaning. I will try looking into it as well.

Trying to find out if anyone has figure out yet how to clean the inside of the glass on this door .. Love the range overall, but struggling to find out how to even remove the door!