Replacing a 19-year old 36" DCS gas cooktop

5 years ago

The time has come to replace our DCS CT-365SS gas cooktop after 19 years of generally good service. Since we bought it in 2002, I learn that DCS was acquired by Fisher & Paykel, which was acquired by Haier.

I've no idea how F&P's quality for (what looks to be) a successor cooktop, the CDV3-365H-N Series 9, compares to what we had from DCS or to competitors' cooktops. For starters, I haven't found any professional reviews. I did see that Yale Appliance, in Massachusetts, reported excellent reliability for F&P gas cooktops, but their methodology, which looks to service calls as a percentage of units sold in a year, really doesn't produce a useful result when based on a minuscule number of sales.

The F&P cooktop goes for $1,900; we're prepared to pay somewhat more if there are compelling reasons; we wouldn't mind paying less.

One thing we particularly like about DCS/F&P is that, apart from the 20,000 BTU central burner, all four other burners are 15,000 BTU, so, there's never an issue of having to think about which pot goes on which burner. The Monogram ZGU36RSLSS is close in pattern, but with less power: 20,000 BTU, 12,000, and 3 x 10,000. That said, I don't know how easy it is to adjust to unequal burners. Since most--all that I've seen--other cooktops have different sized and powered burners, I suspect it may turn out to be a non-issue.

TIA

Featured Answer

Shannon_WI

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

Have you thought about how to fit a new cooktop in your existing cutout? Most cooktops today will have different dimensions than one that is 19 years old. What people usually do is find one that needs a bigger cutout than existing, and have a counter fabricator adjust the counter cutout to fit the new cooktop. Or you could try to install a cooktop that is smaller than your existing cutout, and get stainless steel strips cut to make up the difference.

You may need to look into that before choosing things like burner configuration.

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Comments (8)

David Guberman
Original Author
5 years ago
I have , It may be an argument for the F&P model, which has the same cut-out. If the cut-out is somewhat smaller, however, but the above-countertop width and depth are greater than the cut-out, so that the new cooktop still rests on the counter, how much does it matter?
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wdccruise
5 years ago
F&P sells the CDV3-365-N and CDV3-365H-N gas cooktops. The latter costs US$200 more but the only difference appears to be that it has "metal illuminated dials".
David Guberman
Original Author
5 years ago
I'm expecting a call Tuesday from F&P to discuss the differences between their 36" professional cooktops and their suitability to our existing cut-out (either as-is or if reasonably modifiable).
HU-76610506
5 years ago
Hi David, we have the exact same issue. If you bought F&P CDV3-365N (or N-H) did it fit in the cutout of the DCS CT-365SS ? Thank you.
David Guberman
Original Author
5 years ago
We replaced it because our long-time appliance repair person told us diagnosing and attempting to fix the problem would cost hundreds of dollars with no guarantee of success. My sister, who bought the same cooktop at about the same time we did, has been experiencing similar problems and wants to replace hers. In all events, we feel we got our money's worth.
ntustin
2 years ago
Looking to replacing our DCS CT-365SS, 17 years old with either a Bosch 500 or 800 series. The cut out configuration is important since we’re not going to mess around with our granite countertops. Had to pass on a Wolf due the additional router work to make it fit.
wdccruise
2 years ago
@ntustin: "Looking to replacing our DCS CT-365SS, 17 years old with either a Bosch 500 or 800 series."

The CT-365 installation manual shows a cutout size of 34-3/4"W x 19-3/4"D. Perhaps your cutout is deeper but Bosch cooktops require a 20" deep cutout. The Fulgor Milano F7IT36S1 would appear to fit in the CT-365 cutout.