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Cafe Dual Fuel Double Oven Broiler Performance?

4 years ago

Hi everyone,


I am seriously considering the Cafe Dual Fuel Double Oven range (CS9250P). Consumer reports rated the broiler "good" and the baking "very good," but it did not break down those scores based on oven (e.g. upper broiler is bad and lower broiler is great vs both are okay). I'd really appreciate everyone's thoughts on the broiling ability of both the ovens. Googling around for reviews it seems there are a decent number of complaints about the top broiler--but I only need one that's really good. I'd be happy to use the upper oven to bake and the lower oven to broil.


Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

Comments (5)

  • 4 years ago

    I assume you mean this one?

    https://www.cafeappliances.com/appliance/Cafe-30-Smart-Slide-In-Front-Control-Dual-Fuel-Double-Oven-Range-with-Convection-C2S950P2MS1


    I've been reluctant to answer because I don't have that range. Was hoping someone who did would chime in.


    But I have a GE Twin Flex electric wall oven, two small ovens in the space of a normal 5 cubic foot single. Like the Cafe range, it has a 6 pass broiler in the small upper oven & an 8 pass broiler in the big lower oven, but weaker wattage: 2750 & 2950 watts.


    I've played with my stronger broiler, but can't get a nice char on meats with 8 pass, 2950 watts. So I doubt you can make the steaks/burgers/chops of your dreams in the Cafe's 6 pass, 3000 watt broiler. I won't comment on the Cafe's 8 pass, 3600 watt broiler as I have nothing that compares. The single oven version has an 8 pass, 4000 watt broiler. I wonder how much difference 400 watts makes.


    At first I was disappointed because my old KitchenAid (8 pass, 4000 watts) made delicious broiled salmon using the convection broil setting. However, it also made an awful, smokey mess. Polymerized salmon grease is a very difficult to remove. IMO, I wouldn't want to clean that lower oven in the range manually after a broiler mess, and am wary of using the cleaning cycle on modern appliances with their delicate electronics. I've since decided some foods are best left to outside grills.


    For toasting sandwich rolls, browning bread crumbs, melting cheese, & crisping pieces of flat breads to make home made chips, my weak broilers are just fine, and I love having the upper oven placed so conveniently for making those snack/lunch foods. You'd still get a lot of use out of the Cafe for those things, even if the broiler power isn't ideal for meats.


    Also, the convenience & flexibility of two ovens might outweigh for you the lack of a powerful broiler. Mine certainly has been a revelation in that regard. It bakes beautifully, roasts nicely (love the probe feature), proofs, warms. No regrets getting two small excellent ovens in the space of one.

  • 4 years ago

    Thank you for the advice! yes, thats the range. One of the things tht is hard to tell is whether despite the 3600 watts the lower broiler safety cycles off becuase of heat in the smaller cavity/to protect electronic components. I broil vegetables, lamb, and fish a LOT...so a good broiler is pretty important to me.

  • 4 years ago

    Broiled veggies come out fine in my ovens, so the Cafe will be up to that task. Whether 3600 watts is adequate for nicely broiled lamb & fish? I haven't a clue.


    Does the bottom oven have Air Fry? I wonder if that would be an acceptable substitute for broiling lamb or fish. The rapidly moving hot air makes nice crispy salmon, say the air fryers here.

  • 4 years ago

    Just as a follow-up for anyone who googles this and wonders what the result was...I bought the range and both broilers were pretty pathetic. Neither could get the outside of a lamb chop crispy with the inside remaining pink. Most other broiler stuff has mediocre to very bad results. Everything else about the range is great. So, if you don't care about broiling, I recommend it. It will so perfectly fine browning the top of a casserole or what many people think of as the purpose for the broiler. If you want to sear/char steaks and the like, steer clear. I'm lucky I can return it to Costco!

  • 2 years ago

    Really appreciate you following up to this thread! Did you land on something you were happier with?