Slide-in ranges have a nice clean look when installed, and are typically more fully featured than most freestanding ranges. Slide-in ranges will have no back splash, the sides will overlap the countertop, and all of the controls are on the front of the unit.
If you are customizing your backsplash with stainless steel or tile behind the range the backsplash will not be covered like on a typical freestanding range.
We will be comparing models from two of the more popular manufacturers, Electrolux and GE.
Take a look at this short video explaining the major differences between a slide-in range and a freestanding range.
Electrolux
Electrolux is the second largest appliance company in the world after Whirlpool. They have three offerings in the gas slide-in category with some nice options. All models are self-cleaning, have convection, a proof mode (baking breads, etc.), dehydrate mode for fruits and veggies and a Sabbath mode.
The entry level model has 4 burners (16k BTU max) with a storage drawer on the bottom. The next model up adds a more powerful 18k BTU burner, a warming drawer for holding cooked foods, and a temperature probe great for roasting meats and poultry. Their best model adds a 5th burner.
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GE Café
GE is one of the largest companies in the world, employing some 300,000+ people worldwide. Some of their business interests include aviation and finance in addition to appliances. GE is unlike most appliance companies, because their business is driven by builders rather than final consumers.
The Café range is slightly different from a true slide-in. The sides and back will not overlap the countertop meaning there will be seams or cracks between the countertop and the range itself.
They have three offerings in the gas range line. All offer 5 burners, self-cleaning, convection, and a Sabbath mode, but no proof mode like the Electrolux. The base model has a storage drawer, the second offers a baking drawer, and the top of the line model has a true second oven. All have a temperature probe.
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GE Café CGS985SETSS
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GE Café CGS975SEDSS
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GE Café CGS990SETSS
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Which is Better?
It really depends. GE Café is more powerful with 20,000 BTUs. 20,000 is more powerful than most professional ranges. You are probably cooking on 12,000 BTUs on a 10 year old stove.
Electrolux is powerful at 16-18,000 BTUs. The strength of this oven is the controls, which allow you to cook all foods in any mode very easily. It is the best and most intuitive oven controls in the industry for gas slide-ins.
Electrolux is a true slide-in, whereas GE Café is a freestanding unit with controls on the front. Electrolux will sit on the counter and will not allow food, grease and liquids between the range and cabinets.
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