Bosch's new line, Benchmark, has more powerful burners and updated styling.
How does it compare to GE's best line of appliances, Monogram?
We will look at features, prices and specs.
Rangetop vs. Cooktop
First, let's discuss the differences between a rangetop and a cooktop.
A rangetop has the controls on the front with the ability of interchanging a grill and high BTU burners.
Cooktops have controls on the top without the ability to grill or griddle and will have 1 or 2 high output burners.
Bosch Benchmark
BSH Home Appliances Corporation (BSH), headquartered in Irvine, California, is a wholly owned subsidiary of BSH Bosch and Siemens Home Appliances Group based in Munich, Germany. Bosch has become the third the largest appliance manufacturer in the world.
On February 4, 2014 Bosch introduced a new line of appliances called Bosch Benchmark. They redesigned 100 appliances with a sleek and innovative European design. The wall ovens now have a universal cut-out so it can fit many other brands dimensions for easy replacement. Bosch now offers wall ovens with side swing doors. They developed their first steam-oven for the Mass Premium market.
They have new slide-in inductions ranges, steam ovens, flex induction cooktops, microwave drawers and built-in-refrigerators, dishwashers and more powerful gas cooktops.
Bosch Benchmark is geared to the affordable luxury market or to consumers who want better features without spending for Sub-Zero and Thermador.
Bosch Benchmark NGMP655UC 36” Gas Cooktop - $1399.00
Features:
- High-Output Cooking Burner – has a center burner of 20,000 BTU, three 12,000 BTU burners, and one 5,500 BTU burner
- Dual-stack burners – It allows to wide range to cook on high heat to simmer
- OPTISIM Burner Provides Excellent Simmering as Low as a 400 BTU.
- Automatic Re-ignition
Bosch Benchmark NGMP055UC 30” Gas Cooktop - $1299.00
Similar type of features to the 36”cooktop:
- High-Output Cooking Burner –has a center burner of 20,000 BTU’s, two 10,000 Btu burners and two 5,500 Btu burners
- Dual-stack burners – It allows to wide range to cook on high heat to simmer
- OPTISIM Burner Provides Excellent Simmering as Low as a 400 BTU Effect
- Automatic Re-ignition
GE Monogram
GE Appliances is a subsidiary of General Electric headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. In 1987 GE developed the Monogram line of appliances to attract a higher end customer. GE developed and manufactured professional cooking products, built-in-refrigerators, beverage centers and wine units. The goal was to attract customers that wanted more than a freestanding range and top mount refrigerator.
GE Monogram and GE appliances in general are more geared to builders in multiple dwelling projects than single customers.
GE Monogram ZGU385NSMSS 36” Cooktop - $1599
Features:
- High-Output Cooking Power - One 18,000 BTU burner, two 12,000 BTU burners and two 10,000 BTU Burners
- Electronic Ignition - a continuous flame and reignites automatically if accidentally extinguished
- Dual-Flame Stacked Burners - complete 140°F simmer-to-rapid-boil flexibility on all burners
- Propane kit included
- Limited one year warranty
- ADA Compliant
GE Monogram ZGU384NSMSS 30” Cooktop - $1399
Similar type of features to the 36”cooktop:
- High-Output Cooking Power - One 18,000 BTU burner, one 12,000 BTU burner and two 10,000 BTU burners
- Electronic Ignition - as a continuous flame and reignites automatically if accidentally extinguished.
- Dual-Flame Stacked Burners- complete 140°F simmer-to-rapid-boil flexibility on all burners
- ADA Complaint
- Propane kit included
In comparing the brands of cooktop I found that the Bosch Benchmark gas cooktop has more usable space in the center burner. The control panel is straight across vs. the GE Monogram gas cooktop is more rounded control panel and removing space away from the center burner. The Bosch center burner has 2,000 more BTU’S than GE Monogram at 20,000 BTUs vs. 18,000. They both have the dual stack burner for a precise simmer. Pricing is about the same.
If you are buying a package then difference is more pronounced. Benchmark is brand new and has many of the updated features like side swing wall ovens and a much richer, European styling.
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Additional Resources
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A Note About Pricing
Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.
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