bit-tech Shopping: KitchenAid KESS907SSS 30-in Range

• Broiler
• Oven Light
• Roast
• Sabbath Mode
• Temperature Display
• Self Cleaning

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Month

Strengths: Slide-in, convection, mutliple dual burners, intuitive controls, warming drawer, stainless steel

Weaknesses: Flimsy warming drawer box, no texture/silk-screened design on cook surface to hide scratches, high price, roasting pan not included!

Summary: Wow, this range is such a massive upgrade and improvement from my previous KitchenAid drop-in range that I'd don't know where to begin! I guess I'll start with what was wrong with the old unit: cast iron burners that take FOREVER to heat up and cool down that are crammed too closely together and an oven that seemed smalled and definitely did not bake evenly. Unlike the previous range that was a drop-in unit, this one is a slide-in freestanding unit so some alterations to the surrounding cabinets and countertop were necessary. That was fine by me though because this unit has a larger cook surface with the controls in the front rather on the top which result in larger burners that can be placed further apart. In addition, the space between the oven and floor can be utilized now and this model offers a warming drawer which will be much more useful than the dead space created by a drop-in or the typical storage drawer. Unlike a regular freestanding range, a slide-in range does not have a backspash on top or a frame around the top. The top on this slide-in unit sits on top of the countertop. Not ony does this look nicer, but it allows for a frameless top and no gab between the sides and back of the cooktop and the surrounding cabinets. This unit has 3 multi-size burners and another single burner that all come and and heat up nearly instantaneously and cool down nearly as fast. In addition, the mutli-sized burners offer greater efficiency in that the amount used can be matched to the pan since resulting in less power used. This is a similar case for the broiler in the oven as it has a center broiler and two side broilers that can be operated center only or center + sides. This too saves energy and increases efficiency. The cook top is a smooth, sleek, dark color and looks really nice. I am concerned that it may scratch easily and scratches will definitely show. Time will tell. The oven can be operated as a regular overn or in convection mode. I am exciting to have convection since it too is more energy and time efficient since foods can be cooked at a lower temperature and less time than a standard oven. However, some retraining is necessary since standard oven temperatures and times need to be converted when cooking via convection. However, this range has an Easy Convect option to assist with this by automatically adjusting the conventional cook temperature and time for the user! Other great features include 3 oven racks, dehydration mode, bread proofing, intuitive controls, non-slip knobs for the stove top, two oven lights, and a roasting probe that plugs in inside the oven and can be used to control the cook time automatically based on food temperature! The control panel also shows which oven elements are on, whether the fan in off or on, and what time cooking began. Unfortunately a broiling pan is not included, but it and a roasting rack are availabe for free (+$15 shipping) using the promotional code included in the information that comes with the range. All in all I am very impressed with this range and look forward to using it for many years to come!