I have a 36"Wolf induction cooktop and the Wolf downdraft behind it, on a 11ft long center island. If you are already used to cooking on an induction cooktop,you know that any drops of water or any slight touch, will change the element heat up/down. It's important to have the delicate controls off to the side somewhere, so one doesn't inadvertently change the settings and burn the food. The burners, 4 of them, work great. I love how fast they cook. The 5th burner, the largest one, worked for about 1 year, then quit. One cannot just replace the faulty burner. One has to replace the whole cooktop, so I didn't do that. It's a transistor thing, the repairman said. The downdraft went up/down, with a concealed switch. It looks great, but only comes up about 12-14" tall. One day, it wouldn't retract, so it's stuck in the upright position behind the cooktop, and it doesn't turn on./off. Again, I have to replace the whole thing, according to the repairman. I have had this cooktop and downdraft 10 years. Look at all the choices on the mkt. today. I had no choice, really, as induction was new to the American mkt. I also recently bought a SubZero ice dispensing side by side, refrig/freezer. It's OK, but holds less than the KA I replaced it with. The best DW I have found, is the Bosch, with 3 racks. I can fold all the racks down to fit almost anything. A lot of DW do not have fold down tines. You do have to use salt to keep glassware sparkling. TRM

I’m not sure my opinion is a huge help, since 1) I haven’t fully researched ovens in a few years now (thank goodness), and 2) I’ve become a bit jaded by spending for premium ovens to get quality, only to get problems. F&P and Wolf were my best baking ovens, but too many porcelain problems. My Gagg doesn’t have the porcelain problems at all, and, while I love the amount of control I have in choosing which elements it employs for what I’m baking, and whether it uses convection fans or not, I’d never pay the price for it again. -Mine was an outdated floor model, so a comparatively ‘good deal,’ but still more than I wish I’d spent. And a new one at new prices? No way. I’m pretty much fully on board with what 59 Dodge (Hi, Gary!) said above. Elux used to be a good choice, but I wouldn’t trust it now. When we first looked at ovens, Miele was my ‘If price was no object’ dream oven, based on their strict quality control in the manufacturing process, from start to beautiful finish. However, several years ago some very experienced bakers had some temperature issues that Miele didn’t seem to be addressing to their satisfaction. Also, my sister, a specialty dessert and wedding cake baker, bought on of their double wall ovens, and was never impressed as she thought she would be. The performance was ‘fine,’ but not spectacular, and she said they were small inside. So, this is where I part ways a little with Gary, I am not sure I’d consider Miele...although all of my concerns may have been addressed in recent models; I just don’t know. They’re pretty pricey and I’m less inclined to take expensive risks any more. Bosch is made by the same parent company as Gagg. We can hope that, but certainly not count on, they use the same materials or technique in coating their oven interiors. (They don’t have a stellar reputation for service, but then, with my Gagg oven or Bosch dishwashers, I haven’t needed to find out!) We haven’t seen anything here, that I know of, about porcelain problems...or, really, any other problems with Bosch ovens. Last I looked in person, they had roomier interiors than other brands and good lighting, and from what I see in current ads, their styling has improved and looks great. All this to say, I’ve decided that if I replace ovens or do another kitchen, Bosch is at the top of my list. If the baking isn’t as controlled as Gagg or as perfect as Wolf, but I’ve got GOOD performances, spent half (or less), and don’t have any hassles, I’d be very happy. Also, I had a JennAir ‘convection’ range about 15 years ago. It turned out not to be ‘European convection,’ but their own version that used another fan set up. Like you found with yours, it was all hype. When, because the oven vented hot air right in front of the electronic board for the cooktop, so it kept melting the wires, they gave me a partial refund. I replaced it with a plain, non-convection GE that did better 2-rack baking! So if that’s the kind of performance you’ve had, I’m betting the Bosch would be a big jump you could be happy with. Best wishes.

Like texanjana, this year I saw all the nominated movies. Hadn't planned to but by January realized I'd seen 7/9 so I caught Captain Phillips and 12 Years a Slave too. I quit paying Woody Allen years ago when he started sleeping with his stepdaughter but relented and saw Blue Jasmine, to my chagrin when Dylan Farrow came forward a few weeks later. Anyway, my thoughts: American Hustle was entertaining but I also don't quite get the critical acclaim; there just wasn't all that much to it. Thought Amy Adams killed it in her role, though. Gravity was certainly entertaining, but again by the time I saw it I was expecting The Most Incredible Movie Experience of My Life. It wasn't all that. "I really enjoyed Captain Phillips-thought Tom Hanks was robbed not to be nominated" What she said. I hadn't seen it during its first run, thinking it just didn't sound entertaining. Boy was I wrong. Great film, how he didn't score a nomination is going to be one of those Oscar trivia 'stars who were robbed' entries for years. "I am embarrassed to say I really liked Wolf of Wall Street, even though I felt like I needed a shower after watching it!" Ok, still channeling Texan on this one too. I literally sat through much of the movie with my mouth open in shock and awe. I wasn't particularly offended either and as someone who lived in Miami during the 80s, the shenanigans weren't that unbelievable but it was sooooo over the top. Actually enjoyed Leo DiCaprio which is a first, as I really don't care for him usually. 12 Years a Slave - this one felt like a movie that was determined to hit every last stereotype about the evils of slavery. I know, I know, based on fact etc but it just didn't move me all that much. Dallas Buyers Club did move me very much. Matt McConaughey was absolutely amazing in his role. Not a feel-good movie but it stayed with me for a long time. "Philomena was beautiful, and oh so sad. Dame Judi was excellent, as always." Texan is making my reviews easy :). I adored this movie too. Thought it was a perfect blend of drama, humor, and poignancy. Although I can't argue about Blanchett winning Best Actress, I was really rooting for Judi Dench. Her was an odd movie for me. I suppose it was a success in that if the intent was give the audience two hours of watching a dysfunctional, sad person in a vaguely depressing near future setting pursue a fantasy that ended up leaving him more sad and dysfunctional--great job. I left feeling sad, if not dysfunctional. Side note: another Amy Adams role and she literally was unrecognizable as the same person who appeared in American Hustler. That woman really deserves to and I hope will someday win an Oscar. Nebraska-was a nice indie picture. I am not sure I found it quite as moving and significant as many critics and viewers seemed to. Agree that June Squibb was a hoot. I only watched a few minutes of August Osage County (peeked into the multiplex after seeing another film) because I just didn't feel like sitting through hours of Meryl and Julia chewing the scenery and the entire premise sounded utterly depressing. My 10 minute clip seemed to confirm that impression.

Since they live near me I have been in on day one when they gave birth at Hershey Med. That week Kate who looked much different then with short brown hair, no make up, and a frumpy body said she needed a car when they all go out as a family. I thought..so buy one and don't ask for donations. She whined and whined in every interview about the expense and all the problems. She got volunteers and treated them like crap...never speaking to them and resenting their intrusion in her house. She left post -its everywhere and fired a nanny for washing her hands in the kitchen sink. Jon was very young when they married but has really helped her despite all the screaming at him by her. They lived in a modest house and needed to move so they did. And now they live in a McMansion on many acres.Third move in three years. She screams about the paparazzi but SHE asked for it. If she had not agreed to exploit her kids, she would not cause a single person to photograph her. Jon has hair plugs, Kate has teeth work including whitening, a tummy tuck, breast work ,her hair do which is the ugliest one I ever saw but she claims people every where want to know who does it, and free dental, haircuts, doctors visits, ski vacations renewal of marriage vows in Hawaii, appearance on Martha Stewart and all the shows..Limos picking then up to go to parks , Disney..and YET this is not enough. She writes w/ a ghost writer THREE books and goes on tours letting Jon take the kids. Why? If you want your picture taken with Kate it will cost you $75. Imagine. They canceled a conference here last week because no one wanted to pay the $45 ticket price.Her whole family is estranged from her..even her brother and SIL who helped a lot . When TLC wanted to reimburse them Kate screamed that only she would be paid. Mady takes right after Kate in personality and when the little ones aren't cute anymore but sullen 8 year old like the twins , Kate's glory days will be gone. I cannot stand her and sympathize totally with Jon.They get up to $75,000 an episode and have 40 a year. She thinks she's celebrity.