On Mon, 11 Dec 2006 18:27:20 GMT, Joy > wrote:

>Also, is a fifth (center) burner really useful? Seems like it would be
>difficult to get five pots on at once.

There's a world of difference in cooktop layouts. I can almost never get four
useful pots on at once. I haven't yet seen a 30-inch cooktop layout where a
center burner was useful.

My strongest recommendation would be to look very critically, and choose the
cooktop layout which best enables you to use your two largest, most
frequently-used pots simultaneously.

IMO, the best 30-inch solution thus far is the same GE/Sears layout that both
Dee and I just went for, with the triple-size main burner front right, small
burner rear extreme right, two medium burners with bridge element on the left
side, and a warmer in the rear center.

This gives the flexibility to use the front left burner with the bridge element
for your second large pot.

The biggest mistake I made in my recent kitchen renovation was not convincing my
wife that a 36-inch cooktop/stove was essential. Next time...

-- Larry