In this article, KitchenAid KSDB900 vs. Café CGS750 Gas Slide-In Ranges.
If you’re looking for a premium gas slide-in range, Cafe versus KitchenAid is an interesting option.
Both KitchenAid and Cafe are advertised as convection slide-ins, but aren’t. They also promote 2 oven cooking, but that isn’t exactly the case either.
However, premium gas range has improved over the years, so this will cover the new features of both.
You’ll also learn about reliability for both brands based on 40,000 service calls completed by a service department just last year.
Table of Contents
Cooktop
Cafe is technically more powerful per burner at 21,000, 15,000, 12,000, 2 9,500 and a 5,000 BTU burner.
KitchenAid is somewhat close with 2 power burners at 19,000 and 15,000 BTU, one 9,200, an 8,000 and a 5,000 BTU burner.
KitchenAid has a traditional 5 burner, 30 inch range, while Cafe is the only 6 burner, 30 inch range available.
You probably don’t need 6 burners or maybe even 5.
The griddle is in the middle for Cafe, while KitchenAid’s on the right.
KitchenAid’s in the dual fuel, has the griddle in the middle. KitchenAid’s griddle is powered by a 9,200 BTU burner, while Cafe has two 9,500 BTU burners underneath their grill for faster and more even cooking.
Oven
Like the cooktop, the difference in oven size is minimal.
KitchenAid is the largest 7.1 cubic feet, but Cafe is close at 6.7 cubic feet.
However, the oven breakdowns are different as well as their location. The Cafe unit is 2.4 cubic foot on the top, smaller oven, and 4.3 cubic foot in the lower oven. KitchenAid is 6.5 in larger oven and down below is .6 for a baking drawer.
Cafe’s second oven is on the top and much larger, whereas KitchenAid has a much larger primary oven.
They both will fit a turkey.
However, you have to bend down more for the Cafe because the secondary oven is on the top. If you’re baking smaller items, the Cafe is more convenient.
Ultimately, it depends on what you cook between the two.
Air Fry Modes
Kitchen only has basic cooking cycles and modes, whereas Cafe is the air fry. I imagine they’ll be adding Air Sous Vide and other modes as well.
AirFry is the new feature for ranges.
However, we can’t seem to find anything in these modes from any manufacturer.
High speed convection only works in smaller appliances, for now.
Smart Functionality
KitchenAid does not have any smart functionality, whereas Cafe may have the best platform in GE’s Smart HQ.
Smart HQ will allow you to do the basics. You can turn the oven on and off remotely from your office or from the playground and see the time remaining in the cycle.
It’s also set up to add additional cooking modes remotely.
Last year before Thanksgiving, a turkey mode was added to all existing Cafe customers, complete with a gobble-gobble end of cycle signal.
Smart is a convenience, but not the must have option, at least not yet.
Aesthetics
KitchenAid is stainless steel only, whereas Cafe has several options.
You can buy Cafe in white and black, as well as stainless steel. Then you can accent your range with brass, copper, stainless handles, however, different finishes and accents increase the price of the Cafe by about $500.
So have some customization with Cafe so your range won’t look like every other stainless steel range unless you want it to.
Reliability
Cafe is 2.6% more reliable than KitchenAid. In theory, you should have less service in Cafe than in KitchenAid, but the difference is really not that great.
Both GE and Whirlpool, KitchenAid’s parent company, operates service companies. It’s a rarity in the appliance business, but important if you’re buying from a store without service.
For speaking of service, GE is testing their WiFi enabled service features. It could be huge. The product will be designed to diagnose its problem and the faulty part sent directly to the servicer, speeding up service time considerably.
Verdict
It depends on what you like and how you use your stove.
KitchenAid has one larger and one much smaller baking drawer. Cafe has 2 ovens. A much bigger, smaller oven and a much smaller, larger oven.
You should probably look at both before you decide.
Cafe is better with a higher output cooktop and smart functionality in terms of other features.
You do have some style options as well.
So you have KitchenAid’s larger oven, against GE’s 2 ovens, higher output, smart capabilities and style.
Which is better for you?