KitchenAid Architect Series II : KFGS306VSS 30 Gas Cooktop with 5 Sealed Burners - Stainless Steel

KitchenAid Architect Series II : KFGS306VSS 30 Gas Cooktop with 5 Sealed Burners - Stainless Steel

Great for Wokking and well designed for small kicthen space.
Background you can skip
We purchased our current home about 2 years ago and slowly started replacing the somewhat dated or low-quality appliances that had been left behind for us. Most of it was Frigidaire or Kenmore. Nothing wrong with that, but we wanted to get a better fridge, microwave hood, dishwasher and cooktop. This review, naturally, is about the cooktop only. The other items ware reviewed elsehwere on Amazon.
What were we looking for?
ONE - Well, first of all, we wanted HEAT: we are very much into Asian food and cook mostly in our Wok(s) (see other reviews as well!). This requires high BTU output.
TWO - We wanted an aesthetic stainless steel look, a little more like the professional Bertazzoni or Viking type cooktops.
THREE - Quality. We wanted heavy cast iron grates that would withstand heavy daily use.
FOUR - Space. We needed sufficient space around the wok to be able to cook properly on the high heat burner if using a larger wok (16" or...

Pros and Cons
I've had this cooktop for a couple months now, and here's what I think:

Pros:
1. It looks really cool. Yup, between the five burners and the great grate, it is a piece of art.
2. It cooks just dandy; no complaints.

Cons:
1. The control knobs are slightly higher than the grate, meaning if you put something on the grate and it overlaps the knobs, the ignition clicking is initiated.
2. There is no "on" light in case some inattentive family member (never the main cook, of course!) leaves a burner on low and fails to notice.
3. There is no safety "off" childproof switch. (some GE applicances have this).
4. The Kitchenaid logo piece is three-dimensional and in the lower corner, meaning it is just asking to get dirty and be hard to clean. Flat, or in an upper corner, would have been preferable.

Very nice, but not perfect
From my point of view this was the best looking 30" gas cooktop available when we remodeled (Aug-Nov 2008). After using it for over a year we are still happy with the aesthetics, and generally happy cooking on it, but...

1. It does not simmer out of the box - as a previous reviewer said, its low is not low enough. This is surprising for a relatively expensive cooktop from a reputable company, but there is a fix: The manual (available from the kitchenaid website) explains how to reduce the low setting. You take each knob off while the burner is on and turn a screw. You need a thin long screwdriver - I had to make one from a heavy wire hanger, filing the end to form the screwdriver blade, easier than it sounds. The low setting is now acceptable, but not quite as low as I'd like, though I have not tried to readjust it.

2. Standard 20" double burner griddles don't fit easily. We have to set ours diagonally. I've just found Lodges new 16" long griddles which...

Dimensions
Height: 2 7/8"
Width: 30 1/4"
Depth: 21"
Controls
Electronic Touch Controls: No
Control Type: Knobs
Performance
Left Front Burner/Element Output: 9,100 BTU
Left Rear Burner/Element Output: 6,000 BTU
Right Front Burner/Element Output: 10,000 BTU
Right Rear Burner/Element Output: 7,000 BTU
Custom Control Temp Management System: No
Burner Configuration: 1-6,000 BTU; 1-7,000 BTU; 1-9,100 BTU; 1-10,000 BTU; 1-15,000 BTU
Features
Built-In Downdraft Vent System: No
Burner Indicator Light: No
Burner Type: Sealed Gas
Cooktop Surface: Stainless Steel
Grate Finish: Matte Black Cast Iron
Hot Surface Indicator Lights: No
Infinite Position Control Knobs: Yes
Number of Burners: 5
Oval Dual Circuit: No
Over Oven Installation: Yes
Round Dual Circuit: No
Simmer Burner: Yes
Fuel Type: Gas
Ventilation System: No
Number of Elements: 0
Power-On Light: No
Electronic Ignition: Yes

• 30" Gas Cooktop with 5 Sealed Burners, Electronic Ignition and Infinite Position Control Knobs
• 15K BTU professional dual tier burner provides versatility for varied cooking styles - from simmering to searing
• 6K BTU simmer burner cooks food gently at low temperatures
• Low profile full-width cast-iron grates allow easy movement of cookware around the entire cooktop surface
• Sealed burners prevent spills and drips from entering the burner box