So far we have only used it 3 times but very impressed.  Thought we'd try it with steak - on the high temperature it seared just the way we like it and even with thick pieces of meat, it cooks quickly.  Haven't used the flat surface yet, but so far so good.  Much better than the one we had, different make, which only had 1 temperature setting.  Lives up to the Cuisinart name.