Product review (4 stars): Almost all good
The reason we choose this particular model was that it seems to be the ONLY smooth cooktop of any major brand with downdraft exhaust and a bridge element.
We've had our GE downdraft cooktop for about two years now. In another home we'd had a smooth cooktop before and really missed it. It heats quickly and has a lot of different heating element configurations for a 4-eye 30" cooktop. It has a melt setting, a small/large eye setting, and a bridge element for double burner griddles and grills. Overall it has been great and we enjoy it.
I do have a couple of complaints now. The knobs have a cheap look and feel. GE should just upgrade this model or make an optional model with electronic touch controls. We'd have that one if it existed.
Secondly, when using the bridge element and the back left eye for a double-burner griddle pan the temp control for the front left and bridge element seems to be not calibrated right or something. The griddle over that eye and bridge section, seems to me, to get incredibly hot at no more than setting 3 (that's out of 10). If I do not monitor it closely I can burn a pancake in about 30 seconds.
When under warranty, GE sent a technician out and he ordered and replaced the element and the thing that controls the heat. I've got to say GE's service was outstanding and it is very nice that GE has thier own service team rather than it being out sourced to local appliance repair companies. These guys work only on GE products. However, even after the replacement the problem still exists so I am guessing it is just a quirk of the cooktop. You can use the burner/bridge setup you just have to be very careful with the adjustment. Seems you go from low to high in a 1/4" of a knob twist.
For those who have not had a glass cooktop before, yes, they are harder to keep looking clean, but being diligent on wiping up messes and spills quickly helps a lot. This one in particular is a little tougher to keep that pristine look because outside of the demarcations for the eyes there are no graphics. Most smooth cooktops have some sort of light speckling on the cooktop which helps to hide little smears and streaks. We have been able to keep it looking nice. There are some minor scratches on the right front burner now, but probably due to our own carelessness.
I will update my review if anything changes.