A dual-oven range could be your Super Bowl (party) MVP

As we noted in our February 2008 report on ranges, in 1999 the Maytag Gemini became the first range to feature a dual oven. GE has now adopted the technology, offering it on two of its newest Profile series electric smoothtop ranges, the PB970SM and PB975SM (shown).

Among the consumers GE hopes to woo with its double-oven ranges are busy families and empty nesters. A third group that might go for dual ovens: hosts of Super Bowl parties. In today’s bigger-is-better world, chips and salsa and delivery pizza won’t cut it—a proper title-game blowout calls for an array of hot and cold dishes.

A two-oven setup displays its championship pedigree by allowing you to prepare separate dishes at different temperatures at the same time. For example, you might keep your pregame-noshing chicken wings and homemade pizzas warm in the top oven while your chili and meatballs simmer away in the lower oven getting ready for first- and second-half devouring. (GE offers a “slow cook” mode on the lower oven, ideal for just these sorts of dishes; we have not tested this feature.)

Should you base your next range purchase on something so fleeting as a Super Bowl menu? Maybe not. Our Ratings of electric and gas/dual-fuel ranges, however, will help you find the best model for the way you cook.

• If you regularly bake, consider how a range’s oven scored on baking. The dual ovens on the GE ranges mentioned above are only good in that department.

• If you regularly simmer sauces, pay attention to the “cooktop low” score. Electric ranges do proportionally better than gas models in that category.

• If reliability is your top concern, refer to our brand repair history of electric and gas/dual-fuel ranges.—Daniel DiClerico

Comments

[Carol Lyon]

We are a retired family and have had a Maytag self-cleaning double oven smooth top electric stove since 2000 and if it ever needs replacing, it will be with another Maytag self-cleaning double oven smooth top electric stove. Complete satisfaction and never a problem.