Gas cook top recommendations (Mart: buying, stores, budget)

[nitynity]

Trying to replace our existing cook top with a newer one. Budget is $1300 max. (not looking for the very high end brands)

Any recommendations on a 5 burner stainless steel cook top? I read so many reviews on several brands (Kitchen Aid, Frigidaire, Bosch and so on) where people complain about the crates being too high that it wastes the heat and takes for ever to cook. And most of the stores don't have much selections on display so you can't check it out before buying it. So how to go about buying this?

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Read Comsumer Reports at the library. They rate everything.

[Bp25]

Pacific Kitchen inside some Best Buy stores have a nice selection of high end cooktops on display.

[EDS_]

Originally Posted by nitynity

Trying to replace our existing cook top with a newer one. Budget is $1300 max. (not looking for the very high end brands)

Any recommendations on a 5 burner stainless steel cook top? I read so many reviews on several brands (Kitchen Aid, Frigidaire, Bosch and so on) where people complain about the crates being too high that it wastes the heat and takes for ever to cook. And most of the stores don't have much selections on display so you can't check it out before buying it. So how to go about buying this?

Do you know the present cut-out size? Going with a new unit that will fit as is will save you some money.
Bosch makes some sweet units in 30" and 36" widths.

[TeamLynn]

How about IKEA or Nebraska Furniture Mart.

[Threestep2]

There are several appliance stores with showrooms in the area. Google is your friend. Bring your larges pan with you to test drive.