Fancy product that shows lack of thoughtful testing before making it available to consumers
Pros:
Fancy specs and user interface
Cons:
Lack of thoughtful design makes good installation hard.
Lack of rolling rack(s).
Assembly quality dubious.
The Bottom Line:
Good specs on paper and fancy interface, but difficult to install correctly due to design flaws
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
* Experience with this product
I had my GE PT920 stainless steel oven delivered yesterday (Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008). First impression: Two screws were obviously missing, which may or may not impact the operation of the oven. I couldn't proceed with the installation (because if the missing screws indeed had to be put in place, I would have to de-install the oven, put the screws on, and install it again - hardly a pleasant exercise). I called GE customer service at 1.800.GE CARES for help. Apparently GE doesn't care as much! After I went through a maze of menus, I was told that I can talk to a real person Monday through Friday. OK, I understand...
So, I decided to take the risk and install the oven (with the help of an electrician). The GE installation instructions (see for yourself at products.geappliances.com/ApplProducts/images/t07/0000008/r08654v-1.pdf)
specify a cabinet cutout width between 28 1/2" and 28 5/8". Yes, that is 1/16" tolerance on each side of the cutout! This level of cut precision is not very realistic! Nevertheless, despite my skepticism, I proceeded and did cut out an opening of 28 1/2". The oven wouldn't fit! After doing much work, I opened the cutout a little. Too loose now! At this point I was fuming (you would too).
Did GE ever do a test-installation? Who on earth designed such an unorthodox mounting system? The mounting screws are in direction left-right rather than front back, requiring a PERFECT match between the oven and the cutout opening. In my previous oven (Jenn-Air) the mounting frame was designed sensibly: A lip around the frame would sit on the cabinet, and the mounting screws would go through holes in that lip into the cabinet in a front-back direction. Simple, and tolerant of minor imprecisions (about 1/4") in the cutout opening.
Very disappointed (if not angry) with this product so far.
* Why did I buy this product?
Convection capability.
I wanted a GE profile product to match an Advantium microwave/convection oven (otherwise I would have bought an Electrolux oven that looks stunning).
Fancy user interface.
* What do I love about this product?
Style, user interface (if everything eventually works as advertised...)
* What do I hate?
Design shows lack of thoughtful testing and makes installation very difficult.
Build quality: Are screws supposed to be missing?
