GE Café C2Y486P3TD1 48-Inch Dual Fuel Range Review

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About the Café C2Y486P3TD1 48-Inch Dual Fuel Range

Dimensions: 47 7/8” x 28 1/4” x 36 3/4” (W x H x D) Capacity: 8.25 cubic feet (5.75 caterer oven and 2.5 everyday oven) Finishes: Matt black, matt white, stainless steel Number of burners: 6 Number of oven racks: 5 (3 in caterer oven and 2 in everyday oven) Number of oven rack positions: 9 (5 in caterer oven and 4 in everyday oven) Oven features: Bake, Conv Bake, Conv Broil, Conv Roast, Broil, Warm, Proof, Clean User manual: GE Café C2Y486P3TD1 Dual Fuel Range

What we like

It’s gorgeous

The Café C2Y486P3TD1 is an excellent example of the pro-style range aesthetic. These ranges are designed to replicate the sturdy and solid appearance of appliances in restaurant kitchens and are the ultimate addition to any high-end home kitchen.

While it has all the trappings of a pro-style range with its blocky build, massive size, and chunky dials, the C2Y486P3TD1 also has a touch of elegance that sets it apart from similar offerings from Wolf and Thermador. The range seems more inspired by the stylish Italian brand Bertazzoni, which also melds pro-style hardiness with a touch of European flair.

The oven is incredibly even

Considering the gobsmacking price range, we had high expectations for the C2Y486P3TD1, particularly in the all-important area of baking evenness. While there were a few minor issues with the oven (more on that later), the C2Y486P3TD1 succeeded where it counted and offered some of the best baking performance we have ever seen.

Our tests showed impressive consistency and baking evenness when using the standard and convection settings.

To test the oven evenness, we baked a few batches of cookies using the standard and convection oven modes. Both the standard and convection bake settings resulted in perfectly even cookies.

We also tested the range's multi-rack cooking by baking two batches of cookies simultaneously using the upper and lower rack. We almost always expect to see, at the very least, darker sections from the cookies baked on the lower rack. However, the resulting cookies were almost perfectly even, and overall there was no noticeable difference between the trays.

All around versatility

You’ll be spoilt for choice with the C2Y486P3TD1’s versatile rangetop, which features six burners and a built-in griddle pan. In addition to two standard burners, the rangetop houses two 18,000 BTU high-heat burners, a dual ring burner, and a spiral burner, which GE claims distributes heat more evenly around the bottom of pots and pans. The grates over the spiral burner have a large gap to house a wok.

Below the rangetop are two electric ovens that both feature true convection. The left-hand oven is relatively small at only 2.5-cubic feet. In fact, the smaller oven was so tiny that we couldn’t fit in our standard size baking sheets. On the other hand, the right-hand oven is massive at 5.75-cubic feet, and large enough to fit full-sized catering pans.

Despite its pro-style trappings, the Café C2Y486P3TD1 is no slouch in the smart tech department. The range is Wi-Fi compatible, and users can control simple oven settings like temperature and timers from their smartphone or tablet.

What we don’t like

The preheat is slow

Although they sport superior heating evenness, electric ovens tend to take longer to preheat than gas, and the C2Y486P3TD1 continued this trend with an interminably slow preheat. The main oven took ages to reach the target temperature of 350°F, possibly due to the massive capacity. The oven took just under 11 minutes to reach 350°F in the standard bake setting, while the convection setting took 13 minutes.

The second oven has limited utility

Based on the massive right oven, it’s clear that C2Y486P3TD1 is designed with caterers—or those who entertain a lot—in mind, and we can certainly see the appeal of having a large 5.75 cubic foot oven. However, there is a trade-off, and the smaller left oven has limited utility beyond cooking smaller dishes or warming up leftovers. Because of its small size and narrow dimensions, standard baking dishes and sheets won't fit in the left oven cavity, so keep that in mind when planning your dinners.

Warranty

The Café C2Y486P3TD1 has a one-year limited warranty for parts and labor. One year is the standard warranty length for mid-range cooking appliances, but it’s pretty short for such a high-end product. Thermador offers a two-year warranty, while Wolf ranges are guaranteed for up to five years.

What owners are saying

The Café C2Y486P3TD1 has an average 4.4-star user rating out of 5 across three major retailers. Users love the range's appearance, the even oven, and the wide variety of burners. The vast majority of reviews are positive, but the few negative reviews take issue with the small second oven.

Should you buy the Café C2Y486P3TD1

Yes, if you have the space and the budget

The Café C2Y486P3TD1 is certainly a substantial financial investment, and it’s difficult to say if it is worth it. The range is certainly versatile, gorgeous, and performs well, but does it perform enough to justify its price? Considering that our top-performing 30-inch dual-fuel range, the KitchenAid KSDB900ESS is available for about a quarter of the C2Y486P3TD1’s MSRP, we know it’s not necessary to spend this much. However, if you’re already in the market for a pro-style 48-inch range and are willing to pay a premium, the C2Y486P3TD1 is an excellent choice.

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.