General Electric PB975SMSS Range… High Profile & Performance!

To say that the media affects us, is an understatement. How many of us have been inspired by Bob Vila to take on a DIY home project or gotten landscaping ideas from the many landscaping shows on HGTV? Currently I enjoy passing time away on a few Food Network programs broadening my kitchen skills, and why not? Of course when you look at how the pros do it, you also will get snared into the tools of the trade and here’s where our expectations are raised. All of a sudden we take a more discriminating look at our appliances and how they suit us. This is a phenomenon that has not been overlooked by manufacturers; they have stepped up with professional functionality in their higher end appliances.

The Profile Series General Electric PB975SMSS Range is such a feature laden freestanding electric range with radiant cook top and double oven with convection capability that will satisfy those consumers with large families, host holiday gatherings or simply enjoy having a full featured kitchen. The PB975SMSS, while dated looking in my opinion, is a really nice addition to your kitchen.

The PB975SMSS is a somewhat traditional looking appliance with contemporary stainless steel trim on the control panel and doors, though the control panel is unnecessarily tall and awkward looking, in my opinion. I would prefer a more contemporary lower profile look, however that’s what you see from most manufacturers today. It doesn’t take away from the functionality of the General Electric PB975SMSS Range. The controls and functionality by now have become standard fare and expected on an appliance of this caliber though noteworthy.

The numerous functions are accessed from the rear mounted control panel include:

Upper Oven

· Bake pad – Selects Bake Function
· Broil Hi/Lo -
· Pizza Pad – With fresh/frozen and temperature prompts
· Oven Light Pad – Twin Bulb one stage lighting
· Self Clean Hi/Lo Pad
· Warm Pad – Oven Warming
· Help Pad – Pressing the help function and then a corresponding control generates a marquis help script on that function
· Timer/Clock Pad – Standard timer functions
· Control Lock pad – Invokes control lock utility to limit unwarranted access.
· Start Pad – Initiates oven start function
· Clear/Off Pad – Cancels all oven operations
· Delay/Start Pad – Timed cook start times
· Cook Time Pad – For timed Cooking
· Display – Shows Time, Oven Temperature, Bake Broil Self Cleaning Mode Timer and Auto Oven Operations
· Number Pads – Sets clock, timer, oven temperature,, internal food temperature, start time, length of cook time, oven operations
· Convection Roast Pad


Lower Oven

· Bake pad – Selects Bake Function
· Oven Light Pad - Twin Bulb one stage lighting
· Self Clean Hi/Lo Pad
· Warm Pad – Oven Warming
· Start Pad – Initiates oven start function
· Clear/Off Pad – Cancels all oven operations
· Delay/Start Pad – Timed cook start times
· Cook Time Pad – For timed Cooking
· Convection Roast Pad - initiates convection roast mode in lower oven only
· Convection Bake Pad – initiates convection baking mode in lower oven only
· Slow Cook Pad - Lower Oven only
· Probe Pad – Initiates probe and probe temperature functions


Radiant Surface

Like all radiant surfaces, the heat source is below the patterned black glass surface with five cooking areas, indicated with etched outlined guides to place your cookware. The PB975SMSS features five designated cooking elements including:

1. 6” heating element 1 Ribbon (1500 watt)
2. 6”/9”/ 12” Three ring Element (3000 watt)
3. 7” heating Element 2 Ribbon (1800 watt)
4. 1 Warming zone (120 watt)
5. 1 Bridge Element (800 watt)

Individual controls on the panel have lo to hi settings with numbered reference onto the back panel. The control knobs each have an individual array of display leds that indicate which burner is on, a helpful feature. The smooth black radiant cook top is easily cleaned with a number of surface cleaners that are non-abrasive. While the top is sturdy and can hold a considerable amount of weight, care should be exercised to assure the top is not busted as it is vulnerable to dropping objects from overhead cabinets, as we experienced recently, forcing a costly repair (approx $500.00) or unit replacement.

A Temperature Limiter, built into every GE radiant range, cycles the burners on and off if a pan boils dry, a pan bottom is not flat, there is no pan on the unit or if the bottom of a pan is uneven. An indictor on the cook top warns of hot elements by red warning LED.

The 6/9/12” front left element is especially convenient when cooking with large skillets and pots. A selector control on the panel activates whichever of the integrated elements you wish to use. I would have like to seen a second such element on the left front burner though there is a bridge burner there which can be used, less effectively, for large pots though not it’s intended function. The bridge burner allows for use of long grilles over two burners with a bridge element, virtually providing a continuous cooking surface spanning the left side of the cook top eliminating dead spots associated with spanning two separate burners. The bridge function is especially rewarding when preparing bacon, pancakes and burgers etc.

The 7” Warming Zone is a handy and effective utility to keep your food warm. The manual suggests you never use it for heating foods and rightly so; it would take forever. It does serve quite nicely to keep your cooked foods warm, though large pans and pots might not always fit as the burner is tightly placed in between the rear cooking elements. A separate rotary control gives you the option of lo to high settings.

Ovens

The two General Electric PB975SMSS ovens take up pretty much the same footprint as our last single GE oven though the use of cavity space is dedicated to functional ovens as opposed to an oven and drawer. A total combined space of 6.5 cu ft makes large meals manageable to serve hot food all at once. The smaller upper oven is a useful for everyday cooking, pizzas, warming up leftovers and light baking, making for quicker cook times and less power consumption.

Four racks can be utilized in any configuration as needed on both ovens. We have used them in the upper oven to provide 3 shelves for baking cookies. The lower oven has eight shelf heights making it as versatile. Those consumers who like to bake large quantities of cookies may want to order additional racks to maximize baking output, though bake times may be increased. Both ovens have broiler elements.

From past experience the self-clean feature is effective, for the most part, leaving a small area on the door that never seems to get cleaned requiring a little elbow grease. That is pretty much the case on the PB975SMSS but not a deal breaker by any means.

A real bonus is the convection capability of the PB975SMSS. The lower convection oven can lower cook times by as much as 25% yielding better results and even browning as the hot air is fan blown throughout the oven cavity. The convection fan alternates air direction for even distribution of hot air. Roasts, chicken, and fish are real treats in convection mode. Even browning and cooking retains moisture and heightens the culinary and dining experience, though a slight learning curve should be expected. Convection baking/ roasting can alter recipes. The manual has a piece about the use of low fat margarines and fat content. While it was unclear why a recipe can be altered, it apparently affects recipes that call for regular margarine or butter. The auto recipe function will convert regular bake times to convection bake times which makes a great deal of sense. You have to pay particular attention to the sides of your cookware while cooking in convection mode as the circulating air needs to hit your foods to work effectively. Plastic cookware resistant to 400°F, metal glass cookware all work effectively in convection mode.


The manufacturer warns against leaving the oven door open when using the convection functional as it could shorten the life of the convection element. There are control settings that accommodate single and multi rack settings.


Final Impressions

The General Electric PB975SMSS Range is a better than average performer with features that will suit most users. The radiant top is proven to withstand the rigors of everyday use and maintain a luxurious appearance for years into its service life. I was quite impressed with just how fast water came to a boil on the 3000 watt burner, which comes in handy in a modern kitchen.

The pizza function is new to me and it was a novel addition especially if you like frozen pizzas, prompting the fresh/frozen and temperature input.

Cleaning and maintenance of the PB975SMSS cook top and ovens is simplified by virtue of material and function with the effectiveness today’s consumer demands. The stainless steel appointments on the PB975SMSS are a nice touch but I would rather see a full stainless façade than the smattering on the current model. The black (PB975BMBB) version is cheaper by a couple hundred dollars @1749.00 or perhaps the white PB975TMWW version @ $1799.00 might be better options. I would also would have liked to have seen a more upscale appearance on this range; instead I found this look to be predominant among many manufacturers across the board. To coin a common phrase, “it is what it is”! That shouldn't be a deterrent though as the PB975SMSS is a true performer.

While the unit is a complete cooking package with no wasted space on drawers, getting to the bottom oven may be an issue for those users who have trouble bending down to tend to items in that oven. I’m not crazy about the door handle resting on the floor as you open the lower oven, but again appreciate availability of that oven. If that is not an issue for you or the $1999.00 MSRP, the General Electric PB975SMSS Range would be a fine addition to your kitchen!