Cafe CEP90361TBB Reviews & Ratings by Customers and Consumer Reports

Designed for serious home cooks who want a sleek, low-profile electric surface with modern control and smart features, the Café CEP90361TBB is a 36-inch radiant smoothtop cooktop that prioritizes flexibility, precision, and clean integration in contemporary kitchens. Its five-element layout and front-centered touch interface make it especially well-suited to households that cook across multiple pan sizes and appreciate a streamlined, easy-to-wipe surface. In day-to-day performance, this cooktop’s standout advantage is element versatility. The tri- and dual-ring “Power Boil” elements (including a high-output center element) let you match heat coverage to the pan rather than forcing a compromise—important for everything from small saucepans to larger stockpots. Radiant electric won’t respond as instantly as induction, but it delivers consistent, even heating once stabilized, and the 19 heat settings provide fine control for simmering and sautéing without constant knob adjustments. The glass-ceramic surface with a beveled edge is a practical design choice: it looks built-in and refined, while helping contain minor spills for easier cleanup. Features like Melt, Keep Warm, a kitchen timer, hot-surface indicators, and a control lock align with what experienced users expect in a premium electric cooktop—useful, not gimmicky. The synchronized elements are particularly valuable for griddles or elongated cookware, creating a more uniform heating zone than two independently managed burners. Smart capabilities are a meaningful add-on here. Built-in Wi‑Fi and app integration can help with monitoring and guided cooking workflows (notably when paired with compatible smart cookware), and Chef Connect can coordinate ventilation and lighting with compatible Café/GE appliances—convenient in open-concept kitchens common in both the U.S. and Canada. Limitations are typical for the category. As a radiant smoothtop, it may not suit buyers who prioritize the fastest boil times, the coolest-to-touch surface, or the most immediate temperature changes. Like most glass cooktops, it also rewards careful cookware handling to minimize the risk of scratches over time. Verdict: Café CEP90361TBB is an excellent fit for design-focused kitchens that want a spacious 36-inch electric cooktop with strong multi-size element flexibility, refined touch controls, and genuinely useful smart integration. Those seeking maximum speed and responsiveness may want to consider induction instead.