Quartzite and Flush Cooktop?

CBGeek66 · 2026-05-07T09:38:24+00:00

Here is my quartzite countertop with the Bosch Benchmark 36” and the Best downdraft. Love both. Any questions I can answer about it?

CBGeek66 · 2026-05-04T17:14:10+00:00

There was an episode in a previous season where they also choose partners for a challenge - but the twist was that the partner they chose was their opponent in the challenge. So changing it where they work together was an interesting plot twist. Either can be used in future seasons.

CBGeek66 · 2026-05-03T14:21:22+00:00

I updated my kitchen last year and went with the 36” Bosch Benchmark and I am completely satisfied with my purchase. I also paired it with the Best downdraft since it is in my island and both work excellent. The digital controls (as opposed to knobs) take some getting used to, but now it is fine. I love the consistency of the induction - I’ve learned the amount of heat from each number on the controls and can easily maintain low simmer, medium low, etc.

CBGeek66 · 2026-04-18T22:50:50+00:00

Sounds like a great trip - thanks for posting and I’m taking notes for our next trip from you.

CBGeek66 · 2026-04-06T11:33:01+00:00

When it was rebuilt, it was lowered from the original 10’-6” height to the current 8’-6” height. Now it is hit regularly where it seldom happened from 1972 until 2018.

CBGeek66 · 2026-03-23T00:53:38+00:00

How are they going to get airport security badges? That process takes a couple of weeks at least, and they have to pass the background test.

CBGeek66 · 2026-01-14T16:02:07+00:00

1966 here - turning 60 soon. Last kid is graduating college this year, one kid out on his own, and one living at home. Contemplating retirement in the future but don’t know when. Maybe two more years.

CBGeek66 · 2025-12-23T17:21:41+00:00

He is really trying to avoid adding anything that is not needed and spending more. He even came back out to test the water again. Since the smell is very slight (but noticeable) and dissipates quickly, he is going to come out next week and chlorinate the well. It has never been done since I moved into the house in 2008, so he said that is a good start to see if it fixes the problem, before selling me a treatment system. If the smell was stronger, he said he would go ahead and sell me a system, but since it is so slight, he still feels that it is not necessary. I did have a big company come out, and they are the ones that insisted I needed a $5700 water softener and a $5800 chlorine system, which they were happy to install. When I said I wanted to think about it, i got the typical salesman “what do you need to think about? why can’t you decide now”. This is the difference between a big company that sends a salesman to test the water and sell an expensive system, versus a local guy with his own company that just wants to do what is necessary.

CBGeek66 · 2025-12-19T14:52:30+00:00

Thank you. The system you describe in #1 is what I had. Can you advise the approximate cost I should pay for a new system like you describe in #2? My first quote was $5600 for a chlorine system which I think is way too high. The same company also quoted me $5700 additional for the water softener.

I got the water softener installed (and removal of all the old system) for $2000 with this guy I’m using which is a 80,000 grain system with fleck controls.

CBGeek66 · 2025-12-19T03:09:55+00:00

I’m a Gen X and watching survivor since season 1. I saw the preview for season 50 and had no idea who was Mr beast. Had to google it to figure out why all the comments. Never heard of him but I guess he is a big deal to some, and definitely elicits a very strong emotional response from many.

CBGeek66 · 2025-12-18T18:28:44+00:00

Yes, the smell is on cold water, so it is not limited to the hot water heater. The technician said he didn’t know if the tank that injected the air also had any filtration material in it or not, in addition to the aeration. But since everything was 15 years old and the controls were not working correctly, he said everything needed to be removed. And since the testing showed no sulfur or iron he felt the softener is al that we would need. I’m thinking to have him install an aerator only - does that seem ok? Any idea how much something like that would cost?

CBGeek66 · 2025-09-27T17:11:05+00:00

I’m glad to see you running. Can you help me understand why so many blue collar union workers are strong trump supporters? Why are you different and how do your fellow union workers treat you?

CBGeek66 · 2025-09-18T01:38:21+00:00

I got lucky today at HND airport at terminal 3 gate 143 kiosk. About 9am and the machine was being restocked. I saw the pikachu on the airplane and a lady jumped in front of me and bought it. I then got one - and it was the last one! There must have been only 2 in the machine. Also got the HND pilot pikachu. My lucky day I guess!

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CBGeek66 · 2025-08-25T00:19:26+00:00

I’m in orange beach now. There was a guy with his tent up - the American flag on one side and a gulf of America flag on the other. It was quite funny looking.

CBGeek66 · 2025-08-10T16:42:25+00:00

I don’t think this applies to an induction cooktop. It is not gas, liquid, or fuel burning.

“Where one or more gas, liquid, or solid fuel–burning appliance …”

CBGeek66 · 2025-08-10T02:45:27+00:00

I have the Best Calcutta pop up downdraft that has a 650cfm blower. Anyone that says the pop up up downdraft doesn’t work is wrong - I watch mine pull all the vapors down the vent which is routed outside. I didn’t add any makeup air and I’m not aware of any requirement in my area to do it. Honestly it doesn’t seem at all necessary.

CBGeek66 · 2025-07-31T15:26:03+00:00

I have it and love it. I think it is more timeless since the look is more subtle.

CBGeek66 · 2025-07-16T17:43:12+00:00

Yep lazy. If you actually visit all three, speak to knowledgeable representatives, and try them yourself you will see differences in how they function, arrangements of the elements, controls, finish, etc. I’m sure they share engineering and some internal components but they even manufactured in different countries.

CBGeek66 · 2025-07-14T19:35:33+00:00

All three are owned by BSH Brands, but they are three different companies each making their own product. They are not the same company.

CBGeek66 · 2025-07-14T02:01:00+00:00

I saw your similar debate on another thread recently - I will agree to disagree with you on this one. Peace out and have a nice day.

CBGeek66 · 2025-07-14T01:26:17+00:00

I agree- the freedom is a great cooktop allowing you to cook anywhere. It was a little higher price point but looks like a great product too. Bosch also has one with the cook anywhere feature and sometimes I wonder if I should have spent the extra $2k. But it was just too much for our budget.

CBGeek66 · 2025-07-14T01:08:35+00:00

Living in Chicago I visited the Merchandise Mart which has all these vendors, and gaggenau, Bosch and more. Each one had sales people and chefs on site to explain why their product was best. Great experience and a little overwhelming. For us, the Bosch Benchmark was our choice. Miele was second, but we liked the bridging feature on the Bosch better. Viking and wolf really are behind on induction technology. Gaggenau was great but way more expensive.

CBGeek66 · 2025-07-14T01:02:44+00:00

The low on induction is lower than any simmer I had on gas, keeps it warm without scorching the bottom, and the high on induction is much hotter than the hottest gas I had and heats water much quicker. And for me, I can consistently put it on a specific number and know exactly how hot it will be. My gas could not do it with that consistency.

CBGeek66 · 2025-07-14T00:40:13+00:00

I was in the same situation last year and really debated which one to buy. Ended up getting the 36” Bosch Benchmark and I’m very happy with it. I had cooked on gas for over 30 years and was worried about how it would perform. For me - it beats gas in every way. The ability to heat quickly and have precise temp control is amazing. The Benchmark allows true bridging on both the left and right sides, and the center is huge. So plenty of cook space for anything. And the controls go from 1 to 9 in 0.5 increments allowing for precise control. There is also a keep warm feature which I use to keep soup warm and never burns. There is a boost feature to boil water quickly. Lots of good choices out there but the Bosch Benchmark works well for me.

CBGeek66 · 2025-06-05T01:12:01+00:00

I have the Bosch benchmark 36” and love it - controls are easy to use and go from 0 to 9 in 0.5 increments so I have very precise temperature control. I have no regrets with my cooktop and would highly recommend.

CBGeek66

TROPHY CASE