HOD Builder's Brief: GE Café is a well-known brand of luxury kitchen appliances that offer a range of stylish and innovative products, such as gas ranges, wall ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, and more. However, a new challenger has entered the market: FORNO, a Canadian brand that aims to provide competitively high-quality appliances. How do these two brands compare in terms of features, performance, and design?
One of the challenges of buying luxury kitchen appliances is finding a balance between quality and price. You want to have reliable, efficient, and stylish appliances, but you also don’t want to spend a fortune on them. Fortunately, two brands can offer you both: GE Café and FORNO. These are two brands that specialize in luxury kitchen appliances that are affordable and high-quality. This article will help you compare GE Café and FORNO in different aspects, such as their main products, features, and benefits.
Here we’re going to take a deep dive into a side-by-side comparison of some of GE Café and FORNO’s most similar products. Take a closer look at their features, benefits, and price points to find out which is the best for your home.
An Overview of GE Café and FORNO
The GE Café Collection is a luxury kitchen appliance line that carries the renowned GE brand name. However, it’s important to note that although this appliance brand’s name is familiar, it can be a bit misleading. The large GE corporation sold the rights to the GE Café name to Chinese appliance maker, Haier in 2016. Today Haier manufactures a host of kitchen appliances, including gas ranges, wall ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, and small appliances. They’re known for their wide array of color options with appliances available in stainless steel, matte white, and matte black, to name a few. Its customization sets GE Café apart; users can personalize appliances with various hardware, finishes, and even interchange handles and knobs.
FORNO may be a new name to some, but it was established way back in 1996 in Montreal, Quebec. This Canadian luxury kitchen appliance brand has been offering a range of affordable yet durable kitchen appliance products for the last several decades. With designs inspired by Italian cooking traditions, their products combine sleek, modern aesthetics with stainless steel finishes and signature blue LED lights. Highlighted features include powerful burners on their gas ranges, spacious interiors in their refrigerators, and self-cleaning modes in their wall ovens. FORNO's emphasis on quality, performance, and affordability makes them an ideal choice for cooking enthusiasts who seek premium features without the high-end price tag.
Comparing GE Café Ranges to FORNO Ranges
GE Café and FORNO aren't just any normal kitchen brands; they're inspired by commercial kitchens and bring that same luxury from the culinary world. With their sleek design and efficiency, both GE Café and FORNO are good choices for home chefs and food lovers alike. Packing powerful flames, reliable ovens, and heavy-duty controls, these appliances are a dream for anyone serious about their cooking game. Both brands offer different range types, and their categories are:
- Electric
- Gas
- Dual Fuel (Gas cooktop and electric oven)
Electric Ranges
It's evident that both the GE Café Induction Range and the Forno Galiano 36-Inch Electric Range come packed with state-of-the-art features tailored for the modern kitchen.
The oven capacity in the Forno Galiano stands at 4.32 cu. ft., making it reasonably spacious for all your baking and roasting needs. In contrast, the GE Café range offers a slightly larger oven, boasting a capacity of 5.70 cu. ft. Both ovens feature convection cooking technology, which allows heat to spread evenly for more even baking and roasting.
Regarding sheer power, FORNO Galiano's stovetop has five radiant elements that deliver a combined output of 7,700 watts. In contrast, the GE Café range, with its induction cooktop and synchronized elements, comes with just under 10,000 watts.
A stark contrast worth noting is that the FORNO Galiano 36-Inch Electric Range with Convection Oven uses a traditional electric heating method while the GE Café range has an induction stove-top. Induction cooking requires specific cookware, unlike traditional electric heating.
Finally there is the price difference. The GE Café model is double the price of the FORNO electric range, which is a significant difference considering their specs are fairly similar.
Gas Ranges
Gas ranges have continued to be the top choice for many cooking enthusiasts, prioritizing precision, power, and efficiency. A head-to-head comparison between the GE Café 36" Smart All-Gas Commercial-Style Range and the FORNO ALTA QUALITA Pro-Style brings these qualities into sharp focus.
The GE Café boasts two high-heat burners, with the leading one having a strength of 21,000 BTUs, whereas the FORNO leads with a robust 20,000 BTU for its front right burner. In total, the GE Café range delivers 91,000 BTUs, while the FORNO range isn’t far behind with 83,000 BTUs.
Then there are the ovens, FORNO’s gas range model features a 5.26 cu. ft. gas oven with 44,000 BTUs. The GE Café oven is a bit bigger, with a capacity of 6.2 cu ft. It also includes an internal precision temperature probe which allows you to skip opening the oven to do meat thermometer checks. Both offer convection oven features, ensuring the heat circulates uniformly for consistent and delectable baking results.
In terms of looks, both the GE Café and FORNO gas ranges are strikingly similar, with stainless steel bodies that give the ultimate luxury look, complete with heavy-duty knobs and cast iron grates. The GE Café model however has a built-in WiFi component, which may be appealing to tech-lovers but may be more bells and whistles than the average cook would care for. This tech may explain some of the price difference. The GE Café range is over three times the cost of the FORNO.
Dual Fuel
A dual fuel range is one of the most versatile cooking appliances around. That’s because it combines the speed and convenience of a gas cooktop with the consistent, even cooking of an electric convection oven for reliable baking and roasting.
GE Café has a high-end model, which costs $12,599, a rather steep price tag for one piece of kitchen equipment. Compare this to the FORNO 48-Inch Galiano Dual Fuel Range is just $2,999. Our curiosity was piqued. What perks do you get for the nearly $10,000 extra cost of the Café model?
Both GE Café and FORNO dual fuel ranges have a large 48-inch wide cooktop, but FORNO features eight burners, while the Café model only has six along with an integrated side griddle. In terms of power, FORNO’s burners can reach 20,000 BTUs for a total output of 107,000 BTUs. GE Café’s power burner can also reach the same 20,000 BTUs, with 91,000 BTUs in total.
Both dual fuel models include the convenience of two ovens, one large and one small. GE Café’s caterer oven is 5.75 cu. ft while the “everyday oven” is 2.5 cu. ft. for a combined capacity of 8.25 cu ft. How does the FORNO stack up? It has a 4.32 cu. ft. main oven and a secondary 2.26 cu. ft. which adds up to 6.58 cu. ft., around two feet smaller.
So what’s GE Café offering that would justify such a high cost? There are a few features such as WiFi connectivity and voice control, which the FORNO appliance doesn’t have, but that will be up to the individual consumer to decide if those additions are worth the five-figure price tag.
GE Café |
FORNO |
|
Electric Range |
$4,999.00 |
$2,499.00 |
Gas Range |
$6599.00 |
$2,099.00 |
Dual Fuel Range |
$12,599.00 |
$2,999.00 |
GE Café vs. FORNO: Rangetops
When it comes to elevating your kitchen’s aesthetics and functionality, GE Café and FORNO cooktops stand out as premium choices. They offer design flexibility and high-end performance that can transform any culinary space. A rangetop offers the functionality of a cooktop without the need for an oven. This allows you to add in more storage space or install a wall oven rather than one at floor height.
Here we’re taking a look at the GE Café and FORNO’s 36-inch rangetop models. Both provide six burners with heavy-duty stainless steel construction and cast-iron grates. For those that want a customized look, GE Café offers multiple color options for rangetop knobs including copper and matte black.
Now what you’re probably wondering about is how they measure up on power. These two models come pretty close in comparison, with FORNO delivering 83,000 BTU with a power burner of 18,000 BTUs. GE Café is equipped with a total of 91,000 BTUs and one 21,000 BTU burner. Still, those numbers are pretty similar, especially when you factor in the price difference. The GE Café model is close to $4,000 while the FORNO comes in just under $1,000.
Comparing Range Hoods: GE Café vs. Forno
A range hood keeps your whole home smelling great, no matter what’s been cooked in the kitchen. What you want to look for in a range hood is performance, quiet operation and a design that suits your style. The 36” FORNO’s wall mount range hood is made of stainless steel and features a traditional hood design inspired by European sophistication. GE Café’s range hood is a bit more low-profile and modern looking, with a stainless steel body and minimalist glass hood.
Beyond looks, let’s look at how they stack-up in terms of power. GE Café's range hood impressively boasts 350 CFM. That’s good power, until you compare it to FORNO’s, which delivers 1200 CFM, a huge amount of suction power. Considering there is not much of a price difference, with FORNO yet again coming out on top in the price comparison category, this might just come down to which style preference you prefer.
Comparing GE Café vs. FORNO Dishwashers
Navigating the dishwasher market can be overwhelming, with many features to consider, from a roomy, rust-resistant interior to silent operation and eco-friendly capabilities. This is where brands like GE Café and FORNO come into play, promising top-tier features but at varying price points.
Both the GE Café and FORNO dishwashers come in at the standard width of 24 inches. Their designs are accentuated with features like modifiable racks and an intuitive touch control panel. The top panel positioning on both delivers a contemporary, streamlined appearance without the visual clutter of front-facing buttons or knobs.
In terms of noise, both machines prioritize a tranquil kitchen atmosphere with quiet operation. GE Café operates at 40 decibels and FORNO isn’t far behind at 43 decibels. They're also champions of green living, with cycles designed to minimize water and electricity consumption. And if you like saving money, the FORNO model is just $999, which will save you about $800 compared to the Café dishwasher, which is $1799.
Built-In Microwave Comparison: GE Café vs. FORNO
A built-in microwave gives the sleek appearance of a wall oven and the convenience of a waist-high microwave. GE Café 24-inch built-in microwave carries a 1.7 cu. ft capacity, while the FORNO Built-in Microwave has the same 24-inch width with just a tiny difference in capacity at 1.6 cu ft. Performance-wise, both brands offer powerful microwaving capabilities. However, FORNO tends to stand out, once price points are factored into the equation. FORNO often incorporates advanced culinary functions such as sensor-based cooking and specialized settings for gourmet dishes, ensuring precision with each use.
Microwave Drawer Comparison: GE Café vs. FORNO
Sources: GE Café and FORNO
The microwave drawer has become a kitchen game changer. It offers space saving functionality, neatly tucking away within cabinetry and making any kitchen island infinitely more useful. In fact, a microwave drawer lets you forever say goodbye to the awkward lifting and balancing of using a traditional above-range microwave. GE Café and FORNO have their own versions of this modern marvel, each exuding a polished aesthetic suited for upscale kitchens.
At the core, these microwave drawers are similar in dimensions, spanning 24 inches in width and offering a spacious 1.2 cu. ft. interior. Yet, FORNO's drawer steps up the game with its multifunctional capabilities. It's equipped with 11 distinct power settings to fine-tune your cooking and a set of 13 culinary functions, catering to everything from simple reheating to specialized tasks like warming bread or softening butter. Its smart touch-based accessibility makes it a breeze to operate, even when you're juggling multiple tasks, opening and closing the drawer is nearly effortless.
But here's the kicker: While both models promise premium features, the FORNO microwave drawer stands out with its more budget-friendly price point, costing over $1,000 less than the GE Café model.
GE Café vs. FORNO Appliance Package Comparison
Source: GE Café and FORNO
Appliance packages have been gaining popularity in recent years and for good reason. With just one purchase, you can take care of all of your kitchen appliance needs, with a package that delivers consistent power, style and dependability. An appliance package can also offer additional savings beyond purchasing products on an individual basis.
FORNO has an appliance package that includes a 36" Galiano gas range, a 24″ Alta Qualita Pro-Style built-in stainless steel dishwasher, a 36" Siena wall mount range hood and a Pro-Style refrigerator and freezer set consisting of two 28" units with a total capacity of 27.6 cu. ft. A similar combination of GE Café appliances would cost over $14,000 compared to FORNO’s $6,396 price tag. That’s a big savings of close to $8,000. Just think of what you could do with an extra $8,000. Maybe add a vacation reward for that full kitchen remodel? Or splurge on those wishlist features you’ve been longing to add to your kitchen.
While both brands pledge unparalleled quality and performance, FORNO emerges as the more wallet-friendly contender, offering a premium experience without the premium price tag, often undercutting GE Café by a significant margin.
Final Thoughts on GE Café versus FORNO Kitchen Appliances
After a detailed comparison of various kitchen appliance brands, GE Cafe emerges as a pinnacle of innovation, design, and performance excellence. GE Cafe is the gold standard for those who don't compromise on style and seek state-of-the-art appliances for their kitchen. In the same vein, the Forno range by Frigidaire is a testament to the brand's unwavering dedication to reliability, durability, and avant-garde features.
Home Outlet Direct is the perfect place to shop online for your high-end luxury kitchen appliances at affordable prices. It is easy to find just what you need with Home Outlet Direct being a preferred dealer of FORNO appliances, so you can shop with confidence while enjoying excitingly low prices. Extra discounts and special rates are available to builders and military personnel and first responders. There is also financing available with the Affirm payment program, so you can enjoy your appliances immediately and pay as you go.
Home Outlet Direct is ready to help you today. Don’t let high price tags stop you from starting your dream remodeling job right now. Call or chat today with one of Home Outlet Direct’s expert team members, so you can get any of your questions answered and the support you need to make your best kitchen appliance decisions.