Café CHS900P2MS1 30-inch Smart Slide-in Induction Range Review

About the Café CHS900P2MS1 range

• Fuel type: Induction
• Dimensions: 37.38" x 29.88" x 29.5" (H x W x D)
• Oven capacity: 5.7 cubic feet
• Slide-in vs freestanding: Slide-in
• Finishes: Stainless steel, matte black, matte white, with custom hardware options in brushed bronze, brushed black, brushed copper, brushed stainless, brushed brass, flat black
• Number of burners/elements: 5
• Number of oven racks: 3
• Number of oven rack positions: 6
• Control panel: Front-control
• Oven settings: Convection Bake, Convection Roast, Baked Goods, No Preheat Air Fry, Frozen Pizza, Frozen Snacks, Proof, Warming
• True convection: Yes
• ADA compliant: Yes
• Energy Star rated: No
• User manual: Café CHS900P2MS1 induction range manual

This 30-inch induction range offers the unique opportunity to customize the handles and knobs by choosing from a variety of brushed hardware colors. The control panel is housed at the front of the range, with a touchscreen that features intuitive buttons for different functions, including cooking modes, timers, and other settings.

There are five 3,700-watt burner elements that use induction technology to heat appropriate cookware. It also features a bridge burner that works with an elongated griddle. The oven boasts True Convection technology with an air fry mode that allows you to use the three oven racks and six positions to evenly cook food.

The CHS900P2MS1 also boasts smart capabilities, with Smart HQ app compatibility that allows you to monitor cook settings and receive notifications when your food is ready.

How we test ranges

We have lab facilities in Cambridge, Mass., where we test all large appliances in-house. Our process for testing ranges includes collecting scientific data on oven insulation through thermal imaging, recording burner temperatures with a thermocouple thermometer, and conducting cookie-baking and water-boiling tests to evaluate speed and even heating.

Here’s more information on how we test ranges.

What we like

The cooktop performance beats out competitors

During testing, it was made evident that this range boasts a highly efficient cooktop that outperforms even other induction ranges on the market.

Its average rate for boiling a pot of water tallied in at just 62 seconds, when the average is about 70. That's a 13% speed improvement, which means your morning tea or evening pasta can be ready noticeably faster with this range.

And speed isn't the only thing that impressed us. This cooktop also excelled at maintaining both high and low temperatures with an impressively wide range. That means it can control low temperatures for simmering (without overheating) just as well as it can withstand high temperatures for searing (without getting too hot to damage cookware).

Convection mode excels at even baking

This range boasts true convection functions, which means it not only features a fan to circulate air, but there's also a third heating element to ensure even heating across the cavity.

And we found that this function works incredibly well during our testing. We baked a batch of cookies in convection mode and they emerged with an impressively uniformed brownness.

We also measured the heating consistency in the oven and found that, when set to convection mode, there was less than one degree of variation after being set to a certain temperature. That means that temps stay precise and consistent over time when baking in this oven, ensuring excellent results.

The smart features are handy (and totally optional)

This range boasts some smart upgrades that you may not expect your oven capable of, but can certainly come in handy during everyday use.

The Smart HQ app compatibility is extremely intuitive and easy to get started. Once you connect the appliance to your Wi-Fi and download the app, you have access to a wide range of functions. This includes monitoring and tweaking cook time, set temperatures, burner levels, cooking modes, and even the oven light.

Perhaps the most advanced feature in this range is its ability to connect with Hestan Cue Smart Cookware, which helps guide users through hundreds of available recipes through its temperature sensors and smart compatibility to keep you on track towards delicious creations.

Customizable design features mean you can make it your own

When it comes to most large appliances, you have to commit to all of its design elements before making the big purchase, knowing this will be a mainstay that you'll have to look at for (hopefully) years and years to come.

But Café appliances, like the CHS900P2MS1, are different. They are compatible with customizable knobs and handles that come in a range of finishes—such as brass, copper, and bronze—that you can swap in and out as you please.

The main body of this range also comes in three different finishes: Stainless steel, matte black, and matte white, to help you make your purchase a better reflection of your personal style.

What we don’t like

Preheat times are longer than average

This range claims "fast preheat" as one of its sought-after features, and even a no-preheat air fry function for crisping foods. Unfortunately, those promises fell short during testing.

Our lab data reflected longer-than-average preheat times in this range, particularly in convection mode. It only averaged about two minutes slower than typical preheating averages—which most people wouldn't notice during everyday use—but it's worth noting given its promise for fast preheat times.

When it came to preheating in standard bake mode, we noticed that the range beeped relatively quickly to notify us that it was preheated. But when we used a thermometer to confirm that the oven had reached the set temperature, we found that it was about 30 degrees short.

These are minor flaws that most users won't notice when baking, but still something to keep in mind if you're drawn to the idea of quick and painless preheating.

What owners are saying

This range has earned a 4.4-star rating from 627 reviews on the Café Appliances website. Most owners praise the intuitive induction cooktop, eye-catching design, and unexpected convenience of the app capabilities.

There are some flaws that have been reported, mainly regarding the fragile cooktop (which can scratch fairly easily) and potential longevity issues.

Warranty

Café offers a one-year full-appliance warranty, as well as a single-year warranty for parts and labor—all of which are standard in the industry.

Should you buy the Café CHS900P2MS1 range?

Yes! Especially if you're looking for an induction range with all the bells and whistles

The CHS900P2MS1 aced practically every test we threw at it. From fast boiling times to even baking, to impressive heat retention, this range impressed us time and time again.

Beyond basics, we love its unique design elements and convenient smart connectivity that take it above the norm. The intuitive touchscreen makes it easy to set functions on this oven, and its app compatibility opens up a host of remote capabilities.

But if you're looking for a more cost-effective induction range with fewer extras, check out the Frigidaire Gallery FGIH3047VF, which is a great no-frills option for induction beginners.