Credit: Reviewed.com / Ben Keough From grates to frame, the entire cooktop fits flush with a countertop for a seamless, minimalist look. The 30-inch CG265C/S Contemporary Gas Cooktop has all the performance attributes of a more traditionally styled Wolf cooktop, including a 20,000 BTU center burner and thick, continuous grates. But take a closer look, and you'll notice how much attention has been paid to detail. The entire stainless cooktop is inset into a countertop, so the whole surface—including the grates—is perfectly level.

• Flush Mount Sink
• 36 Inch Electric Cooktop
• Flush Mount Stove Outlet

That would be pretty impressive in its own right. However, this Wolf has a few more tricks up its sleeve. Credit: Reviewed.com / Ben Keough When not in use, the knobs have no discernible text or markings. They're available in black or Wolf's signature red.

For instance, most cooktops have their controls on top. But this Wolf moves them to the front of your cabinetry. There's no remote control necessary—just drill a few small holes into your cabinet front, and attach the knobs to the cooktop. The knobs themselves appear entirely devoid of markings.

Push them in, however, and backlit text will appear. It lets the user know whether he or she cooking on high or low, but disappears when the cooktop isn't in use.

We're getting the Miele 36 induction cooktop. The installation instructions show how to flush mount it (otherwise it sits about 5/16' above the counter). I'm torn on it. I think it would be great to have a smooth surface from counter to cooktop with the flush mount, but I imagine that any gap (and there's surely bound to be some) between the cooktop and the counter will be a place for gunk to collect.

I'd appreciate thoughts from people who have gone the flush mount route. Would you do it again?

Flush Mount Sink

Good question. That's one reason I didn't go Miele. (I also wasn't entirely sure that the part of the instructions describing flush mounting weren't for different Miele cooktops.

Sort of like the diagram was a generic one for all their cooktops and you were supposed to pick the right one. But I didn't look into it.) My old cooktop is flush, but has a steel rim that sits a wee bit proud of the counter and covers that gap. But it's pretty close to flush and I like it. If you can get a good fit on your cooktop (I'd check with the countertop fabricator) it'd be worth it, but of course I don't know about gunk. I think a bead of clear silicon would probably take care of the crack, and wouldn't be too hard to remove if you had to yank the cooktop.

So yes, flush is as great as you think it might be. But I don't know about that gap. It does say not to seal under the edge of the cooktop when you install it, presumably because then you can't loosen it up without potentially damaging the cooktop. Sealing around the edge seems like less of an issue, though I might worry about how it would hold up with the surrounding heat???

If the granite is cut very precisely, then the gap would be so minimal that there wouldn't be much to fill. But one wrong cut and then you've got a mess! Maybe some others who have done this will chime in.

My Miele induction cooktop has no seal around it. When my slab backsplash was being installed, the marble guy needed to stand on my countertop, so he popped the cooktop right out of its hole and unplugged it. I was very surprised he knew what he was doing.

I was a little worried about cleaning around the rim because I'm a messy cook. Happily, the stainless steel rim is seamless and has been a breeze to keep clean - no cracks or crevices for gunk to hide in. And now I know if somehow gunk does get built up in the future I can easily pop up the cooktop and clean under the rim. First off have you asked your counter fabricators if they can do it?

If so, is there any way you could see a sample of their work? I'm just thinking if it's not done to extremely tight and constant tolerances throughout the entire perimeter it's going to look terrible. In theory sinking it sounds really cool for someone seeking clean lines.

But the more I try to visualize it the more I question whether it would really make a significant visual statement. Being raised wouldn't bother me because that's standard. However the most minute imperfection of the rabbet - in particular I'd be concerned about them following the corner radii perfectly - would irritate me every time I looked at it. Eleeny - this is really true of many drop in cooktops. FFor instance all 36' cooktops have 'roughly' the same size opening. Yet for a 36' 5 burner gas top the Dacor model will not fit into Wolf's opening, and Viking's fits neither. And on and on.

Want to swap? It's likely you'll have modification no matter what you choose. So, this should not be a deal killer but I'd put it on the scale at a few ounces when weighing my options. If you are going to do it I'd stick with a fabricator that has a CNC machine to do the work, it can be done by hand but the results are no where near as good. Personally, here is how I see your dilemma.

36 Inch Electric Cooktop

If you just want to see how it looks, I'll suggest that you already know how it looks, in general. And yes, people do appreciate fine touches well done. So yes, it is 'worth it' in the big picture if you want something special. Your fabricator is the one to talk to for a serious discussion. They need to be skilled.

Flush Mount Stove Outlet

They need to be proud to do it. How the gap will look after they cut / router the opening: ie. Whether the stone will chip there (etc), whether you will be willing to pay for the extra cutting / polishing time, whether they will cut it a bit wide just to be sure it's not too small - in other words how much they are competent capable and interested in doing a good job. Try calling Miele and speaking to a specialist.

I've done this many times, and received many emails with attachment images. The photo or image will no doubt show the best view. The Miele's steel rim is well designed, or adapted, to be recessed.