Pros
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Spacious cooktop
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Impressively even heating
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Sleek design
Cons
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Preheating requires attention
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Initial off-gassing is intense
About the Bosch HIS8655U 800 Series 36-inch Induction Range
The Bosch HIS8655U has a sleek, stainless-steel design with plenty of added features.
- Dimensions: 35 15/16” W x 36” H x 26 1/2” D
- Capacity: 3.7 cubic feet
- Finishes: Stainless-steel
- Number of burners: 5
- Number of oven racks: 2
- Number of oven rack positions: 6
- Oven features: Bake, Convection Bake, Broil, Convection Broil, Convection Roast, Pizza, Proof, Convection Pro Multi-rack, Sabbath Mode, Temperature Probe, Catalytic cleaning
- User manual: Bosch HIS8655U
What we like
The large five-burner cooktop—with added bridge burners—makes hosting dinner parties a breeze.
It has a spacious five-burner induction cooktop
You won't have trouble cooking for a crowd on this cooktop, thanks to the roomy five-burner cooktop. Each burner is liberally spaced, which makes it easy to multitask with anything from small saucepans to large Dutch ovens.
The left and center burners boast 1,850 watts, while the front-right has 2,300 watts and the back-right has 1,400 watts. Overall, the cooktop boiled water impressively fast during our tests, averaging a speed that's 45% higher than the average for typical electric cooktops, which just demonstrates how much more efficient induction cooking can be over electric.
Each burner also offers a wide range of temperature control, with settings for things like warming, melting, and simmering, in addition to standard numerical settings.
Plus, the Bosch features a CombiZone bridge burner, which allows you to combine two cooking zones together for larger pans and griddles (just think of the brunch possibilities!).
The oven heats precisely and evenly
Our oven tests showed the Bosch HIS8655U excelled at consistency in standard, convection, and broil modes.
This oven earned a near-perfect score during testing, due to its feature-rich settings (everything from Pizza to Proofing to Convection Pro) and its impressive ability to heat evenly.
During testing, we used thermocouple temperature tracking to monitor any fluctuations while the oven was running, as well as thermal imaging to track how much heat typically escapes from the interior.
Results showed excellent insulation, with the external temperature barely above room temperature. When set to 350°F, the oven remained impressively steady—only dipping slightly when switched from standard baking to convection, which then quickly remedied itself back to the correct temperature.
There are several intuitive oven settings
Beyond standard, convection, and broil modes in the oven, there are also pre-set buttons that are easy to select. Options like Pizza, Proof, and three separate convection settings (Bake, Broil, and Roast) make it easy to cater the appliance to whatever meal you're preparing—without having to do the guesswork on your own.
The design is show-stopping
Adjusting the burner settings corresponds to a sleek display on the cooktop itself, so it's easy to keep track of several pots while cooking.
It's hard to glaze over the design of this range, even when its functionality is impressive enough on its own.
From the durable, heavy duty knobs to the chic, ergonomic tilted screen display, the Bosch HIS8655U is a treat for the eyes. Its stainless-steel finish and sleek edge-to-edge glass cooktop design will elevate the look of your kitchen and make you feel like you're one with the pros.
What we don’t like
Our chief scientist and kitchen team evaluated this range through several tests to gauge its performance for consumers.
Smoke burn-off during set-up is intense
One downside that's hard to forget about this range is the pungent smoke burn-off we experienced right after installation.
The Bosch HIS8655U's manual warned us that there might be a slight odor during the first few uses of this range due to manufacturing oils. It recommends heating the oven empty for an hour during the first use, and keeping the room ventilated for that and subsequent uses to help reduce the smells.
Off-gassing is pretty standard when it comes to range installation—and it doesn't last long—so just be prepared. We recommend running an overhead hood or extractor fan while keeping windows open for adequate ventilation when this appliance first gets installed. However, the smoke and smell were intense—really intense—for a full day, and we were forced to set up air purifiers and keep the door open for ventilation while it died down.
Preheating requires attention
The quiet preheat beep and somewhat confusing display meant we had to stand by while preheating was in progress.
The sleek, tilted screen display on the oven door is certainly attractive, and features a simple design displaying the time and set temperature.
However, instead of showing the current temperature of the oven as it climbs, it displays an orange horizontal line at the bottom of the screen that elongates as it gets closer to the desired temperature. Unfortunately, we found it hard to decipher when it actually hit the correct temp. The line still seemed to be shorter than the width of the screen by the time the notification beeped.
And speaking of that preheat beep, you shouldn't expect to hear that from another room if you're multitasking before dinner. We found this sound to be notably quiet, and can only be detected from close proximity.
Warranty
The Bosch HIS8655U offers a one-year limited warranty for parts and labor on the appliance, which is standard for similar ranges in the industry.
Should you buy the Bosch HIS8655U 800 Series 36-inch Induction Range?
If you're in the market for a high-end induction range that excites, the Bosch HIS8655U will definitely deliver.
Yes, if it's in your budget!
If you've been dreaming about enjoying the benefits of induction cooking in your home—and are prepared to spend extra for a high quality product—the Bosch HIS8655U is worth the investment.
We found lots to love about this sleek and high-end range, from the attractive display panel to the spacious oven to the fast-warming cooktop. We found that it doesn't require previous experience with induction, either; the learning curve is a cinch thanks to the intuitive design that can start you cooking in no time. (Just make sure you have the right cookware on hand.)
If you're still set on induction—but aren't set on this range's high-end pricing—the Frigidaire Gallery FGIH3047VF is a great option with a lower price tag and fewer bells and whistles.
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Meet the testers
Monica is Reviewed's Kitchen & Cooking editor and an avid home cook; she's been testing a wide range of kitchen products at Reviewed for over a year. Previously the Digital Editor at Culture Cheese Magazine (and a former barista), she's also had her work published in The Boston Globe, Modern Luxury, Boston Magazine, and more.
David Ellerby
Chief Scientist
Dave Ellerby is Reviewed's Chief Scientist and has a Ph.D. from the University of Leeds and a B.Sc. from the University of Manchester. He has over 25 years of experience designing tests and analyzing data.
Managing Editor, Kitchen & Appliances. Danielle has a B.S. from Syracuse University and a AAS in Culinary Arts from Newbury College. Previously, Danielle was a Test Cook and Associate Editor at America's Test Kitchen, as well as a freelance recipe developer and food writer. She’s the mom of two boys and loves making pizza on Friday nights.
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