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Joined: Jan 2008
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,872 |
Getting ready for a home remodel and looking at high end appliances.
Looking at Wolf, Thermador and Viking.
Looking for your personal experience with any of these. Any problems?
If so, how was service? What do you like about the choices you made.
None of these are a cheap date and I'm going to be buying an entire set for a new kitchen so I'm trying to weed out problems before I buy.
I've already been online looking at what people aren't happy with but all you really find are pissed off folks posting. No happy posts.
Thanks,
Bob
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,272 Likes: 7
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 8,272 Likes: 7 |
Go to a commercial restaurant supply wholesaler. If their stuff can stand what it goes through you shouldn't have any issues at all.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,528
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 8,528 |
Thermador range top, convection oven, and micro. Ten years old now, no problems I can think of. Our service guy, when working on other stuff, says they don't have to fix much on the Thermadors.
Overall nice quality, good heat control on the range top, surface still looks new, oven takes a long time to preheat but otherwise nice. I'd get them again.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,790 Likes: 8
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 67,790 Likes: 8 |
restaurant gear, while certainly sturdy, is not always the best choice for home use.
They will put out a LOT of heat, consume a lot of gas, and won't offer the versitility and convenience that most folks are expecting from their range.
I spent most of my life owning and running restaurants, so I have a bit of experience with that gear.
Sam......
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Joined: Dec 2003
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Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,318 Likes: 30 |
Homeowners insurance may not cover you if you install commercial equipment in a home kitchen, because of the heat output.
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time.
--Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice.
--ironbender
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 245
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 245 |
Look at Blue Star. They used to have the hottest burners in the industry and were very competitively priced, though you'll still pay a bunch.
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,872
Campfire Regular
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OP
Campfire Regular
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,872 |
I'm not looking at restaurant equipment. This is just high end residential equipment. It's still going to cost 25-30k so just curious if anyone has good or bad feedback on it.
Thanks,
Bob
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,716 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,716 Likes: 1 |
I'm no expert, but I notice things. Some high-output gas cooktops don't have any or more than one burner small enough to effectively heat a small pan or pot. A lot of the bigger burners just blow flame up the sides. Flame impingement is probably more important than high btu output.
Big ovens can take big time to get up to temperature.
Commercial-type cooktops can be hard to clean if you boil stuff over.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,448 |
Ages ago, a buddy bought a "commercial" range/stove "direct from manufacturer". IIRC it was manufactured in Europe and he had huge issues, never quite resolved. Beware of deals too good to be true.
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Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25,530 Likes: 5
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 25,530 Likes: 5 |
True commercial equipment is most likely not feasible. Warranty and service would be #1. Spending the money on Viking et al is no guarantee that you'll see an increase in performance or dependability. I'm in the process of researching the same thing and will be replacing our Bosch gas range and still ain't sure which way I'm gonna go. I could Replace my range every year and would not realize any cost savings for years over the price of the fancy names.
�Politicians are the lowest form of life on earth. Liberal Democrats are the lowest form of politician.� �General George S. Patton, Jr.
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~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 17,142 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 17,142 Likes: 2 |
I'm no expert, but I notice things. Some high-output gas cooktops don't have any or more than one burner small enough to effectively heat a small pan or pot. A lot of the bigger burners just blow flame up the sides. Flame impingement is probably more important than high btu output.
Big ovens can take big time to get up to temperature.
Commercial-type cooktops can be hard to clean if you boil stuff over. We ended up buying a DCS when we remodeled our kitchen. While not "industrial grade" it has one burner that is truly high power and boil water very quickly and just important to me the burners can go very low and simmer.
If something on the internet makes you angry the odds are you're being manipulated
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,778 Likes: 9
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 33,778 Likes: 9 |
We have a Viking that is going on nine years. In that time a pilot went out. A local guy that knows Vikings fixed it for $300 IIRC. Other than that no issues. Due keep in mind that they, at least mine, is not as deep as many typical ovens so they run closer to flush with the base cabinets for astetics. This does make the oven shallower though this has not caused a problem for us. ![[Linked Image]](http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa437/boxhead61/IMG_0151%201_zpsucasgzgr.jpg) Our dish washer is an Asko. Same age with zero issues. Fridge is a high end Jenn-aire. Same age with zero issues.
Conduct is the best proof of character.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,716 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,716 Likes: 1 |
We put the 2005 version of this one in our remodeled kitchen back in 2005. No issues to date. It has two burners that are useful for small pots and pans, the rest are too big. Center burner is pretty rowdy - good for searing and stir fry. Cleans easy. Grate arrangement is such that you can set a pot or pan anywhere over a large surface. http://www.windcrestcnp.com/CTSG365DS.htm
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,749
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,749 |
I can't comment on the 3 brands you mentioned. In case the brand Dacor happens to come up in your research, however, I'll just say that I'll never allow another piece of their equipment to enter my home. In fact, if a representative of theirs were to show up at my door, I just might unholster my weapon.  I replaced their [excrementy] cooktop with the only one I could find that would fit the existing cutout in the granite - a GE Monogram. It works just fine. Everything else in the remodel was KitchenAid Superba, & I'm well-pleased with it all at 11+ years. I tried to look at online ratings when I bought, but it seemed like most brands had just as many posters swearing AT them, as BY them. IMO, the distributor is almost more important than the brand, since you'll deal with them first if there are any problems. I'd look for a distributor who's been around a while, is easy to work with, and has a decent selection. Good luck, & let us know what you choose. FC
"Every day is a holiday, and every meal is a banquet."
- Mrs. FC
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 21,317 |
Only had it for a year, but love our Thermador. The gas top gets used multiple times a day. ![[Linked Image]](http://forums.accuratereloading.com/evefiles/photo_albums/3/4/4/344100033/5181030112_D0CBF03A1A62807331D18BC954D0C0C0.jpg) I don't know that we use the steam oven enough to justify the added cost, but there are times it's nice to have a second oven. The one note on the steam oven is it's tiny compared to std size oven. Our thermador appliances aren't the pro grade, just high end residential appliances. I did a fair bit of research and they came out on top in terms of quality and reliability. The only appliance that isn't thermador is the fridge, and we've had issues with it building up condensation and leaking on the floor. Several visits from the appliance guy and still not fixed.
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,318 Likes: 30
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 86,318 Likes: 30 |
Good looking crib right there.
If you take the time it takes, it takes less time.
--Pat Parelli
American by birth; Alaskan by choice.
--ironbender
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Joined: Apr 2013
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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Apr 2013
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http://www.bluestarcooking.com/high-end-appliancesI'd look very closely at this brand. Nothing but great reviews and excellent customer service. Ill vouch for their quality.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,820 Likes: 1
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 10,820 Likes: 1 |
I can't comment on the 3 brands you mentioned. In case the brand Dacor happens to come up in your research, however, I'll just say that I'll never allow another piece of their equipment to enter my home. In fact, if a representative of theirs were to show up at my door, I just might unholster my weapon. I replaced their [excrementy] cooktop with the only one I could find that would fit the existing cutout in the granite - a GE Monogram. It works just fine. Everything else in the remodel was KitchenAid Superba, & I'm well-pleased with it all at 11+ years. I tried to look at online ratings when I bought, but it seemed like most brands had just as many posters swearing AT them, as BY them. IMO, the distributor is almost more important than the brand, since you'll deal with them first if there are any problems. I'd look for a distributor who's been around a while, is easy to work with, and has a decent selection. Good luck, & let us know what you choose. FC When we did the kitchen in our other home we got a Dacor refrigerator and a six-burner gas range. We're really happy with the stuff, when we're up there we entertain a lot and the stuff gets used a lot.
Mathew 22: 37-39
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,781
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Feb 2014
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Had a Viking in our restaurants for years with no problems. NONE. That said, they are for commercial use and expensive. They require much more gas than residential use and are very hot. You will need to install a very good hood just to remove the heat. In doing so, you will find that without a recirulator you will lose a lot of heat or air conditioning in your home through the vent. Our hood cost more than the stove. I looked into putting one in our home and because of the hood it became cost prohibitive fast. You will just have to want to have a commercial appliance in your home to go that route.
That said, there are Viking units designed for the home that look good and work great, but still will require a great hood vented to the outside. Still expensive but a great WOW statement.
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Joined: Dec 2002
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Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 13,118 Likes: 2 |
When I was looking I discovered that Viking is very hard to get parts for. You may be down quite a while IF you have a problem. I installed Thermador and loved it. The commercial style cooktops are nice but the ovens are not particularly homeowner-regular cook friendly. I got an electric oven in lieu of a gas one.
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Those who live by the sword get shot by those who don't.
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