Thermador Masterpiece Steam and Convection Oven MES301HS

13 years ago

Have you tried this new oven or do you have any information about it? I just heard about it this weekend when I picked up the new Thermador catalog. I would love to have the Gaggenau combi steam, but dismissed that as impossible because of the price. The Thermador model is about $4,000 less, so I am giving it serious consideration, but it makes me nervous to buy a new product without a track record.

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hmez

11 years ago

Hi Everyone. This is my first post--just redid my kitchen with much help from all of you (THANK YOU!). I did buy the Thermador Combi Steam instead of the Miele b/c of the convection option. It was the appliance I was the most excited to start using. I've been using it daily since December and feel that I must warn you, cooking with this appliance requires a lot of time, effort, and patience. There's a huge learning curve and you will screw things up--regardless of reading the owners manual. That said, it makes perfect boiled eggs, veggies, and rice---and reheats almost anything to it's original state. There's also a warming function so you don't need to purchase an additional warming drawer. The pre-programmed options are helpful, and there's a decent variety to cover the staples of most households. I still haven't figured out how to cook meat better than my regular oven or my crock pot--but I haven't given up yet. If seriously considering purchasing one, you should know that it emits steam while cooking and when you open the door, so you don't want it located in a high traffic area. You should also have a drawer directly below or nearby to store the cooking pans and rack that comes with the oven. I don't regret buying it but if doing it again, I'm not sure if this would be on my must have list--it would be on my nice to have list...

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Comments (16)

sitelifer
13 years ago
I am in the same boat. Would love some feedback. I am considering the CC 30 '
rangeand the Thermador steam convection.
I have had a Thermador range for about 14 years with no problems beside the burner grills being hard to clean.
kaysd
Original Author
13 years ago
Sitelifer, have you been happy with the sealed star burners on the Thermador range? Does the oven seem to hold temperatures well and produce even baking results? I am considering the Thermador 30" range if we go with gas rather than induction. The CC looks great and would be my first choice, but I can buy the Thermador for a lot less with an employee discount, which would pay for the second oven.
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I have the Thermador steam oven. Like it. The electronics panel did die after a few months, Thermador replaced immediately. The reservoir works fine. I've never cooked anything that required more than one carafe full of water. Wolf touts the ability to fill the reservoir while cooking. If you do need to add with the Thermador, just pause the cooking, fill up and keep going.
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I have duel 30" Therm convection circa 2006 and love them. Others here have indeed had problems but I've only run the self-cleaning once or twice and I think that's where the trouble came from. I do hammer both ovens at 450 & 525 often (bread and pizza) for hours on end and both ovens at the same time and they have been problem free. They also seem to stay clean at that temp. As for top, bottom or both - both if you have the budget:for the flexibility. If only one, figure out which height you are most likely to be most comfortable with using most often and choose that one for convection. One note - my ovens are loaded with neat convince features like the temp probe, delayed bake, timed bake, etc... I use none of them. I do use the standard bake, broil,roast, proof, warm, fast preheat, and the convection pairings, but none of the "smart" features. Carefully consider your cooking style before paying for the next upgrade in the line. I was so very tempted to kill the budget with an extra 2k or so on the Meile with the internal rotisserie and a few other features - pretty sure I never would have used those either.
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awesome. thanks. I did get it today. for $1200 I got the steam oven (brand new but out of box) and a $700 whirlpool wash machine. the oven is weird looking, time cavity for how big it is, but so it goes. I have a 36" propane stove for big baking things. I do have a separate sousvide but I guess it would be nice.to go lower than 150... I would never ever convince.myself to drop $3k (or even $1500 on a steam oven so this was my shot.
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Susan Gress
13 years ago
I am in the same boat- love the gaggenau but not the price. Epinion.com has 5 reviews of this oven, all give it 1 star out of 5. The Kitchenaid with steam assist looks good, but people here say it blows hot air out all the time when cooking, as a fix for poor placement of the electronics. I have had ovens that do this when cooking at high heat, but not all the time. I am building in florida, so this would not be good.
sitelifer
13 years ago
kaysd, sorry to take so long for the response. The model I have is discontinued, but the oven temp has been great. The burners are hard to clean but again the design has changed.
ecovert
13 years ago
I own this oven and had it installed about two months ago as part of a total kitchen renovation. This is my first steam oven so I have little to compare it to, but I think it is fantastic and I have used it pretty much every day. It is easy to use and produces excellent food. I believe it it produced overseas and comes off the same line as the Gaggenau, though it has different and more limited features. That is what the Thermador rep said when I called to ask some questions about the trim kit. Not sure what that really means, but it made me feel like it was worth taking a chance. Someday when I move to another kitchen I would consider having a look at the Gaggenau as I can see how the drain and the ability to control the amount of steam would be useful, but it is not worth the $ tradeoff to me at this point. That said, I have fallen in love with steam/convection cooking and would be hard pressed to give it up. Happy to answer anything else about it!
sitelifer
13 years ago
ecovert, how do you use your oven? Steam only or in combination with convection?
siestaconnie
13 years ago
I am considering this oven too. Would use a regular convection underneath. Anyone else with experience? I would love to hear more opinions!
jg1126
12 years ago
Any more feedback from people that have used this oven?
thx
readyalready
12 years ago
I'm also considering this, most likely with a Thermador convection oven below, anyone else put one in?
mamamd
12 years ago
Ecovert, can you tell us more about your Thermador steam oven? I am seriously considering purchasing it but am put off a bit by Thermador brand bad reviews. Is replacing the water a pain? How do you think it works as a convection oven?
firstmmo
11 years ago
Thanks Hmez for the thorough review...I too looked at it but think I am going to go with a regular 48" range either the Thermador or the Viking (this is what I've had before). The steam oven just seems too high maintenance for me and I think you've convinced me of that.
sitelifer
11 years ago
Hmez, I also puchased the 30 inch CC range and Thermador Combi steam oven last year.
I echo your comments. They should include more basic recipes. The manuel is not user friendly but is handy once you get used to it.

I have been making the most incredible yogurt in it.

I also did not find it easy to clean after a roast beef spattered. The self cleaning instructions are not clear, I am still not sure if I did it correctly.

All said, I am happy I purchased it and am looking for more recipes.
Beverley Aron
8 years ago
sitelifer I just bought my Thermador Combi steam oven a few months ago and LOVE it!!!! I have barely used my regular Thermador Masterchef oven yet! One thing I really want to do is make yogurt in the steam oven, but I can't find any instructions - can you please tell me what settings you use? thanks!!!!!
barryv_gw
8 years ago
According to the Viking cookbook 4 to 5 hours at 105 F. Page 7 http://www.vikingrange.com/MEDIA_CustomProductCatalog/m2320051_Combi_CookBook.pdf
Steve Dumont
5 years ago
Sorry but n ever heard of a steam oven, what do you use it for? I did a few high end kitchens with Wolf, sub-zero and Viking and now doing another one but about $4,000.. Can I do more then steam vegetables or rice. Always went with a double oven... give me some feedback please...

Thermador Masterpiece Steam and Convection Oven MES301HS

hmez

Comments (16)

sitelifer

kaysd
Original Author

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Susan Gress

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sitelifer

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Steve Dumont

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Thermador Masterpiece Steam and Convection Oven MES301HS

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kaysdOriginal Author

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