KitchenAid Rangetop - Own or Considered?

14 years ago

Does anyone have either the 36" or 48" KitchenAid rangetop? What do you like or dislike about it? If you considered the KA, but purchased something else, why did you go in a different direction?

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mydreamhome
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Don't own one, but can relay info I got from local independent appliance dealer. A little background first:

We're building a house and are putting in all new appliances: 36" professional rangetop, 30" double convection ovens, 48" built in refrigerator,& 2 dishwashers. The salesman was very handsoff and allowed us to check out the appliances alone and then come to him when we were ready (which I loved-can't stand a salesman who is stalking you thru the store or talking you to death! there was only 1 other couple in the store and they were being helped by another salesman, so he could have stalked us if he so desired.)

Recommendations we received initially (of course the absolute top of the line and most expensive) were:
Dacor and Wolf rangetops
Dacor double ovens
Dacor and Thermador refrigerators
and I wouldn't even let him advise on a dishwasher--I'm a KitchenAid girl and haven't encountered another dishwasher that even comes close.

As we talked and got past the "push the pricey stuff" part, we got down to getting best quality with same or similar look and features for reasonable cost. It came down to this:

Dacor and KithcenAid built in refrigerators are the same-same manufacturer, same set up, same finishes, same warranty, etc--just a different name on the door. So why pay almost $9000 for Dacor when you can pay just under $6000 for the KitchenAid?

Dacor convection ovens are vary comparable to the KitchenAid and GE (sorry don't remember the model) ovens right down to interior color. So again, why pay $7000 for Dacor when you can pay $3000 for KitchenAid or GE?

Nothing I could do on the dishwashers...KitchenAid panel ready approx $1000 ea.

Rangetops were interesting. He relayed some customer comments on them to us: customers liked the light up controls on the Dacor for safety reasons, clean styling, very smooth burner grates, simmer control is excellent. Wolf also with clean styling, known for its quality, choice of control colors, but burner grates were significantly rougher than Dacor (think about sliding pots and pans around on the grates). I brought up Viking--again a good choice, but does not offer some of the additional perks Dacor & Wolf do. I think he could tell that I was pretty sold on Viking. He ended up saying that whether we went with Dacor, Viking or Wolf we would be happy with quality and appearance. But that we should not consider/buy a KitchenAid. Evidently, it's got a pro look, but it does not have the pro power and there have been some problems. I found it very interesting that he recommended KitchenAid in every other category except rangetops. Especially since the price point is in range with these other manufacturers.

Since then I have also looked at the GE Monogram which is priced lower. At this point in time, we are considering #1 Viking, #2 is tied between Dacor and GE Monogram.

Hope this helps! Appliances are very confusing and because you're spending so much $$$ on them you want to make sure you're buying something that's quality, has the look you desire and works without breaking down everytime you turn around. So I feel your pain. Definitely post anything you find out in your research outside of the forum as I'm sure others would want to know (I would!)
theanimala
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Not sure how much I trust your sales rep. Do a quick search here on Viking and you will read nothing but problems. If he is saying you will be happy with Viking, then he doesn't know what he is talking about.
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ya_think
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
"Do a quick search here on Viking and you will read nothing but problems. If he is saying you will be happy with Viking, then he doesn't know what he is talking about."

I should probably just MMOB and STFU. After all, I don't own a Viking rangetop, nor do I have an interest in owning a Viking rangetop. But I have been reading this forum for many more years than my membership date would imply, and considering their market share I have seen extemely few posts from dissatisfied Viking OWNERS, as far as rangetops/cooktops go. Seems to me this sentiment is more founded on rumor and a desire to go against the establishment than actual fact. I may be wrong, but considering the percentage of the posts I follow while they're on the front page, I'm pretty comfortable saying this.
msgreatdeals
14 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I have a Kitchenaid 30" gas cooktop with the 5 burners but it is not installed yet. I have been to hell and back with #1 Appliance.....number 1 they are not! I place my order 4-23-09. Almost $8,000 and it was suppose to arrive in 14-21 days. White glove delivery....yeah sure. Well, after 21 days I contacted them by e-mail and they said some of my items were on back order..(nice of them to finally tell me that) and would be shipped soon. 5-22 they are shipped to LA. June 1, still no appliances. Call LA...yes next delivery date 6-9....OK....Items arrive. Cooktop is missing several parts. I e-mail and call #1 and they do not respond. I start chargeback 14 days later. Then finally they call and want to send the parts. By then I had just purchased the cooktop on eBay and for $190.00 less. Now, I'm wondering why so many on eBay and for less. I should have it connected by the middle of next week. From what I can see it looks really nice (SS) Very tight fit in a 30" space....only drawback so far. I also got a KA dishwaster and on the other side of the kitchen next to each other is the GE fridge and double ovens (Profile). Because they took so long to deliver, I missed a $75. rebate on the dishwasher. So, as mama used to say, sometimes cheap can be expensive!!!

KitchenAid Rangetop - Own or Considered?

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mydreamhome

theanimala

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