I think if you're not baking it doesn't matter so much (says the great cheerleader for Gaggenau, but if you don't need it, it is expensive). You don't need as much control. I looked at the Thermador recently and didn't like the controls. You might want to check into how the different ovens operate and add that to your decision making.

Many thanks for the helpful responses.

How come you are set on these two brands? First off
they both are born under the BSH appliance brand, So they share the same technology from the least expensive Bosch brand. They are both unreliable, and very costly to repair out of warranty. Yes Thermador gives you a free Dishwasher,
but other brands like Viking, Electrolux and Wolf will give you rebate money so you can buy what ever brand of Dishwasher you want.

Bosch,Thermador and Gaggenau are all BSH brands but they absolutely positively do not have the same oven technology.

Gaggenau shares its basic design with all apliances EXCEPT its OVENS.

Although owned by BSH Thermador has its own management headquartered in Huntington Beach,Ca and manufacuteres its ovens in LaFollete TN. NOT in GERMANY.

The Induction Cooktop does share tech with Bosch and Gaggenau. The OP wants the Thermador version and that is why he is considering the Thermador ovens.

He is considering Gaggenau because they are the best. And they are not unreliable. Yes they are expensive to repair because they have premium components for superior performance.

A Porche cost more to repair than a Buick. It does cost a permium to have the best.

"He is considering Gaggenau because they are the best."

I "love" statements like this!

To be accurate,(and maybe we should assume this) but you should add "To Me"
I can only recall 2 different posters on GW that that have Gaggenau ovens, neither has baked side by side using a Miele, Elux or any other of a dozen ovens--so to say it is the "best", to me is a bit of braggin along with not really doing the "Homework" and research necessary to form such a conclusion. No arguement if you say "It is the best for Me", also no arguement that it is the most expensive oven, over 4 times the price of the Elux--you gonna telll me it bakes 4 times better and is 4 times more reliable?

Kinda funny to see the BSH arguement, I recall being in a similar one with "Elux/Fridigaire" also Whirlpool and Jenn-air--but we agree Just because "X" parent company owns the "Whole Shebang" does not mean that different brands under their umbrella can't be different.

Anyway point is, not enough data to proclaim to the world that Gaggenau is "The Best Oven", I do not proclaim Elux is the best oven, or Jenn-air the "Best Fridge", I tell folks my actual experiences with them, Yes I thought they were "The Best For Me" but the "Best ." naw, I larned , Not to Spit into the Wind"!!!!

Gary

BSH owns Gaggenau but pretty much stays out of their hair, except to raid some of their tech knowledge. The ovens are pretty much the only thing that haven't been corrupted by big brother.

"question is whether the Thermador is overall an oven that will be disappointing to have in a high-end kitchen. "

if the one you get craps out in year one -you'll likely be disappointed. CR aside, the two units that I've dealt with in the last year to two have both required service. We tried to persuade the client to get another brand but they insisted.

If their ovens were so great they wouldn't have to give away a mediocre DW to get you to buy one.

Anyway point is, not enough data to proclaim to the world that Gaggenau is "The Best Oven", I do not proclaim Elux is the best oven, or Jenn-air the "Best Fridge", I tell folks my actual experiences with them, Yes I thought they were "The Best For Me" but the "Best ." naw, I larned , Not to Spit into the Wind"!!!!

I love statements like this making a thesis out of the obvious.

Of course it is my opinion. And yes I have baked in many though not all high end ovens.Making the same dishes to compare and contrast.

No one here,to my knowledge, claims to have conducted scientifically valid test. We are stating our opinions.Or what is "best for me."

This is a message board not a peer reviewed scholarly journal.

We landed at Thermador through a bit of a roundabout route. Our kitchen designer had originally recommended the Gaggenau wall oven because the side swing door provided meaningful utility in our prior layout (the new layout will work OK with either style door). We had decided we wanted an induction cooktop and he recommended the Gaggenau induction cooktop because of its fairly shallow depth.

We then went to a BSH showroom and took a look at both the Gaggenau and Thermador induction cooktops. We couldn't find enough functionality difference in the cooktop to support the significant price differential (the magnetic knob was neat but we are confident we can live without it) so decided to drop down to the Thermador cooktop. (We had also looked at Monogram, but shied away from the required 12" deep clearance to combustibles that unit requires). We liked the high power, available boost on all zones and generally low power sharing that the Thermador induction cooktop provides.

We had separately decided on the Bosch 800 series dishwasher because of the top Consumer Reports ratings, the now available cutlery rack and reasonable price compared to most of the Miele dishwashers.

Having then dropped down to the Thermador cooktop, on one of our final visits to the local appliance store, the sales person with whom we were dealing (who is excellent and knows his stuff cold) mentioned that if we were going to get a Bosch dishwasher and Thermador cooktop, we might consider the Thermador oven and dishwasher since the Thermador dishwasher is basically the same as the Bosch dishwasher.

That's about as far as we've gotten. If there's another route we should be considering, nothing is locked in stone except: we would like a very good dishwasher (doesn't have to be the world's best, but very good and quiet is a requirement), we would like a 36" induction cooktop, we would like a good double wall oven and the double wall oven doesn't need any microwave functionality since we're getting the Advantium.

Help! I have to make a quick decision to buy a used Gaggenau cooktop, # 590615, and unnamed 36" single wall oven. Am on budget so this is the only way. If they are difficult to maintain, maybe should stay with the tried-and-true almond set ... thanks

I wouldn't plan a budget kitchen around a 36" oven. It's very large and will take a long time to heat, and if/when it needs replacing you'll have to redo the cabinetry or find another 36" oven (of which there are few).

The cooktop seems to be radiant electric. I don't know that Gagganau is any better in that catagory than anything else. Most people dislike using and cleaning ceramic-glass electric.

I, frankly, would stick with the almond since it sounds like you can cook just fine on it.