brachl, I called Gaggenau. Info is not easy to get. Finally, after being placed on hold a long time, I was asked if I was interested in the 30" non-plumbed ss, 30" aluminum or 30" ss so I guess that is what will be available in the 30". I asked if there were any specs and told 'no'. Asked to speak with a supervisor and got nowhere. I was told July 15 projected delivery and maybe specs in June/July. I really did not enjoy my experience with Gaggenau on the phone and actually am thinking even more seriously of going with the TurboChef double after having the phone experience with Gaggenau. They are just not very nice and for the cost of their appliances, they should be infinitely more gracious. My appliance store was also no help in getting any firm information on the 30". Would love any further info--especially on specs.

After about a year of planning and deliberation, here's the final line up! Bluestar 48" rangetop w 24" griddle Bluestar French door, new electric wall oven Wolf M Series combi-steam Wolf Warming drawer Kitchen-Aid 30" convection microwave 36" SubZero built-in french door 24" SZ beverage center 15" SZ Ice maker 24" Bosch Benchmark DW 18" Bosch 800 Series DW How I decided on the Wolf combi-steam: I went to see both the Wolf and Miele units in person. I narrowed it down to those two based on Wolf's looks and Miele's plumbing. I knew that the Miele and Gagg were both plumbed but I didn't give enough weight to the fact that Miele doesn't have a drain. When I saw the Miele in person, I realized that emptying and cleaning the tray was really what I thought I was going to avoid by getting the plumbed unit but in fact that was not the case. The Wolf doesn't have a broiler, but I've got one stacked above it in the BlueStar and am not bothered at the thought of moving from one oven to the other. I also have the Searzall + Blowtorch, so I won't be at a loss for browned, melted goodness. The one thing I still long for is Miele's M touch operating system. The menus were so clear and thoughtfully designed. The Masterchef feature looked like a dream, for both an experienced cook like myself and for those who don't like to cook at all. Alas, I can't have it all. I'm sure I'll find my way with the Wolf. The microwave was decided purely by looks. I had planned on buying a unit from one of the main manufacturers (Sharp or Panasonic) but the Kitchen-Aid was the best looking, by far, with the rest of the new pro-style appliances and their handles. I also really loved the button panel across the bottom, the fact that it still has a number pad (as opposed to a dial or the other newfangled styles), and that it has a pull door, as opposed to a push button (one of my inexplicable pet peeves.) There's also a popcorn addict in the house and we're very intrigued by their popcorn popping technology. Something about how it recognizes when it's done the same way we would, when the pops slow down to 1-2 seconds apart. I have to tell you, it was so nice to write all of that without a tinge of doubt. I know I did as much research as I could, asked all the questions and am going to get the kitchen of my dreams. I hope you do too!

We have the Wolf combi and love it. I can't comment on a comparison with Gaggenau because I've never owned the Gagg. I don't find having a water tank a big problem at all. Usually it doesn't require a refill during cooking. However, if it does need refilling the tank door automatically opens and the oven beeps until you refill the tank. I change the water prior to each use. I also usually empty and wash the tank after each use unless I'm using the oven again on the same day. The access to the tank is on the outside of the oven so accessing and refilling is easy. The tank on the Thermador is on the inside of the oven, which we didn't like. Also the Thermador oven is much smaller than the Wolf. I don't have any experience with the Miele combi oven. I think the Miele oven cavity is about the same as the Wolf and the Miele also has a broiler which the Wolf does not. Not a big deal for us but that depends on your cooking style. Good luck! MJ

Why would a plumbed version be any more of a problem when it breaks than a non-plumbed? Worst case if you replace a plumbed with a non-plumbed then just cap the supply & drain tubes. A non-plumbed has a pump to go bad and that is also the part most likely to fail. Plumbed uses house water pressure in place of the pump so is less likely to need repair to begin with. I can't understand $1500 for the plumbing except huge profit for the plumber & builder. When I added a coffee station in my studio it cost $700 and that was a 60' run for both supply & drain and included plumbing for both a sink and an espresso machine (Breville Touch). Are you sure they didn't say $150?