30 inch dual fuel, GE Monogram or Wolf

13 years ago

I need help please. After looking at a lot of ranges, I have narrowed my choice to the GE Monogram 30" or the Wolf 30" free standing dual fuel range. I can't fit anything larger in my kitchen, and I want a range with some "feet" (or floor clearance) so that I can get a mop under it easily. My questions are:

1. Is the wolf really worth the extra $1,000 over the monogram? I have seen the 36" for both ranges in various stores, and like them both, but I can't find either one in the 30" dual fuel on display.

2. Is one oven better than the other? The gliding racks are nice on the monogram, but the dual convection is a nice feature on the wolf. (however, I can always purchase the gliding racks extra for the wolf). And what about the oven size of either one. Is the wolf's too shallow over the monogram which seems like it might be larger?

3. Surface cooktop area - Does one have more room on the burner top than the other? The pictures of the wolf 30" dual fuel have a couple inches of SS on either side of the grates, that the monogram doesn't have, so Im wondering if the range top on the duel fuel wolf is a smaller work surface as compared to the monogram which looks a bit larger in pictures.

Any other information you can provide to help me determine between these two ranges will be of great help to me. Thank you!

Featured Answer

alwaysfixin

13 years ago

I don't have either oven, but just regarding your concern with the price difference - you can buy the Wolf All Gas for much less than the DF. It has been discussed several times on this forum that the idea of an electric oven being better for baking is a holdover from 20 years ago, and is no longer true (if that's the reason you want the DF). From a looks point of view, I really like the classic look of the Wolf AG, which hasn't changed in years, and will still look good 10 years from now. The DF electronics panel in 10 years may look as dated as a computer from 2000 looks right now. Something to think about. Having said that, I know that the Wolf AG does not have self-cleaning, so that may be a deal breaker. I am only mentioning these considerations because you mentioned the $1000 difference, and the AG may be a way to save that money.

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Comments (17)

njmamma
13 years ago
I don't know anything about the GE Monogram but we just bought the 30"
Wolf DF for our kitchen renovation. I have only been using it for the pAt month but so far I LOVE it! I based my decision on the quality, reliability of the wolf brand but to be completely honest, I also went for the looks- the red knobs, the little screen that comes out and the blue interior...the fact that I love cooking on it is a bonus :)
To answer your questions:
1) I think it's a personal decision whether wolf is worth $1000 more. I certainly don't regret buying it or paying a premium over other ranges.
2) I don't think the oven is too shallow. I didn't host Thanksgiimg this year but it looks like a turkey would fit just fine. Last week I baked a tray of stuffing, 2 pumpkin pies and a quiche at the same time - no crowding. The wolf comes with one gliding rack (center rack). I love the dual convection but I did not have convection before so I have nothing to compare it to.
3) I don't know how the ge and wolf compare in the cooktop
surface area. I have not had any issues so far but I have not had to use all 4 burners at the same time yet (no problems with using 3 with pretty large pots/pans). I do plan on buying a separate portable induction burner for the few times I would need an extra burner/room.

Hope this helps a little. Good luck!
rhome410
13 years ago
I don't have a range, but did have Monogram double oven which is now replaced with a Wolf double oven. I also have a Wolf rangetop.

Dealing with Wolf is much better than dealing with GE. The oven is MUCH better. The Monogram didn't always reach or maintain temps, and would turn on the preheat mode to recover temps and burn the tops of whatever was baking. The Wolf is designed so that after it reaches the initial temperature, even if you turn the oven up, it will NOT turn on the preheat mode (which, they point out, is not suitable for a time when food is in the oven), unless you turn it off and back on...So it won't come on when you don't expect it. The manual is much more detailed and helpful.
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beth4
13 years ago
Five years ago I remodeled my kitchen and installed the 30" DF Wolf range, because my kitchen is small, and that's all the room I had. I love, love, LOVE this range. I have been an excellent cook, but I swear this range has improved my cooking skills because of the way it performs. The oven has proved large enough to easily handle large roasts and a turkey (everything is roasted on rack level 1 or 2 -- preferably 2). AND the DF aspect is just super. Love the gas cooking on top, and the electric convection oven. The oven does such a superb job on convection or "reguar" roasting/baking....My baked goods are just fabulous (I love to make pies, cakes and cookies, so use it a lot), and roasting is a dream.

I would not hesitate to purchase this same range again. For me, it's worth every single penny I spent on it.
mswaim
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks for all your input! I had gotten some advise from another forum on here regarding the monogram range. All positive reviews on the monogram. That's why I keep going back and forth between the two ranges.
How is the gas range top on the DF? I mean the actual work area. Since stores don't show on the floor any 30 inch DF wolf ranges (they only show the 30 inch gas), I can only look at a picture. All the pictures show a couple of inches of ss on both sides of the burner grates taking up valuable real estate on the rangetop & it makes the burners look closer together. In that regard, I have heard the monogram has plenty of space on top and can fit four 12" fry pans all at once. Can the wolf fit four 12" frypans at once too? Thanks, any help is appreciated. I just want to make sure my workspace on top is not cramped when I'm using muliple pots & pans.
francoise47
13 years ago
The grates on the Wolf 30" DF are 25 inches across and 23 inches deep. The extra stainless on the sides provides room for the handles or overhang. It would be no problem putting two 12" frying pans on the front two burners. But it would be too tight to have four 12" frying pans on the stove top at the same time. I frequently use a 13 inch diameter saute pan -- it works well. You probably wouldn't want to use four frying pans on the Wolf DF since the back left burner is the one with lower btu. It is best used for simmering.
njmamma
13 years ago
I don't think I would ever need to use four 12" frying pans all at once and like francoise47 said, the back left burner is smaller so I use that for melting butter or with small-med sauce pans. But, to give you an idea, I put out four large pans and took a picture for you.

It does look crowded and if you're really going to use all 4 burners with frying pans, I would consider getting a 36" range instead. Personally, I would not want to reach over two large pans to stir something on the back burner but that's just my opinion. (and I am 5'2" so I am vertically challenged).
rhome410
13 years ago
It'd be one thing, for me, if I felt the Monogram oven was 'good,' or even 'ok.' But after fighting mine for 11 months, I am so glad to be rid of it and even if there was an extra 1/2 inch or so for big pots, I'd rather choose the great oven. I don't want to be pushy, but I believe it has some basic design (engineering) flaws that make good baking difficult, and if someone asks, I want to make sure they know what I think after having the Monogram. But baking is a bigger deal in our house than in some, I realize.

I have 8 kids, but don't think I own that many frying pans of that size to use at once! ;-) But we do certainly use large pots. I would've guessed without checking that a lot of mine were 12", but they were actually 9 or 10". 12" is really big...Have you measured all the pots and pans you could hope to use at once? I'm not doubting you or your intelligence at all...I just know how my own assumptions worked out, and don't want you to decide based on an inaccurate guess.
mswaim
Original Author
13 years ago
wow, your pictures are great! Thank you so much. The pictures are very helpful. I probably wouldn't have all four 12" pans at the same time, but thought if 4 could fit then I'd be sure there was plenty of space for my needs. We just signed up for a demonstration at the local wolf distributer next week. (they are cooking up a 3 course meal that we get to eat!!) Hopefully they will have the 30 inch df in the showroom. I just wish I could find a 30" monogram next to it so I can compare the rangetops side by side. I'm still going back & forth between the two, but hopefully I'll decide after seeing the wolf demonstration next week.
captsmethwick
13 years ago
Another vote for the Wolf. We have had our DF366 since early July and LOVE it - it performs flawlessly, Wolf's a great company to deal with, and it's exquisitely put-together and well-featured. I'm sure that the Monogram is a decent unit but it was never in the running for us.
PRO
fo design
7 years ago
I was at the MONOGRAM center in KY last year as part of a design group. I had always loved the Wolf mainly for the red knobs. LOL

We had a chance to compare 4 pro ranges, Wolf, Viking, Thermador and MONOGRAM. The Thermador won hands down but was also pricey.

Monogram is way ahead in terms of quality when it comes to Wolf and Viking. I have a Viking myself and was shocked by how great the Monogram was, for less $$$. Only complaint was that it looks a bit boring. The quality is outstanding and it has a ton of features that the others do not have. Its an amazing range.
rhome410
7 years ago
Can you give specifics as to how they compared, what aspects you looked at (cosmetic design? Engineering? Cooking and baking performance?), and why you came to the conclusions that the Thermador was top, and the Monogram was better quality than Wolf? As kitchen and appliance obsessed, I'm always interested in reading opinions after an in-person comparison, and would really appreciate more details. Thanks!
PRO
fo design
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hello again. I am a member of the Manhattan NKBA as such monogram invited me and about 12 others to their experience center in Louisville last year for a few days. This was not to sell their products but to show us how to use them and also to pick our brains as to what consumers want and what they can do better. One part consisted of us going around a room with 4 pro ranges ( 48" models) and clipboards simply comparing the 4 and features.

The Thermador simply had amazing quality and everything felt great and solid. Things like opening the door etc. We also had specs and the burner output on Thermadors star burners is the best in the industry. Knobs feel good, there is great lighting and it is all easy to read.

We were told that WOLF has amazing customer service. I am aware of that. Their range was the worst. Compared to the others it actually felt " cheap" borderline rickety and I can not believe I am saying this as I always loved the way it looked..

The GE had a lot of great features. Like racks that can stay inside the oven when self cleaning. I do believe I remember all the others have to be removed as they are plated and can not withstand the very high heat.Clean by hand this means. The oven capacity was also very large. Top is easy to move pots and pans around on as the entire cast iron surface is large and level. You can flip the iron around and have a moulded surfaces for wok pans... The parts are pieced together and can easily fit into a dishwasher. The knobs are easy to turn and read. Soft closing door. Great burner output.

Easy to install with feet that have huge wheels under them. Can be leveled easily. The list just went on.....

Still our main criticism was that it looked " boring" LOL. Not much personality. It's still pricey and it all checked out but a secret part of me wanted those red knobs... I know it's probably a sick personality flaw of mine... Like lusting after Loubotin shoes. We all know they hurt but want them anyways...

After all this I just ordered a 30" dual fuel monogram for my place in New York. I will get it next week. I have an older Viking in Florida and all the lettering on the front has come off simply by cleaning it! I like the Viking but that alone is a shame. No one seems to sells those decals to have them stuck back on!!! I have no idea how I am cooking on that thing. I believe VIKING was sold last year and its been upgraded since then but I have no personal experience with the newer models so far.
PRO
fo design
7 years ago
.... one last thing. I do love the MIELE as well. I have not cooked on it but it looks amazing and also has some great features as pre programmed settings and a flip out LCD display. I am a huge fan of everything MIELE in general. I was torn between this one and the MONOGRAM.

The one thing that convinced me to get the MONOGRAM in the end was that I also picked the MONOGRAM Advantium speedcooker oven with fan for above it. Now that was an appliance that truly stood out when I was in KY. It can replace a warming drawer, toaster, microwave and more. It cooks and bakes better than any regular oven. I have lusted after this for over a year now! I have a feeling that this will become the most used appliance in my kitchen once I am done.
rhome410
7 years ago
Thanks for the additional info. I've been intrigued by ads showing the new 48" Thermador range with the steam 2nd oven. If I was starting over, that would tempt me!

Congrats on your new purchase... Always a big decision. I do miss the clean-in-place racks that Monogram has (WHY does no one else catch on to that idea?!), and truly hope your new oven performs much better for you than my Monogram wall oven did for me.
penguinlady
3 years ago
WeI bought a 36” Monogram 3 or 4 years ago and loved Loved LOVED it. We consulted with several great cooks, two pro and two very talented home cooks. They all recommended the Monogram, out of the entire universe of DF ranges to choose from. We’re glad they did.

We loved everything about it. Precise heat settings, leave-in-the-oven-while-autocleaning racks, big sturdy grilles, wok-rings on the underside of the grilles, big oven, and best of all, its non-digital except for the timer. Lots of small features that we appreciated.

Past tense? We sold our house last month and had to leave it behind. I’m drooling over a 30” now, but alas...
Gwen Engle
3 years ago
How was the oven for baking multiple racks at once? I want an oven that bakes cookies etc, evenly.

30 inch dual fuel, GE Monogram or Wolf

alwaysfixin

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