Lower budget than subzero... thermador or kitchen aid?

10 years ago

Hi! I'm trying desperately to make a wolf and subzero combination work with our budget. But, I'm also looking at an alternative. Are these good alternatives or is there something else?? I could save some bucks on a less expensive oven, and still get my Wolf cooktop that I really like.

1. Thermador
Column Ref/Freezer
Cooktop Gas
Double Oven

2. Kitchen Aid
Unknown fridge
Gas Cooktop
Double oven

3. Electrolux oven seems to be popular

4. Have yet to look at GE...

Would love some mix and match ideas.

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Comments (10)

deeageaux
10 years ago
Ref/Freezer Thermador Freedom Collection

Cooktop Bluestar (Much better than Wolf)

The only feature Wolf has that Bluestar does not is the burner can go low enough to work as a warm plate.Temperature evenness and top end power is much better on Bluestar. Bluestar can go low enough to actually simmer even the most delicate sauces.
Themador Masterpiece Series 30 inch Double Wall Oven floor model $2899 with free shipping in link below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Thermador Ovens
gabethan
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks! I have seen some good deals on ebay. I'm a bit nervous to go that route. Do you know if Thermador makes their own oven? I have found that their columns are made in the same factory as Miele, and the dishwasher is Bosch. I'm wondering if Thermador's oven is it's own??
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We did similar measuring of the KA and the Thermador version they were making. The space ws different, even thought they were considered retooled versions of the same thing. My point was more to noticing things like lips on edged that limit use of space (someting can hang over slightly, but not if there is a lip that would cause it to tip), brackets that prevent you from using space in the back, accessability of the space -- especially places like the drawers )don't remember if SZ has full extension, but that is so wonderful), and things like the depth of that top shelf on the Thermador door is deep enough for stick of butter or margarine to go in depth-wise rather than width wise like my old fridge -- giving you the ability to store twice as much. I obviously love my columns, and it was the 36" that got me to look at them. I thought we'd already picked another frige when they came out. I loved that 36" FD or I wouldn't have opened the towers. We'd already put in a larger space for the fridge and the cabinets were ordered. I even considered adding or changing a cabinet, but went with the columns. I'm happy every day that we did. And that's really the point -- to find what works best for you and to make the decision for yourself, based on your needs and preferences. Folks say it's just a box to keep things cold, and there is truth to that. BUT, I am seeing that you use that fridge several times a day, every day. Even on days I'm not baking or cooking, that fridge is used a lot. If it's not holding things the way you need it to or you can't get to things easily, it's not right and it dosn't mater one iota whose name is stuck on it. If the size or configuration inside the SZ works better for you, get it. But if you like the Thermador better, don't let someone who hasn't owned one and used it everyday talk you out of it because thay had a meeting with the other rep last week or have an incentive to sell a different product. Figgure out whetehr an added fraction of an inch will mean another row of bottles or jars fit or whether it's not that significant. And you will use the fridge long after a ding is resolved, so get what will be right for everyday for a long time. It's worth it. We made a special point of looking at the SZ736 because it would integrate beautifully if we panelled it and I liked the idea of the freezer drawers below. It took me 5-10 seconds to know it wasn't right for us. I could have the ice down in that bottom drawer. In Texas, that's not good at least 10 months out of the year. I am also tall and I have neck problems that make bending and reaching more of an issue. That doesn't make it a bad fridge -- just one that isn't good for me. Hope you find the one that makes you happiest and that it keeps you happy for a long time.
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sjhockeyfan325
10 years ago
Thermador and Bosch are the same company.
xedos
10 years ago
hockeyfan et al - Bosch and Thermador are not the same company . To the consumer they may look very similar and they do share a lot of the same technology and even products back and forth.

But - they are managed separately. Thermador is owned by Bosch Appliances in the USA which is under the Bosch USA umbrella which is also into auto parts and tools. USA reports back to the German parent which is also into solar power, automotive systems, security systems,product packaging, and healthcare technologies. They are a HUGE multinational and sure they have their hand in T'dor's business - but they are not just rebadging the Bosch catalog with a Thermador stencil and charging you an xtra 200 bucks a unit.

Gabe - if SZ built in fridge isn't in your budget - then one from Tdor or KA isn't going to be either. Not really. Family sized built ins are multi thousand dollar fridges no matter what brand you buy. Sure there is a few hundred dollars difference between the brands, but as a percentage we're talking 10-20% .
gabethan
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi xedos - I'm also looking at configurations. The towers are cheaper than a larger subzero by a few thousand which could allow me the wolf oven and cooktop I like. I just don't know if they have the reliability, and if I should just go with a smaller subzero that may not work well with all my fresh produce. Kitchenaid was priced out for me, and it came out $8k less than subzero/wolf.
sjhockeyfan325
10 years ago
it is my understanding that the 30" single-door bottom freezer Bosch and the 30" single-door bottom freezer Thermador are exactly the same, the only difference being you can't get the Bosch "panel-ready" (only stainless). To me, "Thermador is owned by Bosch Appliances in the USA" makes them the same company.
xedos
10 years ago
The freedom platform (towers) is plenty reliable and has been in the U.S. market for 5-10 years now under the T'dor, Bosch,Gaggenau and Miele brands.

Your lettuce may do better in a SZ because they have a ethylene filter in their boxes. This performance will cost you though.

My take is - produce several weeks old is not really all that fresh even if it does look or last longer in my fridge than yours.

Buy based on utility and price , not what ifs.
gabethan
Original Author
10 years ago
Agreed. The only one that I am considering but cannot see in person are the new sub-zero columns. I hear they are available for purchase but are not in the showroom in town.
xedos
10 years ago
hockey - of course you can view it any way you'd like but............

Is Lexus the same thing as Toyota ? Think not

How about Smart and Mercedes Benz - or Chrysler when Benz owned them ? Absolutely not.

Whirlpool or Kitchen Aid dishwasher ?

Would you rather have a Tappan range or an Electrolux Icon or a Molteni island cook station made to order ? All the same thing in your world cause Electrolux "owns" the lot of them !

Think you're a bit naive if you think just because a division is owned by a parent it is the "same" thing" If it were exactly the same the suits would simply roll up the carpet and turn the lights out on all the employees and pay themselves a larger bonus .

Oh, and for the record: the 30" over unders you're talking about are not "exactly" / except the same ! The interiors are quite different and the Bosch was available as a panel variant but was dropped in favor of providing the "add on " stainless panels with the unit with a raised price. You can just as easily remove the stainless ones and add cherry if you'd like just as on the Thermador version.

SZ is in the middle of transitioning the new generation so by end of Jan. you should be able to see units in most metro cities. It'll take awhile for second tier cities to replace their displays.
sjhockeyfan325
10 years ago
FWIW, yes, I do think Toyota and Lexus are the "same company", not that all their cars are identical to each other (although some are).

Lower budget than subzero... thermador or kitchen aid?

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Lower budget than subzero... thermador or kitchen aid?

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