36" Range w/ griddle: Capital vs. Wolf vs. Thermador

8 years ago

Hi all - I'm shopping for a 36" gas range for an upcoming kitchen remodel. I've read all the info I can find (here and elsewhere) and have narrowed my choices down a bit, but I'd still like to get feedback on a few things from owners of the ranges on my list.

Features I want:
- 36"
- gas (or ideally dual fuel, but not sure it's worth the price increase)
- griddle (I have a lodge cast iron griddle that I've been using set over 2 burners, but not happy with the uneven heat)
- Under $7K (lower is better, of course...)

My current list:
- Capital Culinarian CGSR362G2: $4450 (floor model)
- Wolf GR364G: $6840
- Thermador PRG364JDG: $7700 - ~1000 = ~$6700 (includes a free dishwasher, which we need to buy anyway). This is the Pro Grand model - also might consider the cheaper Pro Harmony.

And my questions:

1. Burners:
The Capital's are open, vs. closed for the others. Capital (23k) wins out on raw power, though the Thermador does have a 22K BTU one. Wolf is way lower at 15K. Wolf & Thermador will simmer better - the Capital I'm looking at still has the older style burners and no 8K simmer burner, though I'm assuming these can be bought and added for a few hundred more $. Has anyone with the Wolf felt like they needed more power? I currently have a basic GE Profile range with a 15K burner - I wouldn't mind being able to boil faster (I homebrew and sometimes like to heat up ~4gal of water on the range). Will the Wolf be any better than my current burner or are all round sealed burners basically the same?

2. Griddle
Capital and Wolf are gas, Thermador is electric. Wolf is "infrared" and sounds like it might be the best, w/ most even heat - I've heard the Capital has hot/cold spots. Can anyone with the Capital comment? I'd like to be able to do nice, even pancakes as well as saute stuff and maybe sear. It sounds like the Thermador doesn't get that hot and takes a long time to get there - I also don't like that it has a coating (Titanium), which some people have reported chipping on.

3. Oven
Capital is a bit smaller than the other two, but not a huge deal. Wolf seems to get the most praise for their ovens; I haven't seen much about the Capital - can anyone comment? Wolf & Capital have infrared broilers, which is nice - Thermador is gas.

4. Service/Misc
It sounds like Wolf probably has the best warranty and service. I also like the looks (subjective) and fit/finish the best.

Congrats if you got through my long-winded first post...and thanks in advance for any feedback!

Featured Answer

sherry0117

8 years ago

My home is under construction so I am not yet using my appliance choices. I am going with Blue Star. I have never used Capital so I can not comment on that.

I have had the Wolf cook top and wall ovens, viking range and thermador range in past homes.

Of those I would say that Wolf AND Viking were equal. However, Wolf is having issues with the interior ovens cracking, I am sure you have read all that. Viking is just making a comeback so who knows. I did have to open the Wolf oven to turn my food for even cooking. The Wolf cook top is not that powerful. I think with Wolf in particular you are paying for the name. It lacks power. It is pretty, and you will get the best service. So if that is the most important thing for you then Wolf is your best bet.

Thermador was a very big disappointment for me. The oven cooked unevenly and the griddle took a life time to get hot and never actually did get hot enough to enjoy cooking on it.

The Viking was a work horse and eventually had issue with the screws on t the door. Not a big deal. I know they had issues with this but it really was not a big deal. After I had mine the company sort of went down hill and got a bad name.

I am going with Blue Star Platinum range top and the new electric wall ovens. I want the the open burner. (personal preference) For me, I also want the 25K BTU burner for wok cooking. It does offer a true simmer. I will be able to throw the griddle on where I want and getting hot enough is not going to be an issue with the high power burners. I am not a trained chef but I love to cook and do A LOT of it. I have not heard any feed back on users of the new BS electric wall ovens but I like that it has a pizza stone in the bottom. I am hopeful that this feature will prove to be wonderfully useful with pizza and rustic breads. It fits a full sheet pan and has 5,000 watt Infrared broiler. My top priority was a wall oven with French Doors. I think I found an oven that had even more than I was hoping for.

All in all, just consider what is your number one most important thing to have and go from there. Then just consider how you cook and what you really need or want. You will find comments positive and negative on everything. Wolf will give the best service, or so everyone says. If that is the most important thing for you then just prioritize the other things on your list and see what you are left with.

Coming to my decisions were gut wrenching for me. I changed my mind what seemed like a 100 times. I finally figured out what was important to ME besides the french doors. Once you really consider how you work in the kitchen one should start to rise to the top. Trust your instincts.

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Comments (7)

cbuehler1
Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for the feedback - I had considered a range top and wall oven, but with the latest design for our kitchen it's going to work best with an all-in-one range. The Wolf I'm looking at has a black interior rather than blue, so I'm not sure the cracking issue applies (is this a gas vs. electric thing?)
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sherry0117
8 years ago
I think if you do go with the Wolf you will be happy. You seldom read that people don't like it. While BTU's are mentioned by you really we all just adjust to what we have. The looks of the Wolf never disappoint. I had been considering Wolf but as I mentioned, top priority for me was the french doors.
Good luck and look forward to seeing pictures.
teachmkt
8 years ago
I have an AG Wolf 36", no griddle but a charbroiler. It's 10 years old so I have the early 16BTU semi-open burners versus the stacked burners on the new model. I also have a Capital dual fuel in a home we're remodeling; I've only cooked on the Capital a few times. Here's what I've experienced so far:
burners: Capital much more even and powerful, especially for pan broiling and wok stir fry. No comparison between the two. I've cooked on the Wolf stacked/closed burners.
Broilers: Wolf IR is very good and hot, Capital pretty much the same. Capital gives you a "convec broil option" which I like. If it's self cleaning it may have the rotisserie.
ovens: Wolf seems to have beefed up the door and its insulation which was needed. My door and front get hot, especially when running the oven hot (pizzas). Wolf maintains temperature pretty well (+/- about 10F) but is a little uneven, the Capital accurate and even. If you're looking at the self-cleaning gas Capital, the extra insulation required makes it very even. IMO not contest between the two depending on how much and what cooking you do. The Wolf has been sturdy, they haven't seemed to stay up with the competition. Won't comment on Thermador other than looked at it, wasn't for me based on how we cook. I looked at Bluestars and have always liked their burners. When we were looking this last time it was either bluestar or capital, nothing else was close. Don't want to ruin your day, but you didn't mention a hood . . .

This post was edited by teachmkt on Sun, Feb 1, 15 at 10:20
hvtech42
8 years ago
The Wolf all gas does not have the chipping issue, but like the above poster I would take Capital over Wolf any day.

By the way, it's great to have a review of the Capital Connoisseurian here. I think this may be our first one from an actual owner.
wekick
8 years ago
There is also this thread over on chowhound.

Here is a link that might be useful: Capital
jkru142
6 years ago
Do not under any circumstances buy Capital. We purchased 2 years ago. Service is beyond terrible. Two burners still don't work (we purchased 6 burner cook top). Many calls to company they simply don't give a damn. Buyer beware !!!!!!!

36" Range w/ griddle: Capital vs. Wolf vs. Thermador

sherry0117

Comments (7)

cbuehler1
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36" Range w/ griddle: Capital vs. Wolf vs. Thermador

sherry0117

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cbuehler1Original Author

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cbuehler1
Original Author