I just installed a Miele 30" induction and one of their hoods. I have the outgoing cooktop so I can't use the connectivity option. I think it would be more of a hindrance for me personally. For example when just boiling some water for coffee, I don't really need the hood to turn on. I could see it useful though for family members that wouldn't remember to turn it on when it's really needed.

i did consider the Freedom, but had concerns about reliability and we ended up doing an all Miele kitchen anyway.

The Thermador has multiple (like 40) small inductors under its surface. When you put a pot down, the unit senses how many inductors are underneath the pot and uses that configuration (round, oval, square) as the shape and size of that pan. You can then move that pan around as you wish and the unit will follow it. You can define use up to 4 pans as I recall.

I wouldn't say that this functionality makes it 'better', just different.

The Miele's that I've seen so far don't do the multiple configuration thing, but the newer ones do have the ability of bridging two hobs together with an inductor in between for complete coverage. (The Bosch Flexinduction has 4 rectangular or oval inductors on each side that can be configured as a large rectangular area if desired.)

I can't see where controlling the vent would be anything other than a gimmick.

Miele units also have TwinBooster functionality where 7.7kw can be channeled through to one hob. That's a lot of power for one hob. Usually boost function for one hob is up to 3.7kw-4kw.

We have the Thermador Freedom induction cooktop and love it. We enjoy using all shapes and sizes of cookware in any position on its surface. I use mostly larger pots or pans and prefer to have them closer toward the front of the cooktop rather than at the back, so this works well for me. We also have the large (13" x 21") griddle pan called the teppan yaki griddle, and have totally enjoyed that.

Teppan Yaki accessory

13"x21" That's a huge one. Miele advocate in the US would have to wait for KM 6395 or its variation to hit the market. It's not even here yet in Australia.

It's super easy to turn the hood on when you want it - I guess it would be kind of nice to go on right away, but I would decide based on the cooktop itself. For me the 4 pot limit of the freedom was a no-go, but I could see it being better for a lot of people. If you are down to just deciding based on controls I personally would not spend the money, especially considering that they are likely a little less reliable.

What is this KM 6395?

It is not on the US website and appears to be an upgrade over anything Miele sells here. It has the main selling point of the Thermador -- the ability to put your pots anywhere on the surface. It also has a much more advanced looking control interface.

However, the product page linked above by Chanop does not say anything about connectivity with hoods. I also found information about this cooktop in a Miele press release in 2013 so perhaps it's not new and not every coming to the US.

The newest cooktops on Miele's US website have this new hood connectivity feature but do not have a surface that lets you put your pots anywhere. If Miele already has a induction cooktops with this capability why wouldn't they put it in their newest models?

Does anyone know if the KM 6395 can be purchased in the US?

I have one of the Miele induction cooktops with conectivity to the hood, and must say I love this feature. The hood adapts to the controls on the cooktop (so for instance if you are frying stuff and use a higher temperature or have two pots on at the same time it will go on three, if you just have one pan and use a low temp, it will be on one etc.). Also, the hood will run for a few minutes more after the cooktop, to make sure it absorbs as much smell as possible.

I also remember the Miele service guy telling me that I should always turn on the hood, even if just boiling water. Supposedly it's bad for I don't remember what parts if the vapours/heat reaches them.

For others it might be just a gimmic, but I found it to be a feature I really appreciate.

I've never heard that not turning a hood on can damage it. Especially if you're just frying an egg or something.

If you're doing lightweight cooking, isn't it annoying to have the hood come on for every little thing? Is there a way to stop that from happening?

It's not annoying at all. The hood I have is very quiet so it doesn't bother me.

You can turn it off after it turns on, but I don't think it can be programed to only turn on in certain situations.

Looks like KM 6395 was a couple of yeas old and wasn't equiped with connectivity like their newest range of induction cooktop. Nevertheless, it won iF World Design Guide awards and here, and seems to be able to handle five cooking zones at a time.

The main drawback is perhaps, price. At £5500, it is more than double the price of 36" KM 6388/6389 at £2400 which is equivalent to 42" KM 6377, but tiny bit more compact in layout. Another is perhaps total power that can be channelled though for one pan, for which I think it is 3.7kw per some info here and there. Miele with TwinBooster units can do 7.7kw.

OMG! That sounds terrible!!!

Does anyone know if experiences like this are common with this cooktop or Thermador in general?

Makes me want to avoid Thermador at all costs. Fortunately, the Freedom cooktop is the only Thermador appliance I ordered. But if I get a problem unit I'll be hating life.

Generally, the more gadgetry, the more parts and hence the lower the reliability unless higher performance parts are used at reduced stress. (This would be rare for appliances.) My view is that some major desirable feature has to be present to justify the higher life-cycle cost of a system with marginally useful added gadgetry. An example would be choosing to fund the endless complexity growth of Audis to continue to enjoy the driveability and safety of quattro all-wheel drive.