Induction cooktop 36" - Wolf vs Miele vs Bosch

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

We are installing a 36" induction cooktop and would like feedback or recommendations. We cook with large pots (11-14") frequently and need the space to spread out. Miele has 3 burners plus a large dual zone; Bosch Benchmark has one large burner plus two large dual zones, and Wolf has one large burner plus four small burners that can be cross-configured for larger pots (though not sure how well this works for a single large saucepan?). Price-wise, Miele is most expensive and Bosch is least. Our biggest concerns are: function (i.e., large pots), ease of use (are controls intuitive and easy to use?) and reliability. Oh, and it seems as though the Wolf doesn't have a ship-date yet, which makes me nervous. We appreciate any thoughts about your experiences!

Featured Answer

Kim G

8 years ago

When I was shopping for an induction the Miele was not yet announced so I have not had the chance to try their new cooktop. I was initially going with Bosch Benchmark but did not like how it defaulted to bridge mode on the 2 bridged elements. I did not find this intuitive from a control stand point, I went with Wolf as it had better pot recognition and I liked the flexibility of the 4 way bridge. I have only used the 4 way bridge once for a large griddle as it was wider than 2 bridged elements and it worked well for pancakes. I have not used it for a large pot. The user manual does state there will be a dead zone in the center of the 4 elements when bridged. I would also expect dead space if you put an 11" round pot on a bridged 9" wide rectangular element. I also liked the way the Wolf controls worked having separate controls for each burner where bosch you had to select the burner and then the level. Many posters like having the separate element timers and shut off on the Bosch - this is not something I have ever had so it was not high on my list. Not sure where you are located but in the US the Wolf is the least expensive of the three at least through my appliance dealer. I went with the frameless model. I have had my Wolf 5.5 months and very happy with it. It is a fairly new model so cannot speak to the reliability.

Comments (15)

Jill Littlejohn
8 years ago
We are in the same boat so I'm anxious to hear others' input as well!
Related Discussions
36" induction cooktops: Wolf / Miele / Thermador / Bosch??
Q
Comments (23)
sherri1058: I pretty much agree with you: reliability is key for me, but neither the online reviews nor Consumer Reports always gives one a clear bottom line, at least for me. Negative reviews may overly influence me. But re. the function of appliances these days: I think many digital interfaces are way over-designed with too many layers to go through to set it -- that's what I want to avoid on my oven choice! sjhockeyfan: Thanks for your input -- I appreciate it. Most of the negative comments have been from the Benchmark flex users, I think. I am trying to "gang" purchases as much as reasonably possible, but expect that will still mean 2-3 brands, at minimum (Bosch cooktop and/or side swing oven + DW, for example). htc2015: I was given links some time ago (sorry, did not save) that assured me that there were no significant health risks, except some potential risks to a pacemaker user. I am hypochondriacal and have had cancer, so I took this seriously.
...See More
New kitchen in progress - 36" Wolf vs Miele induction cooktop
Q
Comments (15)
Thank you all for great info! Wolf's cold spots in the middle is a little bummer. I wouldn't expect this kind of design on 5 way bridge cooktop. The elements suppose to be made by French company Jaeger Hiflux. Their Crescendo model is quite different from what I have ever seen in induction cooktops. Check this out.. http://www.jaeger-sas.com/#!induction-en/cl7w Anyway since Wolf has no flex in bridge mode then we might take another look into 36" GE Cafe model which was #3 on our list. It has only one no flex bridge mode, but it's much cheaper than Wolf or Miele. That model has many positive reviews including #1 on CR rating (99 out of 100). On both GE & Wolf we like simple, clean interface. GE is better with 17 vs 10 levels on Wolf. On GE minus side is power sharing (not quite sure how much problem is that in real use) and only 1 year warranty vs 3 year on Wolf. However much bigger problem on GE Cafe is SS color. My DH says that specific color is clashing with our choice of Silestone Kensho countertop (light gray). I don't see it as bad but we might loose it on that argument. No question the decision between Miele vs Wolf vs GE Cafe is giving us more headaches than any other appliance.
...See More
Thermador Freedom vs Miele 42" (KM6377) vs Wolf 36" Induction Cooktop
Q
Comments (5)
I second looking at the Bosch benchmark. I liked the controls on the Bosch and the Wolf. They both seemed to do a good job recognizing small pots on large burners. I don’t own either but I have tested displays. I really disliked the Thermador Freedom. Reasons are: 1) I had trouble getting controls to react when I pressed them. The gaggenau version was worse. Even the salesmen had trouble. 2) Limited to four pots/pans. Most 36 inch cooktops allow 5. 3) it is not as free as you expect. If I recall, there are limits to how many items you can put on one side. If you turn up the heat on one item, it turns down heat on the other behind your back. Other cooktops have these restrictions also, but they are explicit. Here they are implicit which makes it very confusing whenthings don’t work or you discover 15 minutes later the water you set to boil is only simmering..... I have seen reports of problems with Miele controls but I have not tested them myself. This was several years ago when the 42 inch first came out. I love the idea of a 42 inch induction cooktop but I also think it’s too risky when only one manfacuturer makes one that size. I found the Bosch flexinduction cooktop the most flexible followed by the Wolf. Caveat: I tested these out several years ago. I don’t know what improvements/changes manufacturers have made since then.
...See More
36 inch monogram induction cooktop vs miele
Q
Comments (2)
Have you considered the Wolf 36” induction? It’s more comparable to the Miele, I think, than the Monogram, although I like the color of the Monogram too!
...See More
etab35
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you Kimg1114 for the really helpful information on the Wolf. I did not realize that the 4-burner configuration will have a dead-space in the middle, though that makes sense given the look of the design. That sounds like it may be a problem for us. I have also heard that the Bosch two-step controls were difficult because you had to first select the burner and then the control. The Miele is looking like the better option, though of course it's the most expensive. I need to do more investigation on how the Miele controls work. I'd also be very grateful to hear from Miele owners out there!
etab35
Original Author
8 years ago
Jill, I just found this chain in the Kitchen forum which is helpful http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3616147/miele-36-km-6370-or-km-6375-induction-cooktop-reviews
Tricia Snyder
8 years ago
Just curious, did you consider the Thermador Freedom or the Gaggenau induction? I am considering them, Miele, Wolf and the Bosch as well.
dbabrams
8 years ago
I considered them, but the salesman was really pushing me not to because of the new technology. There's a thread on here about some problems with the Thermador. I ended up with a Miele and love it so far.
etab35
Original Author
8 years ago
I've ruled out the Thermador because of reported problems with reliability and difficulty of getting maintenance. And Gaggenau doesn't seem to be well-supported in my city. The Miele seems to be the leader for me right now, based on configuration and GW user feedback. Glad to hear that dbabrams has been happy with it as well!
cpartist
8 years ago
I have also heard that the Bosch two-step controls were difficult because you had to first select the burner and then the control.

Right now I have a Bosch electric and when I build my house I'm planning on the Bosch induction 800. (I don't need the flex zone.) I had to comment about the controls because they are basically the same on the induction and the electric cooktops.

I LOVE the way the controls are because they are numbered in 1/2 number increments. So no sliding a bar. Yes you push the on/off button, and then pick your burner, and then your number but it takes less than 2 seconds if that long to do so. So if I want to saute on medium, I'll push 6.5.

Plus when I get the induction, I am looking forward to the individual burner timers.
sjhockeyfan325
8 years ago
ditto what cp said - I have a similar Bosch induction unit (mine is the 500 series, which had all those features when I got it in 2013, now some of them are only available on the 800 series). I love the way the controls are set up.
lharpie
8 years ago
Bring your pots into a showroom to try them out. Function-wise I suspect you would be happy with any of these, but layout may be another story. I chose the Miele (not with the flex burner - was not out yet) because I wanted to easily be able to use 3 12" skillets at the same time - it's great for that, and much better than the newer model IMO or any of the other models. Many of them just have smaller hob sizes which are not as good for larger skillets (boiling water doesn't matter so much - so depends on what you are doing). Love the separate burner timers too - we use them a lot more than we thought we would for our pressure cooker, rice, pasta, drying cast iron, etc. Definitely thrilled with our choice all the way around! You probably can't make a wrong choice here though.
Kim Ladin
8 years ago
What does a "dead zone" mean with induction cooking? How bad is the temp difference?
Jo
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
A dead zone is the space between two bridged hobs. The "how bad" depends on the quality of your pots and how well (and fast) they distribute heat. On my Ikea fryiny pan: very bad, I can clearly see in the pan where the dead zone is. On the Demeyere not so much.
alishaes
6 years ago
I'm curious if you're all still loving your induction cooktops? Any issues? I'm on the fence between induction and gas. Love the easy clean up with induction.
clt3
6 years ago
Got rid of my Fisher & Paykel gas for Wolf induction. Love it. It was the only brand that would fit because there's an oven underneath.
lharpie
6 years ago
Yep. Still using our Miele. It's only been two years but zero issues and still absolutely love it. We switched from gas and will absolutely not be going back. After using it my dad wanted one too but didn't have enough room for a 36" sadly.

Induction cooktop 36" - Wolf vs Miele vs Bosch

Kim G

Comments (15)

Jill Littlejohn

Related Discussions

etab35
Original Author

etab35
Original Author

Tricia Snyder

dbabrams

etab35
Original Author

cpartist

sjhockeyfan325

lharpie

Kim Ladin

Jo

alishaes

clt3

lharpie

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Induction cooktop 36" - Wolf vs Miele vs Bosch

Comments (15)

Related Discussions

etab35Original Author

etab35Original Author

etab35Original Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

etab35
Original Author

etab35
Original Author

etab35
Original Author