Appliance advice for new large kitchen

7 years ago

Hi everyone. We're doing the planning for a new home build with a large kitchen. We have 4 kids, the oldest of which is 12, and we do a lot of cooking for friends and family, which is only going to get busier as the kids grow up. We'd like to have the capability to cook the normal set of things, but also have a steam oven and a speedoven/microwave combo, all built in so the counters can stay nice and neat.

We are thinking about two sets of options:

1) A Thermador 48 grand pro steam range ( PRD48JDSU), which has a nice set of burners, a griddle for breakfast items, and a steam oven, albeit one that is non-plumbed).

Combined with that, we would have a Jenn-Air Wall oven/ Speedoven combo (JMW3430DS) to complement the range. The Wifi connection and the menu system are nicely high tech, which the thermador isn't.

Alternatively, we could go higher end, with a Miele Wall oven (H6780BPSS) and a Miele speed oven (H6700BMSS), but the speed oven is only 24" and would need a trim kit to line up nicely with the wall oven. I like the M-touch system a lot, and again is a nice compliment to the simpler Thermador.

2) A Miele 48" dual fuel range with speed oven (HR1956 DF GD), and the Miele Wall Oven from above, but coupled with the Miele Speed oven (DGC65051XLSS). All high tech with M touch, all Miele, same style and same steel look. But the oven has had some pretty bad reviews here, and I am not sure the best place for the microwave is the smaller oven on side instead of higher up in the wall. The steam oven also needs a trim kit as before.

I think 2) looks nicer, and is more integrated, but worry the range is a problem now, trim kit hurts the look, and the Thermador 48 seems like a safer bet, though it would be multiple brands and different type of interfaces.

The other benefit of the the Thermador is that you get a nice deal on the Thermador dishwasher as well, which people seem to like.

What do you all think about the choices? Any other combos that we should be looking at?

thanks!

Mike

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (8)

DrB477
7 years ago
You want a wall oven + double oven 48" range + speed oven? 4 ovens? Seems like a lot. I think you could drop the wall oven?

I went with progrand steam + miele speed oven myself.
fresno boy
Original Author
7 years ago
Well, I don't really want 4 ovens. I need two large ovens for events like thanksgiving where I need to cook two large turkeys that I don't think could be both accomodated in thermador alone, and large ovens don't have steam or microwave in them, which means smaller ovens there too.

I guess i could always do more smaller arrangements of food at the few really big meals a year and love without the second large oven.

how do you like your pro grand? Does the steam oven work well for you?

thx!

mike
Related Discussions
Kitchen appliance advice for new build
Q
Comments (11)
I would consider getting a cooktop/rangetop and separate ovens. You can pick exactly the components that fit your needs. If one thing goes out, you don't have to replace it all. If you like to bake I would consider an electric oven. There is a lot written on the difference between the two. I think having convection makes the biggest difference. Some ovens have modes to be very specific in how heat is directed. They are wonderful if they are proven and work. They are additional electronics that in the worst case can be subject to damage from self cleaning or just not work, causing hot spots. A current issue with some ovens is the enamel of blue ovens. I have a Wolf and Electrolux both bake great but I just discovered that both floors of the oven are pitting over the elements. Sheesh! I had problems with the Elux initially and they replaced the oven because the enamel was chipping. It is out of warranty but I do have an extended warranty. The Wolf is parts only so will have to see what they will do. Neither has been exposed to very high heat. I had a Dacor range and oven 5 years ago with blue enamel and it came off too. There have been some things written about blue enamel. Have you considered induction for a cooktop? Agree with above there is so much written. At the bottom of the appliance forum home page, there is a search box. Some things to search ovens gas vs electric ovens steam ovens speed ovens range rangetop vs cooktop sealed open burners (brand name) service The more you read, you can get even more specific in searches. Think about how you cook! There are many features and benefits on appliances but not all will be relevant to you. This is a recent thread on "must haves" What are your favorite kitchen must haves?
...See More
Appliances & priorities: small kitchen and large fridge?
Q
Comments (6)
Smal, I sympathize with your dilemna. So, here for what they're worth, are my two cents. I don't think a good fridge and freezer are wastes of money at all. You can't cook without food. And you need to keep the food you're going to cook. Do you live close to shopping? How often do you shop? How much do you cook? The small house we're building is 7+ miles on a gravel road from the nearest corner store, and 35-40 miles from a "real" grocery store. There are only 2 of us, but I buy in bulk since we only shop every 10-14 days. Keeping the produce etc. usable is pretty important. So for me, the fridge *is* part of "cooking equipment." And every bit as important. On size: CD fridges don't hold as much as "normal" depth fridges unless they're wide - physics, you know. In our current house we have a relatively small kitchen - the only CD fridge we could fit was a 27" model (all fridge. We put a small freezer in the laundry room). We like it, but we routinely have to double or triple-deck everything and it's somewhat of a pain trying to balance containers and packages on top of each other. Things also routinely get lost in the back of the shelf. The larger but still not huge kitchen I'm building now will have a 36" under/over CD fridge - and a freezer in the laundry room. I'm hoping the extra inches will alleviate some of the stacking and mystery items. In addition to how often you shop, think about how and what you cook. If you cook mostly from scratch, your storage needs will be different than if you cook mostly from prepared foods. Do you use more frozen veggies than fresh? Do you cook large batches and then freeze part for another day? Freezer space and accessability become more important if you do. Finally, I'm not sure what you mean by the large drawer on a FD unit. The drawer would be the same size as a drawer on a non-FD CD unit - less than 24" deep. I don't know if this helped any. Sorry.
...See More
I'm driving myself crazy trying to select large kitchen appliances
Q
Comments (30)
Devil's advocate here! While I'm saving for my gas range (high-end pro-style brand TBD) in my new home, I've been using an induction "hot plate." I understand that this isn't quite the same as a full on induction range or cooktop, but how can anybody actually like this? I've enjoyed the quick cook times as long as the pan is in contact with the surface, but if you like to flip your pans, forget it. If the pan isn't in contact with the burner, the burner shuts off, just like it's supposed to do. You can't flame with it (separate lighter, torch, or matches) and you have to buy extra stuff if you have non-induction ready cookware. Not a fan. I'll stick with gas. Yes, it takes more to clean, but it's not a big deal in my opinion. And definitely worth the superior results. There's a reason why chefs use gas, and this adventure with an induction cooktop shows me why.
...See More
Choosing new appliances - need advice
Q
Comments (19)
Rita, I had a Gaggenau side opening door, blue interior as well. It came with a rotisserie which I used frequently to roast chicken leg of lamb etc; made a horrific mess but very tasty chicken. I used the self clean function when it needed it. Personally I don't care all that much for the blue interior everyone seems to rave about. I like my oven interior to sort of fade into the background of my kitchen not be the focal point. I've read so many of the sad stories of people on this forum who spent a lot of $$ for their ovens then had major grief to get them replaced only for the chipping, spalling to happen again. The other thing is it wasn't just one disgruntled owner. I would NEVER buy a Wolf oven and quite frankly it turns me off all of their other products; however fine they may be. It sends the message they don't stand behind their product and continue to knowingly manufacture deficient products. I am, however, curious why a company like Sub Zero who makes a top notch product and stands behind their products would buy Wolf and inherit the oven grief. (Wanting to get into the cooking end of kitchens?) Someone on the board who made this decision must be delusional. The lawsuits will continue for years. My Florida house has a "Russel Range" They were a fine company making cooktops, hoods and range tops. Someone in their company decided they needed to get into the oven business and farmed it out have someone make it and put their brand on the oven. I don't remember but think it was an australian company. They wanted to have moist heat for proofing and some other things. It gets very complicated to get an oven UL approved. Unfortunately they went belly up. I was ready to order my range top, they were not answering their phone. I finally ended up searching everywhere trying to locate one and bought a used one from a local distributor who wanted it out of his "live" showroom. I hope that doesn't happen to SubZero. I also frequently read on this forum "don't buy Viking we don't know yet if things have turned around. Don't buy GE because the Chinese own it." Yet a lot of people continue to buy Wolf ovens; because of their blue interior? I don't hear a lot of "Don't buy a Wolf Oven" Now I'm getting off my soapbox. Inga
...See More
Chanop
7 years ago
Mike, if you can forego the idea of a range, and would be happy with a range top. I would suggest either a Capital or a BlueStar range top , or perhaps even a Miele range top to go with a set of Miele wall ovens.

Then you will have a freedom to choose a good set of working wall ovens, may be steam combi DGC 6805 and speed H 6800 BM in one column, and convection H 6880BP and ESW 6880 in the next column. Then 24" vs 30" wouldn't be much of an issue for you by separating them into different columns.
johnsoro25
7 years ago
I have the pro grand steam and a microwave. The steam oven works very well for me as a second oven. It preheats so quickly and I use the reheat function a few times per week. I understand one could cook a 14lb turkey in the steam oven, but I haven't tried it.

I have been extremely happy with this range.
DrB477
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
My steam range is waiting to be installed, so can't provide much feedback, but the showroom had it hooked up and functional as their demo and I was impressed enough to drop around 15k on it...

I'd rethink the 4 oven setup. You could do a turkey breast in the steam oven rather than two full turkeys for thanksgiving. The small oven can fit a small whole turkey (12-14lbs or so). I cooked for 26 this year with my double oven standard sized 30" range + a counter toaster/convection oven + air fryer. Wasn't too bad even with that setup, would have been a piece cake with the new setup.

Other options might be

36" range with a single oven instead of the 48." You lose 2 burners (or the griddle/grill) on the range though.

rangetop + wall ovens

keep the wall oven, but get a regular MW instead of SO
stevep2005
7 years ago
I like the range top + wall ovens config suggestion with one 'but'. We have a 36" Bluestar range top - love it but whish I had the space for a 48" range top with grill. Also have dual 30" Therm convection ovens and use both ovens often. The 'but' factors in depending on your cooking preferences. Some foods cook better with the precision of electric ovens, or the humidity or flame broil of gas. So if you want ULTIMATE flexibility and have crazy budget, you get 4 ovens. If you don't need dual fuel ovens and prefer the under the range storage, or space to put warming drawers, then go range top. The other reason for separating range top from ovens is if you have two cooks - you reduce some of the traffic madness in front of the range.
fresno boy
Original Author
7 years ago
Thanks folks. Sounds like no one advocates the Miele Range option. Do the Miele rangetops have the same issue with burner explosions and clicking that the range does?

The Thermador range option has the advantage of the discount on dishwashers, and if the steam oven capability works well, seems like a better approach to me than having 4 ovens in the wall.

There were no comments about the Jenn-air option. Do folks here have any experience with these, positive or negative?

Just going to a less expensive microwave only option means another set of UI to deal with, and I haven't found a large built-in microwave with venting that isn't obvious, but maybe folks here know of such.

Thanks,

Mike
Chanop
7 years ago
I would have guessed that Miele rangetop uses the same design as Miele range, so most likely it would have the same issue people have been reporting. It is also a sealed burner, and we all do know that open burners on Capital and BlueStar rangetop would be sweet for cooking.

Miele ovens, on the other hand, are really good. Perhaps, get a Miele built-in microwave instead of speed oven. At least it is half the price. UI will be a bit different, but look will be the same either PureLine or ContourLine to go with the rest of Miele ovens etc.

Appliance advice for new large kitchen

Comments (8)

DrB477

fresno boy
Original Author

Related Discussions

Chanop

johnsoro25

DrB477

stevep2005

fresno boy
Original Author

Chanop

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Appliance advice for new large kitchen

Comments (8)

DrB477

fresno boyOriginal Author

Related Discussions

Chanop

johnsoro25

DrB477

stevep2005

fresno boyOriginal Author

Chanop

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

fresno boy
Original Author

fresno boy
Original Author