I'm so happy that you created this post because about 20 years ago I installed an Asko in a kitchen remodel and absolutely LOVED it! I never knew anyone else that owned one and somehow Bosch has gotten a lot of press over these years. Now I'm in a new house and hate the Bosch that came with the house and am doing a kitchen upgrade and in my search can't find hardly anything on the Asko dishwashers. I went to an appliance store and they were promoting Kitchen Aid so I was kinda going to go that route. Now with the shortage, I decided to find out about the lead time for an Asko and call different high-end appliance stores. I found a place that said they are receiving a shipment in early January. This time the lady I spoke with said that they sell many Asko's and that since SubZero/Wolf took it over many customers buy because of that connection. I was reassured after speaking with her and also this thread gave me the confidence again that I once had in Asko. It's just so strange that you don't find any comparisons or information on Asko. It's as if they are a non-player in the indutry but sounds like they are with those in the higher end world. Seriously I can't tell you how much I loved my Asko. I never had to rinse my dishes and that always impressed my guests. I mean why else do I need a dishwasher if I'm going to rinse or wash before???!!! Yay. I'm getting my Asko once again and I can't wait!! I'll try and come back here and post my experience since I'll have a fresh comparison with my current Bosch.

36" Gas Range Top Open Burner: Capital Culinarian Series CGRT366 $3424 BlueStar RGTNB RGTNB366BV1 ~$3200 Sealed Burners:Wolf Srt366 6 Burners MRSP $3825* Thermador Professional Series PCG366G $3099 Average: $3387 30" Electric Double Wall Ovens: Electrolux Wave-Touch EW30EW65GS $3009 Thermador Masterpiece Series ME302JS $3999 Bosch 300 HBL350UC $2154 Average: $3084 30" Electric Single Wall Oven: Electrolux ICON Professional E30SO75FPS $1999 Thermador Masterpiece ME301J $2699 Miele Classic Design H4884BPSS $4299 Bosch 800 HBL8750UC $3055 Average: $3013 30" Electric Single Wall Oven with Microwave: Bosch 800 HBL8750UC $3055 Electrolux ICON Designer E30MC75JSS $3599 Thermador Masterpiece MEDMC301J $4299 Average: $3651 24" Drawer Microwave: Sharp Insight Pro KB6524P $777 Wolf MWD242US MRSP $1690* Thermador MD24JS $1499 Average: $1322 36" Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator: Samsung RFG237AA $2899 Samsung RSG257AA $2199 KitchenAid Architect II KBFS20EV $1709 Whirlpool Gold GI0FSAXV $2695 Average: $2376 24" Dishwashers: Bosch 500 SHE55M1 SS $895 http://www.retrevo.com/samples/Bosch-Dishwasher.html Miele Futura Classic G4205SC $999 Miele Futura Crystal G5105SCSS $1399 KitchenAid Superba KUDE20IX $854 Average: $1037 24" Under Counter Refrigerator Center: Subzero UC-24BG/O MSRP $2125* Perlick C-Series HC24BB $2049 Electrolux IQ-Touch EI24BC65GS $1524 U Line 1000 1075BEVS00 $1179 Average: $1719 Variable Appliance Arrangements: I. 36" Gas RangeTop Average: $3387 30" Electric Double Wall Ovens Average: $3084 24" Drawer Microwave Average: $1322 36" Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator Average: $2376 24" Dishwasher Average: $1037 24" Under Counter Refrigerator Center Average: $1719 Total $12,925.00 w/o tax, S&H, Install II. 36" Gas RangeTop Average: $3387 30" Electric Single Wall Oven with Microwave $3651 36" Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator Average: $2376 24" Dishwasher Average: $1037 24" Under Counter Refrigerator Center Average: $1719 Total: $12,170.00 w/o tax, S&H, Install III. 36" Gas RangeTop Average: $3387 30" Electric Single Wall Oven Average $3013 24" Drawer Microwave Average: $1322 36" Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator Average: $2376 24" Dishwasher Average: $1037 24" Under Counter Refrigerator Center Average: $1719 Total Average: $12,854.00 w/o tax, S&H, Install References: - The Least Serviced/Most Reliable Appliance Brands (Reviews/Ratings) Posted by Steve Sheinkopf on Thu, Aug 23, 2012 http://blog.yaleappliance.com/bid/52334/KitchenAid-vs-Bosch-Dishwashers- -The 5 Most Serviced/Least Reliable Appliance Brands Posted by Steve Sheinkopf on Fri, Sep 14, 2012 http://blog.yaleappliance.com/bid/86397/The-5-Most-Serviced-Least-Reliable- -The 4 Most Reliable Appliance Manufacturers Posted by Steve Sheinkopf on Wed, May 25, 2011 http://blog.yaleappliance.com/bid/55677/The-4-Most-Reliable-Appliance-\ Prices as listed on AJMadison.com 10/16/12 except as marked * -SW

From the KP manual The Turbo Boil burner (18k BTU) is the most powerful burner for cooking in larger pots, for canning, for large amounts of soup, or for boiling water, and it is located at the right front of the cooktop. • The Simmer burner (5k BTU) is best suited for simmering delicate sauces, and so on, and it is located at the right back of the cooktop. • The Power burner (12k BTU) is recommended for bringing large quantities of liquid to temperature and when preparing larger quantities of food, and it is located at the left front of the cooktop. • One standard burner (7.5k BTU) may be used for most surface cooking needs, being designed to fit most cookware. It is located at the left back of the cooktop. • The Simmer Oval burner is located in the center of the cooktop and consists of a center burner (the 5k BTU Oval Simmer burner) and an oval burner, consisting of two, 12k burners. The center, Oval Simmer, burner can be set separately from the overall Simmer Oval burner. This is badly written bc it makes you think the center consists of 5+12+12 but does this actually mean the center is 5+12 = 17? If so, total of 59. If not, and center is 12, then 54. I am looking at all gas too.

IMO it's a personal decision that wouldn't be the same for everyone. I didn't read every response, so excuse me if this isn't all relevant to your question anymore. Looks are incredibly important to me, but I think I'd go for the nicer appliances. For me, if I have nicer appliances it would make it more fun to cook. Many less expensive appliances get the job done and just as many other people don't care. I don't know what the cabinets look like that you are choosing from, but simple and plain can be elegant if done correctly, and the appliances will really pop. A simple quartz countertop can be really nice too. I looked at your quartizite as well, but you can get something just as pretty for less if you wanted. It depends on your look. In general, I'd say get more plain cabinetry and a nicer countertop, however, I'm doing the exact opposite, so go figure! We are getting horizontal planking on our cabinetry with grain, so I decided a quiet countertop would actually look best. I found a solid white marble with no veining that is less than quartzite. I realize marble isn't for everyone. I think, depending on your design, a solid white quartz can be beautiful too. I just went to a friends house who had the most plain white cabinets and countertops and I thought it was stunning in it's simplicity. But, of course it depends what else is going on in your room. If I were changing some of the appliances, I'd personally keep the range and d/w, and then maybe downgrade the hood and fridge. the first two have a lot of function that you might notice more than just ever so slightly more smells or a different layout in the fridge)