I agree with your DH. In order to squeeze 5 burners into a 30” top, well, it’s just geometry. That is 5 burners in the same space that 4 burners traditionally go. Typically with these 5-burner ranges there is a center one that takes up the most space. The other burners will only fit smaller pots and pans if the center burner is being used.

Here is how you resolve this decision: Take your 3 favorite pots/pans to a store that has the 5-burner range on display. Don’t feel embarrassed; this is an expensive purchase and plenty of people do this. See how those pots/pans fit, and your decision is made.

Re your 3 brands of Thermador, Wolf and Viking, Idk why those are the only ones you are looking at. Take Viking off the table, that brand has been awful for 15 years at this point. You are incorrect in thinking Viking is in the same class as Wolf and Thermador which are good brands, but expensive. If you are in that price range, I’d look at the Bluestar. For less money, I like the Jenn-Aire Pro because I like a dual-stack burner, and its cast iron grates. I’d only get cast iron grates regardless of brand.

Ok I am fine taking Viking off the table but I’m still confused about the geometry. 4 burner ranges don’t actually use the same amount of space - there is dead space in the middle and it seems like more around the sides too. Whereas the 5 burner range uses more of the actual 30”.

The Blue star and capital rangetops are out of the question bc Of the open flames - we have 3 small kids.

I do love the star shaped burners! But will it seem crowded? I’d love to go to a store but we live in a rural-ish area without high end stores. None of these options are available within a 1-2 hour drive. There are stores that sell these brands but don’t have 30” gas ranges on display.

Oh and the Jenn-Air looks great too but the price I’ve found is within a couple of hundred of the Thermador.

How often will you use all five burners at the same time? I have 6 burners, and even during holiday cooking, the most I‘ve ever used at one time, is 4. I think one or two times my son (who now does the holiday cooking) had five burners going. Other dishes are cooking in the ovens.

It‘s unfortunate that you’re not able to see the rangetop in person. Perhaps you can measure the width of your most used pots and pans, and call Thermador asking them for the dimensions of the burners, and the space in between? That might be your best option.

Edited to add: Rereading what you wrote, I see you gave the dimensions of your most used pots and pans. Try calling Thermador, they should be able to answer your questions.

Btw, we keep our cast iron griddle out at all times, too...

"4 burner ranges don’t actually use the same amount of space - there is dead space in the middle and it seems like more around the sides too. Whereas the 5 burner range uses more of the actual 30”."

The 30" width is the constant between the two choices. The "dead space in the middle and more around the sides too" on the 4 burner configuration is exactly my point. That is why there will be room for your 12" pan and your dutch oven at the same time. If you cannot find the Thermador 5-burner range on display, just go to a store that has several other brands' 30" 5-burner ranges on display, like Best Buy or whatever local appliance stores there are. Bring your pans with you. You will still be able to see the difference in layout and how your pans fit on a 5-burner 30" range vs. a 4-burner 30" range. Perhaps you will like the 5-burner setup. I do not because of the reasons I've stated about fitting pans. Also, I have never needed 5 burners at once, even on Thanksgiving.

A totally different approach would be to go to a 36" cooktop. You won't have the industrial look your husband likes, but unlike with a rangetop, you can fit an extra drawer under it, and you won't have the issues of fitting pans, and even have some room to set down pans that aren't cooking. I understand you said you cannot fit another 6" of width. Perhaps post your layout on this forum (post separate thread, entitled with something catchy like "Pls help me fit a 36" cooktop in my kitchen!"). You will need to provide measurements. There are some amazing layout gurus who hang out here, like amazing.

"we live in a rural-ish area without high end stores. None of these options are available within a 1-2 hour drive."

Make sure that you will be able to get service in your area for whatever brand you choose. Sometimes it can be better to choose a Whirlpool brand (which includes Kitchenaid, Jenn-Aire, Maytag and Amana) if you live in a rural area because the parts and service are readily available. I know you said you wanted a "fancy-name" range, but I just wanted to mention this point.

@darbuka

hi Darbuka

im not sure if ive ever messaged you but we are considering Bluestar, wolf, and thermador 36” gas rangetop. first we were going to get thermador duel fuel range but then changed our minds to wolf all gas range, and then decided to do a rangetop. first wolf, then bluestar, then wolf again, and now just confused.

i like the star of the bluestar and the ease of cleaning but not crazy about the aesthetic and worried too much heat. as for wolf cant go wrong right? but everyone says its just pretty but the butners arent even that great. thermador my main concern would be the simmer clicking. are the star shaped burners really better than Wolf? are they in any way comparable to blue star?

we are just confused at this point and hearing about your experience with thermador would be awesome.

thanks,

suzanne

One thing i found out in researching the thermador 4 vs 5 burner is that the 5 burner has a roast option while the 4 burner does not. I do love roasting chickens so thinking of leaning towards the 5 burner even though i would be getting a 30in range. Any thoughts?

@Eric Ng - what is the roast option exactly? It sounds like a gimmick or marketing ploy, so I want to know exactly what the roast option is. I’ve been roasting chickens and meats for 30+ years in ovens that don’t have a special “roast option”. My roast chicken recipe is Julia Child’s. Her oven didn’t have a roast option either. She used a Garland range, which is now Bluestar.

@M Miller - I think the convection roast function is the convection bake function and also the 'broiler' activated.