The equipment you select for your new luxury Chef’s kitchen absolutely makes a difference. Personally, I love cooking at home and many of our clients feel the same way. Yes, aesthetics are important too therefore commercial cooking appliances do not translate well into a home kitchen mainly because they are designed to take a beating. But brands like Sub Zero, Wolf, Viking, Thermador, Jenn Air and Miehle have done a wonderful job creating kitchen appliances for the home chef.
High End Kitchen Appliances We Favor
Let’s start with some luxury kitchen appliances any masterchef would enjoy working with. The first decision you need to make for your new kitchen range is Gas or Electric? Induction cooktops are not new and have dominated market share primarily because they make cleanup a breeze, are sleek and make regulating heat flow very easy. Thermador, Miehle and Wolf ranges all have models with induction cooktops. Although professional chefs around the globe all insist upon gas ranges from Wolf or Viking. Let’s take a closer look at these two brands.
Wolf Gas Range vs Viking Range
Each brand has its merits and the ability for you to customize your cooktops with open burners & griddles but only Wolf ranges can include an infrared char broiler. Each brand offers models from 30” to 60” wide but only Viking goes beyond that with their 66” Tuscany series.
Both brands offer clients a dual fuel source as well as gas only options. Viking Elevation™ Burners (high-quality brass burners) are found on 7 Series ranges and boast up to a 23,000 BTU output. Viking also makes 15,000 and 8,000 BTU versions of elevation burners for different cookware sizes. When compared to Wolf's patented stove burners, our clients prefer Wolf’s sealed burner design. Wolf ranges offer a 9,200 BTU burner and options up to 20,000 BTU burners. From a soft simmer to high heat sear, Wolf's sealed burner system makes cleanup so much better. Another important note for this comparison is that.
Viking Appliances was purchased by the Middleby company in 2013. They are based in Elgin Illinois and manufacturer their products both here in the US as well as the Philippines.
Wolf Appliances was purchased by the Sub Zero Group in 2000. They are based in Madison Wisconsin and manufacturer the majority of their products in the United States.
Luxury Kitchen Design Requires Top Refrigeration Options
Our kitchen designers are well versed on high end refrigerator brands from Thermador, Jenn Air and Sub Zero. We have heard the term “affordable luxury refrigerator” lately and we see wonderful products that fall into this category from Samsung, the GE Café series and we are fans of the Miele MasterCool models. Our post on
Gourmet Kitchen Design does a good job illustrating how connected kitchens are evolving and the refrigeration units tend to be the hub for the connected kitchen.
With all this focus on technology, don’t loose sight on what is really important when choosing your refrigerator…keeping your provisions refrigerated properly. Sub Zero is best known for its double compressor units. A smart kitchen designer knows how to best integrate refrigeration properly while balancing décor and value into your design. A high end fridge does not have to break the bank. Let’s compare some other brands we like the most.
Thermador Refrigerator Columns
This brand does not offer side by side or French Door models. A popular refrigerator for fine dining restaurants for good reason. They sell 24” – 36” wide refrigerators or freezers, but not combo units. We suggest Thermador primarily for wine chilling units that fit under a kitchen counter.
Jenn Air Refrigerators
Many client’s come in asking for Jenn Air refrigeration because they heard a neighbor rave about how easily they blend into the overall kitchen design. All the models come panel ready and fit most cabinet depths. We organize the Freezer and Refrigerators side by side but they are still sold as separate units. Therefore individual compressors, fan systems and tubing that functions independently and consistently. The Jenn Air service teams and great to work with and installation is simple.
Best French Door Refrigerator for 2020
For those seeking an affordable luxury refrigerator that fits nicely
into the kitchens we design, we like the
Fridgidaire Gallery collection of French Door fridge/freezer models. They have added a Smudge Proof stainless steel model to this collection that works beautifully for growing families, is very reliable and clients love the flexibility it offers them.
Luxury Kitchen Designers in New Jersey
We are open to your suggestions too. We work best with clients that have done some of their own homework and want to have a say in the kitchen appliances they prefer. This is an area of the design that is very subjective and there is a ton of resources available online. We will weigh the pros and cons and compare notes. Together we will design your dream kitchen that will stand the test of time.