Thermador PRD48JDSGU – 48″ Duel Fuel Range – The Ultimate Culinary Center?
Thermador is about to bring an elephant gun to the high-end cooking competition.
Introducing the PRD48JDSGU….code for their new 48″ duel fuel monster…$13,999 will get you the following:
- porcelain surface
- telescopic oven racks (all)
- 5 burners rated at 18K BTU’s, and one power burner at 22K!
- precision simmer at 375 BTU’s (or 100 degrees F)
- two ovens + a warming drawer
- smaller oven is steam and features 27 easy cook programs
- warming drawer offers all-glass smooth surface and holds up to 11″ dinner plates
This can go one of two ways. For starters, NO ONE is offering anything like this. Much like SubZero experienced when the PRO48 was released, people can say that Thermador has placed itself in its own league, feature and price-wise and any demand that comes its way will be based on the uniqueness and value proposition that it is offering so it then becomes a successful, NICHE product.
The other direction will be that people howl at the price tag, complain that they are trying to fit too many functions into one product, and it bombs. While you may question Thermador’s sanity at offering this product while the economy is still an unmitigated disaster, the difference between Fall 2011 and Fall 2008 is that there are more people making a boatload of money at the high end who aren’t shit-scared that the stock market and Western civilization are going the way of the dodo bird, and that’s the demo that this range is squarely pointed at. I’m not anticipating having Bob and Laura drop into my showroom and rack their minds over whether they should score a GE Cafe gas range at $2150 or this piece at nearly $14k. The people who are going to consider this piece look at $14k as a rounding error.
One industry expert that I spoke to (with absolutely no skin in the game as to whether Thermador succeeds with this) thought they were placing too many functions into one product. I disagree. I think it’s kind of cool and I applaud Thermador for showing absolute cajones by bringing this to market. This product will definitely get people talking about Thermador ranges which is just what they want.
Thermador Whips Out the Elephant Gun - Make Way for the PRD48JDSGU
Categories: Thermador Tags: thermador 48 range, thermador prd48jdsgu, thermador prices
36″ Gas Pro Range Showdown: DCS vs. Wolf vs. Thermador
While I always tell shoppers that when shopping for pro ranges you can’t base your decision on the BTU power that manufacturers report, alas, many people are still hung up on these numbers.
That said, with the idea that I won’t to put as many accurate information at consumers’ fingertips so they can make the right purchase decision, here is a breakdown on three popular 36″ pro ranges.
We’ll focus on Burner BTU’s and then Oven BTU’s and capacity.
Burner BTU’s
DCS RGU366 – max 17,500 btus, min 3000 btus
Wolf R366 – max 16,000, min 500 btus
Thermador PRG366EPG – max 15,000 btus, min 375 btus (on the 2 ExtraLow burners)
Oven Capacity
DCS RGU366 – 5.3 cu ft
Wolf R366 – 5.5 cu ft
Thermador PRG366EPG – 5.7 cu ft
Oven Bake BTUS
DCS RGU366 – 30,000 btus
Wolf R366 – 30,000 btus
Thermador PRG366EPG – 30,000 btus
Oven Broil BTUS
DCS RGU366 – 19,000 btus
Wolf R366 – 18,000 btus
Thermador PRG366EPG – 17,000 btus
I love Wolf gas ranges. While they are now outsold by the Wolf dual fuel ranges (and by quite a large margin as I have been told) I still believe that the
value lies in the gas range. When you are talking a 36″ or a 48″ model, the difference between the gas and the dual fuel product runs into the thousands.
I’m also a fan of the traditional Wolf red knob found on the gas range, as opposed to the thicker one found on the dual fuel range (being that I am a sucker for aesthetics).
There’s not much to say here…Wolf is a Wolf. The leader of the pack.
Thermador ranges are simply beautiful products and they seem to resonate big-time with women. When I’m working with a couple at Curto’s, countless times the wife will comment on the Thermador’s design…while hubby focuses on BTU’s. As I tell everyone who stops in and asks about Thermador ranges, I feel that Thermador’s lead products are their wall ovens, HOWEVER they have invested crazy R & D into their ranges and I’m anticipating a bump in their sales. You also have to love their new 48″ combo steam range which will be hitting the Curto’s showroom imminently. It’s priced over $13K but this thing sings!.
The DCS range is the underdog here. They don’t have the consumer mind share that Wolf or Thermador have. They also don’t have the presence on showroom floors that Wolf and Thermador have. But what they do have is total kick-ass product that has been improved upon and is also less expensive than the other two brands we’re discussing here.
For some folks they might feel like they are taking a risk with a DCS product bc it’s not featured in every other kitchen on the Food TV Network (it’s actually the sole appliance featured on America’s Test Kitchen) nor is it prominently featured in Kitchen magazine spreads. What they do have is a heritage that goes back about 15-20 years for making killer cooking appliances. They also have a pretty solid service network across the country in case you do encounter hiccups with your range (hey it happens to the best manufacturers).
The bottom line is that any of these brands deserve to be in your kitchen. You’ll just have to decide how important price is as well as the brand-name factor. Performance-wise they all rock, though I’d put the DCS and the Wolf ahead of the Thermador in that category, but Thermador is aiming to cut the lead down. Should be interesting.
Categories: DCS, Thermador, Wolf Tags: dcs 36 range, thermador 36 range, thermador prices, wolf 36 range, wolf range price
Erin’s Thermador Kitchen Appliances – Bronxville, NY
Erin came to Curto’s looking for a kitchen appliance package that she could integrate with her cabinetry in her new kitchen in Bronxville. She gave some thought to GE Monogram but ultimately decided to go with a Thermador appliance package and one piece from SubZero. She placed custom panels on the 36″ built-in Freedom Series french door refrigerator, paneled the free Thermador dishwasher and also bought a 6-burner 36″ Thermador dual fuel range placed under a Thermador insert hood. Typically I’m not a fan of paneled appliances but Erin’s fridge is changing my mind. Brilliantly gorgeous!
Appliances used in Erin’s Bronxville kitchen:
- 36″ Thermador dual fuel range – PRD366GHU
- 36″ Thermador French door refrigerator – T361T71NNP
- Thermador integrated dishwasher – DWHD630GPR
- 36″ Thermador insert – VCI236DS
- SubZero undercounter refrigerator – 700BR
- 30″ Thermador wall oven – P0D301
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- One of the better applications of an integrated refrigerator that I have seen. Is it the handles? Wow, great job on the cabinets. Also note the GE microwave chilling on the shelf. Goes to show that you don’t need a $1000+ micro in a trophy kitchen.
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- Side view of Erin’s kitchen. Paneled dw is on the right.
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- Erin’s 36″ Thermador dual fuel range. Tea kettle not included.
Categories: Thermador Tags:
Random Notes on Thermador Steam Oven, New Electrolux Washers
I promise there won’t be any mention of LeBron James here…whoops….
I’ve had a bunch of people inquire about the Thermador combination steam convection oven since I wrote about it last week.
Please keep in mind that this oven won’t be available until August and from what I’ve been told Thermador hasn’t shipped any models for dealer floors.
This oven seems to be a hot little number…I’ve already sold a few sight-unseen…as soon as I more info about release date I will post immediately…
Electrolux is talking up their new frontload washers…they’ve made them larger and have now cut wash times down to 15 minutes. I asked my Electrolux rep how they are able to continue to shrink wash times down and he answered with an emphatic “I have absolutely no clue!”. I guess it’s magic. At this rate, in another year Electrolux will have this wash-time thing down to the point where all you will have to do is wave your soiled clothes in front of the Wave Touch Panel and they will be all fresh n’ clean. Geniuses at work!
Electrolux Washer EWFLS70JMB at Curtos.com
Categories: Electrolux, Thermador Tags: electrolux washer, thermador steam oven
Thermador’s Sexy New Steam Oven –
If you are a health-minded cook (or you just want something cool hanging in your kitchen) you’ll probably want to check out Thermador’s new
steam ovens. The MES301HP (pro series with thick handle) and the MES301HS (Masterpiece series handle) are insanely great additions to Thermador’s premium lineup of wall ovens. It’s the first oven to combine three distinct cooking styles -steam, true convection and combi steam and convection. It also boasts 40 preset food settings.
Thermador Steam Oven Professional Series
One of the cool things about this oven is that it’s larger than the other steam offerings on the market. The 1.1 cu ft oven cavity can fit a 14lb turkey and according to Thermador’s cooking experts, cooking a bird in combination mode for 90 minutes will result in a perfectly moist inside and gorgeous crust on the outside.
Here is a pic of the inside of the oven:
Inside of Thermador's Steam Oven
Here are the 9 cooking modes available to meet just about any cooking need:
* True Convection (85-450°F) – A fan on the back wall distributes the heat evenly throughout. Perfect for moist cakes, sponge cakes and braised meat.
* Steaming (95-210°F) – Perfect for vegetables, fish, sides and extracting fruit juice.
* Combination (250-450°F) – A blend of steam and convection modes. Perfect for fish, soufflés and baked goods.
* Reheat (210-360°F) – Cooked food is gently reheated. The inflow of steam keeps the food moist, and brings back the original flavor, texture and crispness.
* Proof (95-120°F) – Steam and convection modes are combined to keep the surface of bread dough from drying out. This special cooking mode enables the dough to rise much faster than at room temperature.
* Slow Cook (140-250°F) – Tenderizes all meat cuts and types, especially roast beef and leg of lamb.
* Defrost (95-140°F) – Steam and convection modes are combined. Humidity transfers heat to the food, maintaining its moisture and shape. Ideal for fruit, vegetables, meat and fish.
* Keep Warm (140-210°F) – Designed to keep food warm for up to one hour without drying it out.
* Dish Warm (85-160°F) – This mode prevents food in preheated ovenware from cooling as quickly. Perfect for ovenware and plates
Check out the bread baked in the Thermador Steam oven by Chef Brad Peterson…DEELISH!
Bread Baked in the Thermador Convection Steam Oven
People seem to be sold on the idea…I’ve already sold one sight unseen!
The MES301HP and MES301HS will be available on August 1 and will retail for between $3299 and $3499.
Categories: Thermador, Wall Ovens Tags: mes301hp, mes301hs, steam convection oven, steam oven, thermador steam oven
Thermador Sapphire Dishwasher – Curtos.com
Thermador appliances is taking steps to make sure they are not solely viewed as a cooking appliance company. Over the last few years they have introduced wave after wave of new products, and now they are touting their new line of dishwashers. They’ve released three new ones, dubbed Quartz, Emerald and Sapphire armed with the ability to
Thermador Sapphire Dishwasher at Curto's Appliances
The Sapphire dishwasher in particular offers a large and versatile capacity that can accommodate 15 place settings, more utensils, crystal and pots, so home entertainers can spend more time entertaining and less time cleaning. So after entertaining guests with your recipe for chicken rollatini in a zesty lemon and herb sauce be confident that Thermador’s Sapphire dishwasher will be up to the task of cleaning up.
So now we shift to the important stuff. Like what is the price of this Thermador dishwasher? Which appliance stores offer discount prices on it?
Well, Thermador products are under a UMRP price policy, so every dealer should be quoting around the same price (yeah, okaaaayy).
As of November 11th, prices are:
Thermador DWHD651GFP Sapphire dishwasher – $1999
Thermador DWHD630GCM Emerald dishwasher – $1299
Thermador DWHD410GFM Quartz dishwasher – $949
Categories: Dishwashers, Thermador Tags: DWHD410GFM, DWHD630GCM, DWHD651GFP, Thermador appliances, thermador dishwasher
Thermador Pro Harmony Ranges
Thermador just snuck some changes to their pro cooking line in on me.
The Pro Harmony ranges (the 24″ deep ones that are flush with your cabinetry, as opposed to the 27″ deep Professional Series which has the bullnose).
Noted changes include :
- 18K BTU on every burner
- Fastest time to boil in the biz
- Two extra low burners rated at 375 BTU
- Black porcelain maintop
- 36″ Thermador ranges offer 5.0 cu ft capacity
- ExtraLow feature cycles StarBurner as low as 100 degrees F
Thermador Pro Harmony Gas Ranges 
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Categories: Thermador Tags:
Thermador Star Burners – Curto’s Appliances
Thermador Star Burner Alight
Recently I had a customer shopping for appliances from Fairfield County, Connecticut stop by the Curto’s appliance showroom. He was putting together a kitchen and had a great idea as to what he wanted, however there was a question regarding his choice of a cooktop. He had been sold on the Wolf CT36G/S, but after some online research, he started to drift towards the Thermador SGSX365FS. Why?
The patented Thermador Star Burners.
Thermador touts that the Star Burner system is the most efficient gas burner design in the marketplace.
It boasts:
- A single point ignition that reduces noise when igniting.
- Maximum BTU output of 18,000BTU/HR
Thermador states that the Star Burner’s shape creates a perimeter that is 56% longer and has more flame ports than a comparable round burner. So, what you get is a superior flame spread and reduced cold spot, which equates to faster and more even heating.
The Star Burner is a unique selling point for Thermador and as we continue to sell their products, consumers continue to give positive feedback on them. The one caveat is that when their simmer burner is set to the EXTRA LOW feature, which takes it to 275 BTU’s, it will make a clicking noise every minute. I have had a small number of customers complain about this. However, my view is that there aren’t many (if any) other burners in the marketplace that will allow you to go this low, so the click is worth it. Plus, you can take the regular Star Burners down to 350, so in effect they can act as your simmer burner without the noise.
Categories: Thermador Tags:
Thermador Professional Series Wall Ovens at Curto’s Appliances
Face of Thermador Wall Oven at Curto's Appliances
One of my clients in Scarsdale in Westchester County NY recently purchased high end kitchen appliances from Curto’s and opted to mix brands. The wall oven was a Thermador, the cooking range was from another high-end competitor.
I received a phone call from them 3 months after delivery and they stated that they loved the Thermador Professional Series oven and wished that they had purchased an entire Thermador kitchen because the other brands didn’t meet the performance of the Thermador. Another strong testament to the power of Thermador’s wall ovens. They are damn good pieces.
Thermador’s calling card is their wall ovens, and their Professional Series sets the standard for high end cooking appliances. The Thermador Professional Series Built-in Oven features:
- Speed Convection which reduces cooking time up to 30%
- The largest oven capacity at 4.7 cu ft.
- A heavy duty rotisserie which boasts a 12 lb capacity
- True convection cooking for quick and even results
- A superfast preheat which can heat up the oven in less than 7 minutes
- Fastest self-clean in the market (2 hours)
- Sturdy telescopic racks which glide smoothly on ball bearings – this means safe, easy access to your meals
The Thermador Professional Series Ovens are only available in 30″ wide varieties.
Prices range from $3999 for the 30″ single Deluxe to $5799 for the triple combination Micro/wall oven/warming drawer.
Categories: Thermador, Wall Ovens Tags:
Video: Thermador Pro Range. The Price is Right Folks!
I found this video from an HGTV program that highlighted the Thermador Pro Grand range. The designers take the clients to the Purcell Murray showroom and wax on about the beauty of this piece.
Thermador’s Pro ranges are among my favorites. I’ll discuss further in another post. For now, enjoy the video.
Categories: Thermador Tags: curtos, curtos appliances, Thermador appliances, thermador oven, thermador prices, thermador pro range