Does anyone have any experience with Thermador and/or Jenn Air appliances?

[StewartG]

Kelli and I are building our dream home. We are stuck in our kitchen! We are trying to decide to go with the Jenn-Air "Pro-Style" stainless line (good), or go with the Thermador "professional series" and freedom collection freezer / fresh food built in columns.

Does anyone have any experience with either of these lines? I like the build quality and the star shaped burners on the Thermador line, but they are about 50% more than the same sized Jenn Air stuff. Worth the difference?

Also, what do you guys think about mixing and matching appliance brands in a new house? I'm kind of anal about that and I'm afraid it would drive me crazy. If I could get past my "anal" issues, I would be able to get the best of what I'm looking for: Viking rangetop, Sub-Zero built in fridge, Bosch dishwasher, Thermador wall ovens.



Here are a few links to the models I'm looking at for rangetop:

Jenn-Air: Cooktops JGCP636ADP

Thermador Home Appliances - Professional Series Cooktops, Griddles, Electric and Gas Grills

Viking : 36" Sealed Burner Rangetop - VGRT



On fridges we are all over the map, but we like these:

Remodeling : Products / Trades Shows : What's Cooking in Kitchens : Home & Garden Television

But we LOVE this one:

Sub-Zero PRO 48 with Glass Door: Sub-Zero PRO 48 Refrigeration



I've been chasing my tail about this appliance stuff for days... Any input/opinions would be greatly appreciated!!!

[jtm1631]

I've got Thermador cook top and love it. Numerous burners, different sizes and knock on wood, 7 plus years in the house and NO problems.

My brother just redid his kitchen and used Viking. He loves it, but only about 6 months of usage so far.

We do not have the same brand appliances. Over the 7 years most of the GE appliances have been replaced because they were complete crap. Thermador cook top, GE fridge with several repair problems, GE microwave that has to be fixed every 7 - 10 months but nothing else will fit in built-in space. Bosch dishwasher which we love (replaced original GE) and I believe Jenn Air ovens. But most importantly Rancilio Silvia espresso machine with after market PID!

No problem with different manufacturers on the appliances (and I'm pretty anal about stuff like that ).

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by jtm1631

... and now problems.

So sorry

[Sol]

Except for our Bosch dishwasher...we are Kenmore trash. BUT if I could go for the kitchen of my dreams it would be the Jenn Air line. I like the looks plus one of their killer gas stoves would make make tamale-making a pleasure. That and tortillas, grilled stuff, and hoo weee some awesome baked goods.

Mixing and matching...I gotta have the same appliances but for our kitchen re-do...it was Dave's call since he was buying the appliances. He done good.

[Mogley]

Put in at least one induction burner, not great for cooking on, but great to boil water.

[roni]

We have Jenn-Air electric with swappable components (burners, grill, griddle). It is 12 years old and going strong. We love the indoor grill.

[himynameisjan]

I love our Thermador cooktop, especially the built in vent that is mobile. Push a button and up it comes, all done, push a button and it goes away.

[farmgirl]

Originally Posted by roni

We have Jenn-Air electric with swappable components (burners, grill, griddle). It is 12 years old and going strong. We love the indoor grill.

I had that one to for 15 years. When it cratered I replaced it with another jenn-air, but just the normal cooktop. Didn't have time to order or anything as mine quit Xmas eve day and I had a whole houseful of company on the way!
I also have the stainless steel jenn-air convection oven, love it!
GE stainless fridge, hate the stainless. The texture is different from the oven, harder to keep clean shows every little print or scratch.
I have bosch dishwasher that just broke down on me, only 2 years old!!!

[farmgirl]

Just a side note on the stainless steel. It looks sharp when it is clean, but it is high maintenance!!! When I bought mine they said you just had to wipe it with a magic cloth daily, yeah right!!! I had to buy this foam cleaner, only thing I found so far that doesn't leave streaks. There are constantly fingerprints where the handle is and my kids are older then yours!! The Jenn-air oven is kind of a brushed stainless, I much prefer that for up keep over the shiny smooth. Not sure if you can get such a thing in a fridge, but maybe something to look at for Kelli's sake!!

[jtm1631]

Originally Posted by MikeW

So sorry

That should have been "no" problems not "now problems". It would help if I could type.

[MikeW]

Originally Posted by jtm1631

That should have been "no" problems not "now problems". It would help if I could type.

I don't think typing is the problem.
Proof reading seems to be the bigger issue.
I think it afflicts some on this forum, including me.

[StewartG]

Originally Posted by farmgirl

Just a side note on the stainless steel. It looks sharp when it is clean, but it is high maintenance!!! When I bought mine they said you just had to wipe it with a magic cloth daily, yeah right!!! I had to buy this foam cleaner, only thing I found so far that doesn't leave streaks. There are constantly fingerprints where the handle is and my kids are older then yours!! The Jenn-air oven is kind of a brushed stainless, I much prefer that for up keep over the shiny smooth. Not sure if you can get such a thing in a fridge, but maybe something to look at for Kelli's sake!!

Ooooo... Kelli's not gonna like that comment!

[StewartG]

Well thanks so much for the input guys...

It looks like I'll be okay going either way - Thermador or Jenn Air. Jenn Air is less expensive, to be sure, but I was concerned about how it would hold up...

For the Thermador cooktop owners - do either of y'all have the star shaped burners? What do you think about them? Very helpful for even heating?



Also - what are y'all's opinions about built in vs. stand alone refrigerators?

[Sol]

Originally Posted by StewartG

Well thanks so much for the input guys...

It looks like I'll be okay going either way - Thermador or Jenn Air. Jenn Air is less expensive, to be sure, but I was concerned about how it would hold up...

For the Thermador cooktop owners - do either of y'all have the star shaped burners? What do you think about them? Very helpful for even heating?



Also - what are y'all's opinions about built in vs. stand alone refrigerators?

Star-shaped burners...better heat distribution, IMHO.
This depends on how your cabinets will be set up. When our cabinets were installed this included a set up where the fridge looks like it is built in. I am still trying to get used to it. I like the stand alone-looking refridgerators. They make the kitchen look more like a pro kitchen. Also, if you like to post your children's pictures, schedules, etc. it's a good thing. I don't put too much stuff on the fridge...maybe a reminder, a clipping of a cartoon, or a recipe for which I need to purchase some ingredients.

[tmc]

We prefer gas for cooking and have a six-burner Wolf that kicks butt. We had originally intended to get an Aga, which was awesome (at 12k you should be awestruck!), but as they are made in the UK their widths don't marry to the same standard sizes as we have in the US, therefore we couldn't make it fit. The biggest problem with the Wolf is that as a gas oven it does not do the self-cleaning routine, but otherwise it is great.

We had a Jenn-Air with the griddle attachments and all manner of other devices about 10-15 years ago, seemed to work fine, but was not in the same class as the Wolf for flat-out cooking capability; the Wolf being essentially a commercial stove/oven with big time heating capacity and very good insulation.