Miele has introduced a new 48-inch professional range. We reviewed their 30 inch a couple of weeks ago.
So now we wanted to compare it to Viking's signature 48 inch product. This comparison could not be more different from a company structure, philosophy to the actual product. They even look different, way different.
We will look at both products and both companies
Professional Ranges
Professional ranges are the most expensive residential ranges yet they offer a beautiful commercial-style look. They are designed for residential use and can be placed between cabinets. Professional ranges either come in all-gas or dual-fuel.
An all-gas range has a gas cooking surface and a gas oven. They do offer a moist heat which is preferred by those who like to broil.
Dual-fuel ranges have a gas cooking surface and an electric oven. Dual-fuel ranges have an electric oven which provides a relatively dry, even heat. Many people who like to bake prefer the electric oven on a dual-fuel range, because electric is more consistent for more even baking. Dual-fuel ranges are almost always more expensive than all-gas ranges.
Miele Professional Ranges
Miele is a luxury appliance brand that originated in Germany in 1899. Today Miele is the largest family-owned appliance company in the world. Their products are almost entirely designed and manufactured in Germany. Due to their strict quality control, Miele is known for manufacturing some of the highest quality products in the industry.
Traditionally Miele offered only separate wall ovens and cooktops. This is Miele's second attempt at an American style cooking product. The first was the MasterChef wall oven with incredibly intuitive controls. The Pro range is similarly unique.
Miele HR1954DFX - $12,499
Specs at a glance
- 6 x 19,000 BTU Brass Burners
- 2 x 12,000 BTU Brass Burners
- M-touch menu driven control panel walks you through the cooking process on over 100 dishes to ensure perfect results
- Full-Size Steam-Assist Wall Oven with M-Touch Controls – adds bursts of steam into the wall oven cavity throughout the cooking process to achieve optimal cooking results
- Dishwasher-safe grates that can also stay inside the oven during the self-clean cycle
- Wireless roast probe
- Clean touch stainless steel reduces finger prints on stainless surface
- Soft-close and soft-open doors
- Speed oven, microwave combination with convection – like many other brands the Miele 48’’ range has 2 ovens, their smaller oven also has microwave capabilities for quick heating
- Warming Drawer – located below the speed oven, keeps your food warm until you are ready to eat, great for busy families
Viking Professional Ranges
Viking is a luxury appliance brand currently owned by the Middleby Corporation which is primarily known as a commercial cooking equipment company. Viking is credited with really creating the pro range niche and at one time owned 50% of the market share.
Over the last few years, Viking has lost share to more differentiated products from Wolf and Thermador. Middleby acquired the brand in 2013 with the hope of restoring the brand’s reputation by incorporating technology into their products. More importantly, they need to reestablish some manufacturing discipline for better (and sorely needed) reliability.
To be entirely transparent we do not sell Viking appliances.
Viking VDR7488BSS - $13,399
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- 4 x 23,000 BTU burners
- 3 x 15,000 BTU burners
- 1 x 8,000 BTU burners
- iDivices meat probe allows you to monitor the interior temperature of your food up to 200 ft away by an Apple or Android device using Bluetooth technology (sold separately)
- soft closing door
- full extension racks
- interior LED lighting
- infrared broiler
- accessory broiler pan and tray
- 3-year full warranty
Miele vs. Viking Pro Ranges
There has been a really big shift in the appliance industry about how we look at product comparisons. Traditionally we spoke about BTUs and cubic feet because quite frankly we had nothing else to talk about. Given that technological innovation is entering the appliance industry at rapid rates there are way better features we can talk about.
Looking at these ranges on paper spec by spec in the traditional sense, the Viking range has more burner power at 23,000 BTUs to Mieles 19,000 and a larger oven capacity. Viking has been manufacturing pro ranges for 25 years and Miele is new. I also like the Viking Bluetooth connected meat probe (coolest feature of the range).
However, Miele has a very different approach. It is the first company to incorporate true technology in the oven. They have the intuitive MasterChef controls on the range. Pick a food type, enter the weight and hit a button. That’s all. Here is a video of the controls in action.
The smaller oven is actually a speed oven and can be used as an oven, a microwave or a combination to save time without the microwave texture. Below the speed oven is a warming drawer. I love the benefit of keeping food warm for up to three hours without dehydrating the food.
Miele adds touch proof stainless for easy clean up and the racks can be left in the oven during self-cleaning.
Which would I buy?
It really depends. If you use the top, Viking is more powerful at 23,000 vs. 19,000 BTU. However, Miele has clearly superior technology with better versatility of a speed oven and warming drawer.
Viking has been a name for awhile, but Miele is far more reliable. It is actually the most reliable brand in the appliance industry. In fact, Miele is about statistically 10 times more reliable than Viking according to our service numbers.
I think both are premium brands with different value propositions. It really depends on how you will use the whole range.
Related Articles
- New Miele 30" Dual Fuel Range
- New Miele M Series Wall Oven
- Miele MasterChef Controls Demo
- Viking vs. Wolf Gas Ranges
Additional Resources
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