You are probably wondering, "Does a burner with a star shape make a difference over a round burner?"
My team at Yale and I were wondering as well. So much so, we tested the Thermador Star Burner for BTU output, simmering power, and cleanability during our Livestream last week.
In this article, you will learn the differences between Thermador's Star Burner and other manufacturers' burners. Many newer brands have compelling new burners.
It will be an interesting post whether you are considering Thermador or another brand. Feel free to ask any questions in the comments below.
Let's get started.
Thermador's Star Burner
The Thermador Star Burner varies depending on whether you are buying a range, rangetop, or cooktop.
Thermador's Pro Grand series has a maximum of 22,000 BTUs for one burner, while the rest have 18,000 and 15,000 BTU outputs.
The Thermador Harmony is their shallower series with 18,000 and 15,000 BTU burners.
The Star burner on cooktops is a combination of burners. Their middle burner in a 30-inch stovetop is 18,000 BTU, yet it's 16,000 BTUs in a 36-inch stovetop.
The other burners are underpowered, with a combination of 8,000, 10,000, or 12,000 BTU, depending on the cooktop.
Cooktops have less output than a rangetop in any brand. However, a cooktop will have two burners over 15,000 BTU.
How Does the Thermador Star Burner Compare to Other Brands' Burners?
Thermador Star Burner
At one time, Thermador used to have one of the most powerful burners available in professional cooking. Wolf and newer brands have surpassed Thermador in output.
BTU Output
Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) has a combination of 23,000 and 15,000 BTU burners. All four burners on this 48-inch range have the option to perform at lower temperatures between 650 and 310 BTUs.
SKS Pro Range Burner
You have a steady low temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit on the back burners to hold sauces or melt chocolate.
There is also a water bath for sous vide cooking and a two-zone induction cooking surface with SKS.
Wolf's 48-inch range has one burner with a high BTU output of 20,000, two at 18,000, and two at 15,000 BTU.
Wolf Pro Range Sealed Burner
Every burner is dual-stacked, which means they all can go extra low. The burners can go as low as 300 BTU for true simmers.
JennAir has 20,000 and 15,000 BTU burners while Wolf has 20,000, 18,000, and 15,000 BTU outputs.
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For open burners, BlueStar (shown above) offers 25,000, 22,000, and 15,000 BTU in their Platinum series.
Cleanability
In this case, the Star Burner is well-conceived. Round burners have removable tops, but you can only clean under the Star Burner with a Thermador professional range.
For the round burners, you have to scrub around them. They aren't removable in professional ranges. Strangely enough, you have to scrub around the Thermador Star Burners in their cooktops as well.
Simmering Capability
Thermador has two extra-low simmer burners at 100 BTU each for an extremely effective simmer. Thermador's extra-low burners turn on and off to stay at the low temperature of 100 BTU.
Before 2020, turning a burner on and off was the only way to keep such a low temperature. However, the SKS "Ultralow" burner is 100 BTU while maintaining a consistent temperature.
Wolf is known to have an excellent simmer burner at about 300 BTU.
Price
Thermador has always presented itself as a lower-priced option, especially to their rival Wolf.
They also have their One-Two-Free program, where you can receive a free dishwasher or hood when you purchase qualifying products.
With the purchase of a professional range, you would receive a free dishwasher. If you add a Thermador qualifying Thermador refrigerator, you will receive a free ventilation hood.
With a cooktop or rangetop, you have to add a wall oven to receive the free dishwasher.
Regardless, let's finally answer whether Thermador's Star Burner works better than a round burner.
Are Thermador Star Burners Worth the Hype?
Testing Thermador's Star Burners BTU Output
After conducting the cooking test on various temperatures ranging from 18,000 to 22,000 BTU, the Thermador Star Burner performed well.
The high output burner was great for searing steak. If comparing the Thermador Star Burner to similar 48-inch professional ranges with 20,000 BTU of power, the difference was minor, if any.
However, the type of pan used will make a difference in how the heat is distributed and the type of oil used.
The 18,000 BTU burners performed well. I was able to saute the vegetables, make a quick sauce, and boil pasta water.
However, I moved the pasta water to the 22,000 BTU burner to speed things along.
Testing Thermador's Star Burner Simmering Capabilities
I could also hold the sauce using the extra low simmer feature without scorching, drying out, or burning the food on the bottom.
Although, the gas turning on and off can be annoying to some.
The SKS simmer yielded similar results while maintaining a constant simmer.
Overall Thermador Star Burner Performance
The Thermador Star Burners on a 48-inch professional range performed effectively. The real difference between this burner and competitors is the BTU output and the extra low simmer feature.
Plus, the fact that the burner is raised makes it a lot easier to clean around it.
Should You Buy a Thermador Professional Range With Theramdor's Star Burners?
BTU output is similar from a cooktop standpoint, whether from a Star Burner or the traditional round burner.
The simmer does work well as the intermittent does keep an overall lower temperature. However, other brands now offer a consistent simmer with similar results.
For cleanability, you will find raised burners are easier to clean under on professional ranges and rangetops.
Thermador has great features and is a good range to consider when you are shopping for multiple appliances.
However, the burner shape does not lend any advantages other than easy cleaning for professional ranges and rangetops.
Additional Resources
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