August 13th, 2024 | 11 min. read
Learn how to find the perfect cooking products with our Pro Cooking Buying Guide
When you walk into your local appliance store and ask for a professional range, you’re often steered toward a dual-fuel option.
But if you enjoy broiling (hi, Mom) or roasting, dual-fuel might not be the best choice.
In this article, you’ll learn all about the top options for all-gas and dual-fuel 30-inch professional ranges.
As a bonus, I’ll show you what’s lacking in some so-called “professional” ranges.
By the end, you’ll know whether a 30-inch pro range is really what you need.
Let’s dive in and help you find the best range for your kitchen.
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Choosing Between a 30-Inch All-Gas or Dual-Fuel Professional Range
Dual-fuel ranges feature a gas stovetop paired with an electric oven, while all-gas ranges use gas for both cooking elements.
Benefits of Dual-Fuel Ranges
The benefit of an electric oven is its ability to provide drier, more consistent heat.
So, if you're a baking enthusiast, dual-fuel is your better choice—but the perks don't stop there.
Brands like Wolf and Miele add extra features to their dual-fuel ranges, including steam cooking, enhanced convection systems, and electronic touch controls that offer automatic cooking features and more cooking options.
You'll learn more about these features throughout the article.
Benefits of All-Gas Ranges
Gas ovens generate moist heat with more intensity, making them better for roasting.
If you love broiling, a gas infrared broiler in a pro range delivers intense, direct heat, perfect for searing.
Wolf, Thermador, Miele, and BlueStar all offer infrared broilers, with BlueStar boasting the hottest at 1,850 degrees.
However, Miele has the best output at 23,000 BTU.
Personal Note: When buying a professional gas grill, make sure the sear element is infrared. My dad used to burn lamb chops on the grill all the time until I figured out he was using a sear element instead of a regular gas burner.
Whether you choose a gas or dual-fuel range depends on whether you do more baking or prefer roasting and broiling.
Self-cleaning is standard on all dual-fuel ranges, but JennAir and Miele are the only brands offering self-cleaning in all-gas professional ranges.
Read More: What's the Difference Between All Gas and Dual Fuel Professional Ranges?
What Is Not a Professional Range
Google "best pro ranges," and you’re likely to see one of these.
It's amazing how Google can be so omniscient in most searches yet sometimes fall short when it comes to appliances.
Take a look at the Bertazzoni 30-inch "Pro-Style" range below.
It looks good.
Bertazzoni advertises a 19,000 BTU burner, but they don't mention the output of the other burners.
With four burners at 10,400 BTU, 5,900 BTU, 5,900 BTU, and 3,500 BTU, you end up with one 19,000 BTU power burner and four simmer burners.
These ranges—like Bertazzoni, Smeg, Verona, and Ilve—are mostly imported from Italy.
Their style is beautiful, but they lack functionality in both the cooktop and the oven.
Now, let’s move on to the best 30-inch pro ranges for 2024.
The Best 30-Inch Professional Ranges for 2024
Wolf Ranges
Wolf is part of Sub-Zero, a family-owned American company based in Madison, Wisconsin.
Depending on where you live, Wolf is likely the best option for service and certainly the best for parts and tech support after the sale.
Dual fuel is their specialty. The dual-fuel stove is constantly evolving, with the most recent change being an upgrade to its convection system.
Their gas models, however, haven't seen as much innovation.
Wolf 30" Gas Range
Highlights of Wolf Gas Ranges
This model is slightly underpowered, featuring three 15,000 BTU burners and one 9,000 BTU burner. However, it simmers well at 340 degrees on all burners.
The oven includes single regular convection and an infrared broiler.
Pros & Cons of Wolf Gas Ranges
Pros: Great company for after-sale service (and something always happens with every brand), underrated simmer.
Cons: A bit underpowered and lacking in features.
Wolf 30" Dual Fuel Range
Highlights of Wolf Dual Fuel Ranges
The DF304 is completely different from the gas model and comes with a ton of features.
Burners
The burners reach a maximum of 20,000 BTU.
Controls
You get a 7-inch touchscreen plus full smart capabilities, such as turning the oven on or off or adjusting the temperature remotely.
Wolf Gourmet
Their Gourmet Mode helps you cook. You input the type of food and how you like it cooked, and the oven calculates the time, temperature, and even rack position.
VertiFlow
VertifFlow is the best convection system, employing two fans and two vertical heating elements to create more consistent heat throughout the oven.
So, your cookies will have the same color and texture on all three racks.
Pros & Cons of Wolf Dual Fuel Ranges
Pros: Dual-stacked burners, convection oven, precise temperature control, VertiFlow convection system, ten chef-created cooking modes, 50 preset gourmet modes, full-color touchscreen, temperature probe.
Cons: It doesn't have Miele's steam functionality or BlueStar's color options. The output is good, but some competitors offer better performance.
Miele Ranges
Miele is the largest family-owned appliance company based in Germany.
Their "Immer Besser" slogan translates to "Always Better."
Side Note: That was the foundation of their unsuccessful advertising campaign in the U.S. because nobody knew what "Immer Besser" meant.
Miele 30" Gas Range
Highlights of Miele Gas Ranges
Miele has a solid all-gas pro range with twin convection, and check this out—it even has a clock and timer.
This range is incredibly easy to clean. The grates are dishwasher-safe, and the racks can stay in the oven during self-cleaning.
Cooktop
You get decent power with three 19,500 BTU burners.
Pros & Cons of Miele Gas Ranges
Pros: Easy to clean, self-cleaning, clock and twin convection, decent power.
Cons: Outputs are decent, but others are better. The contemporary style is limited, and there are no color options.
Miele 30" Dual Fuel Range
Highlights of Miele Dual Fuel Ranges
Miele’s dual-fuel model has the same output and cleanability as their gas model.
However, it comes with two massive upgrades.
M Touch Controls
The M Touch controls are simple, similar to the Wolf Gourmet. You also get more preprogrammed recipes—100 compared to Wolf's 50.
Both systems calculate time and temperature based on the food and how you like it done, but Wolf also provides rack position guidance.
The temperature probe is wireless and measures the internal temperature of your food in multiple locations.
But Miele has one more significant upgrade:
Steam
Steam is essential in an electric oven because it allows you to add moisture to your meats, enhancing their flavor.
You can also bake bread easily since moisture is key to creating a good crust.
The best part is that there’s no learning curve—the M Touch is simple and does the work for you.
Pros & Cons of Miele Dual Fuel Ranges
Pros: The Miele HR1924DF boasts innovative features and ease of use. It includes a motorized lift-up control panel with M Touch controls, automatic gourmet cooking modes, self-cleaning oven racks, dishwasher-safe grates, and a wireless probe.
Cons: Pricey and shares the same style limitations as the gas model.
BlueStar Ranges
BlueStar is another family-owned American company based in Pennsylvania. If Wolf specializes in dual-fuel ranges, then BlueStar is all about gas.
You can buy a professional 30-inch gas range in four different series, ranging from $3,995 to $7,795.
They all look similar, but the difference lies in output and pure convection.
BlueStar Platinum Series 30" Gas Range
Highlights of BlueStar Gas Ranges
Output
BlueStar is extremely hot.
How hot?
The front burners are 25,000 and 22,000 BTU. You’re probably cooking on 12,000 to 15,000 BTU, so BlueStar is an upgrade.
The other burners include an 18,000 BTU and a 1,300 BTU simmer burner.
Colors
Most of the ranges we’ve discussed so far look similar despite having different features.
With BlueStar, you can choose from 1,000 different colors and 10 trim packages.
If you want a green range with black trim to celebrate the Celtics' 18th championship, BlueStar is the only brand to consider.
I’m a Bruins fan, so I chose yellow and black.
You can also customize your color.
Pure Convection
This requires a bit of explanation.
Regular convection uses a fan to force heat from the bottom and distribute it.
You may have heard terms like "pure," "European," or "true" convection.
They all refer to the same type of convection, with an element behind the fan that blows heat across for more even cooking than regular convection.
Electric ovens mostly use pure convection.
BlueStar is the only brand that offers pure convection for a gas professional range.
Pros & Cons of BlueStar Gas Ranges
Pros: Power, color options, and pure convection.
Cons: The burner is open, not sealed. You have to detach most of the stove and clean it at the sink. However, with larger spills, you’ll need to clean more thoroughly than with a sealed burner.
BlueStar does not offer a clock or timer for their gas models. The broiler advertises 1,850 degrees, but that only translates to 15,000 BTU, compared to the 18,000 to 20,000 BTU average.
BlueStar 30" Dual Fuel Range
Highlights of BlueStar Dual Fuel Ranges
Clock and Timer
BlueStar now features a 7-inch touchscreen. It’s similar to the Wolf and Monogram models but without the more advanced Gourmet functionality.
Sealed X8 Burner
The dual-fuel version also features an X8 sealed burner. It looks like the Thermador Star burner, but it’s larger to distribute heat more evenly throughout the pan.
Note: I think these elongated burners have limited value. The burner heats the pan, and the pan cooks the food.
I haven’t seen any tests proving the burner is better. Then again, maybe I should do one.
Output and Color
You get the same high output and color options as their best all-gas models.
Pros & Cons of BlueStar Dual Fuel Ranges
Pros: High output, 1,000 color options, touchscreen, and new burner.
Cons: You have the touchscreen but lack the functionality of Miele and Wolf. The sealed burner is a nice feature, but the Thermador Star burner is on a pedestal, making it easier to clean under the burner.
Still, BlueStar is a range you should consider.
The next two ranges are the simplest to understand and the least expensive.
Thermador Ranges
Thermador was part of Masco when I started in 1986. Bosch bought Thermador in the 1990s and brought some discipline and reliability to the line.
Their professional ranges don't differ as much as those from Wolf, Miele, and BlueStar.
By the way, you also get a free Thermador dishwasher when you purchase one of their ranges.
Thermador Pro Harmony 30" Gas Range
Highlights of Thermador Gas Ranges
Star Burners
I'm not entirely convinced that a wider burner distributes heat better. However, Thermador's star burner's pedestal allows for easy cleaning underneath.
Output
Every burner is high output, with two 18,000 BTU and two 15,000 BTU burners.
Simmer Burners
Two burners simmer at 100 BTU, which is the lowest. However, it’s an intermittent on/off simmer, not a continuous simmer like the one Wolf offers.
Smart Functionality
You get the basics with recipes accessible through their Home Connect App.
Thermador Pro Harmony 30" Dual Fuel Range
Highlights of Thermador Dual Fuel Ranges
The Thermador Pro Harmony 30" Dual Fuel Range includes key features such as extra-low simmer burners, a convection oven, and a reasonable price.
It also comes with a free dishwasher valued at $799, making it a practical choice.
Pros & Cons of Thermador Ranges
Pros: Overall, Thermador is just a decent range at a good price.
Cons: Thermador is less powerful than BlueStar and less intuitive than Wolf and Miele. You don't have touchscreens or color options.
Monogram
GE launched Monogram in the 1980s.
Interesting yet unrelated historical note: Monogram was the first to offer a 42-inch refrigerator.
Anyway, Monogram languished until Haier bought the company in 2016.
It’s straightforward to understand that the gas and dual-fuel models are identical except for the fuel type and a few features.
Monogram 30" Gas & Dual Fuel Ranges
Highlights of a Monogram Pro Range
Price
Thermador may be less expensive, but Monogram, at $5,600 for gas and $6,800 for dual fuel, offers a similar rebate plus a clock and timer.
Monogram professional ranges use steam to self-clean the oven.
Steam cleaning works well for lightly soiled ovens, but not for heavily soiled ones.
The pyrolytic clean (which incinerates the soil in the oven) that Miele uses in their all-gas ranges can handle heavily soiled ovens.
Modes
You have a ton of different modes, including proofing, plus basic recipe conversion.
SmartHQ
Thermador, Wolf, and Miele have good smart functionality; however, Monogram may be the most robust with SmartHQ.
You can access recipes, and different modes are always being added wirelessly, like Turkey and Smokehouse modes.
Brass Accents
The range is striking with brass accents.
Pros & Cons of Monogram Ranges
Pros: Good price with more features, great Wi-Fi functionality.
Cons: The output is decent, with one hot burner at 21,000 BTU, two at 15,000 BTU, and one at 12,000 BTU. However, it isn’t as intuitive as Wolf or Miele, nor as powerful as BlueStar, and it offers zero color options.
Which Professional Range Should You Buy?
As I mentioned earlier, this is a tough choice. If you primarily use the cooktop, consider BlueStar for power or Wolf and Thermador for a better simmer.
Each range has its own strengths, depending on how you like to cook. Below, we’ve broken down the best range for each major factor in your buying decision.
Most Powerful: BlueStar Platinum Pro Ranges
BlueStar offers the most powerful burner with its 25,000 BTU Platinum open burner.
Best for Simmering: Thermador and Wolf Pro Ranges
You might think comparing high to low temperatures would be straightforward, but it's not.
Thermador has the lowest temperature, as low as 100 degrees. However, its simmer is intermittent, meaning it turns on and off to maintain that low simmer.
Wolf, on the other hand, offers a consistent simmer with a smaller burner that can go lower than 300 degrees, or a larger burner with a higher temperature of 500 degrees.
Best for Convection (All Gas): BlueStar Platinum Pro Ranges
All the ranges offer convection (fan-forced heat for more even baking and roasting). BlueStar's PowR convection oven is designed to be the fastest and most even. It's the only one with pure convection, where air is blown in from the rear instead of the bottom.
Best for Baking: Wolf VertiFlow and Miele Pro Ranges
Wolf’s VertiFlow system has two fans and redesigned elements for optimal baking. Miele also features two fans for even cooking.
Best for Cleaning: Miele Pro Ranges
Miele is the only company offering self-cleaning in pro all-gas models. Plus, the grates are dishwasher-safe, and the racks are self-cleaning.
Every company includes self-cleaning in their dual-fuel ranges.
GE offers steam cleaning in their all-gas range.
Best for Promotions: Thermador Pro Harmony and Monogram Pro Ranges
Thermador and Monogram are the most aggressive with their rebate promotions. Both brands offer products valued between $1,000 and $1,399 when you buy a range. They also offer additional incentives with the purchase of full-size integrated refrigeration.
Wolf offers a $1,000 mail-in rebate, and Miele provides 10% back via mail-in rebates with qualifying kitchen packages at different times of the year.
Should You Buy a Professional Range Over a Regular Range?
So, should you buy a regular gas range instead of a professional range?
Many regular ranges have two "pro-style" burners.
Café Appliances’ gas range (shown below) has six burners (hopefully, you have six small pots) and a total output of 72,000 BTU.
You’ll also find other features like a fifth griddle burner and a baking drawer underneath—features not available on their pro models—at a technically lower price.
However, pro ranges typically have higher output per burner.
They also feature infrared broilers with more directed heat than conventional gas broilers.
Read More: Should You Upgrade to a Professional Range? Pros, Cons, and Expert Tips
Best 30-Inch Pro Gas Ranges: Key Takeaways
All of these ranges would make a great, functional addition to your kitchen. They are all strong brands, each with different strengths and some drawbacks.
You need to choose what’s right for you.
Is it the least expensive yet most technology-driven brand like Monogram?
Perhaps you prefer the cleanability of the Thermador Star Burner or the Wolf three-stage burner?
Miele offers many features, while BlueStar delivers a ton of power and an interesting convection system.
As I said, there isn’t one best range.
Remember, all gas ranges can have ignitor issues, so always check who can service your appliances in your area.
Additional Resources
Download the Yale Pro Range Buying Guide with features, specs, and inside buying tips for all the major brands. Over 1 million people have read a Yale Guide.
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