Compare all the best brands in our free Pro Cooking Buying Guide. Over 200,000 people have already found answers in a Yale guide.
At a Glance
- What's the Difference Between Dual Fuel
and All-Gas Professional Ranges? - What Is Not a Professional Range
- Best 36-Inch Dual Fuel Professional
Ranges for 2021 - Which Dual Fuel Pro Range Brands Are
the Most Reliable? - Which 36-Inch Dual Fuel Pro Range Is the Best?
- Which 36-Inch Dual Fuel Pro
Range Should You Buy? - Frequently Asked Questions About
Dual Fuel Professional Ranges
You can read our Best 36-Inch Gas Professional Ranges. It's pretty in-depth.
But sadly, just as you may start to understand how to buy a professional (pro) range, this article should complicate your decision a bit for one reason: Buying a dual fuel oven instead of a gas oven will have completely different recommendations.
Why?
BlueStar doesn't manufacture a dual fuel range.
Also, Wolf, Thermador, Hestan, and Miele have much better dual fuel ranges than all their gas models.
However, the same is true for dual fuel, as was true in the all gas article. That truth is:
There is no one best range for every feature.
A range matches your cooking style, whether it's baking, broiling, grilling, roasting, or griddling.
In this article, you will learn the best features and problems from the best brands like Wolf, Thermador ranges, Miele, Hestan, and JennAir.
Since our last update, you will see a new pro range from Hestan and Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS). Wolf will be new later this year.
You will also learn reliability based on 37,061 service calls our service department logged last year or 100,000 service calls in under three years.
First, let's talk about what is not a professional (pro) range, then we will compare gas and dual fuel.
At the end of this article, you will also see an induction pro range alternative to consider as well.
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What's the Difference Between Dual Fuel and All-Gas Professional Ranges?
Professional Gas and Dual Fuel Ranges at Yale Appliance in Hanover
Dual fuel is automatically considered better than all gas when you walk into a store.
Yet, you don't have a clear picture as to why for a $2,000 upcharge.
Electric is better for baking because of its drier heat. Self-cleaning is also a standard for electric and is only offered on a few all-gas models.
Gas, however, is moister for better roasting.
Also, infrared is better than gas and way better than electric for broiling.
Pro Tip: If you like baking and added features, then dual fuel may be better. If you like to broil or roast, consider all gas.
What complicates the dual-fuel versus all gas choice is Wolf, Miele, Hestan, and Thermador offer upgrades only on their dual fuel ranges.
It has nothing to do with gas vs. electric.
These companies only manufacture a better range in dual fuel.
It's the reason why I am writing this article because dual fuel and all gas recommendations are so different.
What Is Not a Professional Range
Verona, Bertazzoni, Ilve, and Fisher & Paykel all have 36-inch ranges and are marketed as "pro-style types."
They do not have the BTU output or feature set to be considered professional ranges.
Let's look at this Bertazzoni 36 inch pro dual fuel range.
It does have two pro burners at 19,000 BTU but drops dramatically with a 10,600, 5900, and a 3500 BTU.
So you have two high output burners and four simmer burners.
Along with output, there is little in terms of functionality. Most have just basic clocks and modes.
Buy them if you are looking for style and a more affordable price.
Let's look at some dual fuel ranges.
Best 36-Inch Dual Fuel Professional Ranges for 2021
Wolf 36-Inch Dual Fuel Pro Range DF36450G - $10,950
Wolf was independent until being purchased by Sub-Zero in the late 1990s.
Known for their stylish looks, red knobs, and their twin convection-powered oven, Wolf, is an excellent baking range.
Wolf will be all-new when you buy one this fall with brand new controls, oven, and Wi-Fi functionality.
They also have a rebate program with Sub-Zero and other Wolf appliances.
Their burners max at 20,000 BTUs on two burners. Their grill and griddle are both infrared gas.
Infrared is a more intense direct heat than regular gas for grills. It's easier to clean because it evaporates the grease drippings as well.
The oven will change to be more like their wall oven,
Wolf will move away from dual convection to their Verticross blower convection. Blowers deliver more air than fans.
Also, you have more room in the back of the range without fans.
Also, you have their Wolf Gourmet settings with preprogrammed selections for foods. You input the food, weight, and how you like it cooked.
The range calculates time, temperature, and even rack position.
Gone are the clock and timers. Instead, you will have a brand new touch screen.
Also, Wolf will finally have Wi-Fi functionality to be operated remotely through an app on your phone.
Wolf Dual Fuel Problems
Hard to know as it is not on the market yet. Availability is a concern.
Hopefully, their Wi-Fi will be better than others.
The output is good, but not the best.
Hestan 36-Inch Dual Fuel Pro Range KRD365 - $10,499
Hestan is an interesting new range. It is adapted from their commercial range lineup.
They are from Sonoma, California, and are the only range on this list with 12 different colors like Citra (orange), Sol (Yellow), and Bora Bora (greenish).
With Hestan, you have more options than simply choosing stainless steel.
A small note here: In all gas, BlueStar has 1000 colors in all gas along with ten trim packages, La Cornue has 50 different colors in their dual fuel. Both can be customized as well.
Viking and Bertazzoni have a number of colors in their dual fuel. We do not sell either brand.
Color is just one aspect of the range.
Power is the other. Hestan offers two powerful ranges.
Their five burners have a 30,000 BTU sealed burner along with 2 23,000 BTU burners and 2 15,000 BTU.
Their griddle model has 2 23 and 2 15,000 BTU burners along with a 1650 degree infrared griddle.
You have actual temperature controls on the griddle rather than 1 or 2 settings.
So the cooktop has the best output and great if you like to stir fry, wok, or cook with larger pots.
The controls are unique as well. Even the name "Marquise" is different.
The handle houses the controls, and they move in a left to right swipe function like your phone.
The "PureVection" oven is single convection. It changes time and temperature to maintain even heat.
With all the names aside, Hestan has solid handles and knobs that are die-cast metal. The ignitors are brass and more solid than the others.
Hestan Problems
With a new brand, you have to worry about service and reliability. Specifically, where do you go when you have a problem?
Hestan may have good output but does not have a grill option or a Wi-Fi experience.
My position on Smart appliances: It is the future but not right now. There are functionality and connectivity issues. Eventually, your range will have your lasagna made perfectly based on your recipe by pressing a button.
Lastly, Hestan is single convection, whereas most use twin or blower style. Their claims of even heat have to be tested.
SKS 36-Inch Dual Fuel Pro Range SKSDR360SIS - $10,999
SKS is an interesting range with some unique features.
Sous vide, precision broiling in a bag, is an SKS exclusive.
The combination of induction, sous vide, and professional burners is the only pro range compatible with Massachusett's Make-Up Air requirements.
They also offer four burners with induction and four burners with a chromium griddle.
The burners are 23 and 15,000 BTU with 118 and 15,000 BTU on induction and Sous Vide.
At 6.3 cubic feet, SKS is the largest oven, and it has steam assist or combi-steam capability.
You can cook a meal in steam exclusively in combi or just bursts of steam to bake bread in the steam assist.
SKS Problems
I would like to see the steam oven work. If it is like Miele in performance, SKS is well worth considering.
However, if it does not perform like rival Samsung in their cooking products, then it will be an issue.
Their Wi-Fi experience is just basic.
Miele 36-Inch Dual Fuel Pro Range HR 1936-2 G - $10,099
"Forever Better" was inscribed on the first products that the Miele founders produced.
They have the best controls with the MasterChef but have not invested in Wi-Fi yet. Miele will offer 10% rebates with the purchase of other Miele products.
Miele has incredible technology. You set the food and your specified doneness, and the range calculates the time and temperature.
Miele's grill and griddle are infrared with better output than Wolf.
You also have steam functionality(requires water line) to caramelize meats or bake bread. In fact, you have 16 automatic programs just for different types of bread.
The grill and griddle are both infrared.
It's a cleanable range, and both the grates and burner caps are dishwasher safe. You can self-clean the racks as well.
Miele has a combination of high output and lower output burners. Half is 19,500. The other half are two at 13,600 and 1 at 12,500.
Miele Dual Fuel Range Problems
The output is a bit light versus their competition with half pro burners and half regular.
The controls are the most intuitive until the new Wolf debuts.
How can the most advanced company not have a Jetson-like Wi-Fi experience?
Thermador 36-Inch Dual Fuel Pro Range PRD366WGU - $9,699
Thermador, a division of the German Bosch company, is known for cooking.
Their professional ranges feature the star-shaped burner, the lowest simmer, and Wi-Fi.
They offer two different ranges.
Thermador Pro Harmony Vs. Pro Grand Ranges
The Pro Grand has a clock, one higher output burner at 22,000, and a proof mode in the oven.
The larger oven is due to depth.
This series is available with an induction burner as well.
The Pro Harmony is less expensive and more popular because its 24-inch depth is in line with your cabinets and doesn't protrude into your kitchen.
Thermador has a decent all-around burner. The Thermador Star Burner tops out at 18k BTU in the Harmony and 22,000 in the Pro Grand.
There are two burners capable of extra-low simmering (perfect for soups and sauces). The raised pedestal style also offers easier cleanup.
Wi-Fi allows you to start, pause, and abort oven programs remotely via the Home Connect app on a mobile device.
Thermador has a rebate program with free dishwashers and hoods with qualifying purchases.
However, they lowered half of the burners from 18,000-15,000 BTU, and we said the only single convection oven previously.
Problems With Thermador Dual Fuel
The griddle and grill are electric. How many outside electric grills are there on the market?
Almost none because gas has greater output and is more easily controlled.
Thermador improved their Wi-Fi, but it's still a single convection oven.
JennAir 36-Inch Dual Fuel Pro Range JDRP436HL - $7,699
JennAir was well known for downdraft ranges and cooktops. The parent company, Whirlpool, finally invested 300 million dollars in cooking, specifically on their wall ovens and professional ranges, back in 2007.
Their new range is laden with a serious amount of tech and connectivity, along with some great features.
They offer a clean chromium-infused griddle, infrared grill, and 20,000 BTU max burner output.
JennAir now has two new different series, the Rise and Noir:
Both series, the Rise and Noir, are beautifully styled.
The updated JennAir app allows for voice command and an enhanced culinary center showing you the doneness before you cook.
It is Wi-Fi enabled and also allows you to cook with other cooking apps.
They now offer an infrared grill in addition to their easy to clean chromium griddle
Problems With JennAir Dual Fuel Ranges
Well, you have a better chance of winning at Keno than outfitting a whole JennAir kitchen.
Their Wi-Fi experience is robust yet rated poorly in the App stores.
Somehow, the connectivity has to match the functionality
Which Dual Fuel Pro Range Brands Are the Most Reliable?
Professional Dual Fuel Range Reliability December 2019 - November 2020
| Service Ratio | |
| Wolf | 15.79% |
| JennAir | 29.17% |
| Thermador | 31.50% |
| Miele | 47.37% |
| Grand Total | 23.12% |
The figures above are based on a minimum of 15 products sold and over 300 total pieces.
The average appliance is 13.4%, so all these brands are higher. Premium products have more service as a general rule. It's not always service but education and adjustment.
Which 36-Inch Dual Fuel Pro Range Is the Best?
Best Dual Fuel Range for BTU Output: Hestan
Hestan has the most powerful burner at 30,000 BTU. The second most powerful burner at 23,000 BTU is SKS.
JennAir and Wolf top out at 20,000 BTU. Miele comes in at 19,500 BTU and Thermador at 18,000 BTU with the Pro Grand at 22,000 BTU.
All are extremely powerful. At one time, 15,000 was considered powerful.
Best Dual Fuel Ranges for Simmer Performance: Thermador and Wolf
Thermador Pro Range Star Burner
If you're looking for precision in simmering, Thermador is the lowest with achievable lows of 100°. It is, however, an intermittent simmer or, in other words, an on/off simmer.
Wolf Sealed Pro Range Burner
Wolf does have a great consistent simmer at a temperature of 375° on the smaller burner.
Best Dual Fuel Range for Grill & Griddle Accessories: Wolf, Hestan, JennAir, and Miele
Wolf Dual Fuel Pro Range with Infrared Grill
Wolf, JennAir, and Miele have an infrared grill and griddle. For ease of cleanup, the chromium-infused JennAir griddle is the best.
For temperature control, Hestan is the only griddle with temperature controls.
Best Dual Fuel Range Oven: Wolf
The new JennAir and Miele have twin convection to move even more air. Wolf will have the better blower convection available this year.
Best Smart Dual Fuel Range: JennAir
JennAir and Thermador have connected ranges offering remote diagnostics, preheating, and remote monitoring.
Both have apps with recipe tie-ins. JennAir is more robust, but Thermador's HomeConnect App is more reliable.
Best Dual Fuel Range for Cleanability: Miele
Miele has dishwasher-safe caps and grates. You can also leave the racks for self-cleaning.
Best Dual Fuel Range Oven Controls: Miele
Miele does not have Wi-Fi. However, their MasterChef controls are still the most intuitive. You just program the food and how you want it cooked. The range calculates time and temperature.
The Steam Assist feature will also allow you to add another dimension to your recipes and overall cooking.
Wolf could be better. We will have to test it.
Best Dual Fuel Pro for Make-Up Air and Sous Vide: SKS
The SKS is an intelligent alternative. You have plenty of power with induction and pro plus the Sous Vide functionality.
Rebates & Promotions
JennAir offers a $1,000 credit towards a qualifying second JennAir piece with a pro-range purchase.
Thermador offers a free dishwasher with the purchase of their range. (Or you can receive a credit of $1,399 towards the Thermador dishwasher of your choice).
Miele and Wolf both offer rebates as well. Miele's are typically geared towards full kitchen purchases, while Wolf has individual and package rebates at different times.
Which 36-Inch Dual Fuel Pro Range Should You Buy?
Wolf Dual Fuel Pro Range at Yale Appliance in Boston
It depends on how you cook.
Wolf is a solid all-around performer with great baking capability. Miele has the most cooking functionality with steam capability. It even has 16 automatic recipes for different types of bread.
JennAir is a beautiful range and another all-around performer. Their app can help you cook almost any food. Like Miele, their functionality is excellent.
Thermador has excellent burners, especially with the simmer. They probably have the best rebate program, as well.
Hestan has some great features along with the highest output, but make sure it can be fixed in your area.
SKS has some unique combinations with induction and Sous Vide, especially if you cant vent past 400 CFM.
The big unknown is Wolf. It probably was the best all-around range before the improvement.
Their Gourmet series will improve it considerably, as will the new convection system.
But do you wait?
Reliability, especially education and minor service, is a factor when buying any of these ranges. You should consider the company with the best service in your area.
Best Dual Fuel Pro Range Alternative: 36-Inch Induction Ranges
Wolf 36-Inch Induction Pro Range
Before you think about a dual fuel or all gas pro range, consider an induction range.
Induction is the fastest to boil with the best simmer. It's hotter than a BlueStar at 25,000 BTU and better than the Thermador 100 BTU simmer.
It's simple to clean and requires less venting than a gas range. Mass Residents: You can even bypass Make-Up Air regs with a 400 CFM vent depending on how you cook.
Lastly, induction is the most child-safe because the magnetic burners need to sense metal to activate.
Why You Shouldn't Buy an Induction Range
Induction doesn't have a grill or griddle.
It also requires more amps than gas. In some areas of Boston, that could be an issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What's the difference between a gas range and a professional range?
A gas range has gas burners and a gas oven. The gas oven in a pro range typically has an infrared broiler(intense heat for searing).
Gas pro ranges will have more high output burners, whereas gas ranges will have better controls and baking drawers
2. Are dual fuel ranges better than gas ranges?
I wouldn't deem one better than the other, as both have their benefits. Really it all depends on how you are going to use them.
If you do a lot of baking that requires precise temperatures, dual fuel is better. If you do a lot of broiling or roasting, all gas is better.
3. How do I choose a dual fuel range?
It depends on what you value. Do you value having a grill, griddle, high or low BTU output, simmering capabilities, a convection system, or other features like Wi-Fi and steam?
It's all a matter of what's important to you, how you cook, and what you'll actually use.
Additional Resources
If you need any more information on professional cooking products, read the Yale Professional Range Buying Guide with BTU output and features of every professional cooking product on the market. Well over 900,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
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A Note About Pricing
Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.