You will have a tough time shopping for a 60-inch range.
I understand the dilemma. If lucky, you may enter a store and come across a 60-inch professional range.
Not to slander our company, but we only have two on display per store.
It's also a confusing product to buy.
You do have plenty of choices, yet limited brands and fuel types.
Miele, JennAir, SKS (Signature Kitchen Suite), Monogram, and Fisher & Paykel do not produce a 60-inch range.
Unfortunately, no company dominates every feature, so choosing by brand reputation alone is not a good idea.
You want to pick the best features for using the range. Spend some time assessing how you cook and what new features you will use.
Don't know?
You will after reading this article.
Now, let's look at the best 60-inch professional ranges.
[inlineCTA]
The La Cornue Grand Palais 180 is completely customizable and still hand-made in their French factory.
You have a choice of nine different cooktops encompassing a French top, griddle, grill, wok burner, Teppanyaki, induction module, or an all induction cooktop.
You will have to choose between gas or electric ovens in every other range except La Cornue. La Cornue Château ranges have both electric and gas options.
La Cornue's natural convection oven with an arched top is the best for baking or roasting while leaving moisture in your food.
In terms of finishes and trims, the Château is the most elegant range available.
You are buying a piece of heirloom furniture as well as a stove.
There are two problems with a Château range. First, the price is three times the price of other ranges on the list. Second, availability has been poor.
Wolf is an American-made brand with over 80 years of experience in manufacturing high-end cooking products.
Sub-Zero purchased the brand about 20 years ago and moved to Wisconsin.
Wolf is well known for its professional look, cooking precision, and a consistent 500 BTU simmer with its dual-stacked burners.
You have a total of eight 60-inch range choices in their line-up, five in dual-fuel and three in all gas.
Wolf has good power and has the only blower convection system.
The griddle, grill, and French Top are all infrared gas, not electric, for better response and easier cleaning.
Wolf Gourmet Guided Cooking System
Wolf's dual fuel ranges have smart functionality and the Wolf Gourmet guided cooking system.
The Wolf Gourmet system calculates time, temperature, and rack position based on your prompts.
Want your steak medium well or medium rare? Wolf will calculate the correct time, temperature, and rack placement.
Their dual fuel range may be the most versatile oven on this list with good output, options like French tops, and a better convection system.
The cooking surface will be the same in the griddle and grill. However, the burners are more powerful in dual fuel at 20,000 max compared to 15,000 BTU in all gas.
The oven and controls are different. In addition to their dual fuel capabilities, these ranges feature illuminated oven knobs and an LCD screen for easy control.
Wolf's dual fuel range also offers self-cleaning and blower convection.
The broiler in the all-gas model is better with infrared versus electric in the dual fuel.
Their gas professional range is a bit underpowered and only offers single convection.
BlueStar ranges were introduced by Prizer-Painter Stove Works in Reading, PA in 1880.
The company manufactured residential and commercial ranges, water heaters, furnaces, and heating stoves.
Prizer-painter Stove Works continued to manufacture high-end cooking products for over a century.
In 2002, Prizer introduced the BlueStar line, restaurant-quality ranges designed for the residential market.
Custom Color Options
You can customize all 60" BlueStar ranges with 1000 colors for knob and range finishes plus (10) different trim options.
Seventy-five percent of BlueStar ranges sold at Yale are in color.
BlueStar is a good option if you're seeking a unique look beyond stainless steel - actually, make that a great option.
Range Models
BlueStar offers tremendous variety within their 60" range line-up, offering nine options in two different series, the Platinum and RNB series.
BlueStar has double grills, double griddles, and French tops as well.
They offer flexibility with open burner configurations that can be customized with griddle, grill, and French top sizes to suit your cooking needs.
Pure Convection
BlueStar has the only third element convection gas range for even baking. They also feature a Salamander broiler on the top for caramelizing and searing.
BlueStar has two series of pro ranges.
Their Platinum is their most powerful, with two 25,000 BTU burners, three 22,000 BTU burners, two 18,000 BTU burners, and two 15,000 BTU burners.
It's also the only Pure convection gas range.
The RNB is less powerful, maxing at two 22,000 BTU burners and several 15,000 BTU burners.
The RNB has an integrated grill and griddle for a more consistent temperature.
The Platinum is an all-burner range available with an enhanced portable, reversible grill/griddle.
The RNB also offers straight convection only.
It's not available in dual fuel and has no self-cleaning mode, a clock, or a timer, much less smart functionality.
The grill and griddle of the RNB series range are not infrared, so the grill will not evaporate the drippings.
Thermador is a Germany-based company and is part of BSH Home Appliances Corporation, the third-largest appliance manufacturer globally.
Thermador offers two 60-inch dual fuel ranges in their line-up.
They are the opposite of BlueStar offering only dual fuel and no gas options.
Star-Shaped Burners
Thermador provides more elegance in their aesthetic, with softer lines and star-shaped burners.
Their Star Burners are raised, so they are the easiest to clean on this list.
Simmer Burners
Their precision simmer is intermittent, which means it will cycle on and off to maintain an exceptionally low temperature of 100°F (375 BTU) on two of their burners.
Output
These ranges will provide decent output,
Thermador ranges have the following BTU outputs on their burners:
Induction
Induction is a great option as it's the fastest to boil and simmer and requires less venting. Thermador ranges have a two-burner induction option.
Steam Oven
One of their models has a full steam oven instead of a second oven. Steam adds moisture and doesn't bake out nutrients.
The warming drawer below can keep food warm for up to three hours - a helpful feature for families with different meal times.
Thermador only offers dual-fuel 60-inch ranges. Usually, Thermador has two series, their Pro Harmony or Pro Grand. Their 60-inch range is in the Pro Grand series only.
Like the others, they have different grill and griddle configurations.
The biggest difference is if you want a steam oven with a warming drawer below or straight double ovens.
The grill and griddle are electric, so they are slower than gas. The ovens are single convection as well.
The steam oven is a decent consideration, but you lose capacity from the regular four cubic foot oven.
You do not have a gas option in a Thermador 60-inch range.
Viking has experienced many recent changes. They are credited for developing the first pro ranges but now are a subsidiary of Middleby Residential.
It's tough to talk about Viking without mentioning past service issues. I think they are past that, but you may want to check locally.
To be transparent, we like Viking, but we do not carry the line.
Viking is another brand with the option of selecting custom color finishes. Viking will offer two 60" ranges in their line-up, one in dual-fuel and one in all gas.
They're also specific to either natural gas or liquid propane.
Viking's BTU outputs on the burners are five at 15,000 BTUs and one burner at 18,500 BTUs. Viking does offer a total of 17 finishes (colors and stainless).
Viking has two 60-inch pro range series in dual fuel and all gas. Unlike Wolf, they have the same general specifications. You would just choose which type is better.
Sixty-inch professional ranges require more maintenance than any other appliance.
As you are reading this, just know you will need service statistically twice while you own your range.
Then again, a 60-inch range is two regular ranges with more power and more combinations on the top.
Along with looking at features, figure out the best repair agents in your area. Unfortunately, it will differ by brand and by region.
Our most repaired item is an igniter. The good news is this is an easy repair on one burner.
It should not be an issue with 6-10 burners available unless it's Thanksgiving or another holiday.
As always, feel free to leave questions and comments below. You can also download our free Pro Cooking Buying Guide for more detailed information on major brands.
I still don't know what the best range is after writing three thousand and five hundred words for this article. It depends on how you use it. You must pick the features important to you.
First, you should ask whether you bake or broil more because the answer determines whether you buy gas or dual fuel. After that, pick the features you use the most.
You should buy what's right for you. Often, we are "sold" by a store or website only to find out later it wasn't the best purchase.
Figuring out what is important to you is the only way to choose a range aside from reliability and service.
You are buying highly technical products. Make sure they can be fixed in your area. Do some research.
Buying a malfunctioning range is a problem around the holidays.
Below is a synopsis of the best features for you to review.
BlueStar offers 25,000, 20,000, and 18,000 BTU burners in their Platinum series of ranges in terms of sheer output. Wolf has 20,000, and Thermador does have a max of 22,000.
For simmering, Thermador has the lowest at 100°F on a few burners with an on/off simmer, while BlueStar offers a 130°F precise simmer.
Wolf's dual-stacked burners offer 500 BTU with a consistent simmer on all burners.
However, the induction burner of the La Cornue 180 will have the fastest boil and lowest simmer.
Wolf has the best grill because infrared is hot and simple to clean.
BlueStar and Viking offer gas grills and griddles. It's not as powerful as infrared, but you can control the temperature.
Like true commercial ranges, BlueStar, La Cornue, and Viking do not have any controls.
Wolf has some with light-up knobs and an LCD screen. Their new smart features, along with the Gourmet guided cooking system, is the easiest.
Thermador has a TFT digital display with Wi-Fi HomeConnect to help you cook. You can also turn your oven on/off or change the temperature remotely.
La Cornue has its temperature-consistent oven and gas (roasting) and electric (baking) in the same range.
Wolf has their blower convection in dual fuel while BlueStar is pure convection in their Platinum series in all gas.
Thermador has steam in its side oven with a drawer. Cooking with steam is the best if you learn how to use it. They also offer induction. It's a great option for power and simmering.
BlueStar, La Cornue, and Viking allow for customization so your range can look different from your neighbors.
Click here to subscribe to our blog and gain access to exclusive insights, in-depth reviews, and valuable resources on home appliances.
Don't miss out on the latest trends and expert advice that will help you make informed decisions for your household.
Now let's talk about you.
Choosing the right professional range is key for any home chef.
In this section, we'll help you decide what's important to you, whether it's baking or grilling, smart features, or specific burner types.
It's all about finding the perfect range that fits both your cooking style and kitchen needs.
Let's dive in.
If you were shopping at Yale, we would ask you the following questions before buying a 60-inch pro range:
Answering these basic questions will help you choose the right range for you.
The key differences between professional ranges are:
Sealed burners are what you have currently where only the cap is removable. It's easier to clean.
Open burners have a higher output and are more common in a commercial setting.
Open burner ranges can be disassembled and cleaned in the sink. BlueStar and Capital ranges are open. Viking, Thermador, La Cornue, Wolf, and most others, are sealed.
The performance will vary by brand. BTUs (British Thermal Units) are used to rate the power output of your burners or oven.
Open burners typically offer a higher BTU rating and will be the closest match to a commercial or restaurant application.
Typically, open burners are bigger, with better oxygen flowing around the burner itself. However, sealed burners have increased output.
The drawback to an open burner is the cleaning. Any overflow could potentially find its way down below the rangetop surface.
Then again, the top is removable so you can clean it at your sink.
Many companies now offer a powerful sealed burner. Burners are typically rated from 15,000 to 25,000 BTUs.
BlueStar now has 25,000 BTU-sealed burners. Hestan has 30,000 BTU, and Wolf has a 35,000 BTU wok burner. Unfortunately, none of these are available in a 60-inch range.
Dual fuel is a gas rangetop and an electric oven. An all-gas range is a gas rangetop and a gas oven. Before you automatically buy dual fuel, you should also consider all gas.
Dual fuel ranges have more precise heat and are better for baking. Gas is better for roasting.
The infrared broiler is also far better than an electric broiler in an all-gas range with direct, intense heat.
Dual fuel is usually 10%-25% more expensive than its all-gas counterpart. Electric is also self-cleaning.
Gas professional ovens can be either depending on the brand. Thermador ovens have a self-cleaning mode, unlike BlueStar, Wolf, and Viking ovens.
Dual fuel has added features in some brands like Wolf, SKS, Thermador Pro Grand, and Miele, so it's not always an exact comparison.
Only La Cornue offers both electric and gas in their 60-inch ranges. For the others, you must choose the fuel type.
Pro Tip: Buy a dual fuel gas range with a grill if you like to broil. The grill is just an infrared burner placed on the top, not in the oven.
Griddle options are available with all brands. In a 60" range, they would be available in a 12" wide or a 24" double griddle.
There are three different energy sources for a griddle - gas, gas infrared, or electric.
For example, in the Wolf pro-range, the griddle has an infrared gas burner component beneath it, offering 15,000 BTU of power.
The benefit to infrared is its intense direct heat, whereas straight gas spreads the heat more evenly.
On the other hand, Thermador's 60-inch pro range will offer an electric griddle. It works off a "6-pass electric element" of 1,630 watts.
The electric-pass-element is not as consistent or fast as that of the infrared Wolf.
Griddles can cook anything well. Most diners still use griddles as the only cooking appliance. I remember when the old Yale showroom was on Canal Street in Boston.
Demos, a diner, was across the street. The guy cooked everything from omelets to hot dogs and hamburgers on a 36-inch griddle.
You can always buy a griddle to cover the burners, but it's not thermostatically controlled and as consistent as an integrated type.
Grill options are also available with all the brands that offer a 60" range. Wolf offers a powerful infrared 16,000 BTU output.
Some may perceive a grill as a challenge to keep clean, but the benefit to infrared will burn any residue off.
Straight gas distributes heat evenly but at a lower temperature than infrared, providing better temperature control.
The cleaning is more manageable and isolated to the grates, and the stainless sides surround the gas-fed infrared plate.
Both Viking and BlueStar professional ranges offer gas-fed grill options.
Because they are not infrared, they are harder to clean.
Thermador has an electric grill with briquettes at the bottom to increase heat.
You want a range to deliver consistent heat, so you have more evenly cooked food. The terms can be confusing.
Let's eliminate the twin or two fan convection because it doesn't exist in a 60-inch range.
Wolf offers their "VertiCross" convection system. Wolf's convection system uses blowers instead of fans in their dual-fuel range.
Blowers can deliver more air faster and evenly than fans for more even baking.
That's why high CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) hoods always have blowers, not fans. This will help ensure true, even baking results.
Viking's dual-fuel will offer a Vari-Speed Dual Flow convection system, which happens to be the largest convection fan in the industry. The 8-1/2" fan works bi-directionally.
BlueStar offers the only third convection element behind the fan in their Platinum all gas models. Third, convection elements are often referred to as "pure" or "European."
You have more even heat circulation when blown from the back instead of heating from the bottom and picked up by a fan.
Electric is all pure convection. In gas-only, BlueStar has this type of convection.
The best convection system is La Cornue. The air is blown in from the bottom and provides "natural convection" with the arched top of the oven.
Unlike other convection types, La Cornue does not use a fan and keeps a naturally even heat throughout the oven.
This system also does not dry out the food like fan-blown heat.
Steam is an amazing feature. Steam adds moisture rather than baking out nutrients and flavor like any traditional range.
You can cook anything in a steam oven, from brownies to proteins and, of course, rice and vegetables.
Thermador will have a steam oven in its 60-inch range instead of a single oven.
Thermador will have a warming drawer. You can keep food warm for up to three hours in a warming drawer without dehydrating the texture like a microwave.
Food can be prepared, kept warm in a drawer, and then served to friends and family later. It's great if you cook at one time and your family eats later.
Smart functionality has been improved but only marginally since its inception around 2015-2016. You will be able to turn your stove on or off remotely and change the cycle.
Thermador has their HomeConnect app, also allowing you access to recipes. Wolf has their smart functionality but also adds its "Gourmet" settings.
You input the food and how you want it cooked, and the range calculates time, temperature, and even proper rack position.
Having Wi-Fi connectivity and remote access to your range is a convenience with basic features. It doesn't have the next-level functionality of taking that recipe and cooking with a voice prompt.
Learn More: Smart Appliance Buying Guide
French Tops are the opposite of a consistent, thermostatically controlled griddle.
The burner is located inside with the heat radiating out, so you can cook effectively at different temperatures rather than at the same temperature of a griddle.
You place your food directly on a griddle but leave them in the pans on a French top.
BlueStar, La Cornue, and Wolf offer a French Top.
A salamander broiler is a four-position grilling rack, and adjustable burners allow you to cook with heat.
You will get perfect results in half the time, from rare steaks to crispy chicken to delicately broiled crab cakes.
Currently, only BlueStar offers a salamander broiler.
Viking has 17 colors with a few trim options. La Cornue has 50 colors and eight trims. BlueStar has 1000 color options and ten trim options.
You can also customize BlueStar and La Cornue with your own colors.
Soon, you will be able to upload your own photos to be your BlueStar range front.
For additional information and insights on selecting a professional range, read this article: The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Professional Range.
When selecting a 60-inch professional range, focus on key features like burner type (open or sealed), BTU output for cooking power, and whether you prefer dual fuel or all gas.
Consider additional options like steam ovens, smart connectivity, and custom finishes to match your cooking style and kitchen aesthetics.
Remember, no single brand excels in every feature, so choose based on the functionalities you value most.
Get our free Pro Cooking Buying Guide with tips, trends, and reviews of all the best brands. Over 1 million people have already found answers in a Yale guide.