Jenn-Air vs Viking 36 Inch Professional Ranges (Reviews/Ratings/Prices)
As we have written previously, Jenn-Air versus Viking is comparing Whirlpool past and present. In 1990, a few Whirlpool executives developed a prototype. After the company rejected production, the executives at Whirlpool founded Viking based on that prototype. Almost 20 years later, Whirlpool spent 300 million revitalizing the Jenn-Air brand specifically on professional cooking and wall ovens.
Jenn-Air
The original Jenn-Air Products Company was founded by Louis J. Jenn in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1947, later becoming simply Jenn-Air. In the early years, the company focused on manufacturing and marketing of industrial fans for use in a variety of commercial and industrial applications. In 1961, Jenn-Air's integration of one of these fans to a cooktop range lead to the invention of the first self-ventilated downdraft range. The company grew its product line to include many other kitchen appliances including microwave ovens, refrigerators, dishwashers, and small appliances such as mixers and blenders. Unfortunately, the brand languished after being purchased by the Maytag company as well as the demand for downdrafts dissipating in the 1990s. With investment from Whirlpool, once again, Jenn-Air is a brand to be considered in the professional range category.
Viking
Founded in the 1980s by Fred Carl Jr., Viking Range introduced the first commercial-type range in 1987. In October of 1989, Viking began preparations for manufacturing its own product line in Carl's hometown of Greenwood, Mississippi. By February 1990, the first Viking-produced range top went into production. Production of the 48-inch range followed in April, and by July 1990, all models were in production in Greenwood. Viking at one time owned 50% of the profesisonal range market. However, like Jenn-Air, have languished for different reasons. Viking seemed focused on anything but ironically their range. Recently, they have upgraded their line and specifically burner outputs.
Jenn-Air vs Viking 36 Inch Pro Ranges
 |
VS |
 |
|
|
Although Viking has a 3 year warranty and better name recognition, Jenn-Air has hotter burners with two 20,000 BTU and a newer, more interactive control interface.
But this post is really about the power of promotion and economy of scale. Smaller niche companies have really dominated the high-end like Sub-Zero, Miele and Viking and to a far lesser degree Gaggenau, Asko and AGA. However, with deeper pockets companies like Whirlpool (Jenn-Air) and Bosch (Thermador) have started to offer very good products for much less.
In this case, the difference is almost $2,000 plus a free dishwasher. Jenn-Air is a relatively new product, so we will have to check reliability, fit and finish over time...but for now it seems like a great value.
Related Articles
Additional Resources
Read a Yale Buyers Guide. Over 9,000 people have read a Yale Guide to help in all aspects of home improvement.
- Professional Cooking Buyers Guide
- Induction Cooking Buyers Guide
- Gas Cooking Buyers Guide
- Refrigerator Buyers Guide
- Wall Oven Buyers Guide
|
Rick Medeiros has over 6 years of appliances sales experience and is in the appliance sales department at Yale Appliance + Lighting. He enjoys travelling, live music and learning to play the guitar. |
Why Should You Trust Us?
It seems that every appliance review has nothing but glowing comments about almost every product, yet you read customer reviews and they are almost universally bad.
We are here to fill in the disconnect. We'll give you the best features, and the drawbacks as well, including reliability based on over 37,000 calls performed by our service team just last year. Our goal is to give you ALL the information so you know what's right for you.
Please consider subscribing or adding to the conversation in the comments below. We appreciate you stopping by.
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.
Topics:
