Viking vs Miele Gas Cooktops
This is an interesting comparison. Viking also manufactures pro style rangetops with higher BTU burners while Miele does not. Pro cooking is an anomaly in Europe. Still, cooktops are more widely sold than rangetops and are more economical to buy.
Viking Range Corp
Viking Range Corporation was founded by Fred Carl, Jr., a fourth generation building contractor, as a speculative venture aimed at developing the first commercial-type range specifically designed, engineered and certified for home use. He worked with some KitchenAid executives on their rejected range design. That design became the first Viking Range.
The idea of developing a commercial-type range for home use resulted from Carl noticing the increasing use of commercial ranges in residential kitchens during the late 1970s.
Viking is primarily known for cooking, but they sell dishwashers, refrigerators and hoods.
Miele
Carl Miele founded his company in Gutersloh, Germany in 1899, and it's still a family-owned business. They produced their first vacuum cleaner, the Melior, in 1927.
Miele is the only premium brand in the household appliance industry represented on all five continents. They manufacture not only vacuum cleaners, but also dishwashers, laundry systems, and cooking products. Miele has over 15,000 employees with over 10,000 in Germany. Miele has some of the strictest quality control practices in the industry.
Miele's distinctive competence is really water treatment, namely dishwashers and laundry. If this was a dishwasher post, Miele would win handily...
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Viking VGSU1646BSS $2,099 Features
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Miele KM3474 $1,749 Burner Configuration
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First, it should be noted that cooktops and gas cooking in general has become more powerful. Both Viking and Miele have at least one burner equal to a professional range (Miele has two). Both will simmer well.
Viking has six burners, but Miele has 5 with two power burners. It's really about heritage. Miele is a vertically integrated manufacturer focused on quality. Over 90% of all components are produced by the company.
Viking on the other hand is more focused on cooking and is manufactured in the USA...which is important. Viking will also have rebates at different times of the year whereas Miele will not. So it's really Miele's quality story (2.9% service calls within first year, best we surveyed) and price compared to Viking's 'Made in the US' and their signature piece.
Both are very competitive, but I like the Viking a bit more in cooking, especially in gas cooktops. The VGSU has the look and feel of a professional top without the price tag.
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Additional Resources
Read the Yale Gas Cooking Guide with BTU outputs, brands and features of every unit on the market.
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