We recently stopped carrying Viking as of May 2014. Technically, they pulled the line from us after a 85% drop in sales. I couldn’t sell it, because the line has service issues.
With 21 service techs on the road, feedback is immediate at Yale. I hope new owner Middleby can turn it around, but that can not happen any time soon.
Interestingly enough, we are now carrying Dacor, so I thought it would be interesting comparing the two.
Dacor is a third generation family-owned company based in California. They are known for innovation and have a few industry firsts including a 30’’ wall oven, and a true third heating element convection oven system.
Dacor has recently partnered with Samsung to manufacture some of the most technologically advanced ovens in their high-end Discovery Series products. This oven works off an app and can email you after cycle completion.
Dacor may have the best promotion of any high end manufacturer. For example, if you buy a professional range, then you receive a free dishwasher. Then if you buy a built-in refrigerator, then you also receive a free hood. I like the Dacor approach better because it allows you more flexibility to customize your kitchen.
For every $6k that you spend you can choose: a free dishwasher, free hood or a $750 instant rebate. Dacor has different levels and lines of appliances ranging in price. Here are a couple of examples of their most economical line compared to their premium series.
Value Package: These qualify you for free dishwasher, hood, or $750 instant rebate
Premium Package: This qualifies for free dishwasher, hood, or $750 instant rebate
Viking is a wholly owned subsidiary of Middleby. They were one of the first manufacturers to pioneer the professional-style range for residential use. Their ranges is still an icon of the industry.
Their packages more limited than Dacor, but Viking also includes a warranty (you may need it).
Value Package: This qualifies for a $600 instant rebate at about $9,400
Premium Package: This package qualifies you for the free dishwasher above and a 6 year warranty totaling about $27,900
It really depends on the product. Let's compare...
Neither manufacture a dishwasher. Viking pulled theirs due to service issues and has sourced their dishwasher from Blomberg, a Turkish manufacturer. Dacor is produced by Asko. Asko is better than Blomberg...advantage Dacor.
Both their standard shallow depths are manufactured by Whirlpool. Dacor has their premium built by KitchenAid(Whirlpool). Viking is still manufacturing theirs. They shouldn’t. Advantage Dacor.
I really like the styling and large burners of Dacor. Viking, however, has more features like a griddle and grill. I will give the slight edge to Viking….when it works.
The new Dacor has Bluetooth, Pandora, email, an app to control the oven. As I said before, it will even email you after cycle completion. Viking is a single convection oven. It's expensive and good looking, but without any of the functionality of Dacor.
Dacor has a more robust rebate. Viking has the extended warranty of 6 years. I sincerely hope the product improves, because 6 years is a ton of time with inconsistent products.
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