Bosch introduced their newest series, Benchmark, in Vegas yesterday. To review, prior to the Benchmark Series, Bosch produced four lines of product: the Ascenta Series, 300 Series, 500 Series, and 800 Series.
These series covered product ranging from basic dishwashers to integrated refrigeration and everything in between, well almost everything. What I like about Bosch as a brand is they manufacture a vast range of product appealing to the taste and budget of nearly every customer.
If Bosch’s line is so good then why do they need the Benchmark series? The Benchmark Series is designed to appeal to the customer looking for luxurious product without breaking the bank on some of the luxury style appliance brands.
As a salesperson I am ecstatic for this introduction!
Let’s take a look at the important products of the Benchmark Series...
Wall Ovens
Single or Double Wall Ovens
Bosch is introducing a wall oven with true European convection and a side-swing door. Before Benchmark, you had limited selection when looking for a side-swing door (Gaggenau and American Range).
Side-opening door or pull-down doorSide-swing doors are desirable because you do not have to lift a heavy turkey over the door. As a woman, I appreciate that. With Benchmark, you have an affordable option.
- HD color TFT display
- Smooth Close door
- Flush Installation
- True European convection
- Auto probe
Combination Steam-Convection Oven & Combination Speed-Convection Oven
The Benchmark Series will have a speed-convection and steam-convection ovens. The speed-convection oven will have a microwave on top and the steam-convection oven will have a steam oven on top. I am especially excited for the steam-convection oven. Steam is a growing trend for nutritious cooking. It is nice to see in a more affordable brand.
Steam Oven
- Only steam oven with HD color TFT display in the appliance industry
- No trim kit for 30’’ steam oven needed
- Pair with a warming or convection drawer or in horizontal installation next to wall oven
- 5 included accessories
- Halogen lights
- Recipe book
(Learn more about the benefits of steam in our free Steam Oven Buying Guide)
Speed Oven
- 1.6 cu. ft. capacity
- 900 watts
- 9 Autochef programs deliver speed and precision to cooking
- New drop down door design 120V-240V (30’’ width)
- Can be installed under counter or underneath a cooktop
- Bake, broil, convection
Gas Cooktops
I like the cooktops with 20,000 BTU output. To compare, a professional rangetop is between 15-18,000 BTU. The Benchmark is also dual stack for better simmering.
- 20k BTU burner
- Dual stack high-low burner
- LED indicator lights on all knobs
- 30’’ and 36’’ widths
Induction Cooktops
The best induction cooktop sold is the Thermador Freedom. There are no defined burner areas so you can place a pan anywhere.
(Learn all about induction in our free Induction Cooking Buying Guide)
The Benchmark has a huge super burner in the middle of the cooktop and a large rectangular burner on the side as well as smaller burners. The Benchmark has great flexibility at a more affordable price
- Flexinduction elements accommodate more pans than traditional round burners
- 30’’ 5 burner induction cooktop
- Autochef pan included
- 30’’ or 36’’ widths
Electric Cooktops
- 30’’ or 36’’ widths
- 30’’ with 5 burners
- 36’’ with triple bridge element
- Autochef
- Powerstart
- 11’’ 3000 watt element (on 36’’)
- 9’’ 3,100 watt element (on 30’’)
Slide-in Ranges
Slide-in ranges are very convenient middle-ground for customers who want a built-in look but are hesitant to pay for a professional style range.
One of the biggest challenges most customers face with switching from a traditional free-standing range to a slide-in range is the need for a piece of countertop or a filler strip behind the range. The Benchmark series slide-in ranges will slide-in perfectly where a free-standing range once stood without the need for additional countertop of a filler strip!
The Benchmark slide-in ranges come with a telescopic oven rack, meat probe, and smooth-close door.
Gas & Dual-Fuel
- 20k BTU power burner
Electric
- 12’’ triple element
Induction
- 9’’ 3,700 watts
Refrigeration
Counter-depth French-door refrigerator
- Panel ready or stainless steel
- LED lighting
- Internal-water dispenser
- Bosch interior metal trim
30’’ built-in refrigerator & 36’’ built-in refrigerator
- Existing models will continue with new handle
- 30’’ model will come panel-ready
(Learn why counter depth has become so popular in our free guide)
Conclusion
Evidently Bosch is manufacturing a plethora of new product. I am predicting the Benchmark series will be successful. I am especially anticipating the side-swing door wall-ovens, slide-in ranges, and counter-depth French door refrigeration.
In our showroom we are constantly remodeling to display new product. Take a look at the evolution of our new Benchmark display here.
Additional Resources
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