Viking has a brand new range from their brand new owner.
How will it compete against Wolf, one of the industry's best products?
Let's look at both the company and the products.
Viking
Viking Range Corporation was founded by Fred Carl, Jr., a fourth-generation building contractor. He developed the first commercial range specifically designed for the home.
Viking is now considered not only a major appliance manufacturer but a culinary company involved in all aspects of the kitchen and the world of food and wine. The Viking refrigeration plant was totally renovated in 2000 and produces Viking built-in refrigerators, freezers, wine storage units and an entire line of outdoor refrigeration products.
Last year, Viking was acquired by the range manufacture, Middleby. They are currently in a transition/ rebirth stage.
Notice the raised pedestal burner design
Viking has always had their traditional Pro series (now known as the 5 series). Over time they released their entry level designer series now known as the 3 series) to compete with lower prices lines.
Switching over to a good, better and best lineup, we now see their best in the newest 7 series.
Viking 7 Series ranges feature 23,000 BTU elevated surface burners adapted from the Viking Commercial product line.
The most notable cosmetic change is the round exposed brass burners 48” pictured
Pros:
- Longest warranty
- Highest BTU output on large burners
Cons:
- Currently no 30” size
- New ownership still working out bugs
Wolf
The Sub-Zero Freezer Company was founded in 1945, by Westye F. Bakke in Madison, Wisconsin. For more than 70 years, Wolf has been synonymous with professional cooking equipment for restaurants and hotels.
In March of 2000, the company was purchased by Sub-Zero and was adapted for the serious in-home cook. Sub-Zero, reinvested in Wolf and completely redesigned the line with better simmers and pioneered double convection technology in the ovens.
You can simmer on every burner of a Wolf at a constant temperature of 500 BTU due to their dual stacked burner design.
Pros:
- Available in 30 inches and 60 inches
- Lasting reliability
- Stylish looks
- Exceptional simmering capabilities
- Twin convection for more even heat
- Infra-Red grill
Cons:
- Lower BTU’s - 15K at most
- Price
- Shorter warranty (still 2 years though)
Viking vs. Wolf 48 Inch Professional Ranges
Although Viking’s new ranges have some new features for their lineup, they are not however exclusive. Thermador invented the soft close doors and raised pedestal burner. Their easy to clean chromium griddle was originally introduced by Jenn-Air.
However, at 23,000 BTUs, Viking is certainly more powerful than the Wolf and almost any other product on the market.
Wolf is a better oven with twin convection and many modes like proofing and dehydrate for the serious chef. I like their grill and think it is the best in the industry.
Normally I would leave it at top vs stove, but Viking needs to prove the company can be reliable again. I believe it can. It's just a matter of when.
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