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Written by Amy Ross | Mar 18, 2014 7:00:00 PM

There is a new type of induction becoming available. Up until last year you placed a pot on a burner, and that was how you cooked.

Thermador changed that notion. With the Thermador Freedom, you place a pot anywhere, because the cooktop was one large burner.

Now Viking has a new induction cooktop with similar technology, due out in May/June. So we compared the specifications of both as well as the companies. These two cooktops are best in class.

Viking Range

Viking is an American manufacturer based in Greenwood, Mississippi. They are best known for their cooking products. They were the first to introduce commercial–type appliances into the home. Their products make a statement and have a distinct professional appearance.

Viking was recently acquired by Middleby of Ohio, a commercial cooking supplier. Viking has experienced some difficulty and consumers found an overabundance of minor service issues, especially with their customizable yet inexpensive D3 line. Their new owner has a commercial background and understands how to build products. I am optimistic of Viking's future. However, a brands future at Yale is tied to its reliability. With 20 service technicians on the road, we will know quickly.

I love the look of their new products, especially their induction. Viking has a fairly long history with induction cooking.

Viking VICU2666BSB

$4159 - Product Details

Commercial-Type Cooking Power

MagneQuick(TM) induction power generators utilize magnetic energy for superior power, responsiveness, and efficiency
Power Management system speeds boil time for your favorite dishes as well as providing a quick simmer for sauces
Commercial-type styling
Induction 36" W. cooktop

Left front - 8", 3,700 watt boost/2,300 watt element
Left rear - 6", 1,400 watt element
Center front - 7", 1,850 watt element
Center back- 7", 1,850 watt element
Right front - 6", 1,400 watt element
Right rear - 8", 3,300 watt boost element/2,300 watt element

Easy Operation and Cleanup

Glass ceramic top with stainless steel frame/control panel

Extremely durable, wear-resistant surface

Metal knobs with childproof, push-to-turn safety feature

Exclusive Finishes

Stainless Steel/Black (SB) featuring black glass and knobs

Warranty Highlights

Three-year full warranty - complete unit
Lifetime limited - stainless steel exterior
Five-year limited warranty - surface burners
Ninety-day full - cosmetic parts such as glass, painted items and decorative items

Features

Induction Glass Ceramic Surface Spend more time creating and less time cleaning with our easy-to-clean glass ceramic top and removable knobs. Wear-resistant glass ceramic surface is extremely durable for easy cleanup.
Power Management System Speeds boil time for your favorite dishes as well as providing a quick simmer for sauces.
MagneQuick(TM) Induction Elements Cook quickly and efficiently with induction heat generated by the exceptionally responsive MagneQuick(TM) power generators. MagneQuick(TM) induction elements utilize magnetic energy for superior power, responsiveness and efficiency.

Thermador

Thermador is a luxury brand manufactured by the BSH Corporation. Thermador produces some of the best cooking products in the industry and their integrated refrigeration is very attractive. Thermador is one of the most reliable appliance brands, and is the only mass premium brand to be in the top 6.

The Freedom has been available for about a year and works well. They are continuing their One-Two-Free promotion next year with free dishwasher and hood so you can still purchase a great appliance package for your springtime project or renovation.

Thermador CIT36XKB

$4,999 - Product Details

Although Thermador makes other induction cooktops at a lower price point I decided to list the Thermador Freedom cooktop, the most innovative induction product out there. The whole cooktop is essentially a large burner so you can place your pans anywhere on the cooktop surface. You no longer need to worry if your pans will fit the burners.

Features

Largest Cooking Surface
Overall Useable Surface
Flexibility
Freedom to Move
Brilliant Interface
Largest fully usable cooking surface on the market.
48 induction elements deliver more than 63% usable cooking surface than the competition.
Place up to 4 pots or pans anywhere on the cooktop surface in any configuration.
Featuring the first full color touch screen induction user interface on the market. This intuitive interface offers better control and faster access to cooking settings.
Freedom to move. If you need to move your pot to another location, the cooktop will transfer all of your programmed settings to the new position of the pan.
Most powerful element in its class with a 4,600 W PowerBoost lets you boil water faster than with any other cooking technology.
Speed Heating - Induction cooktops heat 50% faster than traditional gas cooktops
Pan Recognition - Element will not turn on if other small objects are placed on the cooking zone
Anti-Overflow System - exclusive feature shutting off the relevant element and sounding alarm when liquids are detected on user interface
Child Safety Lock
Grey-black glass color
Angular, modern design coordinates with the suite of Thermador Masterpiece Collection appliances
Full stainless steel frame

Viking vs. Thermador Freedom Induction Cooktop

Thermador is available while Viking is not, so Thermador has an immediate advantage. Viking has a really cool look and has the ability to cook 6 pans. Viking also has a longer warranty of 3 years.

Thermador has a different cooktop. It can hold only 4 pots/cookware, but there is no size limitation unlike the Viking. The real intangible is reliability. Thermador is one of our most reliable products, whereas Viking scores the lowest of any premium brand. I like the company, but the product needs to improve

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Additional Resources

Download the Yale Induction Cooking Buyers Guide with features, specs and inside buying tips to every brand. Over 55,000 people have read a Yale Guide.

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