Wall ovens are now the most exciting cooking category. Manufacturers have gone high tech and have features like Wi-Fi in Dacor and Jenn-Air. Miele added steam to their ovens for baking bread. Wolf added a new blower convection system. All the above have added intuitive controls.
At the other end of the spectrum, BlueStar and Viking have stayed true to their commercial roots and have unveiled a French door wall oven. We will first look at the oven, both companies and then compare at the end.
What is a French Door Wall Oven?
Typically found in commercial kitchens, French-door wall ovens have two doors that open outward simultaneously. They are starting to become popular in residences as more brands are embracing this design and ergonomic function.
Benefits
Many kitchens these days may have an island or peninsula nearby. The short swing of the oven doors allow these units to work functionally and not interfere with someone’s “Kitchen Work Triangle”. You can also walk around a person using that oven which cannot be done with a traditional door swing.
A traditional wall oven also has you working over the door. This can be dangerous and commonly gives the user the bad habit of placing weight on the door. It can prematurely wear out the hinge and affect how well the doors close.
Having the doors apart allows easier accessibility to load and unload as well as a better visual on what is inside the oven.
Let's look at both companies.
BlueStar
Founded in 1880, Prizer Painter Stove Works began as a manufacturer of residential/commercial producer of coal fueled water heaters, furnaces and ranges.
In the mid 1950’s this company produced a full line of enameled cookware as Prizerware. It wasn’t until 2002 that BlueStar began their handcrafted restaurant quality ranges for residential use. They claim to use the highest quality commercial grade stainless in their products.
They are still family owned located in Pennsylvania.
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.
Viking has been recently acquired by the range manufacturer, Middleby. They just went through the transition/rebirth stage as they are under new ownership in 2013.
Middleby has big aspirations in combining commercial technology in residential cooking. However, their efforts at improving the quality have been lukewarm at best.
Full disclosure: We do not sell Viking any longer due to numerous service issues and just started with the BlueStar line.
Viking vs. BlueStar Wall Ovens
BlueStar BSEWO30ECSD - starts at $3,950
Features:
- Powerful 25,000 BTU burner with 3,000 BTU heat assist for quick start-ups and additional power
- Extra-large oven with True European Convection and 1850° Infrared Broiler that accommodates a full size 18" x 26" commercial baking sheet
- Features French door design
- 24" depth for compatibility with standard kitchen cabinetry
- Available as single ovens or two single ovens double stacked
- Coved corners for optimal heat circulation and easier cleaning
- Handcrafted in Pennsylvania since 1880
The unequaled BlueStar gas wall oven combines heavy-duty, handcrafted construction with a seamless design to bring functional beauty to the home chef’s kitchen. Each extra-large oven contains a powerful 25,000 BTU burner with True European Convection.
Viking VSOF730SS - $5,249
Features:
- Extra-large 4.7 cu. ft. oven
- 11 high performance cooking modes
- Patented Vari-Speed Dual Flow™ Convection System
- Extra-Large Gourmet-Glo™ Glass Enclosed Infrared Broiler provides superior broiling performance and maximum coverage
- Exclusive Rapid Ready™ Preheat ensures super-fast preheating
- Oven has six porcelain-coated rack positions and comes standard with three oven racks including two TruGlide™ Full Extension Racks
- Meat probe feature
Comparison
These are very similar products. However, with two major differences.
First, BlueStar manufactures this unit in gas or electric. Viking is just electric. You would think electric is better in an oven, and normally you would be correct.
However, BlueStar manufactures the only gas true convection in the industry, so the performance should be identical to electric. The gas broiler is 1,850 degrees, which is far superior to an electric broiler.
Reliability
BlueStar is an unknown to us presently. Since we service what we sell, we will find out the product integrity.
Viking has its issues as it still has not reigned in the issues while creating new products. Be very careful before you consider this product.
Additional Resources
Need more information about wall ovens? Get the Yale Wall Oven Buying Guide with features, specs and detailed profiles of all the brands like Wolf, Miele, Viking, Jenn-Air, KitchenAid and more. Over 160,000 people have read a Yale Guide.
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