I'm debating between a Viking range and a Wolf range. I've heard that
Wolf has better quality than Viking. What's your opinion on these
manifactures.

I'd get a Wolf if I had to choose between the two. Check them out in
real life, if possible. Blue Star (the former Garland) is said to be
making excellent ranges.

On 11 Oct 2005 06:31:57 -0700, wrote:

>I'm debating between a Viking range and a Wolf range. I've heard that
>Wolf has better quality than Viking. What's your opinion on these
>manifactures.

The issue of Consumer Reports that just came out reviews ranges. They
reviewed 18 gas models. The pro-style ranges: 3-Thermador, 14-Viking, and
16-DCS. Under dual fuel they have eight: 1-Kitchenaid, 5-Wolf, 7-Dacor, and
8-Viking.

In the brand repair history not all are listed (not enough responses). But
Dacor dual fuel is by far the worst. Second worst is Viking. Third worst is
Thermador. That's it for the pro-style ranges. But people following this
newsgroup are aware that the pro ranges are much more prone to problems.

Some commentary from the issue:

Premium range: $1,500 and up

Best for those who want slide-in or pro-style ranges, models wider than 30
inches, or dual-fuel models.

But most pricier ranges have performed no better than lower-priced models.
Some expensive brands have been repair-prone.

Overview

Pro-style: still problematic. Like many other pro-style appliances, new gas
cooktops from Bosch, DCS, Fisher & Paykel, and Miele offered little value.
A pro-style gas range from Thermador performed well, but baking was
mediocre.

In our last survey of stand-alone ranges, Thermador and Viking were
relatively repair-prone gas brands and Jenn-Air was among the more
repair-prone electric brands. Our new data indicates that Thermador and
Viking have also been repair-prone for gas cooktops, while Dacor, Jenn-Air,
and Thermador have been repair-prone for electric wall ovens.

Brand repair history - Gas ranges

Several high-priced brands in the survey had more repairs than most.
Thermador and Viking were the most trouble-prone gas range brands, and
Dacor dual-fuel ranges were by far the most repair-prone brand. We've
experienced problems ourselves with some of the Viking and Dacor ranges
we've purchased for testing.

We have enough data to comment only on Dacor and Jenn-Air dual-fuel ranges,
but data we've collected on other brands suggest that dual-fuel models as a
group have tended to be slightly more repair-prone than gas models. If you
are considering a dual-fuel range, note that Frigidaire, GE, and Kenmore
have been reliable brands of gas and electric ranges, and the limited data
we have on their dual-fuel models do not suggest major repair issues to
date.

Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

In article .com>,
> wrote:

> I'm debating between a Viking range and a Wolf range. I've heard that
> Wolf has better quality than Viking. What's your opinion on these
> manifactures.

I've had horrible experiences with Viking repair--still trying to get
it rewired (a rodent chewed through the cabling); I'm probably going to
have to do it myself. Unfortunately, the black paint (as opposed to
the ceramic top) peels off instantly when touched with oven cleaner.
Expect the oven igniters to be replaced every 2-3 years.

I have an 8-burner, 2-oven range. The burner quality is much better
than the oven. If I were to look at Viking again, it would only be for
a cooktop.

No Wolf experience.

Don Wiss > wrote:
> On 11 Oct 2005 06:31:57 -0700, wrote:

> >I'm debating between a Viking range and a Wolf range. I've heard that
> >Wolf has better quality than Viking. What's your opinion on these
> >manifactures.

> The issue of Consumer Reports that just came out reviews ranges. They
> reviewed 18 gas models. The pro-style ranges: 3-Thermador, 14-Viking, and
> 16-DCS. Under dual fuel they have eight: 1-Kitchenaid, 5-Wolf, 7-Dacor, and
> 8-Viking.

While I don't want to start a pro/con debate on Consumer Reports,
I do wonder why they didn't include Blue Star, or does Blue Star not
make a dual fuel model?

Bill Ranck
Blacksburg, Va.

On Wed, 12 Oct 2005 18:27:51 +0000 (UTC), wrote:

>Don Wiss wrote:
>> On 11 Oct 2005 06:31:57 -0700, wrote:
>
>> >I'm debating between a Viking range and a Wolf range. I've heard that
>> >Wolf has better quality than Viking. What's your opinion on these
>> >manifactures.
>
>> The issue of Consumer Reports that just came out reviews ranges. They
>> reviewed 18 gas models. The pro-style ranges: 3-Thermador, 14-Viking, and
>> 16-DCS. Under dual fuel they have eight: 1-Kitchenaid, 5-Wolf, 7-Dacor, and
>> 8-Viking.
>
>I do wonder why they didn't include Blue Star, or does Blue Star not
>make a dual fuel model?

As noted, CR has sections for all-gas and dual-fuel. So they had a spot to
include Blue Star if they so wished. Why they didn't? Maybe Blue Star has
lower sales volume than the ones they did include? They may make their
choices from the annual questionaire. Maybe almost no Blue Star owners
responded?

Also for some reason they reviewed two Vikings. I shortened the above.
Actually there were nine dual fuel ones reviewed. Viking was actually 8 and
9. If they had the money to buy a second Viking they could have instead
bought a Blue Star.

Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).

I've just completed a major kitchen remodel, and did a lot of research
on Wolf vs.Viking ranges. I was concerned about the quality and service
issues I've read about with Viking, and ultimately chose the Wolf dual
fuel.

Reasons:
I preferred the look of Wolf
Wolf felt more solid, and offered more configuration options
Viking does not offer a 60" dual fuel model

I've only had my range installed for a few months, and I absolutely
love it. I want to pass along the (only) experience I've had with Wolf
service...

After cleaning one of the ovens for the first time, I noticed small
particles of porcelain had begun to flake around the corners of the
oven. I called for service, and the distributor (Goldman Associates)
promptly dispatched a technician to check it out. Two days later I got
a call informing me that they would *replace* my range! This was done
almost immediately, and there are no problems with the replacement. I
could have gotten a much better price on Viking (a friend is a dealer),
but I'm glad I decided on Wolf.

I'd be happy to answer any other questions you have....

Thanks for the feed back. I whish I could get a look at a Blue Star but
there is not a dealer near buy. Looks like Wof is my answer.