At a Glance:
The Appeal of Wolf's 48" Range
How Does the Wolf Range 48" Compare to Other Manufacturers?
The 48" range by Wolf has become a kitchen classic, a symbol of the unison between high-performing cooking technologies and stylish domestic design. But is it now simply an overpriced range or is it still a reliable workhorse with a designer name? Read on to learn more about Wolf's 48" range and how it stands up against competitors today. In this blog, we will discuss the history of Wolf appliances, the evolution of their praised Wolf range 48" option, its appeal, and compare the stove with similar products from competitors. Let's dig in!
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About Wolf
For the last 90 years, Wolf has been making stoves of uncompromising quality. Complete with those signature red knobs, Wolf has been a trailblazer in the kitchen appliance industry since its conception by the Wolf Brothers in 1934.
The brothers, Al and Hyman Wolf, started their Los Angeles business by repairing domestic ranges and rebuilding old ones to resell. After realizing that their remodeled ovens were being used commercially, the brothers redirected the company into a restaurant equipment company. Four years later, they distributed griddles, gas ranges, ovens, and fryers across eleven states.
In 2000, the Wolf company took a new direction, and Sub Zero purchased Wolf's cooking arm. Sub Zero is a food preservation appliance manufacturer founded in 1945 by Westye F. Bakke in Wisconsin. This acquisition meant a "leveling up" of Wolf, with the addition of new technology designed to make any Wolf stove and cooker the perfect accompaniment to a Sub Zero refrigerator.
Evolution of Wolf's 48" Ranges
By the 1970s, the Wolf Range Company became renowned for producing the finest commercial cooking equipment and rode the wave of the increasingly popular trend of at-home gourmet cooking. They developed a separate line of kitchen ranges that echoed commercial products' efficiency, durability, and high-performing nature but completed in an elegant design.
Dual fuel ranges have been in production since the merger of the Sub Zero company and Wolf in 2002. Since then, these complex working appliances have been upgraded to feature Wi-Fi-assisted modes and utilize temperature control technologies to ensure that every meal is perfectly cooked, whether close to your range or not.
But any Wolf range is first discernable for their oven knobs. First available in red, they can now come in other colors - despite innovations such as improved temperature control, the iconic control knobs remain unchanged.
→ Learn more: Wolf Induction Range Review
The Appeal of Wolf's 48" Ranges
This 48-inch range from Wolf is a signature design for the company. Stainless steel accentuated with red knobs that line the top of the range's front, the 48" range from Wolf is as at home in your modern kitchen as it is in a commercial restaurant. The latest Wolf range 48 features a full-color touchscreen control panel that lights up when in use and blends back into the cooker's design when not needed, ensuring a seamless design that is both useful and stylish.
Features
Its patented gas dual-stacked, sealed burner design allows temperature to be acutely controlled throughout the range, ensuring accurate temperature control from high to low. You don't need to worry about the burners going out, either, as the range has a spark ignition system that ensures a consistent flame throughout your cooking experience to ensure infinite control.
Just as the range's aesthetic can suit both commercial and domestic settings, its 'Gourmet Mode' features almost 50 presets that automatically produce perfect cooking results. The mode advises where to position the internal racks, but other than that, it sets the cooking mode and temperature automatically. Different modes include Bake, Boil, Convection (and Convection Roast), Dehydrate, and Warm.
Pros and Cons
One of the criticisms levied against Wolf is that the temperature isn't well-regulated inside the oven. One customer reported that their food would come out often burnt, and others don't believe Wolf to be worth the high price point. Another customer said that many people consider Wolf a "status" purchase and an indicator of a particular high-brow kitchen style rather than a reliable cooker.
However, many customers love their Wolf ranges. Regarding reliability, one customer had a foolproof way to check the efficacy of their Wolf range. Instead of reviewing reviews, they asked their local appliance technicians which manufacturer was the most reliable. Their answer? Wolf.
How Does the Wolf Range 48" Compare to Other Manufacturers?
Many high-performing kitchen appliances are out there, and often, the main challenge of designing your kitchen is sifting through the options. We have compiled a few of the best range manufacturers to see how they compare to Wolf.
Wolf vs Viking
Both Wolf and Viking are known for manufacturing elegant, professional-quality ranges, so knowing which American-made, high-end stoves to choose can be challenging.
All ranges offered by Viking are freestanding and available in several fuel types, including dual fuel, electric, and gas. Wolf also provides this variety of fuels for their ranges but has a smaller offering than Viking regarding their range manufacturing. This doesn't mean they cut corners on quality, however.
Comparable Option: Viking® Professional 5 Series 48" Stainless Steel Pro Style Dual Fuel Liquid Propane Range
A Viking range comparable to the Wolf range 48" is the Viking Professional 5 Series 48" Range. Available in various colors, this range offers a 'VariSimmer' setting that allows precise cooking at low temperatures. Like the Wolf range, it also has an ignition system that automatically reignites the oven if the flame ever goes out. However, your dinner will be extra safe thanks to the temperature probe in the Wolf 48" dual fuel range, which alerts chefs when the food has reached the perfect temperature, in addition to their fully customizable cooktop.
For one professional chef, the Wolf had sway over the Viking for its simmering capabilities due to its dual stack burners that are more intuitive to use than the Viking's offer. While this chef was enthusiastic about the Wolf stovetop and infrared grill, the oven left something to be desired.
Where a Wolf range will set you back in the region of $7,850 - $20,800, a Viking range boasts a broader breadth of affordability, with costs starting around $5,000.
Wolf vs Thermador
Thermador is an expert in the appliance game. As one of the oldest American appliance companies, they know how to produce quality high-end products and have over 100 years of experience. Like Wolf, their 'Pro Style' range is designed with commercial quality for the home. Thermador 48" Range emphasizes innovation and convenience. It boasts a unique feature called the Star Burner, known for its superior flame spread and reduced cold spots.
Comparable Option: Thermador® Pro Harmony® 48" Stainless Steel Pro Style Dual Fuel Natural Gas Range
One comparable range to Wolf's range 48" model is Thermador's Pro Harmony 48" range. This range is a culinary powerhouse that combines professional-grade performance with elegant design. It features Thermador's renowned Star Burners, with a spacious oven capacity and multiple cooking modes, it offers versatility for all your culinary endeavors.
One user of both ranges recommends that if you use a cooktop more, go with Wolf, but if you're more of a baker, look to Thermador. This is because Wolf Ranges boasts a redesigned 14,000 BTU grill with a precise temperature that can have your food fried and seared burgers perfectly done every time. However, Wolf ranges are also great for baking, too. With Wi-Fi-enabled features, your food is guaranteed to be perfectly cooked even if you're away from the unit. The prices of these ranges are similar, with Thermador costing around 5% more.
→ Learn more: 5 Top Reasons to Choose a Thermador Range for Your Luxury Kitchen
Wolf vs Miele
Miele ranges are celebrated for their exceptional craftsmanship and advanced cooking technology. With features like precise temperature control and customizable cooking options, Miele ranges offer a premium culinary experience for discerning chefs and homeowners seeking top-tier kitchen appliances.
Comparable Option: Miele HR 1956-2 G 48" Clean Touch Steel Pro Style Dual Fuel Natural Gas Range
The Miele 48" dual fuel range is an interesting comparison to the Wolf 48" range. Also a restaurant-grade appliance, this range has a swiveling handle that supports wrist movement when opening and closing doors. Its aesthetic is completed with a multicolored touch display, as seen in the Wolf range with their full-color touch control panel.
Where the Wolf range has Gourmet Chef Assistance, the Miele range has MasterChef automatic programs that host over 80 recipe programs, from cooking pizza to fish.
However, because they make all their components in-house, this can lead to sourcing problems if you need to replace certain parts in your oven. Both Miele and Wolf are dedicated to providing quality, long-lasting, and high-performing ranges, with both companies promising a 20-year life for their units.
Why Choose Wolf Range 48"
The market boasts a plethora of high-quality, durable, and well-designed professional ranges. This is both a good thing and a bad one. While we are better placed to find great appliances, we have to sift through an embarrassment of riches to get there.
The Wolf 48-inch range is a high-quality piece of kit. With 7.8 cubic feet of total capacity and six burners, the natural gas 48-inch range is high-performing, cased in a sturdy and stylish stainless steel exterior. The gas 48-inch range prioritizes precise temperature control, with automatic intelligence designed to make cooking easy.
Explore Wolf Ranges
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Fuse Specialty Appliances carries an incredible selection of premium and high-end appliances for your home. With over 30 years of appliance knowledge, our team of experts represents the best and brightest in the industry. Our teams bring decades of experience working with designers, architects, cabinet makers, contractors, and everyone who is involved in designing and building a dream kitchen. We provide our customers with a unique, boutique-style experience where we get to know your goals for your kitchen. This more connected dynamic helps us ensure that we help you realize your kitchen dreams.
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→ Learn more: What is a Professional Range?