Thermador Wall Ovens (2020 Review)
Looking for a new oven for your kitchen? Thermador ranks pretty high among the premium wall oven brands on the market, and is worth considering. The average Thermador wall oven boasts of sleek design, premium cooking features, and a price point that is considerably lesser than what other high-end brands like Wolf and Miele offer.
Since manufacturing the first wall oven in 1947, Thermador has continuously been ahead of other wall oven brands in innovation. Thats how we can guarantee going for a Thermador wall oven is not a bad idea at all.
But before you buy your first Thermador wall oven, heres all you need to know about the brand and their wall oven models.
Brief Overview
Thermador is one of the first premium home appliance brand to serve America. It is owned by BSH Appliances (better known as Bosch), the third-largest home appliances manufacturer in the world. The brand is credited with the first wall oven and the first smoothtop/glass cooktop, making it the leading home appliances brand in innovation.
Besides inventing the first wall oven, the company is also credited for being the first to use convection technology. Convection (fan-forced heat) ensures even distribution of heat within the oven and produces better results.
Thermador Wall Oven Review
Why should you consider a Thermador wall oven? Before we answer the big question, lets look at the Thermador wall ovens in detail
Design
Thermador offers two design collections, the Masterpiece and the Professional series. Both are very similar, except in racks, max broil, and rotisserie. The Professional collection design features include cast metal knobs and chrome accents. The Masterpiece collection maintains an integrated look with stainless steel handles and an elegant finish.
You can have install them flush with your cabinets
For your kitchen design, Thermador wall ovens allow you to choose between the standard proud installation that slightly sticks out of the cabinet and the "flush: installation style which complements the design of your kitchen.
Thermador also recently overhauled their lineup, giving them a gray glass on stainless-steel look. This, added to the sleek design of their wall ovens, is a significant point in Thermadors favor.
Size and Configuration
Thermador maintains a 30-inch width for all their wall ovens. In the past, the company used to make 27-inch ovens, so, make sure to measure your set-up before purchasing a replacement oven. You can also choose between a single or double Thermador oven.
- More Information: Find out how steam ovens will help you cook healthy.
Thermador offers some specialty configurations, including the popular combination speed oven option. The top has a smaller cavity that can also function as a microwave, while the bottom gives you your fully functional oven. The combination speed oven configuration is best for kitchens without extra space for a microwave.
- More Information: Get both microwave and a convection oven in one "Speed Oven".
Swing Style
You may not consider the door swing style a vital feature, until you may need to lift a heavy turkey out of the oven. That is when you will find the traditional drop-down oven door less desirable.
Fortunately, Thermador also manufactures wall oven models with a side swing door. They may make it hard to achieve a flush finish (because of the extra cabinet hinge space), but they offer better convenience.
Cooking Power
The ovens cooking ability is the most critical feature. Thermador scores good in this aspect as it was the first to introduce the convection technology. The models utilize fan-forced air to distribute the heat in the oven evenly.
In addition to the standard bake, roast, and broil cooking modes, Thermador also offers a true convection mode for perfect results. In true convection, the heating element is placed behind the fans for better heat distribution. There is also the fast pre-heat option that gets the oven ready for cooking in about seven minutes. Thermador wall ovens are all powered using electricity.
It is important to note that Thermador still maintains the same single convection its known for, even with the recent advances in convection technology. Wolf, for example, has specific models that use The VertiCross blower instead of fans.
Connectivity and Other Unique Features
HomeConnect Smart App
Thermador wall ovens score pretty high in connectivity. The Wi-Fi and smart features actually work, unlike is obtainable in some other brands. With the Wi-Fi feature, you could connect to the Home Connect App to download recipes online, receive notifications, and also control the wall oven remotely.
Thermador has some outstanding and unique features that are not easy to find in other wall oven brands.
Large Capacity
To start with, Thermador has some of the largest wall ovens in terms of size and capacity. The brand is credited with having the largest steam ovens, which can cook a 14-pound turkey in about 90 minutes.
Fast Self-Cleaning
Thermador wall ovens have a fast self-clean property that keeps the interior walls and rack system neat. The wall oven can clean its entire interior in two hours. This is a big point in the brands favor, as most other brands take as long as four hours to self-clean. With Thermador wall ovens, you also do not need to take out the racks before running the self-clean program.
Multi-point Temperature Probe
The multi-point probe feature allows you to take temperature readings from three points to ensure consistency and precision. The oven also shuts off at a certain internal temperature to ensure perfect cooking.
The probe is an important part of the wall oven that plays a vital role in guided cooking. It connects to the guided cooking applications or to guided cooking menu so the program knows what to do. Other wall oven brands (except Miele) make use of a single point probe. So, Thermadors three point probe is really a big deal.
Soft Close Hinges
The Soft Close Hinge technology prevents the oven door from slamming shut. This keeps the machine safe and also guards against hazards and sudden surprises.
Masterpiece vs Professional Series Ovens
What is the difference between Thermador Masterpiece and Thermador Professional collections? Lets dive deeper into the two
Similarities between Masterpiece and Professional Series Ovens:
- Both collections got the recent facelift with the new gray accent and the TFT liquid display.
- Both collections are Wi-Fi enabled and can be controlled remotely.
- Both now have standard select and deluxe feature sets.
Differences between Masterpiece and Professional Series Ovens:
- The clear difference between the Masterpiece and the Professional Collection lies only in the external design and control style.
- The Professional collection makes use of cast metal knobs while the Masterpiece uses a digital control panel.
- The Professional collection comes with professional style handles while the Masterpiece maintains contemporary stainless-steel handles.
- Masterpiece collection model numbers begin with ME while Professional begin with PO.
Basic Feature Set vs Deluxe Feature Set
Thermador offers their oven lineup with a basic feature set and with a deluxe feature set. This isn't exactly clear when your browsing the brands official website, so we've added convenient filters on our website to make your shopping process easier.
The Deluxe Feature set is essentially an upgrade to the basic Select set with extra features to improve convenience and performance. Here are some key takeaways
- Deluxe has three smooth and telescoping racks as against one telescoping and two standard racks in the basic Select.
- Deluxe has a built-in rotisserie motor and cooking mode for crispy and juicy results. The feature is absent in the basic Select.
- Deluxe has a larger and full-width broiler for more passes and loops, while the basic Select only covers about half the width of the oven cavity.
- Standard Select Feature set has the normal temperature probe, which takes reading at one point. Deluxe gives you the actual multi-point temperature probe advantage.
Thermador wall oven models with the Deluxe feature set have a D as the third letter in their model numbers. For example, the MED301WS is equipped with the Deluxe feature set.
Why Should You Consider a Thermador Wall Oven?
Finally, let's answer the big question. It should be pretty apparent at this point anyway
Thermador wall ovens are just as good as other popular brands. Being a premium brand, Thermador wall ovens are better than an average wall oven. They are quite reliable and readily support you with technical help and machine parts, unlike other brands.
Unlike any other oven brands, you can cook your thanksgiving meals and that large turkey in a standard Thermador oven thanks to its large capacity. And then there is the Wi-Fi connectivity, which is absent in most wall oven models on the market.
Our Top Thermador Wall Ovens to Consider in 2020
Here are the top Thermador ovens we picked from each category.
Thermador MED301WS
The Masterpiece wall oven easily beats other models in the category, thanks to its Deluxe feature set. It has a built-in rotisserie with a 12-pound capacity. There is the fast self-clean feature, the SoftClose door hinges, the Wi-Fi connectivity, and the elegant Masterpiece finish.
In cooking performance, the MED301WS has a good range of cooking options, which include the Max Broil, Max Convection Broil, True Convection, and Speed Convection, among others. This gives it a better cooking power than other Thermador single wall ovens.
The MED301WS, essentially, has all the major Thermador oven talking points. Its also less expensive than other similar premium models in the market.
Thermador MED302WS
The MED302WS is a Masterpiece double oven that combines the excellent features of the MED301WS and some other extra properties. It has three telescopic racks and three standard oven racks. For interior lighting, it has the Halogen with SoftLight option.
The MED302WS cooking program includes the EasyCook and the PreHeat option alongside True Convection, Speed Convection, Max Broil, and others featured in the MED301WS. Theres also the Wi-Fi connectivity, SoftClose Door Hinge, and the multi-point temperature probe.
Thermador PODMC301W
The modular Professional Series combination oven has a true convection oven and a convection speed oven. It also rocks the unique features of the Deluxe feature set, such as the SoftClose Door Hinge, the Max Broil, Fast PreHeat, and the Fast self-clean among others.
The top cavity is the microwave (1000W), while the bottom cavity is a speed oven with full functionality. It maintains the large industrial style rotisserie and the Wi-Fi connectivity feature. It also comes equipped with the CookSmart technology and 36 Programs.
How Reliable are Thermador Wall Ovens?
Thermador is a popular premium brand known for innovation and quality. Just like every other top wall oven brand, their products are reliable and have a lifespan of 12 15 years.
Thermador also offers a 2-year parts and labor warranty which is better than what most wall oven brands offer.
Are Thermador Wall Ovens Costly?
In pricing, Thermador ranks higher than most other wall oven brands. Being a premium brand, it certainly has products with premium features and high prices. But Thermador wall ovens are more affordable than similar models from other popular premium brands.
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Conclusion
Thermador is one of the best wall oven brands in the industry. With its exceptional design, large capacity, innovative features, and Wi-Fi connectivity, it offers good value for money. The company also offers a 2-year parts and labor warranty on their wall ovens.
Thermador has other appliances like dishwashers, ranges, and refrigerators which are some of the best in the industry. Like their wall ovens, they all have exceptional features and maintain that consistent design that is unique to the company.
At Designer Appliances, we have special filters that will enable you to sieve through the Thermador wall oven catalog and get the right model for your kitchen. You can also read through our guides on Wolf and other wall oven brands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Thermador ovens made?
While a German apppliances corporation owns Thermador (BSH a.k.a. Bosch), its wall ovens are manufactured in the United States.
How do I clean my Thermador oven?
Use a non-abrasive sponge, a mild cleaner, and hot soapy water to clean your Thermador wall oven. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a soft cloth.
Can you self-clean Thermador double ovens at the same time?
Only one oven should be in the self-clean mode at any time. If both ovens are set to self-clean at the same time, the room may get uncomfortably hot.
Can you leave the racks in the oven during the self-clean cycle?
No. We recommend you remove the racks before running the self-clean cycle. If the racks are left in the oven during the cycle, they may warp or discolor due to the extreme heat generated. The racks themselves may damage the rack cavity with possible expansion and contraction.