When it comes to ranges, many people show a tendency of being disoriented by which brand to choose, especially if the choice involves Gaggenau and Miele.
This article shines a spotlight on two long-standing German brands; Gaggenau and Miele, digging up all the must-know information before helping you decide which of the two could best fit your performance expectations and personal preference.
Gaggenau company profile
Located in Munich-Germany, Gaggenau is a leading manufacturer of sophisticated, yet easy-to-use domestic appliances.
The company was founded in 1683 by Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm in Black Forest, and has been in operation for over 300 years.
Gaggenau was acquired by Bosch in 1995 and is currently represented in 50+ countries worldwide, with key production facilities in Germany, France, Spain and Turkey.
Gaggenau selection
Gaggenau has two product series;
- The 400 series
- The 200 series
Both series deliver high-end appliances–with a significant difference in aesthetics and functionality.
The two series offer a modular Vario option whose cooktops are designed for specific cooking requirements, allowing you the luxury of creating your own custom cook station.
The 400 series cooktops
This series offers an extensive range of professionally designed cooktops that are accompanied by unique features such as the Vario Teppan Yaki, the Vario electric grill, in-counter steamer, downdraft ventilation, and deep fryer.
The cooktops come in induction and gas and range from 15 to 36 inches.
400 Series Induction Cooktops
Can be either full surface or flex induction.
The full surface induction cooktops lack a specific spot to place your cookware.
They instead feature an inbuilt integrated sensor (detects where the pan is placed) and a flexible induction zone that give you an impulsive pan placement privilege, allowing you to cook using any size and shape of cookware.
The flex induction cooktops feature normal-sized induction zones that can be merged by a touch of a button to accommodate larger pots.
Some of the best picks include:
The 15” VI422613 and the 36” VI492613. Both feature a frying sensor and a flex function for combining the cooking zones.
400 series Gas Cooktops
Gaggenau’s 400 series offers gas cooktops ranging from 15 to 36 inches.
The cooktops feature a wok/paella burner surrounded by 2 high power + 2 standard all brass burners.
With the modular Vario option, buyers can opt for either a single wok burner, double burners, or 5 burners of up to a staggering 59,700 BTUs.
Below are some of the available picks:
The 15-inch VG425211 with 2 multi-ring burners.
The 15-inch VG415211 with a single wok burner.
The 36-inch VG 491111 with 5 multi-ring burners.
The 200 series
This series offers gas and induction cooktops. These range from 12 to 36 inches and come in a pleasing dark aesthetic design.
200 series Induction Cooktops
With just three options, the 30” CI282602, 30″ CI292602 and the 36” CI292602, the 200 series flex induction cooktops come frameless for flush mounting and offer free positioning of cookware.
200 series Gas cooktops
Available in 30 and 36 inches each with 5 powerful brass burners.
The modular Vario version comes in 28cm, with a single wok burner or double burners. The 60cm comes with 4 burners.
These all come with mechanical power level regulation, solid smooth-surface cast pan support, and a control panel for secure operation.
Gaggenau cooktop features
Stainless steel control knobs: the controls are mounted on the appliance for precise control.
Sealed burners: Gaggenau’s burners are sealed to prevent spills and to provide efficient heating.
Continuous grates: make it easy for you to move pans and pots across your stovetop.
Downdraft ventilation: Gaggenau’s cooktops come with this feature that helps to capture smoke, grease particles, and odors at the cooking surface.
Vario Electric Grill: Ingenious electric grill with two independently controlled heating zones.
Vario Teppan Yaki: a chrome-plated surface for teppan cooking which can also be used as a griddle, grill, searer, and warming plate.
Gaggenau pros
- Up-to-date technology. Gaggenau continues to innovate and incorporate the latest technological advancement into their products.
- Gaggenau’s modern aesthetics will complement your kitchen
- Long life expectancy. Gaggenau appliances are not only built with high-quality materials but also the latest technology to last longer.
- Gaggenau extended their warranty from the previous 2 years to now 5 years.
Gaggenau cons
- Gaggenau is a very expensive brand.
- Continuous upgrades make it difficult to find parts for older versions of Gaggenau appliances
Miele company profile
Founded by Carl Miele and Reinhard Zinkann in 1899, Miele is a German manufacturer of high-end domestic appliances.
The company is owned and run by the two families; Miele with 51% shares and Zinkann with 49% shares.
Miele takes pride in producing award-winning, high-quality products ranging from cooking appliances to laundry care products.
Miele’s key production plants are in Germany, China, Romania, and Austria, with representation in over 100 nations globally.
Miele selection
Miele has 3 product series:
- Directselect
- M Pro
- M Touch
The three series offer freestanding ranges in dual fuel, gas, induction, and electric, all in different sizes.
Induction ranges
Miele’s M Touch series offers a 30” induction range that comes with 4 cooking zones, a Wireless Probe, MoisturePlus, and a MasterChef Plus feature.
Gas ranges
Miele’s all gas ranges(gas cooktop+gas oven) are available in 30” and 36”.
Miele’s M Pro series offers a 30” gas range which comes with 4 burners and direct select controls.
The DirectSelect series offers a 36” gas range that comes with either 6 burners or 4 burners plus a grill or griddle.
Dual fuel ranges
Miele’s dual fuel ranges use gas on the cooktop paired with an electric oven.
The ranges are available in 30”, 36” and 48” and come in the following configurations:
The 30” comes with 4 M Pro dual stacked burners.
The 36” comes with 6 M Pro dual stacked burners.
The 48” comes with either 8 burners or 6 burners, plus a grill or griddle.
Miele stove features
Dual-stacked burners: Miele’s dual-stacked burners provide 19,500 BTUs for high heat cooking and 700 BTUs for simmers and slow cooking.
Continuous cast-iron grates: Miele’s continuous grates will help you move your pans across the cooktop.
MoisturePlus: Miele’s MoisturePlus allows you to manually or automatically control the water vapor while cooking giving you improved baking and roasting results.
MasterChef/MasterChef Plus: this is Miele’s built-in cooking assistant with over 100 pre-programmed inbuilt recipes.
Miele pros
- The sleek and refined modern design will complement your kitchen.
- The clean-touch stainless steel is fingerprint resistant which makes cleaning a breeze.
- Miele ranges come with a self-clean mode.
- 2 year standard warranty with an option of extending up to 5 years
Miele cons
- Miele appliances are expensive.
Gaggenau vs miele: price comparison
Gaggenau cooktop price
Gaggenau gas cooktop starts at $ 1370
Gaggenau induction cooktop starts at $ 2847
Miele ranges price
Miele gas range starts at $ 5,599
Miele induction range starts at $5,999
Miele dual fuel range starts at $5,999
Miele electric range starts at $5,499
Conclusion
Taking all factors into consideration, whether Gaggenau or Miele rounds up to personal preference, performance expectations, and how deep you are willing to dig your pockets.
Both brands are guaranteed to compliment your kitchen with high-end, aesthetic appliances that are certain to last longer without being in need of repairs and replacements.
We’ve covered a few other brands too:
Zline vs Viking
Bertazzoni vs Thermador
Wolf vs KitchenAid
Thor vs KitchenAid
