Are Wolf Professional Ranges Worth It?

It’s been 25 years since Sub-Zero purchased Wolf and completely retooled the line.

Twenty-five years later, are they still your best choice?

In this article, you will learn about all the features of the Wolf range, including their new (2024) colors.

To fully answer that question, you’ll also see a comparison between Wolf and their most notable competition: Thermador, Miele, BlueStar, Monogram, and SKS.

Many of these brands have introduced new models and features.

You’ll find out if Wolf is still a brand worth considering.

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Overview of Wolf Professional Ranges

Why Wolf Appliances Are a Premium Choice for Your Kitchen

Wolf is an American, family-owned appliance company based in Wisconsin.

You’ll be reading this article to learn about the features and benefits.

But take a step back for a moment and consider something even more important: What happens when you need technical support or a repair?

In terms of solving problems and providing service, at least in the Boston area, Wolf is the best among luxury brands.

Appliance Service

About 20 years ago, Wolf gathered all their best dealers and delivered a clear message: You must improve on the service side.

To reinforce this, the company’s CEO read actual customer comments from various botched service calls, emphasizing how things needed to improve in the future.

I’ve never experienced a meeting like that in my career, and I’ve been through plenty of incredibly uncomfortable meetings.

The flip side of reliability is what happens when there’s an issue. In this industry, Wolf is the best at reacting to problems.

Then again, most family-owned companies respond that way—it’s like calling our baby ugly.

We hate it when people don’t like our products and services.

While we have our own service department, Wolf is the best when it comes to parts availability and post-purchase support.

Wolf Professional Range Sizes & Fuel Types

Wolf professional ranges are available in dual fuel and gas options, with sizes ranging from 30, 36, 48, and 60 inches.

You’re likely reading this for gas or dual fuel ranges, but it’s worth noting that Wolf also manufactures induction ranges in 30 and 36 inches.

Here’s a quick overview:

Fuel Types:

Available Sizes:

• 30″, 36″, 48″, and 60″ (for dual fuel and gas models)
• 30″ and 36″ (for induction models)

Choosing the right size depends on your kitchen layout and cooking style.

Smaller sizes, like 30″ and 36″, work well for most homes, while larger 48″ and 60″ ranges are ideal for those who need extra cooking space or love to entertain.

Differences Between 30-Inch and 36-Inch Wolf Pro Ranges

The main difference is a larger oven and the ability to have six burners instead of four, or the option to include an infrared grill or griddle.

You’ll read more about these features later.

Read More: Best 36-Inch Professional Ranges

Differences Between 36-Inch and 48-Inch Wolf Pro Ranges

A 48-inch unit includes an additional smaller oven and another set of burners.

You also have more options for the cooktop, such as six burners with a grill or griddle, four burners with a grill or griddle, or four burners with a double 24-inch grill or griddle.

Additionally, the 48-inch range offers the option of a French top, or you can choose an all-burner configuration if you prefer.

Read More: Best 48-Inch Professional Ranges

Differences Between 48-Inch and 60-Inch Wolf Pro Ranges

In the 60-inch model, you gain an additional set of burners and two equal-sized 30-inch ovens, instead of the 30-inch and 18-inch oven combination.

Read More: Best 60-Inch Professional Ranges

Wolf Dual Fuel vs All Gas Ranges

Many people assume that dual fuel, with an electric oven, is much better. You may even be convinced by your appliance salesperson to choose a dual fuel range.

But that isn’t necessarily the case.

Electric ovens provide a drier, more precise heat, which makes them better for baking. Gas ovens, on the other hand, offer a moister heat, making them better for roasting meat.

However, broilers are rarely discussed. My mother broiled everything growing up, so maybe I’m more sensitive to the topic.

Gas broilers, especially the more direct infrared ones, are also superior to electric broilers.

In fact, the gas broiler in Wolf ranges is the same as the sear element found in the $10,000+ Pro Lynx gas grills.

Gas ranges are also less expensive to buy and easier to install, requiring only a standard 12-amp outlet compared to the 50-amp line needed for a dual fuel range.

However, with many manufacturers, especially Wolf, dual fuel ranges come with more features.

So, you should base your decision not only on how you cook, but also on whether these added features are valuable to you.

Let’s explore these feature differences so you can make an informed decision.

Differences Between Wolf Dual Fuel and All Gas Professional Ranges

Burner Output

The all-gas range has a BTU output of 15,000, with one burner at 9,200 BTU.

For the dual fuel range, the output is higher on six-burner models, featuring one 20,000 BTU burner, two 18,000 BTU burners, two 15,000 BTU burners, and one burner at 9,200 BTU.

Controls

The all-gas model features restaurant-style controls with no clocks or timers.

Many professional gas ranges, like Thermador Pro Harmony, Capital, BlueStar, and even the ultra-expensive La Cornue, also lack timers and controls.

However, the Wolf dual fuel range offers some of the most extensive controls, including a seven-inch touch screen that allows you to easily select your cooking mode.

The dual fuel has L.E.D backlit control bezels that light up to let you know the range is in use.

Wolf Gourmet (Dual Fuel Only)

Wolf Gourmet is incredibly simple to use.

Just input the type of food and how you want it cooked, and the Gourmet function sets the proper time and temperature automatically.

It even displays the correct rack position.

Smart Functionality

Available only on the dual fuel model, Wolf’s smart functionality allows you to adjust the temperature remotely and access 50 different recipes.

Ovens

The Wolf all-gas range features single convection across all models.

However, it is not self-cleaning, unlike some other manufacturers’ ranges (as you’ll see in the comparisons section).

The dual fuel range, on the other hand, offers electric self-cleaning ovens in all sizes.

Both all-gas and dual-fuel ranges come with a second convection oven in the 48-inch and 60-inch models.

VertiFlow Convection System

The dual fuel models use the Wolf VertiFlow convection system, which includes two fans and 2 vertical heating elements to maintain a more even temperature than single or twin convection systems.

The all-gas models have a single convection fan mounted on the back wall.

Oven Interior

Another difference is the oven interior color: all-gas models have a black interior, while dual fuel models feature a high-gloss blue interior.

The dual fuel ovens also come with a larger viewing window.

Broiler

The infrared broiler in the Wolf gas range is one of the best in the industry, delivering 15,000 BTU.

Infrared is also the most direct and intense technology available for broiling.

While regular gas heat is diffused through the air, infrared directs the heat straight to the food below, making it more efficient.

The dual fuel has electric broiling, by comparison, and is not as effective as gas.

As I’ve mentioned before, the sear burners in $10,000 outdoor grills are infrared burners—just with a fancier name.

Cost

Wolf’s dual fuel ranges cost about 15% more than the all-gas models.

Read More: What’s the Difference Between All Gas and Dual Fuel Pro Ranges?

Best Features of Wolf Professional Ranges

Now that you have an idea of the differences between dual fuel and all gas, let’s look at Wolf’s best features.

Simmer Output

Every Wolf burner can simmer exceptionally well. Thermador has two extra-low burners, but they use an on/off simmer to maintain a lower average temperature.

Wolf, on the other hand, has dual-stacked burners (two flame ports) to provide a consistent simmer at 300 degrees on all burners.

Wolf Infrared Grill

You already know what an infrared grill is.

Wolf includes an infrared option on their grill tops, allowing you to have a sear element right on your stove.

It’s one of the fastest and hottest available.  Plus, the heat evaporates grease, making it much easier to clean.

Many other brands, as you’ll see, feature a regular gas burner for grilling.

However, the only downside with the all-gas model is the lack of temperature control—you only get one temperature setting.

To mitigate this, Wolf provides a diffuser to lower the effective temperature.

The dual fuel range features a 16,000 BTU adjustable infrared charbroiler, allowing for low to high temperature control.

Wolf Infrared Griddle

Like the grill, an infrared griddle heats up faster and more evenly.

Wolf French Top (Available Only on Dual Fuel Ranges)

French tops differ from griddles. While griddles provide even heat across the surface, French tops are designed to offer uneven heat.

The French top has a large burner in the center, making it hotter in the middle and cooler toward the edges. This allows you to cook multiple foods at different temperatures.

With a French top, you keep the food in pots and pans, whereas with a griddle, the food is cooked directly on the surface.

Oven

The all-gas oven features a 30,000 BTU burner and an 18,000 BTU infrared charbroiler but only has a single convection fan.

The dual fuel oven is electric and uses the VertiFlow convection system, which provides very even heat and a larger interior.

Now, let’s see how Wolf compares to its main competitors in both all-gas and dual fuel models.

Wolf vs. Top Competitors: Thermador, Miele, BlueStar, Monogram & SKS

Wolf vs. Thermador Professional Ranges

All Gas Pro Ranges

Thermador offers two series: the Pro Harmony and the Pro Grand.

The Thermador Pro Grand all-gas range has a highest burner output of 22,000 BTUs. The oven includes a timer, temperature probe, and is self-cleaning.

However, it’s not as popular because it protrudes past the cabinets. The Harmony series, on the other hand, sits flush with your cabinets.

The Thermador Pro Harmony is available in both all-gas and dual fuel options and offers a good mixture of burners, with outputs of 18,000 and 15,000 BTUs, providing a higher total output than Wolf.

Thermador also has decent smart features through their HomeConnect app, available on all their ranges, compared to Wolf, where smart functionality is limited to the dual fuel models.

Neither the Wolf all-gas nor the Thermador Harmony ranges are self-cleaning, but the Thermador includes a temperature probe and a clock with a timer.

Thermador has discontinued their grill, leaving only an electric griddle, while Wolf’s infrared grill is much faster.

Thermador features their ExtraLow simmer function on two burners for the Harmony and up to four burners on the Pro Grand. In contrast, Wolf offers a consistent simmer on all burners.

Both brands have single convection in their all-gas models.

Dual Fuel Pro Ranges

In terms of burner power, the Thermador Pro Grand dual fuel has a highest output of 22,000 BTUs, while the Wolf dual fuel maxes out at 20,000 BTUs, and the Thermador Pro Harmony at 18,000 BTUs.

The Pro Grand offers more power and up to four ExtraLow simmer burners, while Wolf provides a 20,000 BTU burner, flush installation, and simmer capability on all burners.

Thermador also offers an induction burner option on their Pro Grand dual fuel ranges. Induction is faster and provides a better simmer than any gas burner.

The ovens differ between the two brands.

Thermador’s Pro Grand features single convection in the main oven, whereas Wolf’s dual fuel range uses the VertiFlow dual convection system for more even heat distribution.

In the Thermador Pro Grand 48-inch and 60-inch models, you can opt for a steam oven and warming drawer, whereas Wolf offers more traditional convection ovens.

Steam ovens are an interesting option, adding moisture to enhance flavor in your cooking.

Pro Tip: I have a separate steam oven at home, and it’s the best way to cook!

Wolf vs. Miele Professional Ranges

All Gas Pro Ranges

Miele introduced their pro range in 2015, specifically designed to compete with Wolf.

Both brands offer similar infrared grills and griddles, but Miele provides temperature control on the grill, unlike Wolf.

Miele’s 30-inch unit features a combination of one 19,500 BTU burner and one 12,000 BTU burner.

Their 36-inch unit offers three 19,500 BTU burners, along with a 9,500 BTU and an 8,000 BTU burner.

Miele does not manufacture a 48-inch all-gas range.

However, Miele includes a clock and timer on their all-gas models, and their ranges are the easiest to clean, with dishwasher-safe grates and racks that can stay in the oven during self-cleaning.

Dual Fuel Pro Ranges

In the dual fuel category, Miele features its M Touch controls.

You can scroll through the control panel like you would on a phone, choose your food, and select how you want it cooked. The range handles the rest automatically.

Miele also offers steam assist, which isn’t a full steam oven, but it allows you to add moisture during baking—perfect for making bread.

Steam assist also enhances the flavor of meats by adding moisture to the otherwise dry environment of an electric oven.

Wolf, on the other hand, offers more powerful burners on top, along with a French top option in the dual fuel models.

Both brands feature twin convection systems, but Wolf’s VertiFlow convection system provides slightly better temperature consistency.

We’ll be discussing color options in the next comparison, but it’s worth noting that Wolf offers both white and black models, while Thermador and Miele are only available in stainless steel.

For reference, neither SKS nor Monogram offer color options either.

Wolf vs. BlueStar Professional Ranges

All Gas Ranges

Both Wolf and BlueStar gas ranges have dial controls, no timing capabilities, and no self-cleaning ovens.

BlueStar offers multiple series of ranges, available in sizes from 24 to 60 inches, with a real commercial feel and look.

BlueStar also makes a French top in 24-, 48-, and 60-inch widths, while Wolf offers the French top in 48- and 60-inch models.

BlueStar focuses on output, with 25,000 BTU burners in their Platinum Series and 22,000 BTU burners in their RNB Series, which are hotter than Wolf’s 15,000 BTU burners.

Grill/Griddle

Wolf uses infrared technology for their grills, while BlueStar uses regular gas.

Infrared provides more directed heat, making it better for searing and easier to clean by burning off most of the drippings.

BlueStar does not offer a dual-stack burner like Wolf, which is designed for an extra-low simmer.

With BlueStar, you need to raise the grate to move the pan further from the flame to achieve a low simmer.

Oven

BlueStar is one of the only 30-inch ranges that can fit a full-size 18×26-inch commercial sheet pan in the oven.

BlueStar, along with SKS, offers pure convection, meaning the air is blown in from a third heating element at the back of the range.

Pure convection is technically better than standard convection.

Dual Fuel Ranges

BlueStar’s dual fuel ranges come in 30-, 36-, 48-, and 60-inch sizes, similar to Wolf. However, BlueStar does not offer a French top in their dual fuel models.

The BlueStar X-8 burner reaches up to 25,000 BTUs, while Wolf’s burner tops out at 20,000 BTUs. Both brands feature dual-stack burners that go down to 500 BTUs for low simmering.

Both Wolf and BlueStar dual fuel ranges have the same 7-inch tilt-out oven controls. BlueStar offers eight different cooking modes, while Wolf offers 10.

BlueStar uses a traditional convection fan on the back wall, whereas Wolf’s VertiFlow system, mentioned earlier, provides more even heating.

Wolf also includes 50 preset gourmet cooking recipes, while BlueStar does not offer any pre-programmed guided cooking or smart functionality.

In full disclosure, BlueStar is relatively new to the dual fuel range category.

However, BlueStar is available in 1,000 colors—997 more than Wolf.

Overall, Wolf has the French top, more guided cooking modes, and better dual convection inside the oven with its VertiCross convection system.

Wolf vs. Monogram Professional Ranges

Monogram has been redesigned with brass accents, a 7-inch touch screen, and a 23,000 BTU max burner output. You can also control the griddle by temperature.

Monogram is also less expensive and offers up to a $4,500 rebate with other qualifying purchases.

Wolf vs. SKS Professional Ranges

In the near future, SKS could be Wolf’s biggest competition.

Their dual fuel ranges feature a steam oven, 23,000 BTU burners, and incredibly easy-to-use yet robust controls—just pick the food and click.

SKS also offers sous vide and induction options.

Is a Wolf Pro Range Worth It? Final Verdict

Wolf is an excellent all-around range, especially in dual fuel, with good output, controls, and the best convection system.

Wolf’s after-sale experience is better than any other brand, and that should be a major factor if your appliance dealer or store does not have a service department.

However, 25 years later, you now have other options with different features available in other brands.

Additional Resources

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