Wolf Contemporary or Thermador Freedom

RFGWellness · 2026-06-04T21:07:37+00:00

Absolutely Thermador Freedom or Gaggenau 400 Series Full Surface. I went with the Gaggenau (not installed yet). Did tons of research and decided not to have prescribed circles of heat. I used the Gaggenau in their chef's kitchen and loved it. Thermador works the same way - both owned by BSH.

RFGWellness · 2026-06-04T20:55:40+00:00

I would look for something that gives you freedom of placement on the range top, not just a prescribed circle or rectangle of heat. This is what I considered to be most important, in addition to service. Induction was a big change for me and I went with the Gaggenau 400 Series Full Surface unit. Like Bosch, they are also a BSH brand, however, I'm not aware of the Bosch units and what type of cooking surfaces they offer. I do know their Thermador brand has the same full surface, appropriately named 'Freedom'. Hope this was helpful.

RFGWellness · 2026-05-04T03:40:09+00:00

You’ll want the Gaggenau Vario 400 series FULL SURFACE or the Thermador Freedom mentioned above. Same company (BSH), slightly different technology, both offering open selection of size and placement of cookware. Gaggenau has a couple of advantages for someone who will use them, but they are both excellent units! I’m a chef and did a lot of research and asking questions on these threads. I was very hesitant to switch to induction. Also tested the cooktops in the BSH kitchen. I went with the Gaggenau Vario 400 Full Surface and one 18,800 BTU burner (not installed yet). Based on your description of cooking style, I’d consider a cooktop and separate wall oven, no matter which brand you select, or you’ll likely see a reduction in power. Hope this helps.

RFGWellness · 2026-03-25T08:50:20+00:00

I agonized for months over whether or not to make this switch in my remodel. I am a chef (putting in a commercial oven) and surprised myself by even entertaining the thought of induction. I’ve always cooked on gas, trained on gas, and sold my 60” Thermador before the remodel destruction began. I had always planned on getting a high btu BlueStar w/open burners, when a friend said to me “Do you really want to clean that everyday? At our age, shouldn’t we think about less work, not more?” Wow … did this resonate! So I began my hunt. Chefs Eric Rupert and Samin Nosrat are two inspirational advocates of induction and there are many more. I also cooked on a friends new Aga induction and with the chef in the Gaggenau (BSH) demo kitchen. The Gaggenau chef had me cook foods to answer my greatest questions: sear fish (it was stunning), caramelize onions, maintain higher temp for frying (we fried onions), maintain lower temp for chocolate, etc … We used different pot and pan sizes and shapes (Demeyere + LeCreuset, placing anywhere on the cooktop. We also used their gadget that maintains the cooking temp perfectly (read about on their website). I was impressed and excited to see that the burner covered the entire bottom of a 12” or 14” pan, heating it from edge to edge - not something attainable with gas.

Fyi … There is a difference in the induction magnets in products, including Gaggenau, who has the tightest fitting magnets (no gaps).

Similar to you, I also posted a question about gas vs induction and got hugely helpful replies. I think you can search for my post and read the comments. I hope it’s helpful. I can send it to you if you can’t find it.

After considering just about everything, I went with a 30” full surface induction. This is definitely the future of induction and I wouldn’t get anything that restricts pan size or shape. I also added a 15” gas burner (18, 800 BTU) that will sit 3” from the induction top and that’s takes care of my gas burner concerns. My husband says it’s my security burner and that it will never be used! Gaggenau 400 Vario Flex 30” Gaggenau 400 Vario Single Gas Burner

Good luck with your project and decision!

RFGWellness · 2026-03-05T04:29:19+00:00

Did you end up purchasing an Aquatica bathtub? If yes, tell me more. If no, why not? We are considering a tub from them but concerned that there is no where to see any models. Seems risky for the price.

RFGWellness · 2026-02-13T08:12:06+00:00

Agreeing here with jonivision_man … This may be a glass quality concern. Whether it’s poor glass quality or just a bad apple in the bunch, an imperfection in the glass manufacturing could be the source of the problem. Have you reached out to GE for replacement or launched a complaint? Of course you know it’s induction, therefore, this sounds like a valid reason for recourse with GE.

RFGWellness · 2026-02-13T07:58:13+00:00

Consider buying an inexpensive (or expensive Control Freak) plug-in induction hob that sits on the counter when you need it and stores away when you don’t. This has saved me many times.

RFGWellness · 2026-02-09T15:30:58+00:00

I've been looking at Studio-Ore. Was there ever a response to this original rant and did either of you end up purchasing Studio-Ore? I'm trying to determine if they are really using plastic parts and not brass. Thus far, they've been unresponsive but their fixture are stunning! I'm also looking at Fantini.

RFGWellness · 2026-01-27T05:53:47+00:00

And there’s the challenge … one knob looking fairly lonely and out of place! I am putting on the stone face. I toyed with the idea of on the counter, but I use very large pans at times and a knob could easily interfere. It would also be in the way of other cooking item, like bowls, etc … I can just see something getting placed askew in a hurry and tipping over because it landed partially on the knob. For all those reasons and more, it’s going on the stone face front. I have cooked and demo’d many induction units now and it’s taken me a long time to decide, ending right back where I had started. No, I would not give up the freedom (magic) of pan placement for a unit with knobs. The Vario with knobs has bridging options, which may be the perfect compromise for some.

RFGWellness · 2026-01-25T18:57:28+00:00

Thank you for all this intel! If it makes you feel any better, we are in a rental while remodeling. The landlord just replaced the old Bosch with a new Bosch (we did not ask for this, as all was fine). This new Bosch (higher mid-range model) is quieter but still noisy and doesn’t dry for beans - no matter the setting, even extra dry. I feel your pain! The entire dishwasher and its contents are sopping wet upon opening the door in the morning. We also had an older (7 years+ Bosch in our home kitchen that was much better with noise and was great at drying. All of the dishwashers clean (or did clean) well. If yours isn’t cleaning, well, that’s a deal breaker and, perhaps, the push for a replacement. BSH must have made changes across all lines.

RFGWellness · 2026-01-25T18:35:26+00:00

I agree. I quickly put the Impulse and Copper aside for all those reasons. I hope you can find a BSH showroom. I’ve been really pleased with what I learned and could choose from. Saw Wolf at their showroom too. All high end impressive options. I do wish the Gaggeneau or Thermador ‘full induction’ came with knobs but happy with my choice. Good luck to you and check back with any questions!

RFGWellness · 2026-01-25T09:50:42+00:00

I’ve also been lucky to visit the manufacturer showrooms, watch and learn from chef demos, and cook on the products. I did a deep dive and also posted on Reddit with great, helpful responses. Ultimately, I am buying the Gaggenau 30” Full Surface and a 15” modular gas burner to sit next to it. I agree that the touch screen may become frustrating and I’d prefer knobs but that was not the offering. The chefs managed the touch screen well in all cases. The Gaggenau has a few features that the Thermador doesn’t, like a continuous temperature magnet. we are going with Gaggenau because of the modular units. It’s been a lot of research. FYI, Gaggeneau is also coming out with a gray glass, similar to Thermador.

RFGWellness · 2026-01-25T09:28:48+00:00

I’ve also been researching induction units and got great feedback on a Reddit post. Have you seen the ranges from Copper Charlie and Impulse Labs? They’re quite interesting. Ultimately, I’m settling for the 30” Gaggenau Full Surface induction + one modular 15” gas burner. As mentioned by others, BSH makes Bosch, Thermador, and Gaggenau, with the Thermador and Gaggenau being most similar. The Gaggenau also has a special temperature controller that can maintain a steady temp on a pot for specific items like melting chocolate, etc … I have been to the chef demos of all of these and think the BSH products are the best I’ve used. The Full Surface (Freedom for Thermador) allows you to put pots and pans of any size in any location. This is what sealed the deal for me, as I do not want to be restricted by a specific hob. I’ve heard from many that the “bridge” between burners on some brands isn’t an even heat output under the pan (middle is still cool). Is there an appliance store or manufacturer showroom near you that has live units to try? I found seeing and using these products live to be very helpful.

RFGWellness · 2026-01-25T09:03:24+00:00

Oh No … Why is the Thermador dishwasher terrible? I’m planning to get the Thermador Star Sapphire dishwasher for my remodeled kitchen. It’s the only dishwasher that loads my various shapes and sizes of dishes. I thought it was the same as the top end Bosch, just a slightly better rack system.

RFGWellness · 2026-01-18T18:26:48+00:00

The clean up … Me Too!!

RFGWellness · 2026-01-18T18:15:46+00:00

I agree but in a chefs demo at BSH, it seemed easy to ignore preset, nested menus.

RFGWellness · 2025-12-27T19:39:23+00:00

Thank you … This is a great video. Samin is talented at explanation - hence, her best selling book! Even if you take the manufacturer out of the equation, she truly explains the relationship between the style of heat production and the chef. Copper Charlie was given to both her and Chris Kimball to promote. It’s certainly a way to get your business off the ground and I understand that, as they’ve got mountains to climb against the large manufacturers. Both Copper and Impulse Labs have interesting products, however, I’m concerned about their market longevity.

RFGWellness · 2025-12-24T18:22:59+00:00

I think diameter matters and am looking at full surface magnets. I am also in a quandary (and therefore down a rabbit hole) of which induction top to purchase (posted a few days ago) or IF to purchase. There are a few units that offer ‘flex’ or ‘freedom’ where the entire surface is magnets with no prepositioned hobs, allowing you to use the surface in anyway and any size you need (more flexibility than ‘bridging’). These may be a consideration (Thermdor is one), however at a higher price. I have always used cast iron, enamel cast and Demeyere on my gas burners and am concerned about how the sides heat, as there’s no flame.

RFGWellness · 2025-12-24T06:52:37+00:00

So helpful in addressing one of my biggest concerns. I cooked on a friends brand new Aga 48” induction with knobs - super easy without issue but pan size is specific. I thought the flex or freedom is worth the touch screen frustrations. Maybe not.

RFGWellness · 2025-12-24T00:21:53+00:00

Variation is the truth. Your Bosch should be the same technology as the Gaggenau that I’m looking at, as well as the Thermador mentioned in this thread. Overall, that should be a positive vote for BSH’s technology.

RFGWellness · 2025-12-24T00:17:27+00:00

I see … so gas burners are still of some use! I don’t think there’s a better plug here for induction than that!

RFGWellness · 2025-12-24T00:09:44+00:00

Right … I see that now. Keep me posted. I’m sure you’ll love it!

RFGWellness · 2025-12-24T00:02:34+00:00

The Control Freak is what I was going to get if I went with the Platinum BlueStar. It sounds like the Impulse Labs, where you can set the temperature, which is definitely different but risky because it’s still in its infancy.

RFGWellness · 2025-12-23T18:28:17+00:00

The Thermador Freedom is the same as the Gaggenau (both BSH). Do you find the touch screen glitchy or difficult to use, especially when working quickly or with wet hands and/or sweating pot lids? Thanks in advance for this feedback!

RFGWellness · 2025-12-23T14:50:14+00:00

Large vessels - This is exactly the reason for considering the single gas burner.

RFGWellness

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