Sub-zero v. Kitchenaid, Kitchenaid Steam-assist oven, Summit Induction Burner

[Colbrook]

We're remodeling our kitchen and seeking advice from this very knowledgeable group. Is the Sub-Zero worth the extra money? Does it really preserve food better? Any updates on the Kitchenaid Steam-assist wall oven--or another oven recommendation? We love to cook and our trying to plan our dream kitchen with some budget considerations. We are also thinking of a single or double induction burner on the island, has anyone had any experience with the Summit brand--one of the few that comes in a single burner with flat controls. Also has anyone used All-Clad Ltd on an induction burner--All-Clad is supposed to be great for induction, but the Ltd fails the magnet test.

Thanks for any and all advice.

[Vixenheart]

I purchased the very expensive Kitchenaid steam assis double wall oven unit, Model KEBU208SSS and am very disappointed. I was using the bottom oven for the 2nd time one week after it was installed, broiling asparagus and two Porterhouse steaks and the interior bottom glass exploded and shattered. Ruining our dinner. I called Kitchenaid and was given the repair service under the warranty but Kitchen Aid made no attempt to reimburse me for my ruined meal nor made any other type of offer as compensation. It took almost 4 weeks to have the oven operational again. I was told it was a faulty piece of glass. But you don't expect faulty pieces of glass with this type of expenditure. However, I can over look the faulty glass but there also was no recipe book included and very limited instructions for the steam assist function. I was very excited about this function but have no recipes and no real ideas on how to fully utilize the function. So..very disappointed with Kitchenaid products.....no recipes, advice nor customer service satisfaction or compensation.

Christeena Johnson

[btnfood]

For refrigeration, there is no doubt in my mind that Sub Zero is a far better product than Kitchen Aid. Besides the many service issues we've experienced, Kitchen Aid's build quality can not compare. Their shelves sag under the weight of the food. I've never seen this with a Sub Zero. I really do think food preservation is superior with the Sub Zero as well.

Though I don't have any experience with them, the newer Thermador/Gaggenau/Miele modular built-in refrigeration units appear to be the only ones to truly challenge Sub Zero.

Good luck with the remodel!

[vanillagorilla]

All-Clad Ltd is made of aluminum and is not induction capable. You need the stainless with the aluminum core.

[corybelle]

I was curious if you made a decision on the Summit induction?? We were considering the two burner for the same reason but haven't been able to find out any info.

Thanks!!

[davebarnes]

Do NOT make a decision on any induction hob until you surf to http://theinductionsite.com/ and spend some time there. It has tons of information.

[tiarabear]

What did you decide on this? I currently have the Kitchenaid Steam assist oven and LOVE it! We are moving to a new house and remodeling the kitchen. I am leaning towards a Sully Lancanche oven, but I can't decide if the I should add the Kitchenaid Steam Oven on the Wall or a Gaggenau combi unit. I love that the Kitchenaid is full size. I have had great experiences with steaming veggies. I love a turkey cooked with the steam. BUT, I have never cooked with a Gaggenau. Thoughts??

[rachaellee]

Do not buy a KichenAid Steam Assist oven! I bought the range with Steam Assist Oven (even after seeing the bad blogs) and after a long wait to get it and an even longer wait to fix it, I finally sent it back for a full refund. The Steam assist function, broiler and the convection oven worked fine but the Bake function would not come up to temperature which also means that the Proof and Self-Clean never work. It got progessively worse as you tried higher temperatues. At 350 it registered under 250 and at 450 it registed slightly over 250. After a 3-week wait to get replacement parts, the bake sensor was changed and also the appliance manager board - it still did not work and actually was now worse. The range, at first, was great but then all of a sudden each burner gave the "clicking" sound (like ignation) but very loudly and would not stop no matter what temperature you had it on. I did not think this was safe and the store didn't consider this an emergency although it could have been leaking gas. At that point I had had enough and made them take it back. We talked to KitchenAid and they were less than useful. What a shame - this range sounded so perfect and I have always had great experiences with my other KitchenAid products - I own two 6 quart Professional mixers and their double Waffle maker and have given mixers as gifts. I am amazes that they could send the unit out of the factory and obviously had never tested it.