MOLTEN GOLD - Steamy Subject

A few years ago, I attended a designer training program that introduced me to steam cooking. I was super-impressed with the quality of the food that emerged from that small oven, and the versatility of the appliance. It does everything a microwave does, except for making popcorn, and it can multi-task pie with poultry or cod with quiche.

The biggest challenge of steam ovens is finding a spot for one in a normal-sized kitchen. The new Thermador Pro Grand Steam Range solves that quandary. It builds the steam oven into the body of a classic six-burner range, and its reservoir-based functionality means you don’t have to sweat a plumbing connection. Wow and double wow.



The Pro Grand also builds convection cooking and a warming drawer into its oven space. Both are great conveniences for busy families and happy bakers.







The range’s cooktop offers a griddle or grill option, simmer capability and a 22,000 BTU burner suitable for home wok cooking. Other than making microwave popcorn, (and who really cares!), I can’t think of a single thing this cooking machine won’t master.




The Thermador Brand

Thermador began making appliances in 1932, after operating for 16 years as an electrical products manufacturer, and has been innovating ever since. Julia Child created many of her famous PBS show dishes in a Thermador wall oven.




The company’s online Heritage page offers a fabulous timeline of introductions to the home appliance market: wall ovens and cooktops (1947), “pro ranges” (1948), warming drawers (1952), self-cleaning ovens (1963), speed cook ovens (1976), pop-up retractable downdraft systems (1978) and sealed gas burners (1987), among others.

Thermadors are sold through the same high-end appliance showrooms as their high-end competitors.


The Facts

Warranty: One year

Pricing: MSRP $13,995

Website: http://www.thermador.com/



All photos courtesy of Thermador.