Wolf Gas Range versus Wolf Dual Fuel Range

Updated 1/9/11: I've had a bunch of people email me about the main functional differences between the Wolf dual fuel and Wolf gas ranges, so I'm going to list them here at the top, and then the rest of the article can provide more background info.

Wolf dual fuel range:

- self cleaning

- cobalt blue interior

- burners max out at 15K btu's

- dual convection (two fans in the oven)

- full-extension ball bearing rack

- dual stacked sealed-burners

Wolf gas range:

- does NOT offer self cleaning

- black interior

- does NOT ship with full-extension ball bearing rack (this is a $200 accessory)

- one convection fan

- burners max out at 16K btu's

- does not currently (Jan 2011) offer sealed burners but Wolf has told me gas ranges will

ship with them sometime later this year.

In the last 5 years, Wolf Appliances has assumed the mantle as the premium cooking appliance manufacturer in the United States. Many a dream kitchen now revolved around the Wolf oven or Wolf range + SubZero refrigerator, as designers, architects, contractors and the general public have all taken to the Wolf brand and its brand essence of quality, heritage, performance and aesthetic appeal.

I've had many customers from New Jersey, Connecticut, New York City and Westchester County who have visited Curto's appliance store and asked me "in your opinion, what is the best pro range available?"

Without hesitation, I'll mention the Wolf brand. In particular, the Wolf gas range continues to be the main focal point of the Wolf cooking appliance line, and still outsells all of their other products. The Wolf gas range is available in increments of 30", 36", 48" and 60", and comes in a variety of top configurations, showcasing burners, charbroilers, griddles and (in the 60" series) French tops. The Wolf gas range is fundamentally the same product that has been used in commercial kitchens for decades, with a few aesthetic embellishments being implemented in the last few years. The Wolf gas range is beyond sturdy, offers dual convection fans in the oven, cast iron porcelain top grates, brass burners and are Star-K certified.

The Wolf dual fuel range is newer than the decades-old gas range and adds bells and whistles not available in the gas version. An electric oven offers more precise heating temperatures within the oven cavity, and the drier, even heat offers great benefit for bakers. Each burner can travel from a simmer up to 15K BTU's and offer automatic re-ignition. The control panel is operated on pivoting touch and the oven is also self-cleaning. Other features include a meat probe, recessed broiler which affords the cook more room to use, and a proof mode.

The dual fuel range is slightly more streamlined and less bulky looking than the gas version. Also, the dual fuel will require a 220V line to be installed for the oven's use, so keep that in mind as you are tallying up the price differences. Oh, and that brings us to the main point - the price difference. Depending on the configuration and width size, the dual fuel ranges can be at least $2000 more expensive than the gas versions.

I've been asked countless times whether I would choose a Wolf gas range or Wolf dual fuel range. For the way my wife and I cook, I would probably opt to go with the gas range. We don't bake alot, and I prefer the moister heat that gas gives off. I also like the fact that the range has fundamentally been in existence for decades.

The comforting fact though is that no matter whether you go with the dual fuel or the gas range, you can rest easy that you are receiving Wolf's trademarked quality - each Wolf product is tested by a human in its Wisconsin factory, a quality-control process that is second to none in the industry.