When you see the title of this article, you may imagine a Viking and a wolf duking it out in an epic battle. Instead of that awesome imagery, we’re talking about two brands of stoves today.
Viking and Wolf are two brands of luxury stoves. If you want the ultimate cooking experience, those stoves you find in an apartment just may not cut it. These stoves are luxurious but expensive. Therefore, it makes sense that you’re not going to get both of them.
Because of this, you may be doing research on Viking vs Wolf. Which dual fuel or gas range is the better fit for your situation? Does one have a feature over the other that makes it worth the purchase? Is there something to keep in mind when purchasing both ranges?
So this article is here to help you decide. Which is better – the Viking Range or Wolf Range? Let’s find out.
Which Is Bigger?
Ovens are available in several sizes, and having sizes for certain needs can help you quite a bit during your cooking journey. For example, if you’re in a smaller home but you want a premium oven, having a 30 inch is good. If you want a medium-size oven, one that is 48 inch may work for you as well. Finally, if you are looking for a big gas oven, then a 66 may be what you’re looking for.
Wolf gas ranges come in a 30 inch, 36 inch, 48 inch, and 60 inch. Viking ranges offer the same sizes, but they also have a 66 inch, meaning they have the edge slightly when it comes to picking a unique size for your situation.
Obviously, you should measure the area of your kitchen to see if it can fit in your kitchen, then pick the gas range or dual fuel range that works well for your situation.
Which Has More Fuel Types?
When it comes to buying an oven, it’s important to choose your energy source wisely. There are three main types: electric, gas. and dual fuel. Gas ranges use gas for both cooking and the stovetop, and electric uses all electricity. Meanwhile, a dual fuel range uses gas for the stovetop but is electric for the oven portion.
For an oven, electricity may be a better fuel source. This is because it heats everything evenly and can save energy, whereas maintaining the same temperature is a challenge for a gas oven. Both gas and electric have their pros and cons, so a high-end, dual fuel range may be what you’re looking for.
Wolf ranges tend to have all three fuel options available. In fact, they were one of the originals in regards to the dual fuel range. Viking ranges, tend to come in a gas or a dual fuel range, meaning that you do get less variety, especially if you are looking for a pure electric oven.
Let’s dive deeper into this concept and explain the pros and cons of a gas range vs electric.
Gas
The gas range is popular for a few reasons. For one thing, many states have cheaper gas than electricity. With the stovetop, it’s much easier to control the heat instantly. For example, just turn the red knobs of your Wolf ranges, and the flames will lower or intensify depending on how you turn them.
Besides instant control, gas can heat faster. This is because there’s no slow buildup to the burner’s hotness, as the flames below appear instantly. These ranges are also more versatile with what pots and pans they support.
These are just some examples of why people prefer gas ranges. But there are cons. For one thing, sometimes the igniter can be stubborn, or the flame isn’t as weak. There may be ventilation issues. Also, gas ranges can have surfaces that are a little greasier, which can be a hassle to clean.
Electric
Electric ranges are not as popular as gas ranges, but they have their advantages over gas.
First, they are much easier to switch on or off, and the burner has a flat surface. This means they are great for pots. It’s easier to clean as well. Electric stoves tend to be a little cooler for your kitchen, and because your kitchen probably has a place to plug it in, it’s less expensive for you to install. And as mentioned, the stove portion can be a little easier to heat.
However, they have their cons. Electric stoves may cost more, and they can consume more energy. Obviously, there are energy-saving stoves, and some states may have natural gas costing more than electricity, but in broad strokes, electric is the bigger investment.
Also, these are much slower to heat up and cook food, which can be a pain if you are starving.
And that’s gas vs electricity. Usually, gas ranges win. However, the dual-range means you can have the best of both worlds.
Which Is More Feature-Packed?
One of the best aspects of getting a luxury range is knowing that they are packed with features that your traditional oven may not have. Even though any oven can cook your food well, a high-end oven has various features to make cooking easier and provide you with more variety.
So what features do Viking and Wolf ranges provide? Let’s discuss them next.
Cleaning
In order to have the best performance and the best quality food, you want to clean your oven regularly. Many regular ovens are a bit of a challenge to clean completely, so with a luxury, stainless steel oven, you want to have one that is easy to clean.
Both offer their own unique way to clean. For Viking, their porcelain design makes it so that food stains are hard to stick onto them.
Viking ranges also have burners that are elevated. This means they are easy to clean as well.
As for Wolf, they do offer sealed burners and the dual fuel ranges are self-cleaning. Self-cleaning means that you can turn your messes into ash, and it’s easy to sweep out. Viking offers self-cleaning as well, though.
Viking also has open burners. When cleaning open burners, they can be more difficult to clean. When you spill some food or liquid, the nozzles may get clogged up. This means that you have to clean them out, and they can be a pain.
Sealed burners can prevent that, so maybe you should roll with that if that sounds better to you.
The Warranty and Customer Service
When it comes to Wolf vs Viking, both offer warranties. When picking an expensive stainless steel range, you want a company that will stand by its product. Both do have warranties so if anything goes wrong, you can send them in for repair or get parts replaced.
Viking has a 3-year warranty for their products, and they do have a 90-day guarantee. This means in the first 90 days, you can get a repair or replacement for your Viking range without any questions asked.
What about Wolf? They have a two-year part warranty for everything and a five-year limited warranty for certain parts.
So both have strong warranties, and you can both make arguments for which one is better.
Also, there’s customer service to consider. If you are having trouble putting together your Wolf Range or Viking Range, you probably want to call someone to see what they can do to help you. It’s important to have a company that is reliable with its customer service.
Let’s start with the Wolf Range. Their call center is always available, so if you’re making a midnight snack on your Wolf Range and you’re running into an issue, you can call customer service and get some assistance. Viking has a number as well, though their hours aren’t known.
The Knobs
When you have a range, you may be surprised by how important the cooking knobs are. They can be a hassle or a seamless aid to your cooking. When it comes to Wolf vs Viking, both have their own unique twist (pun not intended) on the knobs.
First, we have the Wolf Range. Their knob has a temperature reading with an easy read, yet hideable display. Knowing the exact temperature of your burner is convenient when you need to cook some foods at a specific temperature. Other knobs give you a vague range that’s from low to high, but the Wolf tells you the exact number.
Wolf’s conveniently located temperature reading, located on the main knob, is accompanied by an ergonomic tilted display that you can hide when not in use. (This varies based on model.)
Also, these knobs are customizable in color. The Wolf Range is known for its red knobs. These red knobs give it its signature appearance. But what if you’re not a fan of their red knobs? Well, you can get them in your own unique color.
As for Viking, their knobs are a little more aesthetically pleasing. They have LED lights, which can add some flavor to your kitchen. Their knobs are stainless steel and black, but they are replaceable. If you want red knobs like Wolf, you can have them.
The Finish
While it’s more of an aesthetic thing, having a certain finish can blend in with your home or stand out. In the battle of Viking vs Wolf Ranges, which has the better finish options?
Wolf ranges come in only one type: stainless steel. A stainless steel unit can look good in pretty much any home, plus, just about everyone loves the look of it. However, Viking ranges do offer more a lot more. In addition to stainless steel, they do offer a variety of colors – too many to list. So while it’s a small victory, Viking wins here.
Cooking Modes
One feature that can make cooking convenient is the cooking mode. Cooking modes allow the oven to make particular foods with settings that will ensure they are cooked to perfection. When it comes to Viking vs Wolf ranges, both offer several cooking modes.
Wolf offers 10 of them. You can bake, broil, dehydrate, and much more. You should probably read the manual for the full list of cooking modes.
Meanwhile, the Viking has seven cooking modes in all. They can bake, broil, dehydrate, defrost, and more. Again, check the manual for the list of modes.
So as you can see, Wolf Ranges have a little more in regards to cooking modes. While you may not use all ten cooking modes, it’s nice to have several of them, you know? Of course, some people do believe that less is more, and they may not need as many modes of cooking as these ranges have.
Other Features
Wolf
The Wolf range has a responsive, touchscreen control panel that is easy to use. When you’re trying to get the right amount, Wolf Ranges can deliver on that front. Their dual-fuel range has three racks. One fully extends, the second has a ball bearing look to it along with an easy-glide feature, and then you have your normal rack.
The Wolf range also has an oven temperature probe. This means that you don’t need to open the oven to check your food and see what temperature it is, losing heat in the process. When your food is at the ideal temperature, you’re going to get an alert, so your food is cooked at the perfect temperature every time.
Also, their door is so ergonomic. Cheaper ovens have a door that can open or shut abruptly, possibly ruining the food or ending up injuring someone. However, with a Wolf that does not happen to you.
Viking
The Viking has six racks in all, giving variety to the people who need it. In addition, these stainless steel gas range ovens have a TruGlide Oven Rack. When there is some bakeware that’s heavy, it can be a hassle to take it out without hurting yourself. Their TruGlide makes taking out the rack much easier.
Viking also has convection fans. These fans can turn in all directions and can go at unique speeds to ensure as much airflow as possible.
Viking also has a gently closing door, meaning that it doesn’t close harshly or make noise.
Finally, the Viking has its own food probe in the form of iDevices. This allows for monitoring your food via your phone. As long as you’re less than 200 feet from the oven, you can see the temperature on your Android or iOS device.
And there you have it. As you can see in the battle between Viking vs Wolf, both ovens have their own unique features, and they share similar features as well. When picking from the best oven for your situation, these are things you should consider.
Which Is Cheaper?
In the Battle of Viking vs Wolf Ranges, one big factor you may consider is the cost. If one oven costs less than the other, it may be your preferred choice if your budget is lower. However, you may want to spend a little extra if the higher-priced one has features that make it worth the extra cost.
Both of these are luxury ovens, so they’re both going to cost a pretty penny. Obviously, the cost can depend on what type. Let’s compare similar products and see.
First, we will look at a 30-inch dual fuel range. The prices can vary depending on what store you purchase it from, but a Viking Range that’s 30 inches falls in the $4,000 price category. Meanwhile, a Wolf Range is more. Some units are slightly more than the Viking range, while others can go up to $7,000.
Depending on what your budget is and what your needs are, you may think that Wolf is worth the extra money, or you may stick with Viking. That is up to you in the end.
Of course, different products are going to have their own features. This is just a general guide to features. Your best bet is to look at a Wolf dual fuel or a Viking and see which high-end unit works best for you in regards to features.
Which Has Better Reviews?
When picking between a Viking gas range and a Wolf gas range, one of the ways you see which one is better is to read the reviews. With both a Wolf dual fuel and a Viking gas range, both are going to have their share of positive and negative customer experiences. However, if one has more negative reviews than the other, that is something to take note of.
For both ranges manufacturers, it is difficult to find reviews of their products. For instance, few of their products are on Amazon. The Wolf range we did find on Amazon has a positive review. Meanwhile, the Viking product we found on Amazon has critical reviews.
However, Consumer Affairs is the opposite. There, Viking ranges have more positive reviews, while Wolf ranges are inundated with negative experiences.
So it’s tricky to see which one has the better overall score, so neither of them wins here. We will say to read the experiences, but also keep in mind that many negative reviews of high-end gas ranges tend to be from a vocal minority. Someone is more likely to review a product if they had a negative experience as opposed to a positive one.
Honestly, you may be better off reading some professional reviews. Watch some YouTube channels of notable reviewers, or read an article from a publication dedicated to cookware. Both customer and professional reviews matter, but there is so much contradicting information about both brands on both sides of the aisle.
Are Viking and Wolf the Same Company?
No, they are not the same company. Viking Range is a far newer company than Sub-Zero, which is behind Wolf appliances. Viking was founded in 1987 and is located in Greenwood, Mississippi. Sub-Zero was founded in 1945 and is located in Madison, Wisconsin. Kind of ironic that a company that makes ovens is named Sub-Zero, huh?
Are Viking Stoves Good?
Your satisfaction may vary when it comes to Viking, which tends to have a mixed reputation based on our research. Some people love their stoves, while others had reliability problems. At Consumer Affairs, the company has a 4 out of 5-star reputation. A lot of people are satisfied with Viking, but there are some who have had their issues with them. They’ve also had a couple of recalls in the past.
With any stove, especially one that is expensive, you do need to do some research in order to determine if the stove is the best for you and your situation. Also, be sure there is a good return policy in place.
The point of this Viking vs Wolf article is to let you decide which one is better for you and your situation.
Is a Wolf Range Worth the Money?
This is a question where there isn’t a straight answer. A Wolf dual fuel range may be worth the money depending on your budget and your needs. If you have a lot of money, it could be worth it. However, if you don’t have much money, or you don’t plan on using the Wolf dual fuel too much, it may not be worth it.
The Wolf gas and electric units come in different prices and types. Again, the point of this Viking vs Wolf article is to give you an insight into the general features and let you decide if one is worth more for your own needs and budgets.
How Much Does a Viking Range Cost?
That is going to depend on what type of range you get. Most of them do not come cheap. Looking at some for sale, they can range in price from a few thousand to up to $20,000 in price. That’s more than some newer cars! Your best bet in determining how much it will cost you is to go to their website, see which range you are interested in, and request a quote.
Conclusion
Now you know all there is to know about Wolf vs Viking ranges. These stainless steel ovens can provide a luxury cooking experience, but there can only be one winner. Let’s break down what we’ve found and seen which one comes out on top.
The Size
Viking manages to offer more sizes, going from 30-66, while Wolf only goes to 60. Viking wins.
Winner: Viking
What Fuel Do They Use?
Viking uses gas and dual fuel. Meanwhile, Wolf offers that and electricity as well. When it comes to choice, we believe that Wolf wins this one.
Winner: Wolf
Burners
Viking has elevated burners that are easy to clean, but the open ones can be a challenge. Meanwhile, Wolf has sealed burners. Both have self-cleaning options. It is close, but it does appear that Viking may have a slight edge.
Winner: Viking
Warranty and Customer Service
Viking has a 3-year warranty and a 90-day hassle-free guarantee. Wolf has two years parts and five years limited warranty. This is a tie, as both can be useful for particular situations.
Winner: Tie
Knobs
Wolf knobs display the temperature and come in their trademark red knobs. In addition, you can replace the color of them. Viking has replaceable knobs as well and LED lights. Personally, we find Wolf’s temperature reading a little more convenient, so we will go with that.
Winner: Wolf
Finish
Wolf only offers their stoves in a stainless steel finish, but Viking offers quite a few colors to pick from.
Winner: Viking
Cooking Modes
Wolf has 10 cooking modes while Viking has 7. If you want the most variety, you know which one to pick.
Winner: Wolf
Other Features
Both ovens offer similar and unique features. However, we do believe that Viking ranges win this one just because of their smart features. You can view the temperature of your food through your phone. Wolf offers something similar, with all things said.
Winner: Viking
Cost
The price can differ depending on which one you get, but in general, Viking tends to cost less than Wolf. It’s up to you if you believe that Wolf’s extra cost is worth it.
Winner: Viking
Company History
Sub-Zero, which makes the Wolf Gas range, has been around for much longer. How long a company has been around doesn’t necessarily mean they are better or worse. However, Viking has been around for half the time and has had two safety settlements, both in the 2010s.
Winner: Wolf
So, who wins? We would give a slight edge to the Wolf gas range. They offer more modes of cooking, they have an electric model, and they have several other features as well. However, we could also make the argument for Viking. Honestly, if you are looking for a high-end gas range, when it comes to Viking vs Wolf, both work quite well.
With that said, be mindful. These ranges can cost thousands, sometimes tens of thousands. Because of this, you do need to do your research to see which high-end gas range works best for your situation. From choosing the size to figuring out which types of burners work well for your situation, doing some research before you make the investment is important.
Finally, there are other types of high-end, dual fuel or gas range brands available. It doesn’t have to be Viking vs Wolf. Look at several brands before you make the investment. Unless the company has an easy way to return the product, you may be stuck with what you have for a long time.
Choosing a gas range or dual fuel range is a tough decision, but by doing your homework, you may end up with a lovely range that will last you a long time. A good gas range or dual fuel can cook your food even better than ever, especially if you own a restaurant and want to be the next five-star chef.
We hope this article allowed you to make a better decision. In these trying times, sometimes you want a killer range, and both of these deliver. Good luck with your search.
Click here to grab a Viking Range at Appliances Connection
or