I just pulled out my Thermador Kitchen Design and Planning Guide, Volume 2 which I ordered to check on your question. It's thick.

There are four DW in the Collection: Emerald, Topaz, Sapphire and Star-Sapphire. The Emerald DW does not have an operating indicator that lets you know when the DW is running. Such a basic function. :( The Topaz has the Blue Power Beam as does the Sapphire. The Star Sapphire projects time remaining on the kitchen floor!

As to the tines in the Emerald: it accommodates 14 plate settings and allows rack height adjustment. 48 dBA. The Sapphire is also 14 place settings, rack adjustment, Chef's Tool Drawer for extra loading capacity of utensils and 44 dBA.

Maybe they will let you upgrade to Topaz by paying the difference?

As to the Theramdor double ovens, we have them and they cook great and have not needed servicing. Ours are old models though, and even have their own vent to outside.

Hope this helps. It's always nice to save a little for other kitchen purchases.

Who makes the DW for Thermador?

Hmm, I don't know if this is a loaded question or not. I understand Bosch is the mother company of Thermador products, the latter's headquarters being located. Huntington Beach, Calif.

"In 1998, this German company acquired Thermador (Huntington Beach, CA) and continues to manufacture Thermador Professional Series cooktops and ventilation hoods at a facility in La Follette, TN. BSH also built a manufacturing facility in New Bern, NC where dishwashers, cooktops, and washers and dryers are made." (see below)

Perhaps the question is where are the component parts made, not just assembly? IDK.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link:

I would go with the Kitchen Aid DW. Well made very quite. Love the Thermador range but IDK about their dishwashers. Kitchen aid is well built. good luck!

Thanks SW for the detailed response. Sad that the emerald doesn't have an indicator. :(. So now I guess my choices really are upgrade or go with the kitchen aid. I had really wanted those thermador ovens but I guess the kitchen aid ones may have to do.

You don't have to take the emerald. You can get one of the upgraded models for an additional $200. From the Thermador website:

OPTION ONE: buy a range, or buy any cooktop or rangetop and any combination oven to receive a free Emerald⢠Dishwasher with an upgrade option to a Topazî Dishwasher model for $200 or Sapphireî for $400 or Star-Sapphire⢠for $600

I'd eat ramen for a couple weeks and cough up the extra couple Benjamins. 4 db is a LOT quieter and I think you get you light.

Thermador is just a high-end re-brand of Bosch. It's the same stuff usually. Bosch is the highest rated DW. German engineered product is usually very good quality. I'd suggest buying a Bosch DW unless you are really tied to the look of a Thermador, you get the best bang for the buck then.

I've had KA double convection ovens for 10 years and have had no problems. Love them and yes, I use self-cleaning often and have had no problems with that in case someone comes on here and says self-clean will burn out the DW.

I also have a yr old KA DW and it is the best ever. I looked at the Bosch DW, but the tines totally turned me off. They can say 14 place settings all they want, but how skinny do the dishes and bowls have to be to load that much? The KA dishwasher loads beautifully, is super quiet, has heated dry cycle and I love it!

I read your post from 2012, what did you finally bought? I am know in between Thermador and Kitchen aid appliances.. I need them all since I am building a new house. Was the cost for Thermador worth it?

I just had a kitchenaide KDTM604KPS installed with the light; the higher end one; and it made alot of loud grinding noises....the day after it was installed I had to have it serviced and they said it needed a new pump and a new motor....I would not accept having this $1400+ dishwasher gutted and rebuilt in my kitchen; so I made the appliance store take it back (which they refused to do until I wrote a letter to the owner of the company) and I then paid $900.00 more for the Thermadore Saffire....well....it cleans fine. And, it's quiet as can be expected; but, I miss the better kitchenaide third rack that has the glass rotating cleaner bar and is very sturdy. The Thermadore rack glides are seriously flimsy and very cheap plastic; and not sturdy compared to the kitcheaide dishwasher rack glides. I should have just had the kithchenaide dishwasher replaced with the same model....I would not recommend the Thermadore Saffire (1900.00+ ) compared to the Kitchenaide KDTM604KPS which also has the grinder - which I love and miss....Today, I took out the Thermadore filter and cleaned it after two uses just to see what's in there. It's icky - which is going to bug me; to have to keep cleaning this filter out. I think the grinder in the dishwasher keeps the water cleaner as it circulates in the dishwasher....Annoyed.