Gaggenau is part of the Bosch empire which includes Thermador.

The only unique product for Gaggenau is the ovens.

The rest are available cheaper under another Bosch brand.

If you are getting a gas cooktop I would look at an American brand. Ditto for hood.

Induction cooktop then the German brands come into the picture as well as their hoods.

Wow, thanks deeageaux. The Bosch and Thermador gas cooktops are 1/2 the price of the Gaggenau, although not as sexy looking. I really like the Gaggenau knobs on the front of the cabinet and the flush mounting in the countertop, but not if that's all you get for the additional price.

Ah, but the Gaggenau ovens.... I have the current model combi-steam and convection oven. I actually like the previous model regular oven (which my mother has) a bit better. BSH (parent company) has been homogenizing and have done things like gotten rid of the molded side rails so that it can use the same racks as Thermador.

You can't beat the precision or flexibility of Gaggenau ovens.

There are features on the other appliances that you get for the extra dollars, but they're marginal and most people don't go for them. You hear less because few have them.

I was all set to get the Vario modules when they had a 38% rate hike. I wasn't happy with the front mounted knobs either, so cheaped out and went a different way. I did look at a lot of Gaggenau appliances extending from about a year ago to half a year ago.

The main difference on the refrigeration is the metal shelving and interior. People will tell you that it's all the same box, so therefore the same unit, but there are differences in the controls, etc., and those are the things that set apart high end appliances. Miele also uses the same boxes, but their features are (or were) different. (I ended up with Miele.) I really really dislike the location of the icemaker on the Gaggenau freezer, unless they've updated it. They do it so it can have a through the door dispenser. The icemaker is low and in the very center, using up a lot of room around it. I like solid metal freezer shelves when there are coils built into the shelves, but I prefer wire shelves for an all airflow system. Some people really like the stainless steel interior, however.

I also briefly looked at the Gaggenau dishwasher, but don't remember much about it. I think it seemed a little overdone.

The Varios are another story. I would have had a lot of fun with the teppan yaki! The "wok" unit is a very powerful, large single induction unit, for which one can buy a wok ring that is made for it and a wok, both equally expensive. The brass burners on the 15" Vario gas are also excellent. Big and powerful. Gizmonike has the first two. I was going to get all three.

Then I got mad at the price increase, wanted more drawer and counter space, and decided I wanted more induction and less gas. I gave up the teppan yaki as an expensive toy (that would have been a lot of fun...) I ended up with the Wolf 15" gas (1 small burner, 1 medium), and the 24" Gaggenau induction that they sell in Europe. It's 2/3 of the 36" one they sell here, including the knob. I LOVE the knob. It's powerful, quiet, and unfussy. Some induction cooktops won't let you lift a pan temporarily, clean with water (i.e., call it spillover and shut off), use paper under the pots, use bumpy bottom pots, use steel that doesn't hold a magnet, etc. The Gaggenau just keeps plugging away and will do just about anything. I love it!

Check other recent topics for comments on the combi-steam nad oven, as well as the baking...

I have a Gaggenau cooktop installed in 1989. It has been terrible since day 1. Never could be fixed to reliably keep the burners on low flame. The best burner was the high output burner. When we bought it they were the only game in town for that high an output. The best thing about it is the room it gives on top because the knobs are on the front. I don't want to buy gaggenau again but don't know how to get front knobs on a cooktop. The rangetops seem too deep for a standard cabinet. What am I missing?

timbrel,
the versions with the black knobs through the cabinet face were very finicky due to the connection of the shaft to the valve. the new SS knob versions use electronic control rather than valve control to run the igniters, so the issues with dialing down have been eliminated. also, the new ones should fit the cutouts you already have, if you should decide to replace them.

My Gaggenau dishwasher is the greatest. It's silent. You have to open it to find out if it's running. No really. I know a bunch of people with Bosch ones and they are loud compared to mine. We have two Bosches in our rental units too, nice but "louder".

The Gaggenau was insanely overpriced though, just got it to match everything else. In the end, I'd probably buy another Bosch for the new kitchen we are planning to save money and because the silence isn't REALLY worth the extra cash. But if you want to fork it over, it's a gorgeous, super excellent DW. I'll miss the Gaggenau. Use those electrolux (i think) gel pacs- it's like buying new dishes every time you clean them. Never a spot on them. We even wash our good silver in there!! Nary a spot.