I'm partial. I know nothing about the American range but I love my all gas wolf 36" range. I would have to say for looks and resale value, you can't improve much. Good luck in your decision and please let us know how you like your choice after it's installed!

Oh, and in the hopes that this sparks one of those big back and forths, let me just offer one small rule - please don't suggest any other options! I've got too many other decisions to make as it is!

Here's one legitimate question for debate: do you think the Wolfs are any worse or different now that they've been bought out by Subzero - that they're just riding on their previous reputation? I doubt it, thought i'd just throw that out there.

And if it matters - I'll be on propane (LP), not natural gas. (I'll stop posting on my own thread now.)

Wolf built for propane, no BTU loss. I don't know about American --
I presently have a range with various burner sizes and you always have to think which burner to use. Wolf all the same BTU's. Any will do high heat as well as simmer.
As for the semi open burners - you sort of get the best of both worlds. When we looked at closed burner ranges I see the flame coming from the side, on the wolf straight up. To me this would work better for any small pan and seems to be more efficient.

The American is a real sealed burner, better highs and lows, plus direct ignition. It uses the same convection system (2 Fans) as Wolf does in their wall ovens. The 30" American oven is much larger than the Wolf. It seems that Wolf is getting away from the burner they currently use on the gas ranges, which has been a problem since they bought the tooling from the real Wolf. All the new product brought out by Sub Zero under the Wolf logo has completely different burners, so if they were no a problem why the change?

Have had an AG Wolf for 3 years, QC on construction seems to be excellent:

Pros: like the open burners, and agree that having them all the same output and simmer is an advantage. They've been powerful enough for just about all we do. IR broiler in oven is great--very powerful and even. Haven't had any difficulties keeping it reasonably clean--we preferred the open burners versus sealed for both cooking and cleaning. Have had no trouble with igniters that keeping them clean didn't avoid.

Cons: (all pretty much minor except for wok grate issues) upper oven door and range front get very warm when oven is on high for long periods, wok grate is sort of hoax--for hot stir fry we put round bottom wok right on burner cap which works, but is a little hard to keep balanced.

The only substantive change I would make is reconfiguring one of the burner rings and grate for a decent wok burner, but then we do a lot of stir fry.

I love the open burners on my Wolf AG range and I love the fact that they are all capable of high heat/low simmer. I have also really enjoyed the oven and broiler on this stove. My oven door stays fairly cool; the only part that gets hot during cooking is the front edge of the drip tray. I agree with Teachmkt that it would be nice to have a true wok burner but that wouldn't prevent me from buying this stove again.

I don't think the rangetop is hard to keep clean if you stay on top of it and don't let it accumulate a week's worth of burnt-on spills. I always just do a thorough cleanup with Fantastic Clean & Shine after a major cooking event (stir-fry, pasta boil, etc) and just try to stay on top of it. The black enamel does show splatters and smudges but I didn't think stainless would be any easier as it would show scorching/burn ons worse than the black. When I was shopping for ranges, I looked closely at the DCS but preferred a black (Wolf) or cast iron (Bluestar) top to the stainless over the long run. The heavy grates have to be moved to clean underneath but that's true with any pro-style range. I've run my grates through the DW one time in the six months we've been in our home and they came out looking new.

I hope this helps. I do love my Wolf and would buy it again without hesitation. Great quality and customer service. I also think Wolf has strong name recognition for resale if that's a factor for you.

Our 36" 6-burner AG Wolf range is being delivered tomorrow, so I'll let you know how we like it when we get it up and running!

I think you really want the Wolf, and you won't be happy with anything else. You are just tight with a buck, and thinking what else you could do with $1,000. Don't spend $3,000 on something you don't want. If you want to save money you can pick up a used avocado green range for under $100.

I'm leaning towards the Wolf (and yes, bob411, you're probably right - I think I probably really want the Wolf, and am largely looking for justifications for spending the extra $1G).

Honestly, I'd forgotten about the advantages of the open (or semi-sealed) burners. I've always, since the time I was a little kid, HATED the way that sealed burners spread out the flame, so that when you turn it on high, the flame misses smaller pots almost entirely. It used drive me crazy when I was little, watching my mom cook, seeing the flame pattern miss the small pots, and wondering if there was some physics involved that nobody told me about, otherwise why would you design the burner that way?!? Still drives me nuts. So, thanks for reminding me about that!

Anyone know what the deal is with Wolf changing their burners? The salesmen at Reno's made some disparaging reference to it, but I can't tell what the current story is...

Thanks, T

As far as I have heard, they are not changing the burners on the AG. The big change on the AG was the hydraulic door hinges. The tech at Wolf told me no other changes were planned (at least as of last month when I'd called). We are going to a cooking demo at the Pine Brook, NJ Wolf/SZ showroom next week. I'll try to remember to ask about it there (someone remind me before next Tuesday though!).

I also herd they are changing the oven handle. As you open the oven, the handle would roll, the new one won't.

They changed the handle when they changed the door, and it does not roll now. Apparently some chefs preferred the rolling kind, but having never had a range with a rolling handle myself, I don't think it's something I'll miss terribly (more like, "oh that might have been neat to have, but not worth being bummed about it" sort of thing). Looks-wise, I think the new handle is a little nicer looking perhaps?

I called Wolf/SZ today with an unrelated question, and asked about the burners. There are no plans (at least to the person answering the phone's knowledge) to change the burners on the AG range. Will ask at the demo next week, too though.

We have the Wolf AG 30" too.

I did go visit the American at the distributor here because I was curious. (I posted some pix on the American thread) Here are some observations I had -
Oven size - yes, the oven is larger and yes you can fit a full sheet pan in the oven. But we don't have a full sheet pan and wouldn't have a cabinet to store it in if we did - it was big!
Warranty - Wolf 2 yr - American 1 yr (Might justify the price difference for you!)
Color - Wolf SS - American - any color - but then there are those great red knobs!
Ignitors - American has sep ignitors for each burner and the stove. Wolf does not. (I'm not sure of the benefits either way but it was mentioned when he went thru the demo)
Indicators - American has a light for each burner to see that they are on. Wolf does not.
Burners - Wolf - all the same, very convenient to not have to think about which is what. American - varies by burner.
Simmer - Wolf - listed at 500 (?? I think) - American - 140
Grates - Wolf - sep for each burner - American - covers two burners with one long grate. A little easier to clean around being able to just pick up the one.
Cleaning - the black porcelain - cleans easy enough. I haven't cleaned the oven yet (needs it) and the grates are still fine. There has been very little that fell to the drip tray.
Island Back - if you need this for your space, Americans was not yet available but it is coming. And speaking of the back, American includes the 4" riser w/the price of the range. Wolf does not, it is purchased sep. but you do get to pick which one you want.
Knobs - Wolf - removable for cleaning. American - we couldn't get them off to tell.
Oven Lights - American - 2 - Wolf 1 - but it is fine to see with it on.

Whew - that being said - the one thing that kept coming to my attention during the demo at American was that he was commenting on Wolf a lot. The only other range that does "x" is Wolf. Quote "Outside of Wolf, this is the best range for the money" - thought that was interesting.

It did look like a very well built range and had a nicer look that some of the same style.

But, we are pleased with the Wolf and have enjoyed using it these past few months. I think if your heart is already there and you can justify the extra cost you will be very pleased with it.

Let us know what you decide.

Ooops - I forgot - the handle doesn't move. Also, when we were shopping we did ask about the burners and any changes. There are no changes planned for the gas range. (They did mention upgrades that may be coming for the dual fuel) The only change for the gas was the door.

Did you visit Reno's in NJ for this demonstration? Sounds like the one I got, though maybe not as anti-wolf.

(A small note - Wolf's simmer is listed as 500 btu, while the American Range is listed at 140-degrees. Not sure which is in fact a smaller simmer.)

No, it was in Atlanta. And funny enough, it wasn't anit - Wolf, it was very pro Wolf. They kept comparing as the lesser range to Wolf. That was what struck me as odd - I would have expected the other "better than" side.

That should be...

it wasn't anti - Wolf....

oops

stimyg
i just got my 48" all gas american range 2 wks ago and it is sweet. really well built and the management is great to deal with. the wolf is a great stove too but for the price, i could use the extra money somewhere else. that tree in the backyard died many years ago,lol. try dvorsons food service equiptment they are in california and have a good relationship with american. as you may have seen in my other posts i had nothing but good experiences (outside of delayed shipping date) but access to the right people is clearly easier.i think you will be pleasently surprised. i feel that american is going to be giving wolf a run for the money hands down.i live in jackson, n.j.
best of luck,
john
917-842-1809

I don't know anything about American Range but do you know that Wolf presently has a $500 rebate offer valid thru Dec 07. that might help you to decide.

Good luck

rjkarma106, where did you hear of or find out about a rebate on Wolf ranges? I see nothing on the home page.

Yes, do tell! We just had ours delivered recently...would love a rebate!

Can't speak to current rebates but a few months back there were rebates in one region but not mine. (SE) Check with your distributor (not retailer) for the area and see if rebates are being offered in your region.

Good luck!

Will call tomorrow to find out--it can't hurt. Thanks!