Can't answer about the blue enamel issues, but a week ago, while helping a friend shop, a dealer told us that the 30" induction model would not be available for shipping for another four weeks or so.

Interesting. My local appliance retailer claims that they are currently available. She also said the blue enamel has a 12 year warranty?? I asked if she could direct me to some documentation on that one, because all I've seen is the standard 2/5 warranty where you get an extra year added on if installation is by a certified Wolf installer. She seemed pretty confident that the blue enamel issue is pretty isolated and not as widespread as the forum posts here might make it seem.

I still have a few other things to take care of in my kitchen before I actually buy my range, but perhaps I will be one of the early adopters for the IR304PE.

If it's shipping in a month, your store might consider that "available" as in they're taking orders.

It also sounds like she's really trying to sell you. The problem with the enamel--which is more widespread than the appliance retailers want to make it seem--is that when it chips, the convection blows shards of glass into your food. The likelihood of something tragic happening because of it is quite low, but it's still possible, and this is what has people so upset.

Wolf makes good products, but the enamel issue has given them a tremendous black eye. Gaggenau currently advertises that they don't have enamel problems, and they usually stay totally out of the mainstream.

The range might be terrific and have a perfectly good oven. Or not. You'll have to figure out that early adopter thing yourself. :)

Yeah, it's a tough call. I've considered the fact that she's just being a typical salesperson and downplaying the concern, and that's certainly probable. But I told her that if I didn't get the Wolf, I would probably get the Miele. Which is actually more expensive than the Wolf! So the fact that she still seemed positive on Wolf even in view of that made me think that maybe she was just giving me her honest opinion. Who knows though. I've never been good at reading salespeople.

More expensive doesn't mean more profit. They're really not connected.

I don't think the saleswoman was likely being purposefully dishonest, but her view of the issue is probably more colored by a sales goal of selling X number of Wolfs than it is by steering you away from a product which is 100% untested and could be just fine, based on past bad outcomes.

You're doing your research. You know the issues. Ignore the sales help on the information. You already know more than they probably do. Trust what you do know.

Having been bitten once by a beautifully designed appliance, first off the line, which was so off the mark that the maker took it back, I'm shy of early adoption. That's my bias. Miele also has a very good reputation for cooking appliances, and hasn't yet had a big issue like this, so I would choose Miele given a choice of the two.

If you're less risk averse and really want the Wolf, and if you're ready to deal with it if the oven has an issue--or any other part of a new design goes kaphlooie--go for it. The actual works of Wolf ovens are excellent according to all the good cooks I know who have used them. But if you're price sensitive, which it sounds like you might be, is it worth the gamble?

I have one...or should I say, I have had THREE. Three broken units and now talking to Wolf Customer Care about the 4th. Ridiculous.