Feb 6 2008
Furthering its seven decades heritage of fulfilling culinary passions, Thermador arrives at the 2008 International Builders’ Show (2/13-16/08) with two exciting industry firsts. Thermador’s sleek new electric cooktops boast infrared sensor technology to accurately monitor the cooking temperature for precise results and time savings. While redesigned gas cooktops feature the next generation exclusive Star Burner®, and now offer the most powerful 30” gas cooktop on the market today. Additionally, the luxury brand is unveiling a fresh slate of companion ventilation products, including new downdraft available with the first ever recirculation kit, and the stylish Easy LiftTM Chimney Hood with its pivoting glass canopy.
“As America’s iconic cooking brand, Thermador appliances have always seamlessly blended performance and style,” said Franz J. Bosshard, president and CEO. “What we’ve accomplished with our new design aesthetic is to ensure that our heritage of firsts in the industry continues to grow, as evidenced with the debut of our dynamic electric and gas cooktops at IBS 2008.”
In 2007, Thermador sought to create a modern interpretation of classic American style. The result was a full range of distinctive new appliances – led by the Masterpiece and Professional Series wall ovens – that offer chiseled surfaces, bold profiles and high-grade elements such as stainless steel knobs and robust door handles. Now, these dramatic aesthetics are being unveiled in Thermador’s latest electric and gas cooktops, and ventilation.
Electric Cooktops
Unlike anything on the market today, Thermador’s revamped electric cooktops now feature exclusive infrared sensor technology called Sensor DomeTM, on its new Masterpiece Deluxe Series in both 30” and 36”. With this retractable sensor dial, an infrared beam continuously measures the heat, and then automatically shuts the burner off, as well as cycles it on and off, to maintain the precise temperature needed. The result is time savings combined with superior cooking performance — without the guesswork or the need to constantly adjust the temperature. Additionally, Sensor Dome is a powerful ally to the CookSmart™ program, new to Thermador’s electric cooktops and currently available on the advanced Masterpiece wall ovens. Designed to save consumers time and effort, CookSmart offers nine pre-programmed temperature modes to perfectly prepare a variety of common recipes, including pasta, potatoes and vegetables, as well as assist with deep frying. Again, the automatic shut-off timer and cycling of the element eliminates the need for constant power adjustment.
Gas Cooktops
Beautifully complementing its current slate of high performance Professional Series gas cooktops, Thermador is unveiling a new lineup of Masterpiece Series gas cooktops – including the industry’s most powerful 30” cooktop with five burners and 52,000 BTU of total output. These kitchen marvels all feature the next generation of Thermador’s exclusive Star Burner, which has a unique star-shaped design to deliver 56% more even heat distribution – compared to a standard round burner – resulting in faster and superior cooking results. Boasting the brand’s new edgy design, these cooktops also offer a larger cooking surface to accommodate multiple pots and pans, robust grates, aluminum burner bases and a stainless steel front center control panel with heavy-duty metal knobs.
The Masterpiece Series’ 30” cooktops feature up to 16,000 BTU, while the 36” model offers up to 18,000 BTU – the highest in the industry. A powerhouse in a streamlined package, the 30” five-burner model is perfect for smaller kitchen spaces, or as the cooking centerpiece in high-rise or multi-family building developments. Distinguishing itself with a sophisticated black glass overlay on the control panel, the Masterpiece Deluxe Series offers both a 30” and 36” model with five brass burners. The control panel’s high-quality look is also easy-to-clean, and features a blue-colored, progressive illumination bezel that follows the turn of the dials. Another blue indicator announces when Thermador’s exclusive ExtraLow® Simmer is in use. This patented system electronically cycles the flame on and off continuously for precise simmer control for melting chocolate or keeping delicate sauces warm without scorching.
Ventilation
A recent recipient of a 2007 Good Design Award and K+BB’s Product Innovator Merit Award, Thermador’s signature slide-out Drawer Hood is now joined by the stylish new 36” Easy Lift Chimney Hood. Beautiful and highly functional, it comes with electronic touch controls, a 600 CFM blower, and is distinguished by a pivoting glass canopy. Its unique design means that it can be lowered to ensure that it is positioned effectively to clear the smoke above the cooking surface, as well as lifted for more headroom or ease during cleaning. This stunning hood makes for a bold visual complement to any of Thermador’s new electric and gas cooktops.
Additionally, Thermador’s new downdraft ventilation, ideal for island installations, is available in the Masterpiece Series with a 14” rise — the highest in the industry. Featuring mechanical controls and a highly efficient filter, this downdraft system is available with the Thermador exclusive recirculation module accessory. A first-of-its-kind in the industry, this allows for powerful ventilation in difficult-to-duct situations, such as high-rise buildings and cement slab foundation homes. The module is installed in the cabinetry below the island cooking surface with little ducting needed, and simultaneously cleans and vents the air.